What does Proverbs 3:22 mean?

Here we see the benefits of sound wisdom and discretion: the "they" referred to here are those qualities from the prior verse. While wisdom implies the ability to act on knowledge, discretion is the capacity to closely assess something. The Hebrew word translated as "discretion" is me-zim'māh', which includes ideas like plotting, planning, and analyzing. A "wise" person knows how to apply their knowledge in a godly way. A "discerning" person is careful and precise in making decisions.

These two attributes bring the benefits of life and a good reputation. All who believe on Jesus as Savior receive abundant life (John 10:10). When Jesus promised the woman at Jacob's well that she would never thirst again if she drank from His well, He said, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13–14). A spring of water differs from an ordinary well, because it is an artesian well with its source higher than its outflow. It bubbles and gushes! Similarly, the life Jesus gives has energy and force. The Christian life, therefore, is not stagnant but energetic to the benefit of all who witness it. It is like an attractive necklace that people observe with admiration.