Proverbs
Chapter 3
My son, don’t forget my instruction and commands; keep them in your heart.
For they will bring you long life, years of peace, and happiness.
Let loyalty and kindness never leave you; keep them close to your heart, inscribe them on the tablet of your heart,
so that you may find favor and a good reputation in the eyes of God and people.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Let His presence fill all your ways, and He will keep your foot from the trap.
Don’t see yourself as wise; fear God and stay away from evil.
This will be medicine for your body and relief for your bones.
Honor the Lord by giving him from what you have, the firstfruits of all your produce.
Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will overflow with wine.
My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or ignore his correction.
For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father does for his beloved son.
Wisdom and Prudence
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and gains insight.
For she is more valuable than silver and more useful than gold.
She is worth more than pearls; nothing you desire can compare with her.
With her right hand, she offers you a long life; with her left, riches and glory.
She guides you along pleasant paths; all her ways are peaceful.
She is a tree of life for those who embrace her; those who hold her are happy.
It is through his wisdom that the Lord established the earth; by his understanding, he made the heavens firm.
By his knowledge, the depths were carved out, and the clouds dropped dew.
My son, hold onto sound judgment and discretion, and never let them go.
They will bring vitality to your inner self and adorn your neck.
Then you can go your way safely, and your foot will not stumble.
You will have no fear when you lie down, and your sleep will be peaceful.
You will not fear sudden terror or the attack of evildoers.
For the Lord is at your side and he guards your steps against the snare.
Duties Towards One’s Neighbor
Do not hold back from those who ask for your help, when it is in your power to do it so.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come another time; tomorrow I will give it to you!” when you can help him now.
Do not plot evil against your trusting neighbor,
nor fight a man without cause when he has done you no wrong.
Do not envy a violent man or follow his example.
The Lord hates the wicked but guides those who are honest.
He curses the house of the wrongdoer but blesses the home of the righteous.
If there are mockers, he mocks them in turn, but he shows his favor to the humble.
The wise will keep his honor, while the foolish will inherit shame.
Commentaries
First Collection.
These initial nine chapters serve as an introduction to the entire book, attributed to the final editor of the work.
Teacher’s Discourse.
This speech by the teacher of wisdom highlights several elements that show that, although wisdom might seem to result from human effort, it is actually a gift from God that the wise must accept responsibly. In daily life, the wise, as careful and prudent individuals, must maintain judgment about what is right, just, and suitable. This judgment has two immediate practical effects: first, it keeps us from the “wrong path,” preventing us from walking unthinkingly; second, it protects us from the harlot, the prostitute, who here symbolizes the wrong path that doesn’t lead to life. The teacher’s message ultimately encourages practical reflection on wisdom: to walk this path is to walk with God, and only those who follow divine will extend their years. Thus, in the Bible, a long life is seen as a sign of wisdom. It’s reiterated that this wisdom is not gained through personal effort but is a gift from God that the faithful must accept by listening to the Word and applying the Lord’s precepts.
Wisdom and Prudence.
The person who consciously receives the gift of wisdom and applies it is like a prosperous merchant who reaps abundant profits or a leafy tree that provides shelter, security, and life to many others. It offers the great benefit of peace of mind; only those who know how to cultivate wisdom, stay sensible, and remain prudent can live peacefully: they face no obstacles on their path, and their sleep is restful. Both images reflect an inner state—an experience and awareness of walking in accordance with divine will.
Duties Towards One’s Neighbor.
The proper place where wisdom, understood as the “straight path,” resides is undoubtedly the conscience, and the exact point where that walk is carried out with righteousness, sensibility, and wisdom can be none other than one’s neighbor. One’s neighbor will always be the “thermometer” that allows one to measure the state of one’s relationship with God and the progress or regression of one’s actions. On this point, the wisdom tradition and the Deuteronomistic spirit are in agreement. My neighbor is not just any reference point, nor an accident on my path; my neighbor needs me, and I need him as a means of drawing closer to God and as a privileged place where I can put the Lord’s precepts into practice: the Gospel.