Proverbs 3:18 (DRB)

Passage

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.

Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceable.

Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed.

Proverbs 3:19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath established the heavens by prudence.

Proverbs 3:20 By his wisdom the depths have broken out, and the clouds grow thick with dew.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "tree", "life", "hold", "shall", "retain", and "blessed". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "tree" and "life", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "Her ways are beautiful ways and all..." into verse 19's "The Lord by wisdom hath founded the...", so "tree" and "life" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "tree" and "life" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.