Proverbs 3:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.

NIV: For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.

NASB: For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright.

CSB: for the devious are detestable to the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.

NLT: Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.

KJV: For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

NKJV: For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright.

The Hebrew word translated as "devious" here implies something bent, turned aside, or perverse. The term evokes some of the same feelings as the modern English word "crooked." This is directly contrasted with a Hebrew word which implies something stretched, straight, and smooth: someone who is "upright." This verse makes a strong claim about God's view of those who are dishonest and fraudulent: they are "an abomination" to God.

Instead of walking the straight and narrow road the Lord has marked out in Scripture, the devious person travels his own way, the way of lawlessness, selfishness, and violence. Proverbs 14:2 says the devious person despises the Lord. The word "abomination" applies to whatever and whoever is offensive in the moral sense. Sinful pride, lying, shedding of innocent blood, a heart that makes wicked plans, feet that hurry to do evil, and anyone who sows discord among brothers are all abominations to the Lord (Proverbs 6:16–19).

Believers need to stay clear of this kind of person and reject his ways. They have nothing to gain from fellowshipping with him. However, they have everything to gain from fellowshipping with the Lord. He holds believers "in his confidence." This phrase, in Hebrew, implies an inner circle of trust and intimacy.

Proverbs 3:27–35 gives general principles about our relationships, both with other people and with God. Solomon instructs the reader to show honor, integrity, trustworthiness, peace, and contentment towards others. This passage also contrasts the response of God to those who defy His will, versus His actions towards those who honor Him.

This chapter of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon's son. The term, ''my son'' occurs 15 times in chapters 1—7. The words may apply to one of Solomon's students in his court or to one of his biological sons. The application of wisdom in Proverbs 3 shows the benefits of trusting in the Lord with one's whole heart. Solomon credits obedience to and trust in God for longevity, success, guidance, health, reward that exceeds monetary wealth, enjoyment, peace, security, confidence, excellent human relationships, the Lord's blessing and favor, and honor. As with all ''proverbs,'' biblical or otherwise, their purpose is to impart general wisdom, not absolute prophecy. Like the original audience, modern readers are not expected to see these guidelines as absolute guarantees for any one person.

This passage lies in the second section of the book, found in chapters 1—9. The author, King Solomon, reigned over Israel from 971 to 931 BC. The first section of Proverbs, the preface, is found in Proverbs 1:1–7. The third section, chapters 10—22, were also written by Solomon. These proverbs were likely written by Solomon in his middle years, whereas he probably wrote Song of Songs in his early adulthood, and Ecclesiastes near the end of his life. As in the first two chapters, wisdom is stressed in Proverbs 3.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.