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.
- KJV Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
- BSB All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
- 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 shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
- Isa 26:3You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
- Phil 4:8–9Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
- Prov 2:10For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
- Ps 119:165Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
- Ps 112:1Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments.
- Prov 22:18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
- Ps 19:10–11More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
- Ps 119:14I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
- Matt 11:28–30“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Prov 16:7When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Isa 57:19I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
- Ps 119:47I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
- Ps 119:103How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!
- Ps 119:174I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
- Ps 63:3–5Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
- Ps 25:10All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
- Ps 37:11But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
- Rom 5:1Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus 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 3:17 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.