The Book of Proverbs
Solomon's practical wisdom for everyday life, work, and character.
Proverbs gathers short, memorable sayings attributed mainly to King Solomon, offering hands-on guidance for marriage, work, money, speech, and friendship. It opens by naming the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom and closes with the celebrated portrait of the virtuous woman. Read from Proverbs chapter 1.
About Proverbs
Proverbs is the twentieth book of the Bible, attributed primarily to King Solomon with contributions from Agur and King Lemuel, compiled around 950-700 BC and spanning 31 chapters. It is the primary example of biblical wisdom literature, consisting largely of short, pithy sayings that distill practical wisdom for navigating every area of human life: marriage, parenting, business, friendship, speech, work, money, humility, and integrity. The book opens with an extended invitation to embrace wisdom personified as a woman calling out in the streets, and closes with the famous description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. Major themes include the fear of the Lord as the beginning of all wisdom, the contrast between wisdom and folly, the importance of character and integrity, and the long-term rewards of righteous living. Key chapters include Proverbs 1-9 (the extended wisdom discourses), Proverbs 10-29 (the collections of individual proverbs), and Proverbs 31 (the virtuous woman). Famous verses include Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight -- and Proverbs 22:6 -- Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs KJV Bible reading offers timeless guidance for daily life. Read the Book of Proverbs online here in full.