Home > Books

Proverbs

The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in achieving a fulfilling life. It teaches that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and that one should seek knowledge and apply their heart to it. The book warns against the dangers of foolishness, laziness, and wickedness, and advises individuals to avoid the path of the wicked and instead follow the path of the righteous. It also emphasizes the value of integrity, honesty, and hard work, and notes that a person's character is revealed by their actions. The book provides guidance on how to live a virtuous life, including the importance of self-control, kindness, and generosity, and warns against the dangers of envy, pride, and greed. Ultimately, the book of Proverbs teaches that wisdom and righteousness lead to life, prosperity, and honor, while foolishness and wickedness lead to destruction and death.

Chapter 1
The purpose of the proverbs is to impart wisdom, instruction, and understanding. A wise person will seek knowledge and heed counsel, while fools despise wisdom and instruction. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, and one should heed parental instruction and avoid the enticements of sinners. Wisdom calls out to the simple and scorners, urging them to turn from their ways, but those who refuse will ultimately face calamity and destruction.
Chapter 2
To gain wisdom and understanding, one must seek knowledge and apply their heart to it, and in doing so, they will come to understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. The Lord gives wisdom and preserves the way of the righteous, keeping them from the path of the evil man and the strange woman who leads to death. Those who walk uprightly will dwell in the land, while the wicked will be cut off from the earth.
Chapter 3
To live a long and peaceful life, one must keep God's commandments and not forget His law. Trusting in the Lord and acknowledging Him in all ways will lead to favor and good understanding with both God and man. Wisdom is more valuable than wealth and brings happiness, length of days, and honor. The Lord blesses the righteous and curses the wicked, and those who are wise will inherit glory, while fools will be shamed.
Chapter 4
A father instructs his son to listen to his teachings and follow his guidance, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and understanding. He advises his son to avoid the path of the wicked and instead follow the path of the just, which shines brighter with each passing day. The father also warns his son to guard his heart and be mindful of his words and actions, keeping them pure and upright. By following these instructions, the son will find life and health, and his ways will be established.
Chapter 5
A father warns his son to avoid the temptation of an adulterous woman, whose words may be sweet but ultimately lead to destruction and death. He advises his son to stay away from her and instead find satisfaction in his own wife, comparing her to a loving and refreshing companion. The father also notes that God sees all of man's actions and that the wicked will ultimately be punished for their own sins.
Chapter 6
A person who guarantees a loan for a friend can become trapped by their own words, and should try to resolve the situation by humbling themselves and making amends. The sluggard is warned to learn from the industrious ant and avoid poverty and want. A wicked person is described as one who sows discord and devises mischief, and will ultimately face calamity. The Lord hates seven things, including a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. A person is advised to keep their parents' commandments and the law, which will guide and protect them from evil. The chapter also warns against the dangers of adultery, which can lead to destruction, dishonor, and vengeance.
Chapter 7
A father advises his son to keep his commandments and remember his teachings, especially to avoid the temptation of an adulterous woman. He describes a young man who is seduced by a prostitute, despite her husband being away, and warns his son not to follow in his footsteps. The father cautions that the woman's ways lead to death and destruction, having already claimed many victims.
Chapter 8
Wisdom calls out to men, offering understanding and knowledge, and speaking truth, righteousness, and justice. Wisdom dwells with prudence and finds knowledge, hating evil and loving those who seek her. She is the source of counsel, strength, and riches, and those who love her will inherit substance and be filled with treasures. Wisdom was present with God from the beginning, before the creation of the earth, and delights in the habitable part of the earth and the sons of men. Those who hear and keep her ways will be blessed and find life, while those who sin against her will bring harm to their own souls.
Chapter 9
Wisdom invites the simple and those lacking understanding to come and partake in her feast, offering the promise of life and increased years. In contrast, a foolish woman also calls out to the simple, enticing them with forbidden pleasures that ultimately lead to death and destruction. The wise will increase in learning and understanding when instructed, while the scorner will only bring shame and hatred.
Chapter 10
A wise son brings joy to his father, while a foolish son causes his mother grief. Righteousness leads to life, but wickedness leads to death and destruction. The diligent and upright will prosper, while the lazy and wicked will suffer. The righteous will be blessed and remembered, while the wicked will be forgotten and punished.
