Proverbs 3 (Verses 1–10)
King James Version
Instruction to trust in the LORD with all thine heart, one of the most quoted passages in Proverbs.
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About this text
Proverbs 3 is one of the most frequently quoted chapters in the book, and verses 5-6 — "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart" — are quoted on their own so often that it's easy to forget they sit inside a longer chain of practical instruction about memory, loyalty, humility, and generosity. The chapter moves from abstract advice to a concrete image in verse 10, promising barns "filled with plenty" to those who honor God with their wealth.
The instruction to "write them upon the table of thine heart" in verse 3 is itself a copywork image — wisdom made permanent by being physically inscribed. The chapter's short, direct imperatives (forget not, let not, trust, lean not, acknowledge, be not wise) make it a good text for a student who is ready to move past single-sentence proverbs into a longer connected passage.
What to watch for
- 3 semicolons: a semicolon joins two complete thoughts that belong together, a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period.
- 5 colons: a colon points ahead to what explains or completes the first half of the sentence.
- Capital letters in the middle of a sentence: God, LORD. Ask why each one is capitalized before typing it.
- Old-fashioned words: thine, thee, thy, shalt, thou, unto. These are easy to "correct" by accident into modern spelling, so copy them exactly as written.
- Longest word: "understanding" (13 letters). Try spelling it aloud once before reaching it.
- 10 lines averaging about 15 words each. A comfortable line length for a single sitting.
Full text (reference)
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.