The Book of Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of practical wisdom designed to guide God's people in living righteous, disciplined, and God-honoring lives. Traditionally attributed largely to King Solomon, Proverbs emphasizes that true wisdom begins with a reverent relationship with God.
The central theme of the book is the fear of the LORD, which is presented as the foundation of knowledge, understanding, and wise decision-making. Proverbs addresses everyday situations such as relationships, speech, work, money, parenting, and integrity, offering concise teachings that contrast wisdom with folly.
Rather than abstract theology, Proverbs focuses on how faith shapes daily life. The sayings encourage humility, diligence, honesty, self-control, and trust in God's guidance. Throughout the book, wisdom is personified as a guiding voice calling people to walk in righteousness.
Proverbs teaches:
- •True wisdom begins with reverence for God
- •Daily choices reflect one's faith
- •Righteous living leads to blessing and stability.
Author
Solomon, Agur, Lemuel
Written
970-686 BC
Chapters
31
Characters in Proverbs
Key Themes in Proverbs
Verse Commentaries in Proverbs
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise …"
Proverbs 1:8
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of…"
Proverbs 1:9
"For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about…"
Proverbs 2:5
"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledg…"
Proverbs 2:6
"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and unde…"
Proverbs 2:7
"He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them t…"
Proverbs 3:1-2
"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: F…"
Proverbs 3:3-4
"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write …"
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own un…"
Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own un…"
Proverbs 3:6
"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.…"
Proverbs 3:7-8
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It…"
Proverbs 3:7
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.…"
Proverbs 3:8
"It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.…"
Proverbs 3:9-10
"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all th…"
Proverbs 3:9
"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all th…"
Proverbs 3:27
"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power…"
Proverbs 4:7
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy …"
Proverbs 4:18
"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more an…"
Proverbs 4:23
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of lif…"
Proverbs 6:5
"Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird fr…"
Proverbs 6:6
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.…"
Proverbs 6:7
"Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,…"
Proverbs 8:11
"For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desir…"
Proverbs 8:17
"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.…"
Proverbs 9:9
"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just…"
Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of …"
Proverbs 10:9
"He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his w…"
Proverbs 10:22
"The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with…"
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.…"
Proverbs 11:25
"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be wate…"
Proverbs 12:15
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unt…"
Proverbs 12:25
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh …"
Proverbs 13:12
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is…"
Proverbs 13:20
"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools …"
Proverbs 14:12
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are…"
Proverbs 14:26
"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall h…"
Proverbs 14:29
"He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is has…"
Proverbs 15:1
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.…"
Proverbs 15:13
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the hear…"
Proverbs 15:33
"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour i…"
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.…"
Proverbs 16:9
"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.…"
Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.…"
Proverbs 16:24
"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to t…"
Proverbs 16:32
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth…"
Proverbs 17:17
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.…"
Proverbs 17:22
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth t…"
Proverbs 18:10
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it,…"
Proverbs 18:10
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it,…"
Proverbs 18:21
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it s…"
Proverbs 18:24
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a fri…"
Proverbs 19:21
"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of t…"
Proverbs 20:7
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after …"
Proverbs 20:24
"Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own wa…"
Proverbs 21:1
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: h…"
Proverbs 21:2
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth th…"
Proverbs 21:3
"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifi…"
Proverbs 21:31
"The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the …"
Proverbs 22:1
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favou…"
Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will …"
Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will …"
Proverbs 23:7
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to …"
Proverbs 23:26
"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.…"
Proverbs 24:16
"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicke…"
Proverbs 25:11
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.…"
Proverbs 25:28
"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken…"
Proverbs 27:16
"Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right ha…"
Proverbs 27:17
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his frien…"
Proverbs 27:18
"Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that wai…"
Proverbs 28:12
"When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wick…"
Proverbs 28:13
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and …"
Proverbs 28:14
"Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart s…"
Proverbs 29:17
"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delig…"
Proverbs 29:18
"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the l…"
Proverbs 29:19
"A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he …"
Proverbs 29:25
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the L…"
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their tru…"
Proverbs 31:10
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.…"
Proverbs 31:25
"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to…"
Proverbs 31:26
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kin…"
Proverbs 31:30
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the …"
Proverbs 31:30
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the …"
Test your knowledge
Take the Proverbs Bible Quiz (KJV)
Ten KJV questions from the Book of Proverbs, with chapter and verse on every answer.
Structured Plans for Proverbs
Read through Proverbs with a guided daily plan.
Proverbs in 31 Days
Read one chapter of Proverbs each day for a month of practical wisdom.
Bible in a Year
Read through the entire Bible in one year with daily Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms/Proverbs readings.
Marriage Reading Plan (21 Days)
Three weeks of Scripture for husbands and wives — love, honor, communication, and unity.
Healing Scriptures (14 Days)
Two weeks of KJV verses on physical, emotional, and spiritual healing — by His stripes ye were healed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quiz yourself on Proverbs
Free KJV quizzes covering Proverbs — instant feedback, verse references on every answer.
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