Chapter 11
The Lord delights in honesty and integrity, but despises deceit and wickedness. The righteous are guided by their integrity and delivered from trouble, while the wicked are destroyed by their own perverseness. Wealth and riches are of no value in times of trouble, but righteousness brings life and deliverance. The righteous are blessed and flourish, while the wicked are punished and suffer.
Chapter 12
Those who love instruction and reproof are wise, while those who hate it are brutish. The righteous are established and favored by the Lord, while the wicked are overthrown. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, and the words of the upright deliver them. The wicked are deceitful and cruel, but the righteous are just and compassionate. A man is commended according to his wisdom, and the diligent are rewarded, while the slothful are under tribute. The righteous are more excellent than their neighbors, and the way of righteousness leads to life.
Chapter 13
A wise son listens to his father's instruction, while a scorner rejects rebuke, and a person's words can bring either good or harm. Righteousness and diligence lead to a fulfilling life, while wickedness and laziness result in destruction and poverty. Wealth gained through hard work and wisdom is more valuable than riches obtained through vanity. Those who despise wisdom and instruction will be destroyed, while those who fear the commandment and walk with the wise will be rewarded.
Chapter 14
A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish one destroys it, and those who walk uprightly fear the Lord, but the perverse despise Him. Wisdom and knowledge are preserved by the lips of the wise, and a faithful witness tells the truth, while a false one lies. The prudent understand their way, and the righteous are favored, but fools mock sin and the wicked will be overthrown.
Chapter 15
A soft answer can calm anger, while harsh words can stir it up. The wise use knowledge to guide their words, while fools speak foolishly. The Lord sees all and delights in the prayers of the upright, but despises the sacrifices of the wicked. Those who follow righteousness are loved by the Lord, while those who reject correction will suffer. A merry heart and a cheerful countenance are the result of a joyful spirit, while sorrow can break the spirit.
Chapter 16
The Lord directs the steps of man and weighs the spirits, while a man's own ways may seem clean to him. The Lord establishes the throne of kings through righteousness and delights in righteous lips. Wisdom and understanding are more valuable than wealth, and a humble spirit is better than pride. The wise in heart are called prudent, and pleasant words bring health to the soul. A man's labor is for himself, and an ungodly man digs up evil, while a violent man leads others astray. A slow temper and self-control are better than great strength, and the Lord ultimately directs the course of events.
Chapter 17
A peaceful life with little is better than a life of wealth and strife. A wise servant can be more worthy of inheritance than a shameful son. The Lord tests the hearts of people, and those who do evil listen to false and wicked words. Those who mock the poor or rejoice in others' calamities will be punished. A good relationship between parents and children brings glory and honor. A fool's words are worthless, and a gift can bring prosperity to the one who gives it. A wise person learns from reproof, while a fool does not.
Chapter 18
A man who isolates himself seeks wisdom, but a fool has no interest in understanding. The words of a wise man are like deep waters, while a fool's words lead to contention and destruction. The righteous find safety in the name of the Lord, and a man's gift can bring him before great men. A man's words have the power to bring life or death, and those who find a good wife obtain favor from the Lord.
Chapter 19
Integrity is more valuable than wealth, and a lack of knowledge can lead to sin. Wealth can bring many friends, but the poor are often shunned. Those who get wisdom and understanding will find good, and false witnesses will be punished. A king's favor is desirable, but his wrath is to be feared. A prudent wife is a gift from the Lord, and a foolish son is a calamity to his father. Chastening one's son is necessary, and those who fear the Lord will have a long and satisfying life.
Chapter 20
Wine and strong drink can lead to foolish behavior, and those who provoke a king's anger put themselves in danger. A wise person avoids strife and is cautious in their dealings, while a sluggard will ultimately suffer the consequences of their laziness. True integrity and faithfulness are rare, and a just ruler will root out evil. One's actions reveal their character, and honesty is essential in all dealings.
Chapter 21
The Lord has control over the king's heart and the hearts of all men, and He judges their actions. The Lord values justice and righteousness over sacrifices and offerings. The wicked will ultimately be punished for their actions, while the righteous will be rewarded. A person's character is revealed by their actions, and those who are wise and righteous will be blessed, while the foolish and wicked will suffer.
