Old Testament
Proverbs
Read Proverbs online — timeless wisdom for everyday life
31 chapters — your reading progress will grow here.
Chapters
Chapter I
1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: 2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of u…
Chapter II
1 My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, 2 so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and…
Chapter III
1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for they will add to you length of days, …
Chapter IV
1 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2 for I give you sound learning. Don’t …
Chapter V
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding, 2 that you may maintain discretion, that your l…
Chapter VI
1 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 you…
Chapter VII
1 My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 2 Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the ap…
Chapter VIII
1 Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice? 2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths…
Chapter IX
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine.…
Chapter X
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2 Treasures of …
Chapter XI
1 A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight. 2 When pride comes, then comes sham…
Chapter XII
1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A good man shall obtain favor from Yah…
Chapter XIII
1 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke. 2 By the fruit of his lips, a …
Chapter XIV
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 2 He who walks in his upright…
Chapter XV
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but th…
Chapter XVI
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh. 2 All the ways of a man are clean i…
Chapter XVII
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. 2 A servant who deals wisely will ru…
Chapter XVIII
1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. 2 A fool has no delight in understandin…
Chapter XIX
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. 2 It isn’t good to ha…
Chapter XX
1 Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 The terror of a king is like the …
Chapter XXI
1 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. 2 Every way of a man is r…
Chapter XXII
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the p…
Chapter XXIII
1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you; 2 put a knife to your throat if you are a ma…
Chapter XXIV
1 Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them; 2 for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk abo…
Chapter XXV
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to co…
Chapter XXVI
1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. 2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a d…
Chapter XXVII
1 Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring. 2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mo…
Chapter XXVIII
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, …
Chapter XXIX
1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. 2 When the righteous thrive,…
Chapter XXX
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the revelation: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: 2 “Surely I am the mos…
Chapter XXXI
1 The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him: 2 “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my …
