25 Bible Verses About Proverbs (NIV)

¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

¹⁵ The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

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

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

¹ Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; ² for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. ³ By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; ⁴ through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. ⁵ A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; ⁶ for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. ⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say. ⁸ He who plots evil will be known as a schemer. ⁹ The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker. ¹⁰ If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! ¹¹ Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. ¹² If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? ¹³ Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. ¹⁴ Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. ¹⁵ Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house, do not raid his dwelling place; ¹⁶ for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. ¹⁷ Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, ¹⁸ or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him. ¹⁹ Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, ²⁰ for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. ²¹ Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, ²² for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? Further Sayings of the Wise ²³ These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: ²⁴ Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"- peoples will curse him and nations denounce him. ²⁵ But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them. ²⁶ An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. ²⁷ Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. ²⁸ Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive. ²⁹ Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." ³⁰ I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; ³¹ thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. ³² I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: ³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- ³⁴ and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

⁹ Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

¹ The sayings of King Lemuel-an oracle his mother taught him: ² "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, ³ do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. ⁴ "It is not for kings, O Lemuel- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, ⁵ lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. ⁶ Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; ⁷ let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. ⁸ "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. ⁹ Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character ¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ¹² She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. ¹³ She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. ¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. ¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. ¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. ²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. ²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. ²² She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. ²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. ²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ²⁹ "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. ³¹ Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

¹ Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. ² A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life. ³ It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. ⁴ A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. ⁵ The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. ⁶ Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? ⁷ The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. ⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. ⁹ Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"? ¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures- the LORD detests them both. ¹¹ Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. ¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see- the LORD has made them both. ¹³ Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. ¹⁴ "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. ¹⁵ Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. ¹⁶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman. ¹⁷ Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel. ¹⁸ Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. ¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. ²⁰ If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. ²¹ An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. ²² Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. ²³ The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. ²⁴ A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way? ²⁵ It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. ²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. ²⁷ The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. ²⁸ Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. ²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. ³⁰ Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, ² for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name 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 will make your paths straight. ⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. ⁸ This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. ⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; ¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, ¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. ¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, ¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. ¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; ²⁰ by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 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. ²³ Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; ²⁴ when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, ²⁶ for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. ²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you. ²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. ³⁰ Do not accuse a man for no reason- when he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, ³² for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. ³³ The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. ³⁴ He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. ³⁵ The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

⁹ Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

⁷ for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

¹⁰ Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

¹ The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh-an oracle: This man declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal: ² "I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. ³ I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. ⁴ Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! 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. ⁷ "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: ⁸ Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. ⁹ Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. ¹⁰ "Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will pay for it. ¹¹ "There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; ¹² those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; ¹³ those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; ¹⁴ those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind. ¹⁵ "The leech has two daughters. 'Give! Give!' they cry. "There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, 'Enough!': ¹⁶ the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, 'Enough!' ¹⁷ "The eye that mocks a father, that scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures. ¹⁸ "There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: ¹⁹ the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden. ²⁰ "This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong.' ²¹ "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: ²² a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, ²³ an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress. ²⁴ "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: ²⁵ Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; ²⁶ coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; ²⁷ locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; ²⁸ a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces. ²⁹ "There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing: ³⁰ a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; ³¹ a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king with his army around him. ³² "If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth! ³³ For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife."

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

⁸ "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

⁷ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

²⁰ In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

¹⁸ Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

² It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

¹ To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. ² All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. ³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. ⁴ The LORD works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster. ⁵ The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. ⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. ⁷ When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.