Bible Book of Proverbs | Wisdom for Godly Living

Practical divine wisdom for daily living, focusing on the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs chapters with summary and commentary.

Genre: Wisdom Literature. Theme: Wisdom for Godly Living

  • Author: Solomon
  • Date: c. 970-700 BC
  • Read Time: 95 mins
  • Purpose: To provide practical wisdom for godly living.
  • Key Verse: Prov 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
  • Christ: The Wisdom of God.
  • Audience: The young and those seeking 'skill in living' according to truth
  • Format: Short sayings based on 'Fear of the Lord'.
  • Wisdom Personification: The portrayal of Wisdom as a Lady (Ch. 1-9) and a virtuous woman (Ch. 31).
  • Antithetical Parallelism: Most proverbs function as a direct contrast between the wise and the foolish.

Proverbs is a collection of pithy, practical observations that apply God's Law to the common details of daily life and work.

It provides general principles for success, not absolute guarantees, assuming a life lived in 'the fear of the Lord'.

Jesus is the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Proverbs 1 - The Beginning of Knowledge

The proverbs of Solomon. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Wisdom calls aloud. The complacency of fools destroys them.

Proverbs 2 - The Value of Wisdom

My son, apply your heart to understanding. For the LORD gives wisdom. It will save you from the way of evil, and from the adulteress.

Proverbs 3 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

My son, trust in the LORD with all your heart. Do not despise his discipline. Wisdom is a tree of life. Do not quarrel without cause.

Proverbs 4 - Father's advice to get Wisdom

Listen, my sons: Get wisdom. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun. Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 5 - Warning Against Adultery

My son, listen to my words. In the end an adulteress is bitter as wormwood. Keep away from her. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Proverbs 6 - Practical Warnings

A little slumber, and poverty will come like a bandit. A scoundrel sows discord. My son, a man who commits adultery destroys himself.

Proverbs 7 - Warning Against the Adulteress

My son, wisdom will keep you from the adulteress. I saw her seducing a young man. He followed her like an ox going to the slaughter.

Proverbs 8 - The Blessings of Wisdom

Wisdom cries aloud: "My mouth speaks truth. The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his works. Whoever finds me finds life."

Proverbs 9 - The Way of Wisdom

Wisdom has built her house. She says, "Come, leave your folly." The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Folly knows nothing.

Proverbs 10 - The Proverbs of Solomon

A wise son makes a glad father. Love covers all offences. With many words, sin is not lacking. The righteous will never be uprooted.

Proverbs 11 - A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,

The LORD hates dishonest scales. The wicked earn false wages. Whoever gives water will get water. Whoever trusts in riches will fall.

Proverbs 12 - Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is

No one finds security by wickedness. Those who work the land have food. Rash words pierce like a sword. Righteousness leads to life.

Proverbs 13 - A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to

The righteous hate lies. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Whoever heeds reproof is honoured. Whoever spares the rod hates his son.

Proverbs 14 - Wise Woman builds her house

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs. Even in laughter the heart may ache. Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker.

Proverbs 15 - A soft Answer turns away Wrath

A gentle answer turns away wrath. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere. Plans fail for lack of counsel. The LORD hears the righteous.

Proverbs 16 - God knows the Intent of the Heart

A man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Kings detest evil. Pride goes before destruction. Wisdom is a fountain of life.

Proverbs 17 - Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with

A wise servant will rule over a shameful son. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam. Even a fool seems wise if he keeps silent.

Proverbs 18 - Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound

A fool delights in his own opinions. The name of LORD is a strong tower. A gift opens the way. The tongue can bring life or death.

Proverbs 19 - Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in

Wealth makes friends. A false witness will not go unpunished. A good wife is from the LORD. Whoever helps the poor lends to the LORD.

Proverbs 20 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is

Wine is a mocker, beer a brawler. Even a child is known by his deeds. The LORD hates false weights. It is a snare to make rash vows.

Proverbs 21 - God judges the Motives of the Heart

To do justice is better than sacrifice. Better to live on the roof than with a quarrelsome wife. No plans can avail against the LORD.

Proverbs 22 - Words of the Wise

A good name is better than riches. Train a child and he will not go astray. Incline your ear and apply your heart to my teaching.

Proverbs 23 - When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before

Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Do not move a boundary marker. Buy the truth, and do not sell it. Do not linger long over wine.

Proverbs 24 - More Sayings of the Wise

Do not envy the wicked. Wisdom is sweet to the soul. Fear the LORD and the king, my son. I saw thorns in the field of the sluggard.

Proverbs 25 - More Proverbs of Solomon

Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. To seek one's own glory is not glory.

Proverbs 26 - Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Without gossip a quarrel dies down. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.

Proverbs 27 - Do not boast about Tomorrow

Faithful are the wounds of a friend. A loud blessing in the morning will be taken as a curse. A person is tested by being praised.

Proverbs 28 - The Wicked Flee when no man pursueth

Better to be poor and honest than crooked and rich. Whoever confesses sins will find mercy. Whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper.

Proverbs 29 - He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond

By justice a king builds up the land. Whether a fool rages or laughs, there is no peace. Correct your son and he will give you rest.

Proverbs 30 - The Words of Agur

Every word of God is pure. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Four things are never satisfied: Sheol, a barren womb, earth and fire.

Proverbs 31 - The Words of King Lemuel

Speak up for the speechless. Who can find an excellent wife? She buys a field, she makes garments, she watches over her household.