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Proverbs 3:13-18

箴言 3:13-18

The Passage

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

In the other language

得智慧，得聪明的，这人便为有福。因为得智慧胜过得银子，其利益强如精金，比珍珠宝贵；你一切所喜爱的，都不足与比较。她右手有长寿，左手有富贵。她的道是安乐；她的路全是平安。她与持守她的作生命树；持定她的，俱各有福。

Theme

Finding wisdom

Bring a question to this passage

Many readers arrive here from a real question. These are reflections for how this passage speaks to the questions people bring most often — not an answer about what will happen, but an invitation to sit with it slowly.

How do I face this season of pressure at work?

Wisdom is described here as more valuable than silver, gold, or anything you might desire. Her ways are pleasantness and peace; she is a tree of life to those who hold her. Under pressure at work, the most visible rewards can become the only ones that seem to count: recognition, income, or getting everything finished. This passage broadens the measure of a good life. It does not promise that wise choices will make your job easy or bring financial success. It invites you to value understanding and peaceful ways of living alongside your responsibilities. What would valuing wisdom change about how you approach this week?

Carry thisWisdom is worth more than the rewards pressure makes urgent.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 40:31 · 2 Corinthians 10:2-6

I want to learn to love better in this relationship.

Finding understanding brings a happiness this passage values above silver, gold, or precious jewels. In a relationship, that changes what counts as valuable: understanding may matter more than winning, and a peaceful way of speaking more than having the last word. The passage praises wisdom's paths as peace; it does not promise that every difficult conversation will become easy. You are invited to seek a way of loving that gives life rather than merely protects your position. Sometimes that includes patience; sometimes it includes clear, truthful words. Wisdom is worth holding onto even when pride offers a quicker satisfaction. Where could you value understanding more than being proved right?

Carry thisUnderstanding is worth more than the satisfaction of winning.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 40:31 · 2 Corinthians 10:2-6

What do I need to let go of in the coming weeks?

Some things are difficult to release because they have become measures of how well you think you are doing. This passage does not name what you need to let go of in the coming weeks, but it places wisdom above wealth and everything you might desire, inviting you to reconsider what deserves your deepest attention. Its images of peaceful paths and a tree of life give you room to ask whether a pursuit is nourishing you or merely keeping you occupied, without assuming that every difficult responsibility should be abandoned. Wisdom is worth more than what you can acquire, so which pursuit could you loosen your grip on to make room for understanding?

Carry thisWisdom is worth more than the things you can accumulate.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 40:31 · 2 Corinthians 10:2-6

How can I find stillness in a busy life?

Beneath the demands of a busy day, you may long for something that cannot be measured by how much you finish. This passage does not directly explain how to find stillness, but it describes wisdom as precious, life-giving, and marked by peace. You can linger with that picture before God without turning it into another task or expecting your circumstances to become easy. Perhaps a small beginning is to pause before one decision and notice whether you are reaching for what matters or merely what feels urgent. Wisdom is pictured here as a tree of life; where could you make room to rest in its shade today?

Carry thisWisdom is worth your attention, even without an immediate achievement.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 40:31 · 2 Corinthians 10:2-6

Have a different question?

Write what you are actually carrying right now, and Lectio will answer it with this passage — Proverbs 3:13-18.

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Proverbs 3 — in context

7Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase:

10so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof:

12for whom the LORD loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

14For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

15She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

16Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

19By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.

20By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

21My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:

22so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

23Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.

More from Proverbs

Related topics

Wisdom and Guidance

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