Proverbs 1
8 My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not reject the teaching of your mother.
9 For they are a garland of grace on your head,
And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.
Proverbs 2
1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];
3 Yes, if you cry out for insight,
And lift up your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver
And search for her as you would hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],
8 He guards the paths of justice;
And He preserves the way of His saints (believers).
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice [in every circumstance]
And integrity and every good path.
10 For [skillful and godly] wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will watch over you,
Understanding and discernment will guard you,
12 To keep you from the way of evil and the evil man,
From the man who speaks perverse things;
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who find joy in doing evil
And delight in the perversity of evil,
15 Whose paths are crooked,
And who are devious in their ways;
16 To keep you from the immoral woman;
From the seductress with her flattering words,
17 Who leaves the companion (husband) of her youth,
And forgets the covenant of her God.
18 For her house leads down to death
And her paths lead to the dead;
19 None who go to her return again,
Nor do they regain the paths of life—
20 So you will walk in the way of good men [that is, those of personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character],
And keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright [those who are in right standing with God] will live in the land
And those [of integrity] who are blameless [in God’s sight] will remain in it;
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land
And the treacherous shall be [forcibly] uprooted and removed from it.
Proverbs 3
5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];
26 For the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong,
And will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].
Proverbs 4
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 9
10 The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.
Proverbs 11
25 The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched,
And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].
Proverbs 12
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.
Proverbs 13
20 He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.
Proverbs 14
12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].
15 The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears,
But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going.
16 A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil,
But the fool is arrogant and careless.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly and without self-control,
And a man of wicked schemes is hated.
18 The naive [are unsophisticated and easy to exploit and] inherit foolishness,
But the sensible [are thoughtful and far-sighted and] are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked [will bow down] at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom],
But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
But he who speaks lies is treacherous.
26 In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will [always] have a place of refuge.
27 The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.
30 A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body,
But passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones.
34 Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 15
1 A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.
22 Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they are established and succeed.
23 A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!
Proverbs 16
3 Commit (or Roll) your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
Proverbs 17
9 He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,
But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.
22 A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 18
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
Proverbs 19
20 Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,
That you may be wise in the time to come.
21 Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).
Proverbs 21
21 He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor.
30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding
Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance and victory belong to the Lord.
Proverbs 22
2 The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 23
24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.
Proverbs 27
1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].
Proverbs 29
25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.
Proverbs 30
5 Every word of God is tested and refined [like silver];
He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.
Proverbs 31
30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.