The Book of Proverbs

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

The Books of the Bible

Photo by Alabaster Co.

Previous Book: Psalms

Language

Hebrew

Author

Solomon

Highlights

Proverbs. 1:2-7

1 For learning about wisdom and instruction,

for understanding words of insight,

3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing,

righteousness, justice, and equity;

4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,

knowledge and prudence to the young—

5 Let the wise also hear and gain in learning,

and the discerning acquire skill,

6 to understand a proverb and a figure,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Warnings against Evil Companions

Proverbs 1:8

8 Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,

and do not reject your mother’s teaching;

9 for they are a fair garland for your head,

and pendants for your neck.

10 My child, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us wantonly ambush the innocent;

12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive

and whole, like those who go down to the Pit.

13 We shall find all kinds of costly things;

we shall fill our houses with booty.

14 Throw in your lot among us;

we will all have one purse”—

15 my child, do not walk in their way,

keep your foot from their paths;

16 for their feet run to evil,

and they hurry to shed blood.

17 For in vain is the net baited

while the bird is looking on;

18 yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves!

and set an ambush—for their own lives!

19 Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain;

it takes away the life of its possessors.

The Call of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:20

20 Wisdom cries out in the street;

in the squares she raises her voice.

21 At the busiest corner she cries out;

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

23 Give heed to my reproof;

I will pour out my thoughts to you;

I will make my words known to you.

24 Because I have called and you refused,

have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,

25 and because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

26 I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when panic strikes you,

27 when panic strikes you like a storm,

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

30 would have none of my counsel,

and despised all my reproof,

31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way

and be sated with their own devices.

32 For waywardness kills the simple,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

33 but those who listen to me will be secure

and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”

The Value of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1

1 My child, if you accept my words

and treasure up my commandments within you,

2 making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

3 if you indeed cry out for insight,

and raise your voice for understanding;

4 if you seek it like silver,

and search for it as for hidden treasures—

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,

8 guarding the paths of justice

and preserving the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice

and equity, every good path;

10 for wisdom will come into your heart,

and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

11 prudence will watch over you;

and understanding will guard you.

12 It will save you from the way of evil,

from those who speak perversely,

13 who forsake the paths of uprightness

to walk in the ways of darkness,

14 who rejoice in doing evil

and delight in the perverseness of evil;

15 those whose paths are crooked,

and who are devious in their ways.

Parental Advice

Proverbs 4:1

1 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain insight;

2 for I give you good precepts:

do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a son with my father,

tender, and my mother’s favorite,

4 he taught me, and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

keep my commandments, and live.

5 Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away

from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;

love her, and she will guard you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,

and whatever else you get, get insight.

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head a fair garland;

she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

Next Book: Ecclesiastes

---

Liveology Yoga Studios creates uplifting content for your whole life. Join us on the journey of seeking God, self-study, healing, and awakening as we draw from spiritual traditions across the world. Subscribe for access to our exclusive library of articles and videos and the magazine. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Thank you for your continued and growing support.

Peace & Pineapples!