The Book of  Proverbs  

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of wise and moral statement about life. David's son, Solomon, wrote many of the Proverbs.  People who study the Bible feel that he did not write all of them. They feel that he collected some of them from other people. 

Proverbs 16


If you obey God's laws, you will always do the right thing.

Man makes plans, but God decides what will happen.
[1] The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.


Every man thinks he is doing good. But God knows what is in everyone's heart.
[2] All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

 

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If you try to obey God's laws in everything you do, you will always do the right thing.
[3] Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.


God has made everything for himself. He will punish the bad people on the right day.
[4] The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.


God hates people who are too proud and vain. Even though they try everything to escape, they will be punished.
[5] Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.


People who love and respect God will stop doing bad things. God's mercy and truth will forgive their sins.
[6] By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.


God is happy when a man behaves well.  Even the man's enemies will see his actions and not fight with him.
[7] When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.


A good, righteous person may only own a little. A bad person may own a lot. The good, poor person is better than the bad, rich person.
[8] Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

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A man thinks and plans what to do, but God controls where he goes.
[9] A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
 

A king should only say things that follow God's laws. His words should never be wrong.
[10] A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.


Businesses should be fair and use scales that weigh right.
[11] A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.


Kings should not behave wickedly and bad. Kings should hate wickedness. The king has power because people behave well.
[12] It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.


Kings are happy when people say good and true words.
[13] Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.


When a king gets mad, people will die. A wise man will try to make the king stay calm.
[14] The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.


If the king is happy, people will live. It is like a cloud of rain in the spring.
[15] In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.


It is better to be smart than to get gold. It is better to get understanding than it is to get silver.
[16] How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!


People who obey God's laws walk away from evil. Their souls will live forever.
[17] The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.


People who are too proud and brag on themselves will fall.
[18] Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.


Some people are humble (they are not too proud) but they are poor. Other people are not humble. They divide up the things they take in the war. The humble people who are poor are better.
[19] Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.


A person who trusts God is happy. A person who behaves wisely will find good and happiness.
[20] He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.


People who are wise in their hearts will be called smart. When they talk, other people will learn more.
[21] The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.


A person who understands will have life. But fools will only teach foolish things.
[22] Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.


A wise person will say wise words.
[23] The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

 

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Nice words are sweet like honey. They make people feel better and more healthy.
[24] Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.


A man may think he knows the right thing to do. But it is really a road to death.
[25] There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.


If someone is hungry, they will work harder to get food.
[26] He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.


A bad person always stirs up trouble. His words are always like fire.
[27] An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

A person who gossips makes trouble. His lies will make friends mad at each other.
[28] A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
 

A violent person tries to get other people to behave badly.
[29] A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
 

A bad person closes his eyes and thinks how to do bad things. Then he says the words to make his bad plans happen.
[30] He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

Gray hair on a good and righteous person is beautiful. It is a crown of glory. 
[31] The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
 

Some strong people get mad very fast. They do not have control of their emotions. Other people have more self-control. They do not get mad fast. The person who does not get mad fast is better than the strong person who loses his temper quickly. A person who can control his temper is stronger than a person who can defeat a city.  
[32] He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.


People make decisions and plan things. But God decides what things will happen.
[33] The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
 

Proverbs 17


Wise people are quiet and learn from others.

It is better to eat just a little crumb in a quiet house than to have a big dinner in a house where everyone is arguing.
[1] Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.


A rich family may have a son that causes trouble. The family also has a good servant.  When the parents die, the servant will be in charge of the son. The good servant will inherit as much money as the other family members.
[2] A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.


People put silver and gold in fire to test them. They can see if they are pure gold or silver or if they have dirt or cheap metals in them. God does the same to our hearts. He tests them to see if they are pure.
[3] The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
 

Bad people listen to lies. People who lie listen to ugly words.
[4] A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
 

A person who makes fun of poor people insults God. A person who is happy when other people have trouble will be punished.
[5] Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Grandchildren are an honor for older people.  Children should be proud of their parents.
[6] Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
 

A foolish person will not look smart just because he says good words. A prince who lies and says false words looks bad.
[7] Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
 

A person who gives bribes (pays money to other people to cheat for him) feels like he has a magic stone.  Whenever he gives his bribe to someone, he succeeds at what he is trying to do.
[8] A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.


A person who loves other people will forgive them when they do wrong.  You will lose friends if you keep talking about the things they do wrong.
[9] He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
 

A wise person will listen if someone corrects him. But a foolish person will not listen even if someone beats him.
[10] A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.


Evil people want to fight against the leaders. The leader should send someone cruel to defeat them.
[11] An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.


A mother bear will be very, very angry if  a man steals her baby cub. She may be very dangerous and attack the man. But a foolish man who makes foolish plans is more dangerous than a mother bear.   
[12] Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.


Someone may do something good for another person.  But the person repays him by doing something evil and bad.  From then on, the evil person and his family will have trouble.
[13] Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.


An argument starts slow like a small water leak. Then it gets bigger. It is better to stop an argument when it is small.
[14] The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.


A person may think wicked people are good. Another person may think that good people are bad. God hates both of these people.
[15] He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.


Why should foolish people pay money to learn things? They don't really want to learn.
[16] Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
 

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A friend who is like a brother loves his friends always and shares his troubles.
[17] A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
 

A foolish person agrees to co-sign for his friend's loan (if his friend doesn't pay the loan, the foolish person will have to pay).
[18] A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
 

People who love trouble do bad things. People who talk too proudly will be destroyed.
[19] He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.


A person who lies all the time will never be good. A person who says bad things will always have trouble.
[20] He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.



The parents of a foolish person will be sad.
[21] He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.


Being happy makes you feel good and healthy. Being sad makes you feel bad and sick.

