7 Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
To man he said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.'"
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh. Who is someone who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking lies. Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.
The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, Turning people from the snares of death.
For I don't desire, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} to have you ignorant of this mystery, so that you won't be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 3
Commentary on Proverbs 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
This chapter is one of the most excellent in all this book, both for argument to persuade us to be religious and for directions therein.
From all this it appears what a tendency religion has to make men both blessed and blessings.
Pro 3:1-6
We are here taught to live a life of communion with God; and without controversy great is this mystery of godliness, and of great consequence to us, and, as is here shown, will be of unspeakable advantage.
Pro 3:7-12
We have here before us three exhortations, each of them enforced with a good reason:-
Pro 3:13-20
Solomon had pressed us earnestly to seek diligently for wisdom (ch. 2:1, etc.), and had assured us that we should succeed in our sincere and constant pursuits. But the question is, What shall we get by it when we have found it? Prospect of advantage is the spring and spur of industry; he therefore shows us how much it will be to our profit, laying this down for an unquestionable truth, Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, that true wisdom which consists in the knowledge and love of God, and an entire conformity to all the intentions of his truths, providences, and laws. Now observe,
Pro 3:21-26
Solomon, having pronounced those happy who not only lay hold on wisdom, but retain her, here exhorts us therefore to retain her, assuring us that we ourselves shall have the comfort of doing so.
Pro 3:27-35
True wisdom consists in the due discharge of our duty towards man, as well as towards God, in honesty as well as piety, and therefore we have here divers excellent precepts of wisdom which relate to our neighbour.