ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal: Proverbs

Bible #20

by Anonymous

ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals  pair the entirety of individual books of the Bible with a lightly dotted blank page opposite each page of Bible text, providing space to creatively engage with and reflect on the Word of God. Hand-lettered, gold-ink illustrations by renowned artist Dana Tanamachi are interspersed throughout the blank pages, inviting readers to add their own artwork or reflections to each page. These thin, portable notebooks have unique covers stamped with gold-foil and are great for art journaling, personal Bible reading and prayer, small-group Bible study, or taking notes through a sermon series.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Classics, Poetry, Spirituality, Christianity

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Proverbs pack a serious punch! Every Christian should read them regularly.

[Shantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

March-April 2018 read-through. Yes ... love reading this book of the Bible! I feel like it's pretty easy to understand and glean information from - just has a lot of practical wisdom. I read it in the NKJV this time.

"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray."
Proverbs 14:25-26

***

June 2017 read-through. Amazing, once again! I love reading through Proverbs. This time I read through it using three different translations ... the HCSB, NIV, and NKJV.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

***

June 2016 read-through.

Really neat book from the Old Testament, written mostly by King Solomon I believe. So many powerful, yet brief, words of wisdom! Kind of at random. I find Proverbs really easy to read, and very insightful.

I don't know how many times I've read this book, but one could almost read it every month! If you haven't read Proverbs, I recommend you open the Bible and read a chapter or so a day from this book. Simple truths that really impact you. I'm humbled and encouraged.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

[فؤاد · Rating 3 out of 5]

به اندازۀ کتاب دیگۀ منسوب به سلیمان (کتاب جامعه) لذت بخش نبود. بیشتر کتاب از حکمت های یکی دو جمله ای تشکیل شده بود، که اکثراً بیان احکام اخلاقی متعارفی بود، مثل این که دانا خوشبخت می شود و نادان بدبخت و...

اما این جا و آن جا جملاتی توجه را جلب می کردند، مثلاً:

اگر در طویله گاو نباشد، طویله تمیز می ماند، اما بدون گاو نمی توان محصول زیادی به دست آورد.

کسی که همه چیز را به باد مسخره می گیرد هرگز نمی تواند حکمت پیدا کند، اما شخص فهیم به آسانی آن را به دست می آورد.

تنها دل خود شخص است که تلخی جان او را احساس می کند، و در شادی او نیز کسی جز خودش نمی تواند سهیم باشد.

خنده نمی تواند اندوه دل را پنهان سازد، هنگامی که خنده پایان می یابد، درد و اندوه بر جای خود باقی می ماند.

کسی که زحمت می کشد منفعت عایدش می شود، ولی آن که فقط حرف می زند فقیر خواهد شد.

انسان وقتی غمگین است همه چیز به نظرش بد می آید، اما وقتی دلش شاد است هرچیزی او را خوشحال می کند.

گرسنگی خوب است، زیرا تو را وادار می کند برای رفع آن کار کنی.

دلایل کسی که اول صحبت می کند به نظر درست می آید، ولی این تا زمانی است که طرف مقابل هنوز دلایلش را ارائه نداده باشد.

هر که برای دیگران چاه بکند، خود در آن خواهد افتاد.

زخم دوست بهتر از بوسۀ دشمن است.

در دنیا چهار چیز مثل زالوست که هر چه می خورد سیر نمی شود: رحم نازا، زمین بی آب، آتش مشتعل، و دنیای مردگان.

چهار چیز برای من بسیار عجیبند و من آن ها را نمی فهمم: پرواز عقاب در آسمان، خزیدن مار روی صخره، سیر کشتی در دریا، و به وجود آمدن عشق بین زن و مرد.

[Chris Via]

It doesn't matter whether you're religious or what religious faction you follow or really your worldview at all--the Proverbs scribed from Solomon's court are a trove of wisdom for everyday conduct. The prevailing themes are to refrain from hastily reacting, keep your words deliberate, and work diligently (even if it's toil). Really, the keys to contentment without the Buddhist or Stoic disengagement from actually living and engaging your emotions.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Proverbs. In fact, I actually surprised myself with how interesting I found it. I think I even forgot I was reading the Bible at one point. Proverbs is basically pages and pages of advice. Some good advice, some obvious, and some that actually made me laugh. I've listed a few of my favourites:

14:30 - A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

15:13 - A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

16:24 - Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

16:31 - Grey hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

19:15 - Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.

21:19 - Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

24:26 - An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

25:16 - If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.

25:24 - Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

26:11 - As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

[Ѽ tazannah - not accepting friend requests Ѽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book so many times, I’ve lost count. I got too lazy to add all the read dates, so let’s just say it’s a LOT.

Ever since I was little, my grandma taught me to read a proverb each day, corresponding with the date. (Ex: May 8th would be Proverbs 8. I begrudgingly did so, but as I got older I realized how much wisdom and instruction this book offers.

Proverbs isn’t just a bunch of commands like, “do this” or “do that.” No, it’s a way of life. In this book, Solomon, or the “Preacher” advises youth on how to live a life that is right with God, and one that doesn’t compromise with the world and sin. In this book, Solomon characterizes wisdom as “Lady Wisdom,” often referring to it as “her.” He describes her as someone who offers guidance and instruction to those who truly search for her and answer to her call.

Proverbs is one of my favorite books because there’s so much to take away and implement into my own life; it teaches me how to live a life that is separated from the sin of this world, and how the righteous who follow these commandments will be blessed.

A common theme in Proverbs is the fear of the LORD, mentioned 20+ times in this book alone. It’s so beautiful to read about how the fear of the LORD is such a desirable thing to have, and will make you reap bountiful harvests of blessings. It’s also how we start a relationship with God. (“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”—Proverbs 9:10)

Overall, my love for this book just grows every time I read it. My knowledge deepens and my life changes when I read how we ought to live; no compromises and dwelling with sin, but rather spending time with our God. 🤍🤍

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

My earliest memory from reading the Bible is staying up late one night and finishing the book of Proverbs. I loved the wisdom in this book as a child and still love reading this.

[Mildly Mad Hatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of wisdom in this is amazing!

[Emma Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such wisdom can be found in the pages of this book! One of my favourites for sure.

[Rui Coelho · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most of this book's proverbs are a paraphrase of "being good is good, being bad is bad". Thanks, Proverbs

[elisa ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🪅 (hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

by Andrea Renee Cox

A book of wisdom and advice that no man, woman, or child should miss out on reading. I come back to it often.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to read a Proverb a day. Attempting to read through this wonderful collection every month this year.

[Hanna Brisbois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I loved about this book:
1. 'As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.' Proverbs 26:11 HA! Ha ha ha ha. Who knew this book had jokes?
2. Encouraging the value of wisdom... and referring to wisdom with she/her pronouns
3. Righteousness vs. wickedness... while I didn't agree with all of the reasons that made a person righteous or wicked, most of them were pretty on point.
4. 'Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I'm only joking?"' Proverbs 26:18-19 Apparently the "Chill, it's just a joke" thing is a universal experience.

I actually don't have too much to critique in this one. Overall, it's actually pretty good advice, especially given how long ago it was written. It just has 2 big flaws:

1. It encourages wisdom and knowledge, yet it also encourages obedience and authoritarianism. These two things are inherently contradictory. You cannot have both wisdom/knowledge and blind, unwavering obedience.
2. It's language encourages a lack of accountability in men who are "tempted" by an adulteress... while the text does say the temptress is only able to ensnare the foolish, the wording of the text places all of the blame on the woman for being the temptress, rather on the man for being foolish. All that talk of wisdom, yet when it comes to women, men cannot help but be ensnared in their trap... The woman is just trying to make a living or seek some pleasure... you don't have to say "yes". Where is the accountability!

