Proverbs 3:1-35
Further Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father [b] the son he delights in.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
"Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—
when you now have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason—
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways,
32 for the LORD detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools he holds up to shame.
Solomon give us much advice on the benefits of wisdom and being obedient to God...If we follow God's commandments in our hearts we will live long and prosper...When we fear and respect the LORD, He brings health to our bodies...We do not want love and faith to ever leave us...They are needed at every age and stage in our lives...We must trust in the LORD with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding...If we are confident in the LORD and trust in Him He will keep our feet from being snared...We are to honor the LORD with our wealth and our what we have, then we will have even more of an outflowing of prosperity...The LORD disciplines because of His love, just as a father disciplines his own sons...
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, for a man can gain understanding...By wisdom the LORD laid off the earth's foundations, and set the heavens in place...We are to preserve sound judgment and discernment...We are not to withhold good from those who need it or plot against our neighbor, who lives trustfully near, when he has done you no harm...Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways and remember the LORD's curse is on the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteousness...
We need to follow God in everything we do...If we can keep the faith and the love upon our hearts, we will gain a good name in the sight of God and man...We need to praise and thank Him daily...Suffering and pain will come in our lives, but God is there...He is the One who comforts us...He is a Father who will discipline us, because of His great love and grace...And although it maybe hard to understand, we must trust in Him...Money and material things on earth are nothing when we compare them to the wisdom of the eternities...The eternities of God which Jesus teaches are not only good for a healthy body, they a a must and good for the soul...