Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Study note
The father gives his son some of the most important advice in the Bible: trust God completely, do not rely only on your own thinking, and honor God with the first part of your earnings. 'Firstfruits' meant giving God the very first and best portion of your harvest before keeping any for yourself. This showed that you trusted God to provide for the rest of your needs.
1 My child, always remember what I have taught you. Let my instructions stay close to your heart. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 Following them will add years to your life and fill those years with peace. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Hold tight to loyalty and faithfulness at all times. Wrap them around your neck like a necklace and carve them deep into your heart. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 When you do, both God and the people around you will think highly of you. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Never assume you have it all figured out on your own. Instead, respect the Lord and stay far from wrongdoing. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 Doing this will keep your body healthy and give your bones fresh energy. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Use your money to honor the Lord by giving him the very first portion of everything you earn. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 When you do, your storage rooms will be packed full, and your containers will overflow with new wine. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Accept God's Correction
Study note
Just as a loving father disciplines his children to help them grow, God corrects those He loves. Discipline may feel painful, but it is actually a sign of God's love and care. This passage is quoted in the New Testament in Hebrews 12:5-6.
11 My child, when the Lord corrects you, do not push him away. Do not get frustrated when he points out where you went wrong. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 The Lord only corrects people he truly cares about, the same way a father disciplines a child he is proud of. For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
The Priceless Value of Wisdom
Study note
Wisdom is pictured as more valuable than silver, gold, or rubies. She brings long life, wealth, honor, and peace. Wisdom is even described as a 'tree of life,' connecting back to the Garden of Eden. The passage also says that God used wisdom when He created the world, showing that wisdom is not just practical advice but reflects the very nature of God.
13 The person who finds wisdom and gains real understanding is truly blessed. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 What wisdom gives you is more valuable than silver, and its payoff beats even the purest gold. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 Wisdom is worth more than the rarest gems. There is nothing you could wish for that comes close to her value. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 One hand of hers offers you a long, full life, and the other hand holds out wealth and respect. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Every road she leads you down is enjoyable, and all of her paths end in peace. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is like a living tree that gives life to everyone who takes hold of her. Everyone who grabs on to her is truly happy. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 God used wisdom when he built the earth and understanding when he stretched out the heavens. The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 His knowledge caused the deep oceans to burst open and the clouds to release their dew. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Walk Safely and Sleep Peacefully
Study note
Keeping wisdom close will give you safety during the day and peaceful sleep at night. In the ancient world, nighttime travel was dangerous because of robbers and wild animals. The promise here is that those who hold on to wisdom do not need to live in constant fear.
21 My child, never lose sight of good judgment and careful thinking. Keep them always within your reach. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 They will breathe life into your soul and hang around your neck like a beautiful ornament. So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 You will walk through life confidently, and your feet will not trip over anything. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When bedtime comes, fear will not follow you there. You will fall into a deep, restful sleep. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 You will not need to panic about sudden trouble. The ruin that wicked people bring will not scare you. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 The Lord himself will be the one you rely on, and he will keep you from getting caught in any trap. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Be Kind and Fair to Your Neighbors
Study note
The chapter ends with practical commands about how to treat other people: do not hold back good from someone when you can help, do not put off helping your neighbor until tomorrow, do not pick fights, and do not be jealous of violent or dishonest people. God's blessing rests on the humble and the just.
27 When you have the ability to help someone who needs it, do not hold back. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 If you can help your neighbor right now, do not say, "Check back with me tomorrow." Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Do not secretly plot against the person who lives next door and trusts you. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Do not start an argument with someone who has done nothing wrong to you. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31 Do not look at violent people and wish you had what they have. Never follow their example. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 The Lord hates people who are dishonest. But he lets honest people into his inner circle. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 God places a curse on the household of the wicked, but he pours out blessings on the home of those who do right. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 He makes fun of people who make fun of others, but he pours out grace on those who are humble. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 Wise people will end up being honored. But foolish people will carry nothing but shame. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.