For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
Parallel translations
- KJV For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
- BSB for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
- NKJV For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
- NASB For her profit is better than the profit of silver, And her produce better than gold.
- NLT For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
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
Wisdom's profit is better than silver and its gain better than gold. It matters because it shows wisdom is more valuable than any wealth.
Overview
Wisdom's return surpasses the finest precious metals, a recurring comparison in Proverbs (cf. 2:4; 8:10-11). Material riches are good but cannot compare to the worth of wisdom. This priceless value points to Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Prov 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- Prov 8:19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver.
- Job 28:13–19Man doesn’t know its price; Neither is it found in the land of the living.
- Rev 3:18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
- Ps 119:111I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
- Ps 119:162I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
- 2 Chr 1:11–12God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor yet have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king,
- Prov 8:10–11Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.
- Matt 16:26For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
- Prov 2:4If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:
- Ps 119:72The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD
- Phil 3:8–9Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
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 3:14 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.