Pastor Lynda MacDonald, Nova Scotia
A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience. Miguel de Cervantes
Biblical proverbs are Godly teachings that are road signs to direct us in life experiences.
Pr.2: 1-6:
1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning
your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call
out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for
silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the
fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (NIV)
Pr.10: 5
He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest
is a disgraceful son. (NIV)
Pr.13: 10
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (NIV)
Pr.19: 20
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. (NIV)
Pr.30: 5
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6
Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (NIV)
Pr.11: 15
He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to
strike hands in pledge is safe. (NIV)
Pr.22: 26-27:
26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. (NIV)
Pr.10: 4
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (NIV)
Pr.10: 15
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the
poor. (NIV)
Pr.10: 22
The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. (NIV)
Pr.14: 23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (NIV)
Pr.3: 18
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will
be blessed. (NIV)
Pr.3: 21-22:
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your
sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. (NIV)
Pr.4: 23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)
Pr.14: 27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of
death. (NIV)
Pr.8: 34-36:
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at
my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favour from the
LORD. 36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love
death." (NIV)
Pr.14: 30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (NIV)
Pr.15: 4
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes
the spirit. (NIV)
LAZINESS
Pr.10:4
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (NIV)
Pr.10: 26
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who
send him. (NIV)
Pr.12: 24
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labour. (NIV)
Pr.12: 27
The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his
possessions. (NIV)
Pr.14: 17
A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated. (NIV)
Pr.14: 29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
(NIV)
Pr.15: 18
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.(NIV)
Pr.19: 19
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do
it again. (NIV)
Pr.3: 34
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (NIV)
Pr.11: 2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (NIV)
Pr.13: 10
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(NIV)
Pr.16: 5
The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go
unpunished. (NIV)
Pr.14: 30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (NIV)
Pr.23: 17
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the
LORD. (NIV)
Pr.24: 1
Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; (NIV)
Pr.27: 4
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (NIV)
The Book of Proverbs is so called, because it consists of wise and weighty sentences: regulating the morals of men: and directing them to wisdom and virtue. These sentences are also called PARABLES, because great truths are often hidden in them.
Author: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. His name appears in 1:1, 10:1, and 25:1. We may also presume Solomon collected and edited proverbs other than his own.
Date of Writing: Solomon's proverbs were written around 900 B.C. During his reign as king, the nation of Israel reached its pinnacle spiritually, politically, culturally, and economically. As Israel's reputation soared, so did King Solomon's. Foreign dignitaries from the far reaches of the known world traveled great distances to hear the wise monarch speak (1 Kings 4:34).
Purpose of Writing: The purpose of the Book of Proverbs is revealed by its author in the opening verses of the first chapter: "To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion" (1:2-4).
Key Verses:
"A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel" (Proverbs 1:5).
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
"Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth" (Proverbs 4:5).
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength" (Proverbs 8; 13,14).
(Some research from http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Proverbs.html)
