(A)At Gibeon (B)the Lord appeared to Solomon (C)in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because (D)he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and (E)have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, (F)you have made your servant king in place of David my father, (G)although I am but a little child. I do not know (H)how to go out or come in. (I)And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, (J)too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. (K)Give your servant therefore an understanding mind (L)to govern your people, that I may (M)discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, (N)I now do according to your word. Behold, (O)I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 (P)I give you also what you have not asked, (Q)both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, (R)as your father David walked, then (S)I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon (T)awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

Read full chapter

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

(A)My son, do not forget my teaching,
    (B)but let your heart keep my commandments,
for (C)length of days and years of life
    and (D)peace they will add to you.

Let not (E)steadfast love and (F)faithfulness forsake you;
    (G)bind them around your neck;
    (H)write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will (I)find favor and (J)good success[a]
    in the sight of God and man.

(K)Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and (L)do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways (M)acknowledge him,
    and he (N)will make straight your paths.
(O)Be not wise in your own eyes;
    (P)fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be (Q)healing to your flesh[b]
    and (R)refreshment[c] to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with (S)the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your (T)barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 (U)My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as (V)a father the son in whom he delights.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:4 Or repute
  2. Proverbs 3:8 Hebrew navel
  3. Proverbs 3:8 Or medicine

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Study Bible, Personal Size, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
ESV Study Bible, Personal Size, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
Retail: $74.99
Our Price: $36.49
Save: $38.50 (51%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
Retail: $129.99
Our Price: $87.99
Save: $42.00 (32%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition--soft leather-look, brown
ESV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition--soft leather-look, brown
Retail: $79.99
Our Price: $52.99
Save: $27.00 (34%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible--bonded leather, black
ESV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible--bonded leather, black
Retail: $74.99
Our Price: $37.49
Save: $37.50 (50%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible, Hardcover
ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible, Hardcover
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $17.99
Save: $22.00 (55%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
Proverbs, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Proverbs, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $8.99
Our Price: $5.99
Save: $3.00 (33%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars