Bible verse
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 · BSB
The promise is that He will make your paths straight — direct, level, going somewhere. It is not a promise that you will be shown the map first. Most people reading this want the map.
"Lean not on your own understanding" does not mean stop thinking. Proverbs is a book obsessed with wisdom and good judgement. It means do not make your own understanding the thing you put your weight on when it disagrees with God.
The verses around it, from Proverbs 3.
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
3 Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
KJV
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
ASV
Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
ERV
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.