Wisdom Bestows Well-Being Ch. 3
A Proverbs 3 Tapestry
This is a Proverbs 3 rewrite with other parts of scripture woven throughout. The word pictures given in Proverbs are numerous and are echoed throughout scripture. In order for these passages to relate to one another, I’ve had to change some words. Verb tense changes and pronoun changes are not noted, but additions and subtractions are indicated with brackets or ellipses. The original NIV Proverb’s chapters are italicized. All scripture is footnoted.
I hope this tapestry of scripture arrests you as it did me. I plan to release these chapters each Sunday: Chapters 1-8, 30-31. Clink the links below to return to a previous chapter. The next chapter links are at the end when available.
Note: Wisdom and Christ are described very similarly in scripture, but in order for these passages to seem like they’re talking about the same person, I either had to change Wisdom’s pronouns to “he” or change Jesus’ pronouns to “she.” Because I am using Proverbs as my primary text, I changed Jesus’ pronouns to “she.”
Proverbs Chapter 3
My son [and daughter], do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.1 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.2 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.3 [God will] give you the rewards you have earned, and all your works will bring you praise at the city gate.4
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding5 [for] the wisdom of this age [and] . . . the rulers of this age . . . are coming to nothing.6 In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes.7 No, . . . declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.8 Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
The Bounty of Wisdom
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 9 You will have food to eat that [others] know nothing about.10
My [children] do not despise the Lord’s discipline. And do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the [children] he delights in.11
A [life wed to] noble character who can find?12 Blessed are those who find Wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life,13 a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season14 to those who take hold of her. Those who hold her fast will be blessed.
By Wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place.15 Through her all things were made. Without her nothing was made that has been made.16 By her knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
How Wisdom Saves
My [children], do not let Wisdom and understanding out of your sight. Preserve sound judgment and discretion. They will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.17 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.18 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.19
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” 20
How Wisdom Doesn’t Act
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. 21 [Don’t] only take care of yourselves! . . . Take care of the flock, . . .strengthen the weak,. . . heal the sick,. . . bind up the injured, . . .bring back the strays,. . . search for the lost.22 Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you,” when you already have it with you.23 …Share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter. When you see the naked, clothe them, and don’t turn away from your own flesh and blood?24
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason—when they have done you no harm. Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. 25
Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance.26
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame. 27
Proverbs 3:1-3
Deuteronomy 6:8-9
Proverbs 3:4
Proverbs 31:31
Proverbs 3:5
1 Corinthians 2:6b
Proverbs 3:6-7a
1 Corinthians 2:7
Proverbs 3:7b-10
John 4:32b
Proverbs 3:11-12
Proverbs 31:10a
Proverbs 3:13-18a
Psalm 1:3b
Proverbs 3:18b-19
John 1:3
Proverbs 3:20-24
Psalm 121:6
Proverbs 3:25-26
Psalm 91:14-16
Proverbs 3:27
Ezekiel 34:2d,4a-b
Proverbs 3:28
Isaiah 58:7
Proverbs 3:29-32
Micah 2:1-2
Proverbs 3:33-35