Applying the Book of Proverbs to the Civil Realm
BLESSINGS ON THE CITY
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation (11:10).
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation (11:10).
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked (11:11).
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked (11:11).
He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil (11:27).
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil (11:27).
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan (29:2).
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan (29:2).
COUNSEL
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths (3:5–6).
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths (3:5–6).
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety (11:14).
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety (11:14).
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy (12:20).
But counselors of peace have joy (12:20).
By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom (13:10).
But with the well-advised is wisdom (13:10).
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed (13:20).
But the companion of fools will be destroyed (13:20).
Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established (15:22).
But in the multitude of counselors they are established (15:22).
There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand (19:21).
Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand (19:21).
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out (20:5).
But a man of understanding will draw it out (20:5).
Plans are established by counsel;
By wise counsel wage war (20:18).
By wise counsel wage war (20:18).
For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
But His secret counsel is with the upright (3:32).
But His secret counsel is with the upright (3:32).
Ointment and perfume delight the heart,
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel (27:9).
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel (27:9).
DILIGENCE
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor (12:24).
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor (12:24).
The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession (12:27).
But diligence is man’s precious possession (12:27).
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich (13:4).
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich (13:4).
ENEMIES
When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (16:7).
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (16:7).
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 6:12).
FAVOR
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man (3:3–4).
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man (3:3–4).
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD (8:34–35).
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD (8:34–35).
He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil (11:27).
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil (11:27).
A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised (12:8).
But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised (12:8).
Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard (13:15).
But the way of the unfaithful is hard (13:15).
A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health (13:17).
But a faithful ambassador brings health (13:17).
Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is favor (14:9).
But among the upright there is favor (14:9).
Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people (14:34).
But sin is a reproach to any people (14:34).
The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame (14:35).
But his wrath is against him who causes shame (14:35).
When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (16:7).
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (16:7).
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right (16:13).
And they love him who speaks what is right (16:13).
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like dew on the grass (19:12).
But his favor is like dew on the grass (19:12).
He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend (22:11).
The king will be his friend (22:11).
He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor (21:21).
Finds life, righteousness, and honor (21:21).
FEAR OF THE LORD / HUMILITY
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility (15:33).
And before honor is humility (15:33).
In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil (16:6).
And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil (16:6).
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the LORD tests the hearts (17:3).
But the LORD tests the hearts (17:3).
My son, fear the LORD and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change (24:21).
Do not associate with those given to change (24:21).
FOCUS / PAY ATTENTION
When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food (23:1–3).
Consider carefully what is before you;
And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food (23:1–3).
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him (24:17–18).
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him (24:17–18).
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;
The simple pass on and are punished (27:12; see also 22:3).
The simple pass on and are punished (27:12; see also 22:3).
JUSTICE
He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path (2:8–9).
And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path (2:8–9).
By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of the earth (8:15).
And rulers decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of the earth (8:15).
Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice (16:8).
Than vast revenues without justice (16:8).
The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him (18:17).
Until his neighbor comes and examines him (18:17).
To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice (21:3).
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice (21:3).
It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity (21:15).
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity (21:15).
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him (26:27).
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him (26:27).
Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all (28:5).
But those who seek the LORD understand all (28:5).
Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD (29:26).
But justice for man comes from the LORD (29:26).
LOVING INSTRUCTION / KNOWLEDGE / WISDOM / UNDERSTANDING
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly (2:7).
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly (2:7).
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you (4:7–9).
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you (4:7–9).
“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself (9:7).
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself (9:7).
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you (9:8).
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you (9:8).
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning (9:9).
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning (9:9).
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (9:10).
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (9:10).
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise (11:30).
And he who wins souls is wise (11:30).
Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard (13:15).
But the way of the unfaithful is hard (13:15).
A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands (14:6).
But knowledge is easy to him who understands (14:6).
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is impulsive exalts folly (14:29).
But he who is impulsive exalts folly (14:29).
Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known (14:33).
But what is in the heart of fools is made known (14:33).
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness (15:14).
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness (15:14).
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver (16:16).
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver (16:16).
The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning (16:21).
And sweetness of the lips increases learning (16:21).
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly (16:22).
But the correction of fools is folly (16:22).
Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth (17:24).
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth (17:24).
He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit (17:27).
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit (17:27).
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (18:15).
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (18:15).
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good (19:8).
He who keeps understanding will find good (19:8).
Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise in your latter days (19:20).
That you may be wise in your latter days (19:20).
A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold (21:22).
And brings down the trusted stronghold (21:22).
He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor (21:21).
Finds life, righteousness, and honor (21:21).
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him (26:12).
There is more hope for a fool than for him (26:12).
Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged (28:2).
But by a man of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged (28:2).
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them (28:4).
But such as keep the law contend with them (28:4).
LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR
He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace (11:12).
But a man of understanding holds his peace (11:12).
He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he (14:21).
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he (14:21).
A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (18:24).
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (18:24).
What is desired in a man is kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar (19:22).
And a poor man is better than a liar (19:22).
