Category Archives: Proverbs

A Manual for Living 1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David’s son, Israel’s king— Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and […]

Make Insight Your Priority 1-5 Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding. That’s right—if you make Insight your priority, and won’t take no for an answer, Searching for […]

Don’t Assume You Know It All 1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well. 3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. […]

Your Life Is at Stake 1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live. I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other. 3-9 When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my […]

Nothing but Sin and Bones 1-2 Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it. Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble. 3-6 The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft […]

Like a Deer from the Hunter 1-5 Dear friend, if you’ve gone into hock with your neighbor or locked yourself into a deal with a stranger, If you’ve impulsively promised the shirt off your back and now find yourself shivering out in the cold, Friend, don’t waste a minute, get yourself out of that mess. […]

Dressed to Seduce 1-5 Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you’ll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart. Talk to Wisdom as to a […]

Lady Wisdom Calls Out 1-11 Do you hear Lady Wisdom calling? Can you hear Madame Insight raising her voice? She’s taken her stand at First and Main, at the busiest intersection. Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she shouts, “You—I’m talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets! […]

Lady Wisdom Gives a Dinner Party 1-6 Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it’s supported by seven hewn timbers. The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers. Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, […]

An Honest Life Is Immortal 1 Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother. 2 Ill-gotten gain gets you nowhere; an honest life is immortal. 3 Godwon’t starve an honest soul, but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked. 4 Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth. 5 Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart; […]