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.
Solomon describes wisdom as a woman who
stands in many different places and calls out to people.
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Proverbs 8
Solomon describes wisdom as a woman who
stands in many different places and calls out to people.
Wisdom and understanding call to
people. Wisdom stands up high on hills by the roads. She stands by the gates
and doors. She tells the people below that she is calling to them.
[1] Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her
voice?
[2] She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the
paths.
[3] She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at
the doors.
[4] Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
She says that they should listen and understand.
She will tell them about excellent things. She will tell them truth. Her
lips hate things that are wicked.
[5] O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding
heart.
[6] Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips
shall be right things.
[7] For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my
lips.
All of her words are good and true. They are never
bad words or false words. People who find understanding and knowledge will
understand what she says.
[8] All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward
or perverse in them.
[9] They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that
find knowledge.
She says to listen to what she teaches them. It is
better than silver or gold. Wisdom is better than rubies. It is better than
anything that anyone could ever want.
[10] Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than
choice gold.
[11] For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be
desired are not to be compared to it.
Wisdom and common sense work together. They find out if something bad
is planned.
[12] I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty
inventions.
When someone obeys God, they hate evil, pride, and arrogance (when someone
thinks he is better than other people). He hates evil actions and lying.
[13] The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the
evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Wisdom is strong and gives the right advice.
[14] Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
With wisdom, kings and princes rule. Leaders show
justice.
[15] By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
[16] By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Wisdom loves the people who love wisdom.
Everyone who looks for wisdom will find her.
[17] I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Wealth and honor are with wisdom. Wealth and
righteousness will last a long time.
[18] Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Wisdom's fruit is better than gold or silver.
[19] My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than
choice silver.
Wisdom leads people to do the right things.
She leads people to make good decisions. When people have wisdom, they will
get a lot of valuable things.
[20] I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of
judgment:
[21] That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will
fill their treasures.
God had wisdom when He created the world.
Before He created the world, God had wisdom.
Wisdom has been here before the earth.
[22] The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of
old.
[23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth
was.
Wisdom was born before there were valleys, oceans,
mountains, or hills.
[24] When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no
fountains abounding with water.
[25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought
forth:
Wisdom was born before God made the earth, fields,
or dust.
[26] While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest
part of the dust of the world.
When God made the heavens, Wisdom was there. Wisdom
was there when God put the heavens around the earth.
[27] When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon
the face of the depth:
Wisdom was there when God put the clouds in the sky
and when He made the deep oceans.
[28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the
fountains of the deep:
Wisdom was there when God set up
the boundaries of the oceans.
[29] When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his
commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Wisdom was
with God everyday. Wisdom was beside Him. God was happy with Wisdom. Wisdom was happy with God about
God's creations.
[30] Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his
delight, rejoicing always before him;
[31] Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with
the sons of men.
Listen to me, children. People who obey my ways
are blessed.
[32] Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that
keep my ways.
Be wise and smart! Listen to my instructions. Do
not refuse them.
[33] Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
From Wallpaper4God.com |
The man who hears my instruction and waits for me everyday will be blessed.
[34] Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting
at the posts of my doors.
The person who finds wisdom will find life. God will be
happy with him. But the people who sin against me will die. If they hate
Wisdom, they love death.
[35] For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
[36] But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that
hate me love death.
Wisdom built her house. She made 7 pillars (posts,
poles).
[1] Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven
pillars:
Wisdom killed the animals for meat for a dinner.
She made the wine. She set the table.
[2] She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also
furnished her table.
Wisdom sent out the women who help
her. They went to the top of the hills and called out to the people. They
invited them to Wisdom's dinner.
They said that simple people (people who do not know much) are invited to
come. People who want to understand more are invited to come. They are
invited to eat her bread and drink her wine. They should leave behind
foolish people who do not want Wisdom. They should come so they will
have understanding.
[3] She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of
the city,
[4] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth
understanding, she saith to him,
[5] Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
[6] Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Obeying God will make your life better.
You may see a person who does not try to obey God. If you tell him he
is doing wrong, he will get upset with you. But if you
tell a wise man he is doing something wrong, he will love you.
[7] He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that
rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
[8] Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will
love thee.
Teach a wise man, then he will be more wise. Teach
a fair man, then he will know more.
[9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just
man, and he will increase in learning.
From Words2Wall |
If you respect God, then you will become wise. If
you know about God and holy things, you will understand more.
[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of
the holy is understanding.
God gives you many days of life.
He gives you more years of life.
[11] For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall
be increased.
If you are wise, it will make you better. If you do
not believe in God, you will only hurt yourself.
[12] If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest,
thou alone shalt bear it.
A foolish woman tries to lure people into her
house.
A foolish woman complains a lot. She doesn't know anything.
She sits in her door or up on a hill and calls to people.
[13] A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
[14] For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places
of the city,
[15] To call passengers who go right on their ways:
She calls out and says that stupid people should
come to her house. She calls to people who do not have understanding.
She says that drinking water that is stolen tastes sweet. If you hide and
eat bread, it will taste good.
[16] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth
understanding, she saith to him,
[17] Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But the stupid people do not know that the woman's
guests are dead and are in hell.
[18] But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in
the depths of hell.
Wise sayings from Solomon.
If a man has a wise son, he will be
happy. If a mother has a foolish son, she will be sad.
[1] The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father:
but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
If you are wicked and bad, you will not profit. But
if you are good and obey God, you will be saved from death.
[2] Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth
from death.
God will not let the soul of a good
person go hungry. God does not want anything from wicked people.
[3] The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he
casteth away the substance of the wicked.
Lazy people become poor. A man who works hard will
become rich.
[4] He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the
diligent maketh rich.
A wise son gathers food during the summer. A
son who sleeps during harvest time is shameful.
[5] He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in
harvest is a son that causeth shame.
From Heartlight.org |
People who are fair and obey God will have
blessings. People who say wicked things hide and behave violently.
[6] Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth
of the wicked.
People will remember good people.
People will forget the name of the wicked people.
[7] The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
People who are wise will listen and obey the
commandments. A foolish person who talks all the time will fall.
[8] The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall
fall.
A man who behaves well will be safe. A man who
behaves badly thinks he can hide. But his bad actions will be found out.
[9] He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his
ways shall be known.
A man who winks when he talks (says things that he
knows are wrong) causes sadness. A foolish person who talks all the
time will fall.
[10] He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall
fall.
A good man says good words. He brings life. A
wicked man says bad things then hides and behaves violently.
[11] The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth
the mouth of the wicked.
People who hate other people make trouble. But
people who love other people do not see the sins.
[12] Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
People who understand say wise
things. But a man who does not understand will be punished.
[13] In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod
is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Wise men try to remember much knowledge. A foolish
man says a lot of things and is close to being destroyed.
[14] Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near
destruction.
A rich man who has wealth will be secure. Poor
people in poverty will be destroyed.
[15] The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor
is their poverty.
Good people who work hard will have life. Wicked
people will only sin and have nothing else.
[16] The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to
sin.
Some people obey God's laws. They listen when other
people teach them about the laws. They will have life. Other people do
not listen when someone tells them they are behaving wrongly. Those people
are making a mistake.
[17] He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth
reproof erreth.
Some people are hypocrites and liars. They say they
feel one way, but they really feel hatred. Some people repeat lies
that they hear. All of these people are fools.
[18] He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander,
is a fool.
If you talk too much, you might say something
sinful. If you don't talk too much, your words will be wise.
[19] In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth
his lips is wise.
Good people say good things. Their tongues are like
valuable silver. Wicked people have bad hearts. Their hearts are worth
nothing.
[20] The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is
little worth.
Good and righteous people say good words. Their
words help many people. But fools die because they don't know
anything.
[21] The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
When God blesses people, they are rich. God does
not add any sorrow to the blessing.
[22] The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with
it.
Fools enjoy doing bad things. But men who
understand have wisdom.
[23] It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding
hath wisdom.
People who are wicked fear things that will
happen to them. The things they fear the most will happen. But good people
will have all of the good things they want the most.
[24] The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the
righteous shall be granted.
A fast wind passes by, then it's gone. Wicked
people will be like the wind. They will be gone. Good people are like a
solid and strong foundation. They will last forever.
[25] As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous
is an everlasting foundation.
If someone gives a lazy person a
job, he will not be happy that he hired him. It will feel painful like
vinegar hurts teeth, and smoke hurts eyes.
[26] As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard
to them that send him.
A person who obeys God will live
longer. People who are wicked will have shorter lives.
[27] The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall
be shortened.
Good people will be happy, but wicked people will
not get anything they want.
[28] The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the
wicked shall perish.
People who follow God's laws will be strong. People
who sin will be destroyed.
[29] The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall
be to the workers of iniquity.
Good people will not move, but wicked people will
not have anything on earth.
[30] The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit
the earth.
People who obey God's laws say wise things. But
people who lie will lose their tongues.
[31] The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue
shall be cut out.
Good people know how to say good things. Wicked
people only say lies.
[32] The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the
wicked speaketh frowardness.
God hates when people cheat and use
weighing scales that are not right. He is happy when people do not cheat.
[1] A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just
weight is his delight.
From Wallpaper4God.com |
Sometimes people feel too much pride. They think
they are more important than they are. Then, something will happen, and they
will feel shame. Other people do not feel important. They feel humble, but
they are more wise.
[2] When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
People who obey God's laws have integrity. They
always behave fairly and honestly. Their integrity will help them know how
to behave. People who are sinful are perverse. Their behavior is bad
and wicked. Their perverseness will destroy them.
[3] The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of
transgressors shall destroy them.
People who are rich will not do
well when God shows His anger. People who are good will be saved
from death.
[4] Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from
death.
Good people are righteous. They behave well, and
they follow God's laws. Their righteousness will help them know what to do.
People who are wicked and behave badly will be destroyed by their actions.
[5] The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked
shall fall by his own wickedness.
Righteous people will be saved because they obey God's laws. Sinful people
will be destroyed by their bad behavior.
[6] The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors
shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
When wicked and dishonest people die, their hopes die, too.
[7] When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of
unjust men perisheth.
Good people are saved from trouble. Wicked
people have trouble.
[8] The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his
stead.
A hypocrite is a person who talks well, but behaves badly. A hypocrite
says bad things and destroys his neighbor. Good people are saved
because they know the truth.
[9] An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through
knowledge shall the just be delivered.
When good people are doing well, the people in the
city are happy. When bad people die, everyone shouts and celebrates.
[10] When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the
wicked perish, there is shouting.
God will bless a city because of the good people
who live there. But wicked people can say bad things, and a city will be
destroyed.
[11] By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is
overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
A person who is not wise hates his neighbor. A man who has understanding
keeps quiet.
[12] He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of
understanding holdeth his peace.
A person who gossips tells other people's secrets.
A faithful friend does not tell secrets.
[13] A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit
concealeth the matter.
If a place has no wise people to give advice, it will not survive. If a
place has many wise people to give advice, it will be safe.
[14] Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of
counsellers there is safety.
If a person promises to pay someone
else's debt, he will have problems. If a person hates to make that promise,
it is better.
[15] He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth
suretiship is sure.
A woman who shows her love for God will keep her
honor. A man who shows violence will keep his money.
[16] A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
A man who shows mercy to others helps his own soul.
A man who is mean and cruel brings bad things to himself.
[17] The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel
troubleth his own flesh.
Wicked people do dishonest things. But people who
do good things will be rewarded.
[18] The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth
righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Good people will have life. Evil people will have death.
[19] As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it
to his own death.
God hates people who are dishonest. God is happy
with people who obey His laws.
[20] They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such
as are upright in their way are his delight.
This is a promise -- wicked people will be punished,
but the descendants of good people will be saved.
[21] Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the
seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
A pretty woman who does not behave wisely is like
gold jewelry in a pig's nose.
[22] As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is
without discretion.
Good people want only good things. Wicked people
want evil things to happen.
[23] The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the
wicked is wrath.
There is a person who gives much, but he gets more.
There is another person who is stingy and does not give, but he becomes
poor.
[24] There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
A person who gives a lot will receive a lot. A good
person gives water to a thirsty person. Later, when he is thirsty, someone
will give water to him.
[25] The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be
watered also himself.
A person does not sell all of his corn. Other
people will be mad at him. Another person sells all of his corn. He
will be blessed.
[26] He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing
shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
If a person always looks for good, good things
happen to him. If a person always looks for trouble, he will find trouble.
[27] He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh
mischief, it shall come unto him.
If a person depends on his money
and being rich, he will fall. If a person trusts God and obeys His
laws, he will do well like a strong branch of a tree.
[28] He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall
flourish as a branch.
A person who makes trouble in his
own family will inherit nothing. People who are foolish will be the servants
of the wise people.
[29] He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool
shall be servant to the wise of heart.
From Wallpaper4God.com |
Righteous and good people will be rewarded. They
will eat fruit from the tree of life (live a long time). A person who
teaches others about God is wise.
[30] The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls
is wise.
Good people will be rewarded on earth. They will be
rewarded more than the wicked, sinful people.
[31] Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the
wicked and the sinner.