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 27

Do not talk big about tomorrow. You don't know what may happen each day.
[1] Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.


Do not brag about yourself. It is better if other people say nice things about you even if they are strangers.
[2] Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.


Sand and stones are both very heavy.  But the trouble of a fool is heavier than both of them.
[3] A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

Hatred is cruel. Anger is very bad. But no one can stand up to another person who is very jealous.
[4] Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?


A true friend will be honest with you, even if he must tell you that you did something wrong.  Your enemy will kiss you and tell you that you are always right.
[5] Open rebuke is better than secret love.
[6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.


A person who eats too much is so full that he does not even want honey. A person who is very hungry will even eat food that is bitter.
[7] The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
 

A man who is away from his home is like a bird that is away from its nest.
[8] As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
 

From AmenDesigns.com

Things that smell good make people happy. A person also feels happy when a friend gives him good advice.
[9] Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.


Always help your friend and your father's friend. Do not forget them. When you are having a hard time, don't go to your family members who live far away.  It is better to get help from a friend who lives close. 
[10] Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
 

My son, make me happy and be smart. Then I will have an answer for the people who criticize me.
[11] My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

A smart and careful man sees the dangerous problems ahead. He hides from them. But foolish people go ahead and get punished.
[12] A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.


It is not smart to cosign for someone else's loan or promise to pay a prostitute's debts. 
[13] Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.


You should not be loud and greet your friend too early in the morning. It will be the same as cursing him.
[14] He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.


A rain that continues all day is annoying.  A woman who argues and complains is also annoying like the rain.  It is hard to stop her complaining. It is hard like trying to hide the wind. It is hard like hiding ointment in your hand because other people can smell the ointment and know you have it.
[15] A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
[16] Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
 

Scraping on a special piece of iron will make the iron knife sharper. Photo from RonEdmondson.com

People use iron to sharpen iron knives, swords, and sharp objects.  When people have good friends, they keep each other strong and sharp-minded.
[17] Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

 

A person takes care of a fig tree. They wait for the fruit to grow and become ripe. Later, they will eat the fruit. It is the same for someone who helps his master. Later, he will be honored for his work.
[18] Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.


Water reflects like a mirror. If you look in water, you will see your face.  A person's heart reflects what is in that person..
[19] As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.


Hell destroys, but Hell and Destruction are never full. They always want to destroy more.  Man's eyes are never satisfied either.
[20] Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.


Heat takes the worthless minerals away from silver and gold.  Then, they are valuable.  A person who receives praise may be humble or he may be too proud. The praise shows how he really is inside.
[21] As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
 

Even if a foolish person gets beaten, he will continue to be foolish.
[22] Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.


Always take good care of your animals. If you don't take care of them, you could become poor. Money and power do not last forever.
[23] Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
[24] For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?


If you take care of your farms, you will have what you need.  Hay and grass grow, and herbs grow in the mountains.  Lambs have wool for clothing.  Goats can be used as money. Goats also give milk for food. You can use the goats' milk to feed everyone in your household.
[25] The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
[26] The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
[27] And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
 

Proverbs 28
 

From ThyWordForever

Wicked men run away even if no man is chasing them.  Good righteous men are always brave like a lion.
[1] The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.


If a country sins, it will have many leaders. But if a country has a leader with understanding and knowledge, the country will last longer.
[2] For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.


A man who treats poor people badly is like a hard rain that washes away all of the food.
[3] A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.


People who break the law support wicked people. But people who obey the law are against wicked people.
[4] They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.


Bad, evil people do not understand justice. People who obey God understand everything.
[5] Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.


Poor people who are righteous are better than rich people who are bad.
[6] Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
 

A man who obeys God is a wise son. A father is ashamed of a son who hangs around with bad people.
[7] Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.


A man may get rich by taking advantage of other people. But later his money will go to a person who helps the poor people.
[8] He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.


If a person does not obey God's laws, God will hate his prayers.
[9] He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.


A person who causes good people to sin will fall into his own trap. But people who obey God's laws will have many good things.
[10] Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

A rich man thinks he knows everything. But a poor person who understands always tries to learn more.
[11] The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.


If a righteous man is successful, everyone is happy and celebrates. But when a wicked man is successful, it means trouble, and everyone hides.
[12] When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.


