Proverbs 3:7
New International Version
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

New Living Translation
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

English Standard Version
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Berean Standard Bible
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

King James Bible
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

New King James Version
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

New American Standard Bible
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

NASB 1995
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

NASB 1977
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.

Amplified Bible
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

American Standard Version
Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:

Contemporary English Version
Don't ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the LORD and stay away from evil.

English Revised Version
Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD, and depart from evil:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Good News Translation
Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong.

International Standard Version
Do not be wise in your own opinion. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Majority Standard Bible
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

NET Bible
Do not be wise in your own estimation; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

New Heart English Bible
Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Webster's Bible Translation
Be not wise in thy own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

World English Bible
Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do not be wise in your own eyes, "" Fear YHWH, and turn aside from evil.

Young's Literal Translation
Be not wise in thine own eyes, Fear Jehovah, and turn aside from evil.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not be wise in thine eyes: fear Jehovah and depart from evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be not wise in thy own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not seem wise to yourself. Fear God, and withdraw from evil.

New American Bible
Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil;

New Revised Standard Version
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Be not wise in your own eyes; revere the LORD, and depart from evil.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not be wise in your own eyes but be in awe of LORD JEHOVAH and depart from evil
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear the LORD, and depart from evil;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Be not wise in thine own conceit; but fear God, and depart from all evil.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Trust in the LORD
6in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.…

Cross References
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

James 3:13-17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...

1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Job 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

1 Corinthians 8:2
The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!

James 4:6-10
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. / Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ...

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Isaiah 2:11-12
The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.

Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.


Treasury of Scripture

Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

be

Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

fear

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 16:6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

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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














Do not be wise in your own eyes
This phrase warns against the pride and self-reliance that can come from trusting in one's own understanding. The Hebrew word for "wise" here is "chakam," which implies skill and shrewdness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued, but this verse cautions against a wisdom that is self-centered and disconnected from God. The phrase "in your own eyes" suggests a subjective perspective, where one's judgment is not aligned with divine truth. This admonition echoes throughout Scripture, reminding believers that true wisdom comes from God (James 1:5) and that human wisdom is limited and often flawed (1 Corinthians 3:19).

fear the LORD
The "fear of the LORD" is a central theme in Proverbs and is foundational to a life of wisdom. The Hebrew word "yirah" can mean fear, reverence, or awe. This fear is not about being terrified of God but having a deep respect and reverence for His power, holiness, and authority. It acknowledges God's rightful place as Creator and Sovereign. Historically, this concept was crucial for the Israelites, who were called to be distinct from surrounding nations by their devotion to Yahweh. In a conservative Christian perspective, fearing the Lord is seen as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and is essential for a righteous life.

and turn away from evil
This phrase calls for a deliberate rejection of sin and wrongdoing. The Hebrew word "sur" means to turn aside or depart. It implies an active decision to avoid evil paths and behaviors. In the biblical narrative, turning away from evil is often associated with repentance and a return to God's ways. This action is not merely about avoiding sin but is part of a holistic commitment to live according to God's standards. The historical context of Proverbs, with its emphasis on moral and ethical living, underscores the importance of this command. For Christians, turning away from evil is part of the sanctification process, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13).

(7) Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.--The same result is reached by Job also (Proverbs 28:28) in his inquiry after wisdom.

Verse 7. - Be not wise in thine own eyes. This admonition carries on the thought from the preceding verses (5, 6), approaching it from a different direction. It is a protest against self-sufficiency, self-conceit, and self-reliance. It says, in effect, "Trust in the Lord, do not trust in yourself." Wisdom, as Michaelis remarks, is to trust in God; to trust in yourself and in your own wisdom is unwisdom. God denounces this spirit: "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:21), because such a spirit leads to the prohibited self-dependence, and is inconsistent with "the tear of the Lord." The precept of the text is reiterated by St. Paul, especially in Romans 12:16, "Be not wise in your own conceits" (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:8; Galatians 6:3). It commends humility. The diligent search for Wisdom is commanded. The great hindrance to all true wisdom is the thought that we have already attained it (Plumptre). In thine own eyes; i.e. in thine own estimation; arbitrio tuo (Trem. et Jun.). Fear the Lord, and depart from evil. The connection of this with the first part of the verse becomes clear upon reflection. "The fear of the Lord" is true wisdom (Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:7). Fear the Lord, therefore, because it is the best corrective of one's own wisdom, which engenders arrogance, pride, presumption of mind, which, moreover, is deceptive and apt to lead to sin. The fear of the Lord has this other advantage - that it leads to the departure from evil (Proverbs 16:6) It is the mark of the wise man that he fears the Lord, and departs from evil (Proverbs 14:16). These precepts form the two elements of practical piety (Delitzsch), an eminent example of which as Job (Job 1:1).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be
תְּהִ֣י (tə·hî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

wise
חָכָ֣ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

in your own eyes;
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

fear
יְרָ֥א (yə·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

the LORD
יְ֝הוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

and turn away
וְס֣וּר (wə·sūr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from evil.
מֵרָֽע׃ (mê·rā‘)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:7 Don't be wise in your own eyes (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 3:6
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