About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand. In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form.
Timeline of the Bible |
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.
Solomon became the king of Israel after King David died. In 1 Kings 3:9,
Solomon asks God to make him wise so that he would be a good king.
He asked, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy
people, that I may discern between good and bad:
for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?"
God answered Solomon's prayer and made him very wise. No one before him
or after him has been as wise.
Always be fair in business.
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Foolish people get drunk. Then, they
get into fights.
[1] Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.
If you make a king or a roaring lion mad, you will
lose your life.
[2] The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to
anger sinneth against his own soul.
Foolish people stir up trouble. A man with
honor stays out of fights.
[3] It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be
meddling.
A lazy person won't plow his farm in the cool fall
weather. Then, he won't have anything to eat at harvest time next year.
[4] The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg
in harvest, and have nothing.
A man may have good ideas inside him. He is
thoughtful and deep like quiet, deep water. A smart man will know how to get
the ideas out of the quiet man.
[5] Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of
understanding will draw it out.
Most people will tell everyone how good they are.
But it is hard to find someone who is really good and faithful.
[6] Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man
who can find?
A fair man behaves honestly. His children are
blessed because of him.
[7] The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after
him.
A king judges what his people are doing. He sees
evil and sends it away.
[8] A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil
with his eyes.
Who can really say that their heart is clean and
that they have not sinned?
[9] Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
God hates when people uses scales and measuring
tools that are not fair.
[10] Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination
to the LORD.
People will remember if a child behaves good or bad.
[11] Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and
whether it be right.
God made our ears for hearing and our eyes for
seeing.
[12] The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of
them.
If you love to sleep too much, you
will be poor. Wake up and work so that you will have enough to eat.
[13] Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou
shalt be satisfied with bread.
A person who is buying something says the item is
no good. But after he buys it, he tells everyone how good it is.
[14] It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his
way, then he boasteth.
Gold and rubies are worth a lot of
money. But smart words are precious like jewels, too.
[15] There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are
a precious jewel.
It is not smart to cosign for someone else's loan
or promise to pay a prostitute's debts.
[16] Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of
him for a strange woman.
It may feel good to trick someone to get food, but
later you will feel bad about it. The food will not taste good to you.
[17] Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be
filled with gravel.
It is smart to get advice before you act. You
need good advice before you go to war.
[18] Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
People who gossip tell other people's secrets. Do
not be around people who gossip.
[19] He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle
not with him that flattereth with his lips.
If a person talks bad about his parents, his life will end like a lamp that
goes out and makes full darkness.
[20] Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in
obscure darkness.
Sometimes people inherit money, but
they get it too quickly because they are greedy and dishonest. In the
end, they will not be blessed.
[21] An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end
thereof shall not be blessed.
Do not say that you will pay someone back if they
have done bad things to you. Wait for God. He will save you.
[22] Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he
shall save thee.
God hates when businesses cheat and use scales and
weights that are wrong.
[23] Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is
not good.
From Wallpaper4God |
God decides our futures. We can't plan
exactly what will happen.
[24] Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own
way?
A man may quickly promise something to God, but
later he isn't sure he can keep his promise. It is better to think
before you make a promise to God.
[25] It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after
vows to make inquiry.
A smart king finds the bad people
in his kingdom and punishes them.
[26] A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
A man's spirit searches inside himself. His
spirit is like God's candle that lights the parts that are dark.
[27] The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward
parts of the belly.
If a king is honest and shows mercy, he will
continue to be the king.
[28] Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Young men are proud because they are strong. Old
men are respected because they have gray hair.
[29] The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is
the gray head.
Strict punishments make evil people behave better.
[30] The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward
parts of the belly.
God controls how a king behaves. He
turns his behavior like He turns the rivers.
[1] The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers
of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Everyone thinks they are doing right things. But
God knows what's in everyone's hearts.
[2] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the
hearts.
God is more happy when people behave fairly and do
the right things than when they make sacrifices.
[3] To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than
sacrifice.
Wicked, sinful people are too proud
and think they're better than other people.
[4] An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
People who work hard and don't rush will have a lot. People who hurry
and do not work well will not have anything.
[5] The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every
one that is hasty only to want.
Some people might tell lies and get rich.
Money like this floats around like fog that floats around for a short time.
It will cause the liars to die.
[6] The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro
of them that seek death.
Wicked people do bad things. They refuse to live
right. They will be destroyed.
[7] The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do
judgment.
A man who is guilty of doing bad things does not
behave well. People who are innocent behave well.
[8] The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is
right.
It is better to live outside on the
roof of the house than to live in the house with a woman who argues all the
time.
[9] It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling
woman in a wide house.
A wicked man wants to do bad things all the time.
He doesn't even see anything good about his neighbor.
[10] The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour
in his eyes.
A scorner is someone who does not believe in God
and does not follow God's laws. He will be punished. When a foolish person
sees the scorner get punished, he learns from that. But it is better
to be a wise person. A wise person learns when someone teaches him.
[11] When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the
wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Good people look at bad people and think about what
they have. But God will punish the wicked because of the bad things
they do.