Other quotes I enjoyed:

"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 1:22

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding. Proverbs 3:13

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12

The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Proverbs 17:28

[شمس · Rating 5 out of 5]

1:2
To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,

1:4-5
to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,

1:7
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2:2
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;

2:7-8
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice

2:10
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

3:13-18
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

4:2
for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.

4:13
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.

4:19
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.

4:25
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.

5:3
For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil,

5:6
she does not ponder the path of life;
her ways wander, and she does not know it.

5:11-13
and at the end of your life you groan,
when your flesh and body are consumed,
and you say, “How I hated discipline,
and my heart despised reproof!
I did not listen to the voice of my teachers
or incline my ear to my instructors.

5:19-20
Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;
be intoxicated always in her love.

5:20
Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman
and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?

5:22-23
The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.

6:25
Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;

6:27-28
Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?

6:32
He who commits adultery lacks sense;
he who does it destroys himself.

7:1-4
My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend,

7:17-18
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.

7:21
With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.

8:1-11
Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
“To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

8:19
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.

9:8
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9:13-18
The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

10:2
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.

10:5
He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

10:9
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

10:23
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
but a just weight is his delight.

11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.

11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

11:22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.

12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.

12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

12:9
Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.

12:11
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.

12:17
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.

12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.

12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

12:25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.

13:7
One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

13:11
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.

13:20
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

13:23
The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.

13:25
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

14:1
The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.

14:5
A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.

14:6
A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

14:7
Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

14:13
Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.

14:16
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.

14:18
The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

14:23
In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to poverty.

15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.

15:7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.

15:14
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

16:2
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.

16:8
Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.

16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

16:23
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

16:24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

16:31
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.

17:1
Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.

17:8
A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
wherever he turns he prospers.

17:12
Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs
rather than a fool in his folly.

17:16
Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom
when he has no sense?

17:27
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

18:7
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.

18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.

18:9
Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.

18:13
If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

18:15
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the LORD.

19:8
Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.

19:9
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.

19:10
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.

19:13
A foolish son is ruin to his father,
and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

19:14
House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

19:15
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will suffer hunger.

19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.

19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.

20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

20:5
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.

20:9
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;
I am clean from my sin”?

20:13
Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;
open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

20:14
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
but when he goes away, then he boasts.

20:21
An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
will not be blessed in the end.

20:29
The glory of young men is their strength,
but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the heart.

21:8
The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright.

21:9
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

21:13
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.

21:14
A gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

21:17
Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

21:19
It is better to live in a desert land
than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.

22:2
The rich and the poor meet together;
the LORD is the Maker of them all.

22:16
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

22:17-18
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,
for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.

23:4
Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.

23:6-7
Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;
do not desire his delicacies,
for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.

23:10
Do not move an ancient landmark
or enter the fields of the fatherless,

23:23
Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

23:29-30
Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.

23:31-32
Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.

24:13-14
My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.

24:19-20
Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
and be not envious of the wicked,
for the evil man has no future;
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

24:23
Partiality in judging is not good.

25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.

25:16
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

25:24
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

26:4-5
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.

26:9
Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

27:9
Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

27:10
Better is a neighbor who is near
than a brother who is far away.

27:15
A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

28:6
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

28:13
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

28:19
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

28:21
To show partiality is not good,
but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

28:23
Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than he who flatters with his tongue.

28:24
Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is a companion to a man who destroys.

28:26
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

29:9
If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.

29:19
By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.

30:5-6
Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

30:8
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,

31:10-12
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

31:29-30
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I read it aloud this time. For multiple consecutive months we read the chapter corresponding to the day of the month. I wanted to really get it in their brains, especially the teens, after having one leave the nest and the next one soon to finish our homeschool program... never know when and where that wisdom may be needed, but I'm certain it will. We read NKJV, not KJV.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 2024 with the kids (The Message)
6- 3-2025 - 6-22-2025 with The Bible Recap

[Joop Kriebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐

Proverbs is the Bible book I've looked forward to reading the most, mostly because I'd heard that it is full of ethical knowledge. Thankfully, it has just that.