A person who sins and then hides his sins will not do well. A person who confesses his sins and then does not sin again will have mercy from God.
[13] He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
 

A man who always respects God is happy. A man who refuses to obey God will have trouble.
[14] Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.


A bad leader treats poor people badly. He is like a lion that roars or a bear that looks for food.
[15] As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.


A prince who does not have understanding will treat his people badly. A man who hates greed and stealing will live a long life.
[16] The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

Proverbs 29

A person may be corrected often, but he is stubborn and doesn't listen.  He will be destroyed suddenly and nothing will help him.
[1] He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.


When good people are in charge, the people are happy. When bad people are in charge, the people mourn.
[2] When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.


A father will be happy about a son who loves wisdom. But a son who spends time with prostitutes wastes his money.
[3] Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.


An honest king is fair and makes the country strong. A king who takes bribes destroys his country.
[4] The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.


A man may say nice things to his neighbor, but he is really planning something bad for him.  That man will himself be trapped.
[5] A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

An evil man will be caught in a trap, but good people are happy and sing.
[6] In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

Good people care about poor people. Wicked people don't pay any attention to the poor.
[7] The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.


Men with bad attitudes cause the city to have problems. Wise men make angry people calm down.
[8] Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.


A wise man may argue with a foolish man. The foolish man may get mad or he may laugh. Either way, the wise man will not have peace.
[9] If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.


People who kill hate good people. Fair people care what happens to good peoples' souls.
[10] The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.


A foolish person says what is on his mind quickly, but a wise man keeps quiet until later.
[11] A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

If a king listens to lies, his helpers will be bad.
[12] If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

Poor people and people who take advantage of them have something in common -- God gave them all the ability to see clearly.
[13] The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
 

A king may treat poor people fairly. That king and his family will be rulers forever.
[14] The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
 

If a parent corrects a child and teaches him right and wrong, the child will be wise.  If a parent does not teach a child right and wrong, the mother will be ashamed.
[15] The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.


When there are more wicked people, there is more crime. But people who obey the laws will live longer. They will see the wicked, evil people fall.
[16] When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.


If you teach your son right and wrong, he will help you and bring you peace. He will make you happy.
[17] Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
 

If a place does not obey God's laws, the people will die. But the man who obeys God's laws will be happy.
[18] Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.


A servant might understand what his master tells him, but he will not answer.
[19] A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
 

A foolish person has more hope than a person who talks before he thinks.
[20] Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.


A person who treats his young servant well will have another son when the servant is grown.
[21] He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

Men who are angry make trouble, and they sin a lot.
[22] An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

A man may be too proud and brag on himself. His pride will destroy him.  Humble people do not have too much pride. They will have honor.
[23] A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.


A person who helps a thief does not love his own soul.  When people see that their things have been stolen, they will yell and curse. But the thief's helper does not tell them where to find their things.
[24] Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.


If you are afraid of other people, you will be trapped. If you trust in God, you will be safe.
[25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.


Many people try to do good things so the king will be happy with them. But our true judge is God.
[26] Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.


People who are fair hate a person who is not fair.  People who are wicked hate people who obey God's laws.
[27] An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
 

Proverbs 30

These sayings are from a person named Agur who was Jakeh's son.  He spoke these sayings to Ithiel and Ucal.
[1] The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,


I am more uneducated than other men. I do not understand things that other men understand.
[2] Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.


I have not learned wisdom. I do not know about holy things.
[3] I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.


Who has gone up or down into heaven? Who had caught the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in clothing? Who set up the ends of the earth on all sides? Can you tell me his name and his son's name?
[4] Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
 

From Wallpaper4God

Every word that God says is pure. God takes care of people who trust Him.
[5] Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.


Do not add more words to what I say, or God will punish you. You will be a liar.
[6] Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
 

A prayer to God.


I have asked you for two things. Don't say no to me before I die. 
[7] Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:


Take away sin and lies from me. Do not make me poor or rich. Give me enough food to eat. If I have too much, I will deny you and pretend that I don't know you, God.  If I am too poor, I will steal and use your name in a bad way.
[8] Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
[9] Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
 

Do not tell a master that his worker is doing something wrong. He will curse you and find you guilty.
[10] Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.


There is a group of people the same age who curse their fathers. They do not bless their mothers. They think they are pure and clean, but they are really dirty. They are too proud and hold their heads up high. Their teeth are like sharp swords to destroy poor people and needy people.
[11] There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
[12] There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
[13] There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
[14] There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.


