Though Solomon made a lot of mistakes, he is still considered the wisest man that ever lived. I love the book of Proverbs because of the wisdom it provides for everyday living. Below are fifty-nine verses, that I find helpful as a parent to guide my children. If you have not read the book of Proverbs in a while, take a month and read one chapter a day.
What is your favorite verse from Proverbs?
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Comments
I so enjoy reading these articles ! Although my children are grown, I still find these articles helpful in my daily walk with The Lord.
Thank you for pointing out these scriptures in Proverbs that will instruct us how to conduct our lives. As for me and I’m sure maybe others, have often read over these things and never let these “words of wisdom” sink in our hearts.
God Bless. Bro. Steve