55 Bible Verses about Proverbs

Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].

Hear this, all peoples;
Listen carefully, all inhabitants of the world,

Both low and high,
Rich and poor together:

My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
read more.

I will incline my ear and consent to a proverb;
On the lyre I will unfold my riddle.

The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;
To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness,
Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
read more.

That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled],
And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,

The wise will hear and increase their learning,
And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],

To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation,
And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].

Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].

Now God gave Solomon [exceptional] wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand of the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all [other] men, [wiser] than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. His fame was known in all the surrounding nations. read more.
He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar which is in Lebanon to the hyssop [vine] that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and fish. People came from all the peoples (nations) to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.

These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.

On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment,
But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised.

Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,
But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.

The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.

There is no [human] wisdom or understanding
Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.

Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth;
Cease from your own understanding of it.

He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.

The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs],
But He will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked.

The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.

When it goes well for the righteous, the city rejoices,
And when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the [consistently] righteous will not be moved.

The light of the righteous [within him—grows brighter and] rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked [is a temporary light and] goes out.

The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing,
But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death.

The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God),
But to the evildoers it is disaster.

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring
Is a righteous man who yields and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice;
But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.

The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment,
But righteousness rescues from death.

Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and trouble with it.

A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches;
And favor is better than silver and gold.

The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all.

Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth;
Cease from your own understanding of it.

When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich.

A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful,
But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.

A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

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.

Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.

By patience and a calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft and gentle tongue breaks the bone [of resistance].

He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.

If they say, “Come with us;
Let us lie in wait to shed blood,
Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead),
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];
read more.

We will find and take all kinds of precious possessions,
We will fill our houses with spoil;

Throw in your lot with us [they insist];
We will all have one money bag [in common],”

My son, do not walk on the road with them;
Keep your foot [far] away from their path,

For their feet run to evil,
And they hurry to shed blood.

Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net
In the sight of any bird;

But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood;
They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction].

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.

My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;

For length of days and years of life [worth living]
And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you.

Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you];
Bind them [securely] around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
read more.

So find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

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].

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.

It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]
And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth
And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);

Then your barns will be abundantly filled
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

My son, be attentive to my wisdom [godly wisdom learned by costly experience],
Incline your ear to my understanding;

That you may exercise discrimination and discretion (good judgment),
And your lips may reserve knowledge and answer wisely [to temptation].

For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey [like a honeycomb]
And her speech is smoother than oil;
read more.

But in the end she is bitter like [the extract of] wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.

Her feet go down to death;
Her steps take hold of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead),

So that she does not think [seriously] about the path of life;
Her ways are aimless and unstable; you cannot know where her path leads.
Now then, my sons, listen to me
And do not depart from (forget) the words of my mouth.

Let your way [in life] be far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house [avoid even being near the places of temptation],

Or you will give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one,

And strangers will be filled with your strength
And your hard-earned wealth will go to the house of a foreigner [who does not know God];

And you will groan when your life is ending,
When your flesh and your body are consumed;

And you say, “How I hated instruction and discipline,
And my heart despised correction and reproof!

“I have not listened to the voice of my teachers,
Nor have I inclined my ear to those who instructed me.

“I was almost in total ruin
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
Drink water from your own cistern [of a pure marriage relationship]
And fresh running water from your own well.

Should your springs (children) be dispersed,
As streams of water in the streets?

[Confine yourself to your own wife.] Let your children be yours alone,
And not the children of strangers with you.

Let your fountain (wife) be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity],
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Let her be as a loving hind and graceful doe,
Let her breasts refresh and satisfy you at all times;
Always be exhilarated and delight in her love.

Why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an immoral woman
And embrace the bosom of an outsider (pagan)?

For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord,
And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].

The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him,
And he will be held with the cords of his sin.

He will die for lack of instruction (discipline),
And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost.

My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].

Keep my commandments and live,
And keep my teaching and law as the apple of your eye.

Bind them [securely] on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
read more.

Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And regard understanding and intelligent insight as your intimate friends;

That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.

The leech has two daughters,
“Give, give!”
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four that do not say, “It is enough”:

Sheol, and the barren womb,
Earth that is never satisfied with water,
And fire that never says, “It is enough.”

An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.

The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.

She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.
read more.

She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.

She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.

She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.

She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].

She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.

She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].

She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].

She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].

She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,

“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
But you excel them all.”

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.

Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].