Add parallel Print Page Options

Lecture Against Gang Behavior

My child, may you keep[a] your father’s instruction,
    and do not reject your mother’s teachings,
for they are a garland of favor for your head,
    and pendants for your neck.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:8 Or “obey,” or “hear”

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(A) to your father’s(B) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(C)
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(D)

Read full chapter

Wisdom and Piety

My child, do not forget my instruction,
    and may your heart guard my commands.
For length of days, years of life,
    and peace they[a] shall add to you.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:2 That is, “my commands” (3:1)

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son,(A) do not forget my teaching,(B)
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years(C)
    and bring you peace and prosperity.(D)

Read full chapter

The Father’s Wisdom

Children, listen to the instruction of a father,
    and be attentive in order to know insight.
For I have given you good instruction;
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son to my father,
    tender and alone before my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
    “May your heart hold fast to my words;
    guard my commandments and live.

Read full chapter

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons,(A) to a father’s instruction;(B)
    pay attention and gain understanding.(C)
I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold(D) of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.(E)

Read full chapter

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child makes a father glad,
    but a foolish child grieves his mother.

Read full chapter

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)

A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Read full chapter

22 He who is good will leave an inheritance to his grandchildren,[a]
    and stored up for the righteous is the wealth of a sinner.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:22 Literally “sons of sons”

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(A)

Read full chapter

20 A child of wisdom will make a father glad,
    but a foolish person,[a] he despises his mother.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:20 Literally “foolishness of humankind”

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(A)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

Read full chapter

The crown of the elderly are grandchildren,[a]
    and the glory of children is their fathers.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:6 Literally “sons of sons”

Children’s children(A) are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children.

Read full chapter

21 He who begets a fool, there is trouble for him;
    the father of a fool will not rejoice.

Read full chapter

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(A)

Read full chapter

25 A grief to his father is the child of a fool,
    and bitterness to her who bore him.

Read full chapter

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(A)

Read full chapter

13 A foolish child is a ruin to his father,
    and the quarreling of a woman[a] is a continuous dripping.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:13 Or “wife”

13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(A)
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(B)

Read full chapter

18 Discipline your child, for there is hope,
    but on his destruction do not set your desire.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:18 Or “soul,” or “inner self”

18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.(A)

Read full chapter

26 He who does violence to a father, he who chases away a mother,
    is a child who causes shame and brings reproach.

Read full chapter

26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother(A)
    is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

Read full chapter

He who walks in his integrity is righteous;
    happy are his children who follow him.

Read full chapter

The righteous lead blameless lives;(A)
    blessed are their children after them.(B)

Read full chapter