Book 20 of 39 in the Old Testament — Practical wisdom.
Proverbs gathers short, memorable sayings — many attributed to Solomon — offering practical wisdom for everyday life, work, speech, relationships, and character. Its opening chapters personify wisdom and folly as two competing paths a young person must choose between. Rather than promising guaranteed outcomes, the proverbs describe the generally wise course of life, contrasting the wise and the fool, the diligent and the lazy, the righteous and the wicked. The book closes with a portrait of a woman of noble character.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”King James Version
The fear of the Lord is described as the beginning of knowledge.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”King James Version
Trust in the Lord with all your heart rather than leaning on your own understanding.
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”King James Version
A person plans their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”King James Version
Train up a child in the way he should go.
“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”King James Version
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.