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But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”
Proverbs 1:33 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
  • KJV But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
  • NKJV But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
  • NASB “But whoever listens to me will live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”
  • NLT But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Whoever listens to wisdom will dwell securely, without fear of harm. It matters because it offers the gracious alternative: safety in heeding God's call.

Overview

The chapter ends not in doom but in promise: the one who listens to wisdom finds security and peace. This contrast highlights the two ways set before every person. Such rest finds its fullest expression in Christ, who gives true peace and security to those who come to Him (Matt. 11:28-29).

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 16

  • Ps 25:12–13Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him.
  • Ps 112:7–8He does not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
  • Isa 26:3You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
  • John 10:27–29My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
  • Prov 14:26He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
  • Luke 21:9When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.”
  • Prov 8:32–35Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
  • Luke 21:19By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
  • Prov 9:11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
  • Ps 81:13If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,
  • Isa 55:3Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
  • 1 Pet 1:5who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
  • Matt 17:5While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
  • Prov 3:21–26My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
  • Isa 48:18If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.
  • Rom 8:35–39Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (6)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Proverbs videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Proverbs 1:33YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on ProverbsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.

How Proverbs 1:33 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.