Proverbs 3:13-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The True Wealth
13 Happy are those who find wisdom
and those who get understanding,
14 for her income is better than silver
and her revenue better than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(B)
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.(C)
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.(D)
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.(E)
God’s Wisdom in Creation
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;(F)
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.(G)
The True Security
21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight:
keep sound wisdom and prudence,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.(H)
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.(I)
24 If you sit down,[a] you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Then you will not be afraid of sudden panic
or of the storm that strikes the wicked,(J)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
Footnotes
- 3.24 Gk: Heb lie down
Proverbs 3:13-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Wisdom Brings Happiness
13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(A)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(C)
nothing you desire compares with her.(D)
16 Long life[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.
19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom(H)
and established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,(I)
and the clouds dripped with dew.(J)
21 Maintain your competence and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them.(K)
22 They will be life for you[b][c](L)
and adornment[d] for your neck.
23 Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble.(M)
24 When you lie[e] down, you will not be afraid;(N)
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,(O)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence[f]
and will keep your foot from a snare.(P)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days
- Proverbs 3:22 Or be your throat
- Proverbs 3:22 In Hb, nephesh can mean throat, soul, or life.
- Proverbs 3:22 Or grace
- Proverbs 3:24 LXX reads sit
- Proverbs 3:26 Or be at your side
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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