Proverbs 3:14 (YLT)

Passage

For better <FI>is<Fi> her merchandise Than the merchandise of silver, And than gold--her increase.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 3:12 For whom Jehovah loveth He reproveth, Even as a father the son He is pleased with.

Proverbs 3:13 O the happiness of a man <FI>who<Fi> hath found wisdom, And of a man <FI>who<Fi> bringeth forth understanding.

Proverbs 3:14 For better <FI>is<Fi> her merchandise Than the merchandise of silver, And than gold--her increase.

Proverbs 3:15 Precious she <FI>is<Fi> above rubies, And all thy pleasures are not comparable to her.

Proverbs 3:16 Length of days <FI>is<Fi> in her right hand, In her left <FI>are<Fi> wealth and honour.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "better", "merchandise", "than", "silver", "gold--her", and "increase". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "better" and "merchandise", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "O the happiness of a man FI..." into verse 15's "Precious she FI is Fi above rubies...", so "better" and "merchandise" 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 "better" and "merchandise" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.