Proverbs 3

The Rewards of Wisdom

 ¹ My son, do not forget my ^[a]teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
² For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
I need to do this, to keep kindness and truth bound to me like a collar, keeping me from spreading gossip or facilitating drama or letting quarrels and disputes continue in the church. Kindness can dispel these things like a gentle word to wrath and truth will eliminate false.
⁴ So you will find favor and good ^[b]repute
In the sight of God and man.

How often do I worry about what people think. I need to worry less and focus on what the word says brings good repute!
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

My own understanding... this makes me laugh, because how many times have I jumped to conclusions and had to eat crow when I knew I should be patient.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

HE will my MY paths straights. When I worry about tomorrow and whether my actions will be questioned or my job will be compromised... I can remember that HE is making my paths straight, when I acknowledge he is the one in control and give that control to him every day.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Or a wise ass.
⁸ It will be healing to your ^[c]body
And refreshment to your bones.
⁹ Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
From the first of what I earn. I am so glad we are setting up a tithe in 2012. I am actually excited to be giving to the Lord, which is sort of a first. It doesn't feel like an obligation, it feels like a priority.
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine
I wonder if the writer meant emotionally/spiritually or literally
¹¹ My son, do not reject the ^[d]discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,
¹² For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
 ¹³ How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
¹⁴ For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
This is so true. How often do I desire wisdom in day to day situations? The wisdom of dealing with people. I seek to learn this, to add to my discernment with wisdom of response.
¹⁵ She is more precious than ^[e]jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
^{16 [f]}Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.
¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.
²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew.
²¹ My son, let them not ^[g]vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
²² So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
²³ Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
Securely! Suggesting a confidence I often lack.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the ^[h]onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
²⁶ For the LORD will be ^[i]your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.
 ²⁷ Do not withhold good from ^[j]those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
²⁹ Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
³⁰ Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
³¹ Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.
³² For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;
But ^[k]He is intimate with the upright.
³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
³⁴ Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
³⁵ The wise will inherit honor,
But fools ^[l]display dishonor.
Display dishonor, like rash immature responses. Inherit honor. Be wise. Seek wisdom. Grow.