The Wisdom of Proverbs

Dear Sister,  I love Proverbs; it’s my favorite book in the Bible.  I especially love the proverbs of Solomon.  Proverbs is a very short, easy-to-read book and I encourage you to read all of it.  Here are some proverbs that speak to my heart. All are from the NIV unless otherwise mentioned.  I hope you enjoy them,  Sister Renee

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife…Pr.17:1

He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind…Pr.11:29

If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house…Pr.17:13

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold…Pr.22:1

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

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, for you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared…Pr.22:24-25

Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right…Pr.20:11

How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!  These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!  Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it…Pr.1:17-19

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight…Pr.3:5-6

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked…Pr.3:25

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are destestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers…Pr.6:16-19

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever…Pr.10:25

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom…Pr.11:2

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy…Pr.11:10

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel..Pr.12:10

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning…Pr.14:6

A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined…Pr.14:28

The Lord works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster…Pr.16:4

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed..Pr.16:3

He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil…Pr.16:30

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity…Pr.17:17

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent…Pr.17:28

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions…Pr.18:2

A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord…Pr.19:3

A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again..Pr.19:19

Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost…Pr. 23:6-7

Whoever says to the guilty,’You are innocent’- peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.  But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them…Pr. 24:24-25

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you..Pr. 25:21-22

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

Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble…Pr.25:19

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures..Pr.24:3-4

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out…Pr.24:19-20

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly…Pr.26:11

Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own…Pr.26:17

Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’..Pr.26:18-19

As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife…Pr.26:21

If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; If a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him…..Pr.26:27

A lying tongue hates those it hurts….Pr.26:28

Let another praise you and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips…..Pr.27:2

Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both…Pr.27:3

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?…Pr.27:4

The leech has two daughters. ‘Give! Give!’ they cry…Pr.30:15

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control…Pr.29:11

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins…Pr.29:22

A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor…Pr.29:23