Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention(A) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(B)
    apply your heart to what I teach,(C)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(D)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

Read full chapter

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

Read full chapter

Purpose and Theme

The proverbs(A) of Solomon(B) son of David, king of Israel:(C)

for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
    knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
    the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)

The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
  2. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  3. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Read full chapter

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are more proverbs(A) of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(B)

Read full chapter

25 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

Read full chapter

10 The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One(B) is understanding.(C)
11 For through wisdom[a] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.(D)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

Read full chapter

27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(A)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

Read full chapter

27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Read full chapter

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

Read full chapter

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

Read full chapter

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(A)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(B)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(C)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(D)

Read full chapter

26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Read full chapter

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(A)
    and humility comes before honor.(B)

Read full chapter

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Read full chapter

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(A)

Read full chapter

23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Read full chapter

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Read full chapter

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

Read full chapter

Trust in the Lord(A) with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths(B) straight.[a](C)

Do not be wise in your own eyes;(D)
    fear the Lord(E) and shun evil.(F)
This will bring health to your body(G)
    and nourishment to your bones.(H)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Read full chapter

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(A)
    but in the end it leads to death.(B)

Read full chapter

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Read full chapter

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.(A)

Read full chapter

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Read full chapter