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Book 20 of 66 · Old Testament

Proverbs

Short, sharp sayings on living wisely — "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

31 chapters915 versesWritten in HebrewSet Israel's book of practical wisdom

Overview

Proverbs is the Bible's book of practical wisdom — hundreds of short, memorable sayings about living well: honesty, hard work, controlling the tongue, choosing friends, handling money and desire. It opens with a father urging his son to seek wisdom above all, personifies wisdom as a woman calling in the streets, and closes with a portrait of a capable, godly woman. Its motto: "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

Book facts

Author
Solomon and othersMostly attributed to Solomon, with sayings gathered from other wise men.
Date written
c. 950–700 BCSolomon's sayings, collected and edited over time.
Original language
HebrewHebrew poetry, in short, memorable sayings.
Setting
Israel's book of practical wisdomInstruction for living skilfully before God.

How it came to be

Proverbs is mostly attributed to Solomon, famed for his wisdom. It also gathers sayings from other wise men, including Agur and King Lemuel.

It was collected and edited over time; one section was copied out under King Hezekiah.

What is arguedHow much goes back to Solomon himself, and how the various collections were assembled.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

ChapterWhat this chapter covers
In praise of wisdom — a father's call to seek wisdom, chapters 1–9
Chapter 1Wisdom calls aloudThe purpose of the book, and wisdom crying aloud in the streets.
Chapter 2The search for wisdomSeek wisdom like hidden treasure, and it will guard you.
Chapter 3Trust in the Lord"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart."
Chapter 4A father's instructionA father urges his son to get wisdom above all else.
Chapter 5The strange womanA warning against the seductions of the adulteress.
Chapter 6The ant and the sluggardWarnings against laziness, debt, and the things God hates.
Chapter 7The young man ensnaredA vivid warning of a young man led astray.
Chapter 8Wisdom's voiceWisdom personified, present with God at creation.
Chapter 9Wisdom's houseWisdom and folly each set out a feast and call out.
The proverbs of Solomon — hundreds of short sayings, chapters 10–29
Chapter 10The wise sonContrasting proverbs on the righteous and the wicked.
Chapter 11The false balanceSayings on integrity, honesty, and generosity.
Chapter 12The way of the righteousSayings on truthfulness, work, and words.
Chapter 13The fruit of the mouthSayings on speech, wealth, and discipline.
Chapter 14The house of the wiseSayings on wisdom, folly, and the fear of the Lord.
Chapter 15The soft answer"A soft answer turneth away wrath."
Chapter 16The heart's plansSayings on God's hand over human plans.
Chapter 17The dry morselSayings on peace, friendship, and restraint.
Chapter 18The tongue's power"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
Chapter 19The poor and the richSayings on poverty, wealth, and instruction.
Chapter 20Wine and strong drinkSayings on drink, honesty, and diligence.
Chapter 21The king's heartSayings on justice, the heart, and God's sovereignty.
Chapter 22A good name"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches"; the sayings of the wise begin.
Chapter 23The rich man's tableWarnings about greed, drink, and disciplining children.
Chapter 24The fallen enemyMore sayings of the wise: do not rejoice when your enemy falls.
Chapter 25Apples of goldProverbs of Solomon copied out under King Hezekiah begin.
Chapter 26The fool and the sluggardSayings on fools, sluggards, and troublemakers.
Chapter 27Tomorrow's boast"Boast not thyself of to morrow"; sayings on friendship.
Chapter 28The bold righteousSayings on the wicked and the righteous, law and justice.
Chapter 29The people's vision"Where there is no vision, the people perish."
Final words — the sayings of Agur and Lemuel, and the virtuous woman, chapters 30–31
Chapter 30The words of AgurThe sayings of Agur, full of numbered lists and wonder.
Chapter 31The virtuous womanKing Lemuel's mother's counsel, and the portrait of the virtuous woman.

All 31 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

The book is mostly credited to this king.

Known for

Some of the book's best-known lines — tap the verse to read it.