Book of Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs (Hebrew: מִשְלֵי, Míshlê, "Proverbs") is a book of the Hebrew Bible.

Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold.
3:13-14, Darby's English Translation

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Proverbs 1

• The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
  • 1:1-4, King James Version

• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
  • 1:7, King James Version

• My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
  • 1:10, King James Version

• Such is the fate of everyone who goes in search of profit; it takes away the life of its owners.
  • 1:19, Bible in Basic English

• How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
  • 1:22, King James Version

Proverbs 2

• So follow the way of good people
  And stay on the paths of the righteous,
  For only the upright will reside in the earth,
  And the blameless will remain in it.
  As for the wicked, they will be cut off from the earth,
  And the treacherous will be torn away from it.
  • 2:20-22, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

Proverbs 3

• Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.
  • 3:3, King James Version

• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
  • 3:5, New International Version

• Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil.
  • 3:7, King James Version

• Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
  • 3:13-15, King James Version

• Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
  • 3:31, King James Version

Proverbs 4

• Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
  • 4:6, New International Version

• Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
  • 4:7, New International Version

• But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day

• • 4:18, English Standard Version

• Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.
  • 4:23, World English Bible

Proverbs 6

• Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
  Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
  • 6:6-8, King James Version

Proverbs 8

A passage in which the poetic personification of Wisdom speaks · Full text online

• Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
  • 8:1-14 (KJV)

• I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
  • 8:20 - 36 (KJV)

Proverbs 9

• אַל-תּוֹכַח לֵץ פֶּן-יִשְׂנָאֶךָּ הוֹכַח לְחָכָם וְיֶאֱהָבֶךָּ
  • Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
    • 9:8, King James Version

Proverbs 10

• Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely.
  • 10:19

Proverbs 11

• The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
  • 11:1, New International Version

Proverbs 12

• He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is foolish.
  • 12:1, Douay Rheims Bible

• A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
  • 12:10, King James Version

• Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
  • 12:22, King James Version

Proverbs 13

• He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
  • 13:3, New International Version

• The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
  • 13:4, New International Version

• The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning men away from the nets of death.
  • 13:14, Bible in Basic English

• The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
  • 13:14, King James Version

Proverbs 14

• The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
  • 14:1, New International Version

• The simple believes everything, But the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
  • 14:15, World English Bible

• The wise man, fearing, keeps himself from evil; but the foolish man goes on in his pride, with no thought of danger.
  • 14:16, Bible in Basic English

• In all labor there is profit, ​But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
  • 14:23; New King James Version

• A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
  • 14:30, King James Version

• He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.
  • 14:31, American Standard Version

• Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
  • 14:34, King James Version

Proverbs 15

• A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
  • 15:1, New International Version

• Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
  • 15:16, King James Version

• Plans fail when there is no consultation,
  But there is accomplishment through many advisers.
  • 15:22, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

Proverbs 16

• All one’s ways are pure in one’s own eyes, but the measurer of motives is the LORD.
  • 16:2, New American Bible Revised Edition

• Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
  • 16:3, New International Version

• A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
  • 16:9, King James Version

• Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
  • 16:18, King James Version

• The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
  • 16:31, King James Version

Proverbs 17

• Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
  • 17:1, American Standard Version

• A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
  • 17:22, King James Version

• A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
  • 17:24, New International Version

• A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
  • 17:25, King James Version

• A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
  • 17:27, New International Version

• Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
  • 17:28, New International Version

Proverbs 19

• A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
  • 19:11, New International Version

Proverbs 20

• Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.
  • 20:1, Bible in Basic English

Proverbs 21

• A king’s heart is like streams of water in Jehovah’s hand.
  He directs it wherever He pleases.
  • 21:1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

• To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
  • 21:3, King James Version

• It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
  • 21:19, King James Version

• It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
  • 21:19, American Standard Version

• Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
  • 21:23, King James Version

Proverbs 22

• A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
  • 22:3, King James Version

• Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
  • 22:5, American Standard Version

• Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
  • 22:6, King James Version love it

• He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity.
  • 22:8, American Standard Version

Proverbs 23

• Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
  • 23:4-5, King James Version

• For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
  • 23:7, King James Version

• Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
  • 23:9, King James Version

• Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
  • 23:20-21, King James Version

• Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
  • 23:23, King James Version

Proverbs 24

• A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
  • 24:5, King James Version

• For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
  • 24:6, King James Version

• Meddle not with them that are given to change.
  • 24:21, King James Version

Proverbs 25

• To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
  • 25:11, Douay Rheims Bible

• If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
  • 25:21-22, King James Version

• As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
  • 25:26, American Standard Version

Proverbs 26

• As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
  • 26:11, King James Version

• Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
  • 26:27, Darby's English Translation

Proverbs 28

• The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
  • 28:1, King James Version

• They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
  • 28:4, King James Version

• Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
  • 28:5, King James Version

• Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
  • 28:6, King James Version

• God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.
  • 28:9, New Living Translation

• מְכַסֶּה פְשָׁעָיו לֹא יַצְלִיחַ וּמוֹדֶה וְעֹזֵב יְרֻחָם
  • He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
    • 28:13, New International Version

• He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
  • 28:20, King James Version

• He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
  • 28:22, King James Version

Proverbs 31

• It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
  • 31:4-7, New International Version

• Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
  • 31:8-9, New International Version

• Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
  • 31:10, King James Version

• Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
  • 31:30, New International Version

See also

• God
• Proverbs
• Solomon
• Wisdom