Proverbs 3:1

Exhortations to Seek Wisdom and Walk with the Lord 1 

3:1 My child, 2  do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep 3  my commandments,

Proverbs 3:21

3:21 My child, do not let them 4  escape from your sight;

safeguard sound wisdom and discretion. 5 

1 sn The chapter begins with an introductory exhortation (1-4), followed by an admonition to be faithful to the Lord (5-12). Wisdom is commended as the most valuable possession (13-18), essential to creation (19-20), and the way to a long and safe life (21-26). There then follows a warning to avoid unneighborliness (27-30) and emulating the wicked (31-35).

2 tn Heb “my son” (likewise in vv. 11, 21).

3 tn The verb יִצֹּר (yitsor) is a Qal jussive and the noun לִבֶּךָ (libbekha, “your heart”) functions as the subject: “let your heart keep my commandments.”

4 tn The object of the verb “escape” is either (1) wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in vv. 13-20 or (2) “wisdom and discretion” in the second colon of this verse. Several English versions transpose the terms “wisdom and discretion” from the second colon into the first colon for the sake of clarity and smoothness (e.g., RSV, NRSV, NIV, TEV, CEV).
NIV takes the subject from the second colon and reverses the clauses to clarify that.

5 tn Or: “purpose,” “power of devising.”