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[22] A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.


Bad people accept bribes to do things that are unfair.
[23] A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.


A person with understanding will see wisdom, but a foolish person will only see the ends of the earth.  
[24] Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.


A father will be sad if he has a foolish son. A mother will be mad and bitter that she gave birth to him.
[25] A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.


Also, it is not good to punish innocent people. It is not good to attack fair leaders. 
[26] Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.


A man who has a lot of knowledge does not talk too much. A man who is smart does not have a bad temper.
[27] He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.


If a man is quiet and does not talk much, people think he is smart. They think he is smart even if he is really foolish.
[28] Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
 

Proverbs 18

When a wise man talks, his words are deep and good like deep water.  Wisdom is like a brook (stream, creek) that moves and flows.

A man is not smart if he wants the wrong things and thinks he does not need God or anyone else. He fights against wisdom.
[1] Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
 

A foolish person does not try to understand things. He only wants to have his own opinions.
[2] A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.


When people do bad things, other people hate them. Other people will only feel shame for them. They will not honor them.
[3] When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
 

When a wise man talks, his words are deep and good like deep water.  Wisdom is like a brook (stream, creek) that moves and flows.
[4] The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.


It is not good to treat a wicked, guilty person good and then treat a righteous person unfairly.  
[5] It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.


A foolish person will say things to start arguments and fights.
[6] A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.


A foolish person will say things to destroy himself. His mouth will destroy his soul.
[7] A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.


When a person tells gossip and lies, the lies hurt other people. The lies are like being stabbed in the stomach.
[8] The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.


People who are lazy and wasteful are the same.
[9] He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
 

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God's name is like a strong tower. Good people can run into the tower and be safe.
[10] The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.


Rich people think their money will keep them safe like a high wall around a city.
[11] The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.


A person that is too proud and vain will soon be destroyed. If a person feels humble (not too proud), he will soon be honored.
[12] Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.


A wise person will listen before he answers. A foolish person answers before he listens.
[13] He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.


A person with a good attitude will have an easier time when he is sick.  A person with a bad attitude will have a worse time.
[14] The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?


Wise people always want to hear and learn more knowledge.
[15] The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
 

A man wants to see great men. If he takes a gift with him, it will be easier for him to see the men.
[16] A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.


The first person to testify in court seems right. But then the other person comes and asks him questions.
[17] He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.


Two strong people both think they are right.  They can cast lots (like flipping a coin) to see who wins.
[18] The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.


If you hurt your friend's feelings, it is hard to make friends with him again. It is harder than defeating a strong city or a getting into a castle with strong bars.
[19] A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.


If a man says good words, he will be happy. 
[20] A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.


The words that people say can cause life and death. People who like to talk will see what their words do.
[21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.


God blesses a man when He gives him a good wife.
[22] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.


Poor people ask quietly for help, but rich people answer rudely.
[23] The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.


A man who has friends must treat his friends well. Some friends are more close and loyal than family members.
[24] A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
 

Proverbs 19

Some people are poor, but they are honest.  They are better than foolish people who say bad things.
[1] Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.


It is not good for a person to have no knowledge. A person who acts quickly before he thinks will sin.
[2] Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.


A man will act foolishly, but he blames Gods for his problems.
[3] The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.


Rich people make many new friends, but poor people lose their friends.
[4] Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.


A person who lies will not escape. He will be punished.
[5] A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.


Everyone wants to be friends with the prince. A person who gives gifts will have many friends.
[6] Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.


A poor person's family will hate him, and his friends will leave him. He tries to get them to come back, but they refuse.
[7] All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.


If a person is wise and has understanding, he will love himself and have a good life.
[8] He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.


A person who tells lies will be punished and will die.
[9] A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.


A foolish person should not live too rich and fancy.  It's worse if a slave is ruler over princes.
[10] Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.


A man with good sense does not get mad quickly. It is good for a man to ignore when someone sins against him.
[11] The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.


When the king gets mad, he is like a roaring lion. When the king is happy, he is like soft dew that makes the grass grow.
[12] The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.


A man will have trouble with a foolish son. A wife that complains all the time is like rain that doesn't stop dripping.
[13] A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.


A man may inherit a house and money from his parents, but God gives him a good wife.
[14] House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the LORD.


If you are lazy, you will sleep a lot. Then you will be hungry.
[15] Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
 

A person who obeys God's laws will save his soul. A person who hates God's laws will die.
[16] He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
 

When a person helps poor people, it is like loaning to God. God will pay him back again.
[17] He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.


When children are young, parents should teach them to behave well.  If they don't teach them while they are young, it will be too late when they are older. If they behave badly when they are older, they will be destroyed.
[18] Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.


A person who gets mad fast has a bad temper. He will have a lot of punishment and trouble. If you help him, you will have to help him many times again and again.
[19] A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.


Pay attention when people give you good advice.  You will become wise.
[20] Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

 

From Wallpaper4God

People make many plans, but God will do what He has planned.
[21] There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.


People should always want to be kind (nice). A poor man is better off than a man who tells lies.
[22] The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.


A person who loves and respects God will have life. He will be happy, and he will not have bad things happen to him.
[23] The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.


A lazy man is too lazy to raise the food to his own mouth.
[24] A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.


A foolish person learns if he sees someone else get punished. A smart person will learn if someone tells him he is doing wrong.
[25] Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.


A bad son hurts his father and chases away his mother.  He is shameful and disgraceful.
[26] He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

If you stop listening to good advice,  you will start doing things that you know are wrong.  
[27] Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.


A witness who does not tell the truth does not respect justice. Wicked people love to do bad things.
[28] An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.


People who hate to obey God's laws will be judged and punished. Foolish people will be whipped on their backs.
[29] Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.