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The Bible · Old Testament · 31 chapters

Proverbs

Short, memorable sayings about living wisely in God’s world: work, words, money, friendship, family and self-control. Its starting point is that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.

Author
Mainly Solomon, with other wise teachers
Written
About 950 to 700 BC

Chapters

  1. 1Proverbs 1The purpose of Proverbs: to give wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Don’t join those who do violence, and listen to Wisdom calling in the streets.
  2. 2Proverbs 2Search for wisdom like hidden treasure, and it will protect you from evil ways and the seductive woman.
  3. 3Proverbs 3“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Honour God with your wealth and accept his discipline.
  4. 4Proverbs 4A father urges his son to get wisdom above all, stay on the path of light, and guard his heart.
  5. 5Proverbs 5A warning against adultery, and a call to rejoice in the wife of your youth.
  6. 6Proverbs 6Warnings against rash promises, laziness (“Go to the ant, you sluggard”), seven things God hates, and adultery.
  7. 7Proverbs 7A story of a young man seduced by an adulterous woman, walking like an ox to the slaughter.
  8. 8Proverbs 8Wisdom calls out to everyone. She was present with God at creation, and whoever finds her finds life.
  9. 9Proverbs 9Wisdom and Folly each invite the simple to a feast. One leads to life, the other to death.
  10. 10Proverbs 10The proverbs of Solomon begin: short contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish.
  11. 11Proverbs 11Honest scales, humility, generosity: “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
  12. 12Proverbs 12The wise accept correction. Truthful lips endure, and a kind word cheers up an anxious heart.
  13. 13Proverbs 13The wise walk with the wise. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
  14. 14Proverbs 14A wise woman builds her house. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life. There is a way that seems right but leads to death.
  15. 15Proverbs 15“A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with trouble.
  16. 16Proverbs 16Commit your plans to the Lord. Pride goes before destruction, and people plan their way, but the Lord directs their steps.
  17. 17Proverbs 17Better a dry crust with peace than a feast with strife. A friend loves at all times, and a cheerful heart is good medicine.
  18. 18Proverbs 18The name of the Lord is a strong tower. Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
  19. 19Proverbs 19Better to be poor and honest than a fool. Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord. Many plans, but the Lord’s purpose prevails.
  20. 20Proverbs 20Wine is a mocker. Many claim to be loyal, but who can find a faithful person? Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.”
  21. 21Proverbs 21The king’s heart is in the Lord’s hand. Doing what is right pleases God more than sacrifice.
  22. 22Proverbs 22A good name is better than riches. Train up a child in the way they should go. The first of the “sayings of the wise”.
  23. 23Proverbs 23Don’t wear yourself out to get rich. Warnings against gluttony, drunkenness and envy.
  24. 24Proverbs 24Don’t envy the wicked. Rescue those being led to death. A little sleep, a little slumber, and poverty comes.
  25. 25Proverbs 25More proverbs of Solomon. Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken at the right time. If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
  26. 26Proverbs 26Answer a fool wisely. Like a dog returning to its vomit is a fool repeating his folly. Warnings about gossip and laziness.
  27. 27Proverbs 27Don’t boast about tomorrow. Wounds from a friend can be trusted. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
  28. 28Proverbs 28The righteous are bold as a lion. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses finds mercy.
  29. 29Proverbs 29Where there is no vision, the people run wild. The fear of man is a snare, but trusting the Lord keeps you safe.
  30. 30Proverbs 30The words of Agur: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but only my daily bread.” Lessons from small creatures.
  31. 31Proverbs 31King Lemuel’s mother teaches him to speak up for the voiceless. The book ends with a poem honouring a woman of strength and wisdom who fears the Lord.