Proverbs 3

In this chapter he continues to press obedience to the precepts of wisdom; from the consideration of the benefits that are to be reaped thereby. Which he began to speak of in the foregoing chapter (touching also there, upon the mischiefs on the contrary side), but herd handles more largely; and explains it not only in general, but in seve^- ral particular precepts: for instance, liberality to God’s ministers, ver. 9, 10. patience in adversity, ver. 11, 12. the foundation of which is an entire trust in God, and his fidelity, who will honour those that honour him, in his ministers; and never desert those in their trouble whd do good when they are in their prosperity, ver. 5, 6. After these things he returns to the general exhortation, ver. 13, &c. advising every one to learn the doctrine de^- livered by God, and to be obedient; and not to be so foolish as to prefer his own wisdom or craft before it. To which he adds promises and comminations> together with several advices; which I need not note particularly, because they lie plainly before their eyes who will read the chapter. Ishall only observe that he represents wisdom, [a] (ver. 16, 17, &c.) that is, religion and virtue, as other authors have done (particularly Cebcs in his Tahles), in the shape of a beautiful woman, or rather queen; with her arms extended, in the posture not only of directing, but also of rewarding her lovers and followers. For she holds forth in her right hand the great blessings of health and length of days, unto all those that will walk in the way to which she points. And it was but just to place this in her right hand, that is, to give it the precedence; because it was the chief promise of the law: and indeed the most desirable of all earthly blessings, without which nothing can be enjoyed; no, not ourselves. And then, after this, follow wealth and reputation; things that mankind mightily covet: which he places in her left hand; as inferior blessings, but that come also from her gift. And as for cheerfulness in all conditions, there are no pleasures, he affirms, like those which wait upon her, and attend her motions. Safe and secure pleasures; which do not merely gratify us for the present, and thcri % expose us to danger, and leave us sad afterward; but give us a peaceable possession of perpetual joy, which never dies nor decays; but, like the tree of life, remains fresh for ever. This ho proves, ver. 19, 20. and amplifies in the rest of the chapter. [6] In which some observe three proverbial sayings: one ver. 8. which seems to be but a metaphorical represent: ation of that firmness, that vigorous health, and cheerfulness of mind, which virtue imparts: the other in ver. 12. [c]ivhom the Lord loveth he correcteth; which Theodoret, upon Heb. xii. C. calls indeed irapoifitaKri irapaivz- <rtg, a proverbial admonition, belonging to such parents^ guardians, and masters, as are careful of those committed to their charge; but he names it so, I suppose, only because he found it in the book of the Proverbs. The last in vcr. 18. [d] tree of life: which seems to ho a proverbial speech (used afterward more than once in this book) for that which prolongs life; and makes it very delightful and pleasant, as well as firm and durable, if we understand it of Christ, the wisdom of God (as Origen, St. Ambrose, St. Austin, and others do), or of his doctrine, which is the same: it is literally true that he gives immortality, as the tree of life in Paradise would have done. which men foolishly and vainly seek to “get, and to keep, by other means. See Arg. [«]

Proverbs 3:1

IfJLY son, forget not my taw; but let thine heart keep my commandments. Let me then again entreat thee, whoever thou art that comest to learn of me (who loveth thee with a fatherly affection), not to be careless and negligent in the observance of these instructions; but remember them, and love them, and set thyself heartily to do whatsoever I command thee.

Proverbs 3:2

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.~. For this is the surest way to that which all men naturally desire, and seek to attain: a long life, in firm health, vigour, and strength; with all manner of happiness and prosperity, (Deut. xxx. 18. 20.)

Proverbs 3:3

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart. Of this thou canst not miss, if thou wilt be steadfastly good and just; for the infinite bounty of God, and his faithfulness to his promises, will secure these blessings to thee; therefore let my commandments be ever before thine eyes; fix them in thy memory and in thy affections, as if they wero engraven upon thy heart; and look upon it as the greatest ornament to be obedient to them. ■

Proverbs 3:4

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Which is as much, as if I had bidden thee acquire favour with God; and understand, on all occasions, what is good for thyself, ordering all thy affairs with such judgment and prudence, as to be in high esteem with him and with men.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean wot unto thy own understanding. And assure thyself there is no rule.of prudence like to this, to confide in God entirely; audio depend wholly.on his providence for good success in vvell-doing: no,t imagining that, by thy own wit and policy, thou canst contrive such events as thou desirest, and bring about what thou desigaest.

Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. No; in all thy undertakings, both private and public, be sensible of his overruling power; observe Jus laws; and implore his favour and blessing: and he shall guide thee in thy proceedings; and bring them to a happy issue, as.he in his wisdom sees best for thee.

Proverbs 3:7

Be not wise in thine own eyes:fear the Lord, and depart from evil.~. Never be guilty of such folly as to conceit thine own wit to be so great, that thou canst manage things thereby in thine own way (neglecting the rules that he hath prescribed thee) to thy satisfaction: but have a religious regard to him, who can either disappoint or prosper thee as he pleases; and, fearing to offend his majesty, avoid most cautiously those practices that he hath forbidden thee. -

Proverbs 3:8

Jt shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy hones. This is the way to preserve a good habit both of soul and body: and in all conditions to remain undejected; nay, cheerful and fully satisfi d, whatsoever happens. SeeArg. \b] Vcr. 9. Honour the Lord tvith thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.]- As, for example, there are those who think it prudence to save all they can; though it be by robbing God himself: but, if thou wilt be truly wise and happy, honour him in his ministers, by paying them their tithes duly; and bringing oblations to his house at the three solemn feasts; (Exod. xxiii. 14, 15.) together with the first-fmits of all that thy estate produces, (xxii. 29, 30.) in token of thy gratitude to him, and that all thou hast is his, and cannot thrive without his blessing.

Proverbs 3:10

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Which he will pour upon thee abundantly; and convince thee, by lading the earth with fruit, and sending a seasonable as well as plentiful harvest and vintage, that this is the way, not to diminish, but to increase the estate which God hath given thee. (Deut. xxviii. 4, 5. 2 Chron. xxxi. 10.)

Proverbs 3:11

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord: neither be weary of his correction. And suppose it be his pleasure that any affliction should befal thee; my son, (ver. 1.) let. not that dissatisfy thee; nor make thee either doubt of his gracious providence over thee, or out of impatience take any unlawful course to remove it from thee.

Proverbs 3:12

For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. But rather submit unto it, as a part of his fatherly discipline, which cannot hurt thee; but only correct something that is amiss in thee: for we are sure he loves those that keep his commandments; and therefore nothing that proceeds from his love ought to be despised, or received with an abject mind; but duly esteemed by them, and raise their expectation of some good from the affliction; which should no more make him suspected of any unkindness, than a tender parentis, when he whips the child in whom he delights; and to whom he wishes so well, that he will not let him be unchastised. See Arg. [c]

Proverbs 3:13

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Happy, more happy than can be expressed, is that man who attains to this degree of wisdom; and acquires (though it cost him the greatest pains and labour) such an understanding of God, and belief of his providence, as, notwithstanding any troubles that befal him, still to adhere unto him in faithful obedience, (ver. 7.)

Proverbs 3:14

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver; and the gain thereof than fine gold. If it were to be bought for money, one would purchase it at any rate; for the profit of it is infinitely to be preferred before all the advantages that can be made by silver and gold.

Proverbs 3:15

She is more precious than rubies: ajid all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. The most precious pearls are not so valuable; nor can our boundless fancy present any tiling to our wishes that is worthy to come in competition with it. Vcr. 16. Length of days is in h$r right hand: and in her left hand riches and honour.] For true wisdom presents us, as we say, with both hands: teaching us, in the first place, such prudence and moderation, as by the Divine blessing prolong our days (which none of those things can do for us); and, in the next place, adds both riches and honour;

Proverbs 3:17

Her ways are icays of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. And, besides all this, there is a singular pleasure, nay, the highest delight, in all the acts of virtue to which wisdom directs her followers: who are always either in perfect safety by well-doing, or, if any trouble come upon them, have that inward tranquillity and satisfaction, which nothing else could give them.

Proverbs 3:18

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and hapfy is every one that retaineth her. In short, wisdom leads into a paradise; and supplies the place of that tree of life, from whence our first parents were banished; that is, gives not only a present, but an immortal satisfaction, to all those that strongly apprehend and retain her precepts; and therefore I again pronounce him happy (ver. 13.) above all other men, and above all expression, who constantly and firmly adheres unto them. Sec Arg. [d]

Proverbs 3:19

TJie Lord by ivisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. For they are a participation of that wonderful wisdom arid understanding, whereby the Lord settled the earth in that place where it remains fixed; and disposed the heavenly bodies in that admirable and unchangeable order, which he would have us imitate.