Chapter 22
A good name and favor are more valuable than wealth, and the Lord is the creator of both the rich and the poor. A prudent person avoids evil, while the simple are punished. Humility and fear of the Lord bring riches, honor, and life. A child trained in the right way will not depart from it when old. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Those who sow iniquity will reap vanity, and those who are generous will be blessed.
Chapter 23
When dining with a ruler, be cautious of his intentions and do not be swayed by his luxuries. Do not be envious of the wealthy, as their riches can quickly disappear. Be wise and do not associate with fools or those who lead sinful lives. Correct your children and guide them in the right path, and they will bring you joy. Avoid the company of drunkards and gluttons, and instead seek wisdom and instruction. A righteous and wise child will bring joy to their parents. Be cautious of the dangers of wine and the temptations of immoral women, as they can lead to ruin and destruction.
Chapter 24
Do not envy or desire to be with evil men, as their hearts are filled with destruction and their words are full of mischief. Wisdom builds and establishes a house, filling it with precious riches, and a wise man is strong and increases in strength. A just man may fall seven times but rises again, while the wicked will fall into mischief. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not fret about evil men, for they will receive no reward and their wickedness will be punished.
Chapter 25
The glory of God is to conceal things, but the honor of kings is to search out matters. Kings' hearts are unsearchable, and their thrones are established in righteousness when wicked people are removed. One should not hastily strive or boast, but rather debate causes privately and listen to wise reprovers. A faithful messenger and a soft tongue can be very persuasive, while false gifts and false witness can cause harm. It is better to show kindness to enemies and to dwell in a small peaceful space than with a quarrelsome person. A righteous person should not give in to the wicked, and those who cannot control their own spirits are like broken cities.
Chapter 26
Fools are not deserving of honor and should not be answered according to their foolishness, lest one becomes like them. However, fools should be answered in a way that corrects their folly, lest they think themselves wise. A fool's words are like a thorn to the hand of a drunkard, and their actions are self-destructive. The slothful and the sluggard are also condemned for their laziness and self-deception. The chapter also warns against meddling in others' strife, deceiving neighbors, and being a talebearer, as these actions can kindle strife and cause harm.
Chapter 27
One should not boast about the future, as it is uncertain, and instead let others praise them. A fool's wrath is heavier than a stone or sand, and envy is difficult to withstand. Open rebuke is better than secret love, and the wounds of a friend are more faithful than the kisses of an enemy. A person should not forsake their friends or family in times of need, and a prudent person foresees and prepares for evil. A man should be diligent in his work and take care of his possessions, as riches are not forever.
Chapter 28
The righteous are confident and bold, while the wicked are fearful and flee. Those who keep the law and seek the Lord have understanding and wisdom, but those who forsake the law and oppress the poor will face judgment. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of honesty, hard work, and generosity, stating that those who walk uprightly and give to the poor will be blessed, while those who are dishonest and greedy will face poverty and curses.
Chapter 29
A person who repeatedly ignores correction will be suddenly destroyed, while a righteous ruler brings joy to the people. Those who love wisdom and are just bring prosperity, but the wicked and those who accept bribes bring ruin. The righteous care for the poor, while the wicked disregard them. A wise person turns away wrath, but a foolish one brings strife. A ruler who listens to lies has wicked servants, and a king who judges the poor faithfully will have a lasting throne.
Chapter 30
Agur acknowledges his own limitations and lack of understanding, then asks rhetorical questions about God's power and wisdom. He affirms the purity and trustworthiness of God's words and warns against adding to them. Agur requests a simple life, free from vanity and poverty, and warns against various social ills, including disrespect towards parents and exploitation of the poor. He notes the insatiable nature of certain things, including the grave, the barren womb, and the fire. Agur also observes the wisdom of small creatures, such as ants and locusts, and the comeliness of certain animals, like lions and greyhounds.
Chapter 31
A king's mother advises him to avoid destructive behaviors, such as excessive drinking, and instead to use his strength to speak up for the vulnerable and judge righteously. She then describes the ideal virtuous woman, who is trustworthy, hardworking, and charitable, and whose value is far above material wealth. This woman is a skilled homemaker, businesswoman, and philanthropist, and her family and community praise her for her wisdom and kindness. Ultimately, it is not physical beauty or wealth that earns a woman praise, but rather her fear of the Lord and her good works.
Share this book