Proverbs 3:5–6
What does Proverbs 3:5–6 mean?
A plain-English look at Proverbs 3:5–6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Proverbs 3:5–6 means
Proverbs 3:5
This is a pivotal command, urging absolute reliance on the Lord rather than self-sufficiency. 'Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart' means committing one's entire being—emotions, will, intellect, and future—to God's sovereign care. Conversely, 'lean not upon thine own understanding' warns against overconfidence in personal intellect or plans, which are inherently limited and fallible, often leading to missteps when not aligned with divine wisdom and guidance.
Proverbs 3:6
This verse elaborates on what it means to trust God fully: it involves acknowledging Him in every aspect of life, big or small. To 'acknowledge him' means to recognize His sovereignty, seek His will, and invite His presence and guidance in all decisions and undertakings. The profound promise is that when we do so, He will 'direct thy paths,' meaning He will make our way straight, clear obstacles, and guide us into His perfect will, preventing us from straying.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Trust unto Jehovah with all thy heart, And unto thine own understanding lean not. In all thy ways know thou Him, And He doth make straight thy paths.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence; in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.
Context
v.5This verse marks a significant shift, moving from specific moral virtues to the foundational principle of absolute trust in God. It forms the core of the chapter's teaching on reliance upon the Lord, preceding the promise of guidance in the subsequent verse. It is a vital transition, emphasizing that all human efforts and virtues must be underpinned by a complete dependence on divine wisdom and providence, not human cleverness.
v.6Directly following the command to trust in the Lord with all one's heart, this verse explains the practical application of that trust. It details *how* to acknowledge God in daily life and provides a powerful promise of divine guidance as a direct result. This connection between proactive trust and guaranteed direction reinforces the central theme of relying on God rather than self-reliance outlined previously.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 28:26
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
- Psalms 37:3
Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed onhisfaithfulness.
- Psalms 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
- Psalms 37:5
Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.
- Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
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