Proverbs

Question 1

Proverbs 1 - The beginning of knowledge

Answer 1

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

15 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;

16 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.

32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

Question 2

Proverbs 2 - The value of wisdom

Answer 2

2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

10 When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,

11 Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you,

Question 3

Proverbs 3 - Guidance for the young

Answer 3

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

26 For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

31 Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways;

32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, But His secret counsel is with the upright.

33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just.

Question 4

Proverbs 4 - Security in wisdom

Answer 4

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

Question 5

Proverbs 5 - The peril of adultery

Answer 5

8 Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house,

11 And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed,

12 And say: “How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!

13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!

14 I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”

18 Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth.

Question 6

Proverbs 6 - Dangerous promises

Answer 6

8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.

16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?

29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.

30 People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.

31 Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.

32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.

33 Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.

34 For jealousy is a husband’s fury; Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Question 7

Proverbs 7 -

Answer 7

2 Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin,

5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.

14 “I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you.

16 I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.

17 I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;

20 He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.”

21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

23 Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;

26 For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.

27 Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

Question 8

Proverbs 8 - The excellence of wisdom

Answer 8

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me
love death.”

Question 9

Proverbs 9 - The way of wisdom

Answer 9

5 “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Question 10

Proverbs 10 - Wise sayings of Solomon

Answer 10

5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

8 The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.

22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

Question 11

Proverbs 11 -

Answer 11

2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

Question 12

Proverbs 12 -

Answer 12

1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Question 13

Proverbs 13 -

Answer 13

3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21 Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

Question 14

Proverbs 14 -

Answer 14

1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Question 15

Proverbs 15 -

Answer 15

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.

27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

Question 16

Proverbs 16 -

Answer 16

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.

3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.

4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Question 17

Proverbs 17 -

Answer 17

1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

Question 18

Proverbs 18 -

Answer 18

1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Question 19

Proverbs 19 -

Answer 19

2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

4 Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel–that will stand.

Question 20

Proverbs 20 -

Answer 20

4 The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both.

13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

18 Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.

19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good.

Question 21

Proverbs 21 -

Answer 21

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

26 He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of
battle, But deliverance is of the LORD.

Question 22

Proverbs 22 -

Answer 22

1A good name is to be chosen
rather than great riches, Loving favor
rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in
common, The LORD is the maker of
them all.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the
perverse; He who guards his soul will be
far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart
from it.
7The rich rules over the poor, And the
borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail.
9He who has a generous eye will be
blessed, For he gives of his bread to the
poor.
24Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a furious man do not go,
25Lest you learn his ways And set a
snare for your soul.
29Do you see a man who excels in his
work? He will stand before kings; He will
not stand before unknown men.

Question 23

Proverbs 23 -

Answer 23

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you;

2 And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food.

4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!

5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

6 Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies;

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

13 Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.

14 You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

18 For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way.

20 Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

22 Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Question 24

Proverbs 24 -

Answer 24

1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;

2 For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.

3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;

4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;

10 If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place;

16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked;

20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him.

25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.

26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.

Question 25

Proverbs 25 - Further wise sayings of Solomon

Answer 25

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

Question 26

Proverbs 26 -

Answer 26

1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

14 As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.

18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”

Question 27

Proverbs 27 -

Answer 27

1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.

19 As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man.

20 Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Question 28

Proverbs 28 -

Answer 28

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him.

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Question 29

Proverbs 29 -

Answer 29

11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.

Question 30

Proverbs 30 - The wisdom of Agur

Answer 30

3 I neither learned wisdom Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.

5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches–Feed me with the food allotted to me;

25 The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

26 The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags;

27 The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks;

28 The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces.

Question 31

Proverbs 31 - The words of King Lemuel’s mother

Answer 31

1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:

2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.

15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.

20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.