[12] The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God
overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
If a person ignores when poor people cry, someday
he will cry but no one will listen to him.
[13] Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry
himself, but shall not be heard.
If someone is angry, they will be
calm if someone quietly gives them a gift.
[14] A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong
wrath.
Good people are happy when bad people are punished.
Bad people will be destroyed.
[15] It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the
workers of iniquity.
A man who starts to behave badly and does not obey
God's laws will die.
[16] The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in
the congregation of the dead.
A person who likes to play too much
will be poor. A person who drinks too much wine and oil will not be rich.
[17] He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and
oil shall not be rich.
Bad people try to hurt good people.
But the bad people will be punished. The bad things they tried to do to the
good people will happen to them.
[18] The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor
for the upright.
It is hard to live with a woman who
is mad and fights all the time. It is better to live out in the wilderness.
[19] It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an
angry woman.
Wise people save their valuable things. Foolish
people spend their money quickly.
[20] There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
but a foolish man spendeth it up.
A person who is good and helps others will have
life, honor, and goodness.
[21] He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life,
righteousness, and honour.
A wise man climbs a city wall. Then the people in
the city don't feel safe and secure anymore.
[22] A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the
strength of the confidence thereof.
A person who does not say bad things keeps his soul
out of trouble.
[23] Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
People will see if someone is too proud and
conceited. They will call him names like "proud and haughty scorner"
(like snob or stuck-up).
[24] Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Lazy people refuse to work. They
won't have the things they need. Their laziness will kill them.
[25] The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
A greedy person spends all day wanting more. But a
good and generous person gives everything he has.
[26] He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and
spareth not.
God hates sacrifices from bad and
wicked people. God hates it even more when they make the sacrifice as
part of an evil plan.
[27] The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he
bringeth it with a wicked mind?
A person who lies will die. But a
man who hears God's word and tells the truth will continue to speak always.
[28] A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh
constantly.
A wicked man pretends and tries to look like he
knows what he's doing. Righteous people follow God's rules and behave well
with confidence.
[29] A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth
his way.
No one can make a plan that will defeat God.
[30] There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Men may get their horses ready for war, but God
will keep them safe.
[31] The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the
LORD.
It is better to have a good reputation than to be
rich. If people respect you, it is better than having silver and gold.
[1] A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and
loving favour rather than silver and gold.
God made rich people, and God made poor people.
[2] The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
A smart man will see evil ahead and hide from it. A
foolish man will continue forward and then get punished.
[3] A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple
pass on, and are punished.
If you are humble (not too proud and conceited) and
respect God, you will have riches, honor, and life.
[4] By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
People who lie will have trouble like thorns and
traps in their paths. People who obey God will not have trouble.
[5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his
soul shall be far from them.
From JoyfulExpressions.us |
If you teach a child how to behave when he is
young, he will not behave badly when he is grown up.
[6] Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will
not depart from it.
Rich people rule over poor people. People who
borrow money will be controlled by the people who lend them money.
[7] The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the
lender.
A person who causes trouble will
have trouble happen to him. He will get mad but it won't help.
[8] He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger
shall fail.
If a generous person helps feed poor people, God
will bless him.
[9] He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his
bread to the poor.
If there is a troublemaker, put him out. Then the fighting and arguing will
stop.
[10] Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and
reproach shall cease.
The king will be a friend to the
person who loves things that are pure and words that are good.
[11] He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king
shall be his friend.
God sees the truth, and He throws
out the people who lie.
[12] The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words
of the transgressor.
A lazy person refuses to go out and
work. He says that a lion might kill him if he does.
[13] The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in
the streets.
A bad woman says things to trap
men. It is like a trap in a deep pit. If God hates someone, he will fall
into the trap.
[14] The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the
LORD shall fall therein.
If a child behaves badly,
discipline will make him behave better.
[15] Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction
shall drive it far from him.
People who get rich by taking advantage of poor
people will end up poor themselves. People who give gifts to rich people
will also end up poor.
[16] He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth
to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Listen to wise people.
Listen to the words of smart people. Learn about God's laws. Keep the words inside
you so that you can say them to other people.
[17] Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine
heart unto my knowledge.
[18] For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall
withal be fitted in thy lips.
These words will help you trust
God. I have written the words to help you learn. Then you will know the
truth and can tell others.
[19] That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day,
even to thee.
[20] Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
[21] That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that
thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
Do not steal from poor people or hurt people who
are sick. God will help them, and He will punish the souls of people
who hurt them.
[22] Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in
the gate:
[23] For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that
spoiled them.
Don't be friends with people who
are mad all the time. If you do, you will start to act like them, and
you will have trouble.
[24] Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt
not go:
[25] Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
Do not co-sign loans. If you can't
afford to
pay someone else's loan, you will lose your bed from under you.
[26] Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties
for debts.
[27] If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under
thee?
Do not remove the old markers that
show the property lines.
[28] Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
If a man works hard in business, he
will stand in front of kings. He will not stand in front of unimportant men.
[29] Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;
he shall not stand before mean men.