What does Proverbs 8:35 mean?

The Bible is clear that even the wisest, most faithful person can experience hardship and tragedy (John 16:33). However, those who are wise obviously have a greater likelihood of success, and lesser likelihood of negative consequences, than those who are foolish. Just as a doctor can rightly tell a patient "eat healthy foods and you will live longer," so too can wisdom offer these benefits.

The word translated "favor" here is rā'son, which implies acceptance, goodwill, or approval, all of which we receive from the Lord when we trust in Jesus. Our omniscient Savior gives life to all who believe on Him. John 3:16 affirms that whoever believes on Him has eternal life. Jesus Himself said He had come to give abundant life (John 10:10). The apostle John affirms this truth in 1 John 5:11–12: "And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

In closing the gospel that bears his name, the apostle John explains the reason for his gospel: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:30–31).