Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Parallel translations
- WEB Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
- BSB All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
- NKJV Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.
- NASB Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace.
- NLT She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.
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 ways are pleasant and lead to peace. Walking with God's wisdom brings a flourishing, well-ordered life.
Overview
Continuing the praise of wisdom (vv. 13-18), the father commends her by her fruit: pleasantness and peace (shalom, wholeness with God and neighbor). This is not the world's ease but the deep well-being of a life lived in fear of the Lord. In Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24-30), this peace is fully secured for those who walk in him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Luke 1:79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
- Isa 26:3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
- Phil 4:8–9Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- Prov 2:10When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
- Ps 119:165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
- Ps 112:1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
- Prov 22:18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
- Ps 19:10–11More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
- Ps 119:14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
- Matt 11:28–30Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- Prov 16:7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Isa 57:19I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
- Ps 119:47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
- Ps 119:103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
- Ps 119:174I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
- Ps 63:3–5Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
- Ps 25:10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
- Ps 37:11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
- Rom 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
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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 3:17 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.