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you (25:21).
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you (25:21).
NO SAFETY IN NUMBERS AGAINST THE LORD
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety (11:14).
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety (11:14).
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished (16:5).
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished (16:5).
A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold (21:22).
And brings down the trusted stronghold (21:22).
PRAYER
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight (15:8).
But the prayer of the upright is His delight (15:8).
The LORD is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous (15:29).
But He hears the prayer of the righteous (15:29).
PRIDE / HUMILITY
By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom (13:10).
But with the well-advised is wisdom (13:10).
“Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23–24).
PRUDENCE
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit (14:8).
But the folly of fools is deceit (14:8).
The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps (14:15).
But the prudent considers well his steps (14:15).
The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge (14:18).
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge (14:18).
SOULS TO BE DELIVERED
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise (11:30).
And he who wins souls is wise (11:30).
A true witness delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies (14:25).
But a deceitful witness speaks lies (14:25).
Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter (24:11).
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter (24:11).
SPEAKING / KEEPING SILENT
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles (21:23).
Keeps his soul from troubles (21:23).
A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter (11:13).
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter (11:13).
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health (12:18).
But the tongue of the wise promotes health (12:18).
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight (12:22).
But those who deal truthfully are His delight (12:22).
A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness (12:23).
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness (12:23).
He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction (13:3).
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction (13:3).
A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health (13:17).
But a faithful ambassador brings health (13:17).
In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
But the lips of the wise will preserve them (14:3).
But the lips of the wise will preserve them (14:3).
A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger (15:1).
But a harsh word stirs up anger (15:1).
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness (15:2).
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness (15:2).
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit (15:4).
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit (15:4).
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so (15:17).
But the heart of the fool does not do so (15:17).
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! (15:23).
And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! (15:23).
The righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil (15:28).
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil (15:28).
The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD (16:1).
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD (16:1).
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right (16:13).
And they love him who speaks what is right (16:13).
As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will appease it (16:14).
But a wise man will appease it (16:14).
In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain (16:15).
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain (16:15).
The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning (16:21).
And sweetness of the lips increases learning (16:21).
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips (16:23).
And adds learning to his lips (16:23).
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones (16:24).
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones (16:24).
He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit (17:27).
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit (17:27).
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive (17:28).
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive (17:28).
A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart (18:2).
But in expressing his own heart (18:2).
He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him (18:13).
It is folly and shame to him (18:13).
The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him (18:17).
Until his neighbor comes and examines him (18:17).
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit (18:21).
And those who love it will eat its fruit (18:21).
There is gold and a multitude of rubies,
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel (20:15).
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel (20:15).
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles (21:23).
Keeps his soul from troubles (21:23).
He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend (22:11).
The king will be his friend (22:11).
He who gives a right answer kisses the lips (24:26).
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
But the perverse tongue will be cut out (10:31).
But the perverse tongue will be cut out (10:31).
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse (10:32).
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse (10:32).
By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone (25:15).
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone (25:15).
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him (26:4).
Lest you also be like him (26:4).
Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes (26:5).
Lest he be wise in his own eyes (26:5).
Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips (27:2).
A stranger, and not your own lips (27:2).
STABILITY FOR BELIEVERS
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise (11:30).
And he who wins souls is wise (11:30).
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy (12:20).
But counselors of peace have joy (12:20).
No grave trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil (12:21).
But the wicked shall be filled with evil (12:21).
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner (13:6).
But wickedness overthrows the sinner (13:6).
In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge (14:26).
And His children will have a place of refuge (14:26).
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones healthy (15:30).
And a good report makes the bones healthy (15:30).
Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established (16:3).
And your thoughts will be established (16:3).
A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps (16:9).
But the LORD directs his steps (16:9).
He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he (16:20).
And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he (16:20).
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe (18:10).
The righteous run to it and are safe (18:10).
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good (19:8).
He who keeps understanding will find good (19:8).
The fear of the LORD leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil (19:23).
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil (19:23).
A man’s steps are of the LORD;
How then can a man understand his own way? (20:24).
How then can a man understand his own way? (20:24).
There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD (21:30).
Or counsel against the LORD (21:30).
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD (21:31).
But deliverance is of the LORD (21:31).
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes (21:1).
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes (21:1).
My son, fear the LORD and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change;
For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring? (24:21–22).
Do not associate with those given to change;
For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring? (24:21–22).
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil (1:33).
And will be secure, without fear of evil (1:33).
The righteous will never be removed,
But the wicked will not inhabit the earth (10:30).
But the wicked will not inhabit the earth (10:30).
The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them (11:3).
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them (11:3).
WRATH
A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention (15:18).
But he who is slow to anger allays contention (15:18).
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (16:32).
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (16:32).
The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts (17:14).
Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts (17:14).
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
And his glory is to overlook a transgression (19:11).
And his glory is to overlook a transgression (19:11).
It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel (20:3).
Since any fool can start a quarrel (20:3).
Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath (29:8).
But wise men turn away wrath (29:8).