HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 929
PR OVER B S 1
page 559
give you guidance for your next move, offer discernment in difficult situations, and help
you see the difference between right and wrong, important and trivial, wise and foolish,
temporary and eternal. Proverbs offers the divine wisdom we need in order to live successfully in God’s eyes. Our challenge is to follow it day by day.
Key verses in Proverbs
1:1-2 These are the proverbs of
Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
Their purpose is to teach people
wisdom and discipline, to help them
understand the insights of the wise.
1:7 Fear of the Lord is the
foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and
discipline.
2:6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge
and understanding.
3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all
your heart; do not depend on your
own understanding. Seek his will
in all you do, and he will show you
which path to take.
16:18 Pride goes before
destruction, and haughtiness
before a fall.
4:23 Guard your heart above all
else, for it determines the course
of your life.
25:21 If your enemies are hungry,
give them food to eat. If they are
thirsty, give them water to drink.
10:17 People who accept
discipline are on the pathway
to life, but those who ignore
correction will go astray.
15:1 A gentle answer deflects
anger, but harsh words make
tempers flare.
The Purpose of Proverbs
These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s
son, king of Israel.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom
and discipline,
to help them understand the insights
of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live
disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just,
and fair.
These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and
become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive
guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs
and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true
knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom
8 My child,* listen when your father
corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
9 What you learn from them will crown you
with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck.
1:8 Hebrew My son; also in 1:10, 15. 1:12 Hebrew like Sheol.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
31:8 Speak up for those who cannot
speak for themselves; ensure justice
for those being crushed.
31:10-11 Who can find a virtuous
and capable wife? She is more
precious than rubies. Her husband
can trust her, and she will greatly
enrich his life.
My child, if sinners entice you,
turn your back on them!
They may say, “Come and join us.
Let’s hide and kill someone!
Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!
Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave*;
let’s swallow them whole, like those
who go down to the pit of death.
Think of the great things we’ll get!
We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff
we take.
Come, throw in your lot with us;
we’ll all share the loot.”
My child, don’t go along with them!
Stay far away from their paths.
They rush to commit evil deeds.
They hurry to commit murder.
If a bird sees a trap being set,
it knows to stay away.
But these people set an ambush for
themselves;
they are trying to get themselves killed.
Such is the fate of all who are greedy
for money;
it robs them of life.
Wisdom Shouts in the Streets
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets.
She cries out in the public square.
21 She calls to the crowds along the
main street,
to those gathered in front of the
city gate: