Proverbs 3 :: New International Version (NIV)

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

Pro 3:1

Pro 3:1My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

Pro 3:2

Pro 3:2for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Pro 3:3

Pro 3:3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Pro 3:4

Pro 3:4Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Pro 3:5

Pro 3:5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Pro 3:6

Pro 3:6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[fn]

Pro 3:7

Pro 3:7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

Pro 3:8

Pro 3:8This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Pro 3:9

Pro 3:9Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

Pro 3:10

Pro 3:10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Pro 3:11

Pro 3:11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,

Pro 3:12

Pro 3:12because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.[fn]

Pro 3:13

Pro 3:13Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,

Pro 3:14

Pro 3:14for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

Pro 3:15

Pro 3:15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Pro 3:16

Pro 3:16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Pro 3:17

Pro 3:17Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

Pro 3:18

Pro 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

Pro 3:19

Pro 3:19By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;

Pro 3:20

Pro 3:20by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

Pro 3:21

Pro 3:21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;

Pro 3:22

Pro 3:22they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

Pro 3:23

Pro 3:23Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

Pro 3:24

Pro 3:24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Pro 3:25

Pro 3:25Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

Pro 3:26

Pro 3:26for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

Pro 3:27

Pro 3:27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

Pro 3:28

Pro 3:28Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.

Pro 3:29

Pro 3:29Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

Pro 3:30

Pro 3:30Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.

Pro 3:31

Pro 3:31Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.

Pro 3:32

Pro 3:32For the LORD detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.

Pro 3:33

Pro 3:33The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

Pro 3:34

Pro 3:34He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

Pro 3:35

Pro 3:35The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(3:6)

Or will direct your paths

(3:12)

Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child

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