OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

1

• Purpose of the proverbs (1-7)

• Dangers of bad association (8-19)

• True wisdom cries out publicly (20-33)

2

• The value of wisdom (1-22)

  • Seek wisdom as for hidden treasures (4)

  • Thinking ability, a protection (11)

  • Immorality brings disaster (16-19)

3

• Be wise and trust in Jehovah (1-12)

  • Honor Jehovah with valuable things (9)

• Wisdom brings happiness (13-18)

• Wisdom brings security (19-26)

• Proper conduct toward others (27-35)

  • Do good to others when possible (27)

4

• A father’s wise instruction (1-27)

  • Above all, acquire wisdom (7)

  • Shun wicked paths (14, 15)

  • Path of righteous gets brighter (18)

  • “Safeguard your heart” (23)

5

• Warning against immoral women (1-14)

• Rejoice with your wife (15-23)

6

• Beware of guaranteeing a loan (1-5)

• “Go to the ant, you lazy one” (6-11)

• A useless and wicked man (12-15)

• Seven things Jehovah hates (16-19)

• Guard against a bad woman (20-35)

7

• Embrace God’s commands and live (1-5)

• A naive young man seduced (6-27)

  • “Like a bull to the slaughter” (22)

8

• Wisdom personified speaks (1-36)

  • ‘I am the earliest of God’s works’ (22)

  • ‘As a master worker at God’s side’ (30)

  • ‘I was fond of the sons of men’ (31)

9

• True wisdom invites (1-12)

  • “By me your days will be many” (11)

• A stupid woman invites (13-18)

  • “Stolen waters are sweet” (17)

PROVERBS OF SOLOMON (10:1–24:34)

• 10

  • A wise son makes his father rejoice (1)

  • Diligent hands bring riches (4)

  • Use of many words brings transgression (19)

  • Jehovah’s blessing makes rich (22)

  • The fear of Jehovah prolongs life (27)

• 11

  • Wisdom is with the modest ones (2)

  • The apostate brings others to ruin (9)

  • “Success through many advisers” (14)

  • The generous person will prosper (25)

  • One trusting in his riches will fall (28)

• 12

  • One who hates reproof has no sense (1)

  • “Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword” (18)

  • Promoting peace brings joy (20)

  • Lying lips detestable to Jehovah (22)

  • Anxiety weighs the heart down (25)

• 13

  • Those who seek advice are wise (10)

  • Hope delayed makes the heart sick (12)

  • A faithful envoy brings healing (17)

  • Walking with the wise makes one wise (20)

  • Discipline, an expression of love (24)

• 14

  • The heart knows its own bitterness (10)

  • A way that seems right may bring death (12)

  • The naive believe every word (15)

  • Many are the friends of the rich (20)

  • A calm heart gives the body life (30)

• 15

  • A mild answer turns away rage (1)

  • Jehovah’s eyes are everywhere (3)

  • Upright one’s prayer pleases God (8)

  • Plans fail without consultation (22)

  • Meditate before answering (28)

• 16

  • Jehovah examines the motives (2)

  • Commit your works to Jehovah (3)

  • Honest scales are from Jehovah (11)

  • Pride is before a crash (18)

  • Gray hair, a crown of beauty (31)

• 17

  • Do not repay bad for good (13)

  • Leave before the quarrel starts (14)

  • A true friend loves at all times (17)

  • “A joyful heart is good medicine” (22)

  • A discerning man restrains his words (27)

• 18

  • Isolating oneself is selfish and unwise (1)

  • Jehovah’s name a strong tower (10)

  • Wealth is only an imaginary protection (11)

  • Wisdom of listening to both sides (17)

  • A friend sticks closer than a brother (24)

• 19

  • Insight slows down one’s anger (11)

  • A quarrelsome wife is like a leaking roof (13)

  • A discreet wife is from Jehovah (14)

  • Discipline a child while there is hope (18)

  • Wisdom of listening to counsel (20)

• 20

  • Wine is a ridiculer (1)

  • The lazy do not plow in winter (4)

  • A man’s thoughts like deep waters (5)

  • Warning against vowing hastily (25)

  • Young men’s glory their strength (29)

• 21

  • Jehovah directs a king’s heart (1)

  • Justice better than sacrifice (3)

  • Diligence leads to success (5)

  • One not listening to the lowly will not be heard (13)

  • No wisdom in opposition to Jehovah (30)

• 22

  • A good name better than great wealth (1)

  • Early training will last a lifetime (6)

  • The lazy one fears the lion outside (13)

  • Discipline removes foolishness (15)

  • A skillful worker serves kings (29)

• 23

  • Be discreet in accepting hospitality (2)

  • Do not pursue riches (4)

  • Wealth can fly away from you (5)

  • Do not be among heavy drinkers (20)

  • Alcohol will bite like a serpent (32)

• 24

  • Do not envy evil men (1)

  • By wisdom a house is built up (3)

  • Righteous man may fall but will get up (16)

  • Do not retaliate (29)

  • Slumbering brings poverty (33, 34)

PROVERBS OF SOLOMON TRANSCRIBED BY KING HEZEKIAH’S MEN (25:1–29:27)

• 25

  • Confidentiality (9)

  • Well-chosen words (11)

  • Respecting privacy (17)

  • Heaping coals on an enemy’s head (21, 22)

  • A good report is like cold water (25)

• 26

  • Lazy ones described (13-16)

  • Stay out of another’s quarrel (17)

  • Avoid practical jokes (18, 19)

  • No wood, no fire (20, 21)

  • A slanderer’s words are like tasty morsels (22)

• 27

  • Reproof from a friend beneficial (5, 6)

  • My son, make my heart rejoice (11)

  • Iron sharpens iron (17)

  • Know your flock (23)

  • Wealth does not last forever (24)

• 28

  • Prayer of the unresponsive one is detestable (9)

  • Mercy shown to the one confessing (13)

  • No quick riches without guilt (20)

  • Reproof better than flattery (23)

  • A generous one lacks nothing (27)

• 29

  • Unrestrained child brings shame (15)

  • Without a vision, people go wild (18)

  • An angry man stirs up strife (22)

  • A humble man obtains glory (23)

  • Fear of men is a snare (25)

30

• WORDS OF AGUR (1-33)

  • Give me neither poverty nor riches (8)

  • Things that never get satisfied (15, 16)

  • Things that leave no trace (18, 19)

  • An adulterous woman (20)

  • Animals instinctively wise (24)

31

• WORDS OF KING LEMUEL (1-31)

  • Who can find a capable wife? (10)

  • Industrious and hardworking (17)

  • Kindness is on her tongue (26)

  • Children and husband praise her (28)

  • Charm and beauty fleeting (30)