For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Parallel translations
- WEB For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better 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 is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
- Prov 8:19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
- Job 28:13–19Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
- Rev 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
- Ps 119:111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
- Ps 119:162I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
- 2 Chr 1:11–12And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
- Prov 8:10–11Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
- Matt 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Prov 2:4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
- Ps 119:72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
- Phil 3:8–9Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win 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.