Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
Parallel translations
- WEB to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
- KJV To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
- BSB and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.
- NKJV To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity;
- NASB To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
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
Proverbs trains us in prudent conduct that is righteous, just, and fair. It matters because true wisdom always produces upright, equitable living, not merely success.
Overview
Wisdom here is moral and relational, expressed in righteousness, justice, and equity. These terms describe right standing before God and fair dealing with others, the same qualities God Himself embodies. The instruction shapes character so that the wise person mirrors God's own justice, ultimately seen in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Prov 2:1–9My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you;
- Job 22:22Please receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.
- Prov 8:10–11Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.
- 1 Kgs 3:28All Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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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 1:3 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.