Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

◄ Proverbs 3:15 ►

New International Version
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

New Living Translation
Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

English Standard Version
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Berean Standard Bible
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

King James Bible
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

New King James Version
She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

New American Standard Bible
She is more precious than jewels, And nothing you desire compares with her.

NASB 1995
She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.

NASB 1977
She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.

Legacy Standard Bible
She is more precious than pearls; And nothing you desire compares with her.

Amplified Bible
She is more precious than rubies; And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].

Christian Standard Bible
She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her.

American Standard Version
She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.

Contemporary English Version
Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you want compares with her.

English Revised Version
She is more precious than rubies: and none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[Wisdom] is more precious than jewels, and all your desires cannot equal it.

Good News Translation
Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it.

International Standard Version
She is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

Majority Standard Bible
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

NET Bible
She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things you desire can compare with her.

New Heart English Bible
She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

Webster's Bible Translation
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her.

World English Bible
She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
She [is] precious above rubies, "" And all your pleasures are not comparable to her.

Young's Literal Translation
Precious she is above rubies, And all thy pleasures are not comparable to her.

Smith's Literal Translation
She is precious above red corals: and all thy delights shall not be equal with her.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
She is more precious than all riches : and all the things that are desired, are not to be compared with her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
She is more precious than all riches, and all that can be desired cannot prevail in comparison to her.

New American Bible
She is more precious than corals, and no treasure of yours can compare with her.

New Revised Standard Version
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
She is more valuable than precious stones; and there is nothing to be compared to her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For it is more valuable than precious stones and nothing is comparable to it.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
She is more precious than rubies; And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she is more valuable than precious stones: no evil thing shall resist her: she is well known to all that approach her, and no precious thing is equal to her in value.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Blessings of Wisdom
…14for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. 15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. 16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Job 28:18
Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Psalm 119:72
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

Psalm 119:127
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Isaiah 33:6
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

1 Kings 3:11-14
So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— / behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. ...

1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

Ephesians 1:17-18
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

Treasury of Scripture

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to her.

Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Proverbs 20:15
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

all

Psalm 63:3
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Psalm 73:25,26
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee…

Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

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Proverbs 3

1. various exhortations
13. The gain of wisdom
27. Exhortation to goodness
33. the different state of the wicked and upright

Berean Study Bible

She
In this verse, "she" refers to wisdom, personified as a woman throughout Proverbs. The Hebrew word for wisdom is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which encompasses not only knowledge but also the skillful application of knowledge in daily life. Wisdom is portrayed as a noble and virtuous woman, emphasizing her value and desirability. This personification invites readers to pursue wisdom as they would a cherished relationship, highlighting the intimate and transformative nature of true understanding.

more precious than rubies
The phrase "more precious than rubies" uses the Hebrew word "פְּנִינִים" (peninim), which can refer to rubies or other precious stones. In ancient times, such gems were rare and highly valued, symbolizing wealth and beauty. By comparing wisdom to these treasures, the verse underscores its supreme worth. Wisdom is depicted as a treasure that surpasses material wealth, suggesting that its benefits are eternal and spiritual, far exceeding the temporary allure of earthly riches.

nothing you desire
This phrase challenges the reader to consider the breadth of human desires. The Hebrew word "חָפֵץ" (chaphets) implies delight or pleasure, encompassing all that one might long for in life. The verse suggests that no earthly desire, whether for wealth, power, or pleasure, can rival the value of wisdom. This calls believers to re-evaluate their priorities, encouraging them to seek wisdom above all else, as it leads to a life aligned with God's will.

compares with her
The concluding phrase "compares with her" emphasizes the incomparable nature of wisdom. The Hebrew root "שָׁוָה" (shavah) means to be equal or comparable. This assertion reinforces the idea that wisdom is unique and unmatched in its ability to guide, protect, and enrich one's life. In a world filled with competing values and distractions, this verse calls believers to recognize the singular importance of wisdom, urging them to pursue it with diligence and devotion.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) Rubies.--The meaning of the Hebrew peninim is doubtful. Lamentations 4:7 shows the colour to have been red; "coral" is a probable rendering; that of "pearls" is unlikely. For the thought, comp. Job 28:15-19.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - Rubies (Khetib, p'niyim; Keri, p'ninim). No unanimous opinion has been arrived at as to the real signification of the word here translated "rubies." The majority of the rabbins (among them Rashi), and Bochart, Hartman, Bohlen, Lee on Job 38:18, and Zockler, render it "pearls." Its meaning seems to lie between this and "corals," the rendering adopted by Michaelis, Gesenius, and Delitzsch (following Fleischer), who says that the Hebrew p'ninim corresponds with the Arabia word whose root idea is "shooting forth," and means "a branch." The peculiar branching form in which corm is found favours this opinion, which is strengthened by the passage in Lamentations 4:7, where we get additional information as to color, "They [the Nazarites] were more ruddy in body than rubies," a description of which would apply to "coral," but is scarcely applicable to "pearls." The various versions suggest the further idea that p'ninim was a descriptive word used to denote precious stones in general. The LXX. renders, "She is more precious than precious stones (λίθων πολυτελῶν)." So the Targum Jonathan, Syriac, and Arabic. The Vulgate renders. "She is more precious than all riches (cunctis opibus)." The word p'ninim only occurs here (Keri) and in Proverbs 8:11; Proverbs 20:15; Proverbs 31:10; and in Job and Lamentations as above. This passage, as well as Proverbs 8:11, which is an almost literal repetition of it, are imitations of Job 28:18. The identification of p'ninim with "pearls" may have suggested our Lord's parable of the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45, 46). All the things thou canst desire (kal-khaphatseyka); literally, all thy desires. Here everything in which you have pleasure, or all your precious things; LXX., πᾶν τίμον; Vulgate, omnia, quae desiderantur. The comparison, which has risen from the less to the more valuable, culminates in this comprehensive expression. There is nothing, neither silver, gold, precious stones, nor anything precious, which is an equivalent (shavah) to Wisdom in value. How it shows, when everything is put before us to choose from, that, like Solomon at Gibeon, we should prefer wisdom (1 Kings 3:11-13)! In the second half of this verse the LXX. substitutes, "No evil thing competes with her; she is well known to all that approach her."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

She
הִ֭יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is more precious
יְקָ֣רָה (yə·qā·rāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 3368: Precious, rare, splendid, weighty

than rubies;
מִפְּנִינִ֑ים (mip·pə·nî·nîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6443: A pearl

nothing
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

you desire
חֲ֝פָצֶ֗יךָ (ḥă·p̄ā·ṣe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2656: Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter

compares
יִֽשְׁווּ־ (yiš·wū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust

with her.
בָֽהּ׃ (ḇāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

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OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies (Prov. Pro Pr)