Proverbs¶

Book summary

Proverbs is predominantly authored by King Solomon, who was famous for the wisdom that God had given him. Just as Solomon followed his father David to the throne, his words of wisdom follow David’s psalms in the Bible.

This book provides wisdom and understanding concerning wise behaviour, righteousness, justice, equity and more. Handily, the book comes with a descriptive introduction that explains its purpose and theme.

Contents

Proverbs

Chapter 1:1-7 — Purpose and theme¶

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young —

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance —

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov. 1:1-7)

Chapters 1:8 to 9:18 — Wisdom for the young¶

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

They are a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck. (Prov. 1:8-9)

Get wisdom, get understanding;

do not forget my words or turn away from them. (Prov. 4:5)

Chapters 10-22 — Proverbs of Solomon¶

Ch 10-15 — Contrasting the wicked and righteous¶

A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. (Prov. 10:1)

The Lord detests dishonest scales,

but accurate weights find favor with him. (Prov. 11:1)

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but whoever hates correction is stupid. (Prov. 12:1)

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,

but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. (Prov. 13:1)

The wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. (Prov. 14:1)

A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Prov. 15:1)

Ch 16-22 — Righteous living¶

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and he will establish your plans. (Prov. 16:3)

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,

and discerning if they hold their tongues. (Prov. 17:28)

A person’s wisdom yields patience;

it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. (Prov. 19:11)

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water

that he channels toward all who please him. (Prov. 21:1)

Chapters 22:17 to 24:22 — Thirty sayings of the wise¶

Ch 22:17-21 — Saying 1: Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise…
Ch 22:22-23 — Saying 2: Do not exploit the poor…
Ch 22:24-25 — Saying 3: Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person…
Ch 22:26-27 — Saying 4: Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge…
Ch 22:28 — Saying 5: Do not move an ancient boundary stone…
Ch 22:29 — Saying 6: Do you see someone skilled in their work?…
Ch 23:1-3 — Saying 7: When you sit to dine with a ruler…
Ch 23:4-5 — Saying 8: Do not wear yourself out to get rich…
Ch 23:6-8 — Saying 9: Do not eat the food of a begrudging host…
Ch 23:9 — Saying 10: Do not speak to fools…
Ch 23:10-11 — Saying 11: Do not move an ancient boundary stone…
Ch 23:12 — Saying 12: Apply your heart to instruction…
Ch 23:13-14 — Saying 13: Do not withhold discipline from a child…
Ch 23:15-16 — Saying 14: My son, if your heart is wise…
Ch 23:17-18 — Saying 15: Do not let your heart envy sinners…
Ch 23:19-21 — Saying 16: Listen, my son, and be wise…
Ch 23:22-25 — Saying 17: Listen to your father, who gave you life…
Ch 23:26-28 — Saying 18: My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways…
Ch 23:29-35 — Saying 19: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife?…
Ch 24:1-2 — Saying 20: Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company…
Ch 24:3-4 — Saying 21: By wisdom a house is built…
Ch 24:5-6 — Saying 22: The wise prevail through great power…
Ch 24:7 — Saying 23: Wisdom is too high for fools…
Ch 24:8-9 — Saying 24: Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer…
Ch 24:10-12 — Saying 25: If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!…
Ch 24:13-14 — Saying 26: Eat honey, my son, fot it is good…
Ch 24:15-16 — Saying 27: Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous…
Ch 24:17-18 — Saying 28: Do not gloat when your enemy falls…
Ch 24:19-20 — Saying 29: Do not fret because of evildoers…
Ch 24:21-22 — Saying 30: Fear the Lord and the king, my son…

Chapters 25-29 — More proverbs of Solomon¶

These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: (Prov. 25:1)

Chapters 30-31 — Final words of wisdom¶

Ch 30 — Sayings of Agur¶

The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance.

This man’s utterance to Ithiel: (Prov. 30:1)

Ch 31:1-9 — Sayings of King Lemuel¶

The sayings of King Lemuel — an inspired utterance his mother taught him. (Prov. 31:1)

Ch 31:10-31 — The wife of noble character¶

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life. (Prov. 31:10-12)