Even though I personally have a tough time aligning myself with the moral guidelines of other books in the old testament, Leviticus being the prime example, there is a lot of wisdom in the Proverbs.

Solomon, alongside some other authors, speaks of the way children should treat their parents and teachers (though parents would often teach their kids about the righteous way of living), the way parents should treat their children, the way men and women (and people in general) should live and how they shouldn't live. Overall, the moral guidelines in Proverbs are actually morally just (according to my own opinion, of course) in comparison to some commands in other books of the Bible, and thus practically applying the wisdom in Proverbs to your own life is, in many cases, actually a worthwhile endeavour!

[Becca]

I cannot absorb this much wisdom in one short read through. I'll come back to this book sometime reading just a bit every day. Reading relatively quickly, my favorite parts were the first chapters and the last chapters. They don't consist of two-line proverbs, but are more like didactic psalms.

[ProseAndPetals · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how there are 31 days in the month and 31 chapters in Proverbs. I tried the challenge to read a book each day of the month. It really helped me and I recommend it.

[Hawley Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solomon, the man who had 700 happy wives, wrote this book of wisdom for us. Despite his shortcomings later in life, God did bless Solomon with “wisdom greater than any other man” and I am grateful that his teachings have lived on for 1,000s of years to reach us today. Great life advise lives within the pages of Proverbs.

[Henrik Haapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update 2020-07-22
Great classic book no matter what beliefs you may have.
“The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.”

24:6 “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety.”

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before Kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

For riches are not forever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?”

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”

“The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.”

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.”

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her.”

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in King’s palaces.”

[Anthony Louis Garavito · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must first clarify that I did an impartial study of the book of proverbs, being an agnostic, my intention was to extract the principles and practical wisdom of this text. The literary style is full of enigmas and allegories, they require considerable intellectual effort, many of the verses have advice that is assimilated to Greco-Roman philosophies, has indications that there is a timeless and universal ethic, without religious distinction, or of any other nature .

Wisdom books have many elements that make them attractive to secular thinkers, philosophers, scholars, their maxims are valid in our present time, proving useful, if they reflect and weigh through reason, the reader will realize that many of the ideas inscribed in Proverbs are assimilated to other more critical moral or ethical currents, for example, prudence, science, virtue as a principle, leaving aside passions, kindness, charity, courage, diligence, etc.

In my opinion, the author wanted to compile a compendium of practical wisdom, beyond the religious point of view, just as Aristotle compiled his ethic to Nicomachus, therefore, it is useful for every philosopher, scientist, theologian, deepen and meditate on words or literary jewels contained in said timeless book.

[Lily Martinez-rios · Rating 5 out of 5]

You really had to use your brain to decipher some of these and I had to look up at least ten verses for additional assistance. Was very good. I really liked a lot of these verses. I laughed at quite a few, which I haven't done since starting the Bible. They're are a few verses that are repeated throughout Solomon's proverbs.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reading of God's Word is so remarkable that there is nothing that I can say to make it any better. Please, if you are a lost soul, turn to God! He can heal you and give you the greatest peace that you will ever know!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to read the whole Bible, I’ve decided I’ll never do it in a year, but I’m chipping away a little at a time. I read all of Proverbs last month during a women’s challenge at church. Good book, this one.

[Melanie Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading as a New Year's Challenge with some girlfriends...31 days in January...31 chapters in Proverbs....

great way to get in The Word at the start of the new year :)

[Abdullah Abdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful.....It's like nothing I've ever read.
I would love to read it 300 times...maybe a bit more.

[that girl 🧋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! Easily my favorite book of The Bible so far!

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC