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Proverbs begins by telling why it was written: to know wisdom and instruction. Its key line is, The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge. A father tells his son to listen to his father's instruction and his mother's teaching. If sinners entice you, don't consent. Wisdom is pictured as a woman who calls aloud in the street. She warns that those who ignore her will suffer for their own way, but whoever listens to her will dwell securely.
A father tells his son to receive his words and seek wisdom as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures. Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God. For Yahweh gives wisdom. Wisdom will guard him from people who walk in the ways of darkness and from the strange woman who forsakes the covenant of her God. He should walk in the way of good men.
A father tells his son not to forget his teaching. Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Honor Yahweh with your substance. Don't despise Yahweh's discipline, for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects. Wisdom is better than silver and gold; she is a tree of life. By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due. He gives grace to the humble.
A father passes on what his own father taught him: Get wisdom. Get understanding. Wisdom is supreme. He has led his son in straight paths. Don't enter into the path of the wicked. The path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day, but the way of the wicked is like darkness. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. Let your eyes look straight ahead.
A father tells his son to pay attention to his wisdom. He warns against the adulteress, whose words seem sweet but lead to death, and tells him to stay far from her. A person who ignores teaching will say at the end, I haven't obeyed the voice of my teachers. The father tells his son to rejoice in the wife of his youth. For the ways of man are before Yahweh's eyes. He examines all his paths.
A father warns his son against making careless promises for a neighbor. Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise. The ant gathers food in the harvest without a ruler. A little sleep, a little slumber leads to poverty. There are six things which Yahweh hates, including a lying tongue and he who sows discord among brothers. The father's commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. The chapter ends warning that adultery destroys a person.
A father tells his son, Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Call wisdom your sister. The father describes looking out of his window and seeing a young man void of understanding who was led into sin by flattering words, and sin brought him harm. The father warns his son not to let his heart turn to the ways of sin.
Wisdom cries aloud beside the gates of the city: I call to you men! She says her mouth speaks truth, and that wisdom is better than rubies. The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. By me kings reign. I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. Wisdom says she was there when Yahweh established the heavens and marked out the foundations of the earth, rejoicing before Him as a craftsman by His side. Whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
Wisdom has built her house and set her table. She calls, Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! Come, eat some of my bread. Leave your simple ways, and live. A wise person loves correction, but a mocker hates it. The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish woman also calls out, saying, Stolen water is sweet, but her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Proverbs 10 begins the short sayings of Solomon. Most verses compare the righteous and the wicked. A wise son makes a glad father. The hand of the diligent brings wealth. The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs. He who restrains his lips does wisely. The fear of Yahweh prolongs days.
Proverbs 11 continues the sayings of Solomon. A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight. When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom. One who brings gossip betrays a confidence. In the multitude of counselors there is victory. The merciful man does good to his own soul. He who waters shall be watered also himself. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
Proverbs 12 continues Solomon's sayings. Whoever loves correction loves knowledge. A righteous man respects the life of his animal. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel. The tongue of the wise heals. Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
Proverbs 13 continues Solomon's sayings. A wise son listens to his father's instruction. He who guards his mouth guards his soul. Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 14 continues Solomon's sayings. Every wise woman builds her house. There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress. He who is slow to anger has great understanding. He who is kind to the needy honors his Maker. Righteousness exalts a nation.
Proverbs 15 continues Solomon's sayings. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Yahweh's eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. The prayer of the upright is his delight. Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. How good is a word at the right time! The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
Proverbs 16 continues Solomon's sayings. Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul. One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
Proverbs 17 continues Solomon's sayings. Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. Yahweh tests the hearts. He who covers an offense promotes love. Stop contention before quarreling breaks out. A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. A cheerful heart makes good medicine. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
Proverbs 18 continues Solomon's sayings. A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. Yahweh's name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. Before honor is humility. He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 19 continues Solomon's sayings. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips. It isn't good to have zeal without knowledge. The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him. Listen to counsel and receive instruction. There are many plans in a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will prevail. That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness.
Proverbs 20 continues Solomon's sayings. It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife. A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him. Who can say, I have made my heart pure? Even a child makes himself known by his doings. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them. Don't say, I will pay back evil. Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you. A man's steps are from Yahweh.
Proverbs 21 continues Solomon's sayings. The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand. Yahweh weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard. He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor. Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.
Proverbs 22 begins, A good name is more desirable than great riches. The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all. A prudent man sees danger and hides himself. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. At verse 17 the sayings of the wise begin: Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise, so that your trust may be in Yahweh. Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings.
Proverbs 23 continues the words of the wise. Don't weary yourself to be rich; riches sprout wings like an eagle and fly away. Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong. My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. Don't let your heart envy sinners, but rather fear Yahweh all day long. Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Let your father and your mother be glad! My son, give me your heart.
Proverbs 24 continues the words of the wise. Don't be envious of evil men. Through wisdom a house is built. A righteous man falls seven times and rises up again. Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't say, I will do to him as he has done to me. The teacher passes the field of the sluggard and sees it all grown over with thorns, and he receives instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber brings poverty.
Proverbs 25 begins, These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing. Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. A soft tongue breaks the bone. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. A man whose spirit is without restraint is like a city without walls.
Proverbs 26 describes three kinds of people to avoid becoming. Honor is not fitting for a fool. As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The sluggard says, There is a lion in the road! As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it.
Proverbs 27 continues the sayings. Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring. Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth. The wounds of a friend are faithful. Earnest counsel from a man's friend brings joy to the heart. Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance. Like water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. Know well the state of your flocks, for riches are not forever.
Proverbs 28 continues the sayings. The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Those who seek Yahweh understand justice fully. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich. He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. One who trusts in Yahweh will prosper. One who gives to the poor has no lack.
Proverbs 29 continues the sayings. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice. The righteous care about justice for the poor. Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
Proverbs 30 contains the words of Agur the son of Jakeh. Agur says he is humble and lacks understanding. He asks who has gathered the wind in his fists. Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Agur prays, Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. He lists four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants, the hyraxes, the locusts, and the lizard.
Proverbs 31 records the words of King Lemuel, which his mother taught him. She tells him to open his mouth for the mute and serve justice to the poor and needy. The chapter ends with a poem about a worthy woman whose value is far above rubies. She works eagerly with her hands, gives food to her household, opens her arms to the poor, and speaks with wisdom. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.