Proverbs 3:20

By his knowledge the depths are broken tip, and the clouds drop down the dew. In works of mercy and goodness especially, whereby we plainly communicate with him in that knowledge, by which the Lord made fountains of water gush out of the earth for the use of all living creatures; and the clouds drop down plentifully their refreshing dews, for the cherishing of plants and grass, which in hot countries many times have no other. moisture,

Proverbs 3:21

My son, let not Ahem depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion. My son, (to whom my affection is so great, that I cannot but again repeat it, ver. 1. 11.) let me prevail with thee to. fix these good instructions in thy mind: look upon them as the most solid wisdom, and the greatest cunning and policy; and accordingly observe them.

Proverbs 3:22

So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.~. For they will revive and cheer thee, when other things fail thec: and enable thee also with acceptable words to comfort those, whom the fame of thy wisdom shall invite to learn of thee.

Proverbs 3:23

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou goest abroad about thy business, thou shalt dispatch it the more cheerfully, because thou art sure of God’s providence over thee: and wisdom will direct thee to avoid those stumbling-blocks, by which others fall into sin and danger.

Proverbs 3:24

When thou Jiest doivn y thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. And when thou comest home to rest from thy labours, thou shalt not be troubled with fear of what may happen whilst thou art asleep; but (having nothing to discompose thee) shalt lie down securely, and, by a sound and sweet repose, be refreshed to return to thy employments.

Proverbs 3:25

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the ivicked, when it cometh. In which, if thou shonldcst be interrupted by any rumours and reports of unexpected and approaching danger,.let not that disturb thee: no, though thou shouldest see the wicked ready to lay all waste, or the Divine vengeance bringing utter desolation upon them for their wickedness.

Proverbs 3:26

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. For a firm.hope in the Lord shall be thy support, even when thou art in a tottering condition; nay, Avhen thy skill quite fails thee, and thou knowest not what to do for thy safety; he shall so direct and guide thee, that thou shalt be preserved from falling into the hands of those that lie in wait to destroy thee.

Proverbs 3:27

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. And, as it will give thee great security of mind and confidence in God at such a time, not to be conscious to thyself of any wrong done to thy neighbour, by denying to pay thy just debts when thou art able; so the remembrance of having done good to others will be a far greater: and therefore, let me advise thec to take a special care not to withhold relief from those whose needs entitle them unto it: when thou canst not pretend disability, but hast wherewithal to do it.

Proverbs 3:28

Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. And/ as thou wouldcst not have God to defer his help in such distresses as I spake of, (ver. 25, 26.) so do not thou put off thy neighbour, when he begs a kindness of thee, saying, I cannot now; come another time; to-morrow thou shalt see what I will do for thec: when, if thou hadst a heart to it, thou couldcst supply him now, as well as then; and who can tell what shall be to-morrow?

Proverbs 3:29

Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. And let not the quietness of any man’s temper, much less the confidence he hath of thy honesty and goodness, tempt thee to contrive any mischief to him: for the more securely he relies on thy virtue, and the less mistrust he hath of any harm from thee, the greater Avickedness it will be, so much as to have it in thy thoughts to do him any injury.

Proverbs 3:30

Strive?iot with a man ivithotit cause, if he have done thee no harm. For instance, do not bring false actions against any neighbour, nor vex him with causeless or unnecessary suits at law: no, nor so much as pretend a cause for quarrelling and falling out with him, when he hath done nothing to deserve it of thec.

Proverbs 3:31

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none. of his ivays. And what though thou shouldest see men thrive by oppression and violence, let not that provoke thee to emulate them; that is, to wish thyself in their condition, by imitating thein in any of their injurious proceedings.

Proverbs 3:32

For the froxvard is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous. For he that perversely departs from all the rules of truth and justice, is above all expression abominable to the Lord; even in his highest prosperity: but the Lord is a friend to men of sincere integrity; who know the secret of his providence in raising those wicked oppressors so high, that they may have the more dreadful fall.

Proverbs 3:33

The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. The evildoer is under the curse of the Lord, though he live in the 2L