Proverbs

Solomon introduces the purpose of Proverbs: gaining wisdom, discipline, and understanding. Wisdom personified cries out in the public square, warning that rejecting her leads to disaster. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Solomon urges his son to seek wisdom like hidden treasure. Those who find wisdom gain understanding, protection from evil paths, and deliverance from the immoral woman. God gives wisdom to the upright.

One of the most beloved chapters in Proverbs. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Wisdom is more precious than rubies.

Solomon passes down his father David's wisdom: get wisdom at all costs. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Keep your eyes fixed forward and your feet on straight paths.

A warning against adultery. The lips of the forbidden woman drip honey, but her end is bitter as wormwood. Solomon counsels faithfulness to one's own wife, delighting in the love of youth. Sin's consequences are inescapable.

Warnings against foolish pledges, laziness (go to the ant, you sluggard), and the seven things the Lord hates. Another warning against adultery, comparing it to walking on hot coals—can a man carry fire in his lap without being burned?

A vivid narrative of a young man seduced by an adulterous woman. She catches him at twilight with persuasive words and leads him to her house. He follows like an ox to slaughter. The chapter ends with a stark warning: many are her victims.

Wisdom personified speaks in the first person, declaring she was present at creation as God's master craftsman. She offers riches, honour, and life. Those who find her find life and receive favour from the Lord. Those who hate wisdom love death.

Two invitations contrast: Lady Wisdom builds her house and sets a feast, inviting the simple to learn. The foolish woman also calls, but her path leads to death. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The beginning of Solomon's collected proverbs, mostly antithetical couplets contrasting the wise and foolish, righteous and wicked. A wise son brings joy; a foolish son brings grief. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.

Proverbs on honesty, generosity, and humility. A generous person prospers; dishonest scales are an abomination. Where there is no guidance, a nation falls. Beauty without discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.

Proverbs on the power of words, hard work, and truthfulness. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Those who work their land have food; those who chase fantasies lack judgement.

Proverbs on discipline, wealth, and hope. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Those who walk with the wise become wise. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children.

Proverbs on the fear of the Lord, justice, and the two paths. There is a way that appears right but leads to death. The wise woman builds her house but the foolish one tears hers down. In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence.

Proverbs on gentle speech, God's omniscience, and contentment. A gentle answer turns away wrath. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. A cheerful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs on God's sovereignty over human plans. The heart plans but God directs the steps. Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Gray hair is a crown of splendour.

Proverbs on friendship, conflict, and restraint. A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent.

Proverbs on the power of words and true friendship. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs on patience, kindness to the poor, and parenting. Kindness to the poor is lending to the Lord. A person's wisdom yields patience. Discipline your children while there is hope. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but the Lord's purpose prevails.

Proverbs on integrity, wine, and justice. Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler. It is a trap to dedicate something rashly. The Lord detests differing weights. A king's wrath is a lion's roar.

Proverbs on the heart, justice, and humility. The king's heart is a stream of water directed by God. Every way of a person seems right, but God weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable than sacrifice.

Proverbs on reputation, parenting, and the poor. A good name is more desirable than great riches. Train up a child in the way he should go. The rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all.

Warnings against envy, gluttony, and drunkenness. Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Words of wisdom to a fool are wasted. A vivid description of the drunkard's suffering: bloodshot eyes, seeing strange sights, stumbling around.

Wisdom builds a house through understanding. Do not gloat when your enemy falls. If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength. A little sleep, a little slumber, and poverty comes like a thief.

Proverbs collected by Hezekiah's scribes. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. If your enemy is hungry, feed him—Paul quotes this in Romans 12. Do not exalt yourself before the king.

Proverbs on fools, sluggards, and gossip. As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. The sluggard turns on his bed like a door on its hinges. Gossip is like choice morsels that go down to the body's inmost parts.

Proverbs on friendship and self-awareness. Do not boast about tomorrow. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.

Proverbs on justice, confession, and integrity. The wicked flee though no one pursues but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Proverbs on discipline, justice, and self-control. A person who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed. Where there is no vision, the people perish. The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. He confesses his ignorance before God and asks for neither poverty nor riches. Contains the famous "two things I ask" prayer and numerical proverbs about four things that are never satisfied and four that are stately in their stride.

The words of King Lemuel's mother and the famous poem of the virtuous woman. She is clothed with strength and dignity, laughs at the days to come, speaks with wisdom, and is praised by her children and husband. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.