A leech (a small animal that sucks blood) has 2 daughters.  The daughters always want more. There are three things that never have enough. There are four things that never say they have enough. The four things are:  the grave, the womb of a woman who cannot have children,  the earth that is not filled with water, and fire.

[15] The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
[16] The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

 

From Wallpaper4God

If a person hates his parents and makes fun of them, the ravens (black birds) will pick out his eye, then the young eagles will eat it.
[17] The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

There are three things which are too wonderful for me to know. There are four things I don't know. They are:  how an eagle flies in the sky, how a snake crawls on a rock, how a ship sails on the sea, and how a man falls in love with a woman.
[18] There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
[19] The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.


A woman who has sexual relations with a man who is not her husband doesn't think she does anything wrong.
[20] Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.


There are 3 things that upset the earth. There are 4 things the earth cannot stand. The four things are a servant who becomes a king, a fool who is full of food, a married woman who is hateful, and a maid who takes over for her mistress.
[21] For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
[22] For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
[23] For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.


There are 4 animals that are little on the earth, but they are very smart. The 4 things are ants, conies (badgers), locusts, and spiders.  Ants are not strong, but they are smart and gather their food in the summer. Badgers are not strong, but they are smart and make their homes in the rocks. Locusts do not have a king, but they move forward in groups. Spiders use their legs to climb, and they are in kings' palaces.
[24] There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
[25] The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
[26] The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
[27] The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
[28] The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.


There are 3 things which move around proudly. There are 4 thing that look proud when they are moving. A lion is the strongest animal. He is brave and does not turn away from anyone. A greyhound and a male goat look proud when they move.  A king who does not have anyone fighting with him looks proud.
[29] There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
[30] A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
[31] A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.


If you have done something foolish by bragging on yourself or if you thought something evil, put your hand over your mouth.
[32] If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.


If you churn milk, you will get butter. If you twist your nose, you will make it bleed.  If you stay angry, you will bring trouble.
[33] Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
 

Proverbs 31

These are some sayings that King Lemuel's mother taught him.
[1] The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

My son, you were born after I prayed for you.
[2] What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

Do not spend too much time with women. Do not do things that destroy kings.
[3] Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.


Kings should not drink wine or strong drinks. If they drink, they forget the laws. They cannot be good judges if they drink too much.
[4] It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
[5] Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
 

People who are ready to die should get strong drinks. People who are sad should get wine. Poor people should drink to forget they are poor.
[6] Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
[7] Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.


You should stand up for people who can't speak for themselves who are having problems.
[8] Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.


You should speak up for people who are poor and needy.
[9] Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
 

From GloryToTheLord.com

A godly woman is very valuable.


Who can find a godly woman? She is worth more than rubies.
[10] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.


Her husband trusts her. He will not be in need of anything.
[11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.


She will always be good to him during his whole life.
[12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.


She is happy to find wool and flax cloth and makes clothes.
[13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.


She is like a ship that sails from far away to bring food.
[14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.


She gets up early in the morning before daylight. She fixes food for her family and her servants.
[15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.


She finds a good field to buy. Then she works in it and plants a vineyard.
[16] She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.


She is strong and works hard.
[17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.


She is careful about what to buy. She has enough candles to last through the night.
[18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.


She uses a spinning wheel and wool to make cloth.
[19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.


She reaches out to help people who are poor and needy.
[20] She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.


She does not worry when the weather is cold or it starts to snow. Her family has nice and warm clothes.
[21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 

She makes her clothing with tapestry cloth and silk. Her clothes are very beautiful.
[22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

 

Her husband has a good reputation with other leaders of the area.
[23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.


She makes fine cloth and sells it. She makes clothes and sells them to store owners.
[24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.


Everyone can see that she is strong and has honor. She looks forward to the future.
[25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.


She says wise words and speaks kindly to other people.
[26] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.


She is not lazy. She takes good care of her family.
[27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.


Her children and husband will call her blessed. Her husband will say good things about her.
[28] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.


Many women do good things, but a godly woman is better than others.
[29] Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.


A woman may be beautiful and charming, but those things are not important. A woman who loves and respects the Lord should be praised. She should see the rewards of her hard work. The people in the community should see her good works and praise her.
[30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.