Can You Fill In the Blanks in These Verses From the Book of Proverbs?

Proverbs 1:7 explains how fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This isn't a fear like you experience when you're afraid of the dark; rather, it's more akin to a reverence or respect.

The bulk of Proverbs' thirty-first chapter paints a picture of what the Bible describes as a virtuous woman. In Proverbs 31:10, we find out that she is extremely valuable, even more than a precious gemstone like a ruby.

Proverbs 30:5 tells us that God's word is pure and that he will protect, or shield, us when we trust in Him and the word he has given us. This is just one example of a descriptive term used to describe God in Proverbs.

Proverbs 27:17 explains to us that "iron sharpeneth iron." That's an interesting way to explain the mutually beneficial relationship that exists between two Christians who commune together in His word.

Proverbs 29:18 speaks to a lack of vision and what happens to people who are exposed to a situation where there is no vision. Without a road map such as the Bible to guide you, you are surely doomed to fail.

It's not out of the abundance or leftovers that Proverbs 3:9 is speaking to. This verse is instructing people to give to God first (with the firstfruits) and that this is honorable to Him.

Proverbs 17:22 tells us that something as simple as a merry or happy heart is good for our bodies, just like medicine can be. But, people who are broken, bitter or sad dry up and wither away.

Proverbs 16:9 explains that while we, as human beings, are free to chart our own course in life, the Lord is working behind the scenes to direct the steps along the path we will take. He knows everything!

The verse at Proverbs 3:6 tells us to acknowledge the Lord in everything we do, which is basically seeking His favor in everything we do, and He will guide us along the way we should go.

In Proverbs 14:18, we learn a valuable distinction between those who the Bible describes as simple and those described as prudent or wise. The simple man takes a path that leads to foolish behavior, while the prudent man walks a path of understanding.

Put down the cosmetics, lady! Proverbs 31:30 tells us that beauty is vain (or useless), but that it's the fear or reverence of the Lord that makes a woman worthy in His eyes.

Proverbs 11:26 is trying to tell us that when we are given the tools with which to help others but choose not to help, we forfeit God's blessing. Our gifts are always best used to help others rather than being stored away for ourselves.

Proverbs 15:1 gives you the formula for how to diffuse an argument, telling us that a soft answer turns away wrath, but that yelling and screaming perpetuates anger. That's a hard one to remember sometimes!

Proverbs 11:22 likens a beautiful woman without discretion to a beautiful jewel in a pig's nose. They may both look good, but they're just ornamental -- there is no real substance or beauty there.

Proverbs 17:17 makes it clear that a true friend is one who loves you at all times, not just when it's convenient. This means that a real friendship should persist in good times and in bad.

Proverbs 1:8 speaks to the importance of the direction of both the father and the mother in the life of a child, who is admonished to both listen and follow the directions he is given.

Though you've probably heard this said as "Pride goes before a fall," the entire verse in Proverbs 16:18 offers a bit more clarity than that, pointing to both pride and a haughty spirit as precursors to destruction and failure.

We have certainly known and seen ministers and ambassadors of God's word fall into peril or mischief. Proverbs 13:17 tells us these people are wicked, but that faithful ambassadors are both spiritually healthy themselves and offer spiritual health to others.

Ants are notorious for their hard work and ability to carry far more than their body weight. Proverbs 6:6 tells us to consider the hard work of these creatures and to not neglect our own jobs.

God wants us to keep his commandments not just in our heads, with our mental capacity, but in our hearts, which govern many of our actions. Proverbs 3:1 tells us about the importance of heart acceptance and understanding.

Proverbs 9:17 is a warning against indulging in sinful behaviors, particularly those when we think no one else will find out. While they may seem sweet or pleasant, the repercussions can be destructive to a Christian's life.

Proverbs 18:22 is speaking about the beauty of marriage in this verse, not just the wife being "a good thing" (sorry, ladies!). The Bible speaks in multiple places about the sanctity of marriage and God's approval of it.

Proverbs 10:18 talks about that person who will lie to your face or speak badly about you to others. That person, according to this verse, is a fool -- a term that the Lord does not take lightly in Scripture.

Proverbs 18:24 defines the basic tenants of friendship, in that you must show yourself to be a friend in order to have friends. It also speaks to "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" -- that's God, of course.

Proverbs 12:15 tells us that people who are foolish think everything they do is right, without any outside input or advice. But, people who are wise seek the counsel of those who are gifted in order to make wise decisions.

A "good name" in Proverbs 22:1 speaks to your reputation among others. Do you have a good name (or reputation) with those around you? The Bible says that is more important than being wealthy.

Have you ever heard the saying that people who talk to you will talk about you? Proverbs 11:13 seems to reiterate that. Talebearers or gossips will tell everything, but people who are faithful to you will keep their mouths shut.

Proverbs 10:14 speaks to the importance of amassing knowledge and knowing when it is the appropriate time to speak. Those who are foolish rush into speaking and frequently find themselves in troublesome situations for doing so.

Truly, at the end of the day, the Lord is in control of everything the king has, but this verse in Proverbs 21:1 speaks to the king's heart. It is a comfort to Christians to know that the Lord is always in control, even when we don't feel like He is.

Marrow is the literal lifeblood and moisture that nourishes our bones; otherwise, they would dry up, crack and break. Proverbs 3:8 tells us that fearing the Lord and staying away from evil will keep our bodies nourished.

Proverbs 14:34 is very clear that righteous thinking, behaviors and actions advance a nation, but that sin is a disgrace to a nation's people. Sin brings ruin on a people, as well as God's judgment.

Proverbs 15:17 is speaking to how much better it would be to eat a meager meal of herbs in a loving environment than a more "appealing" dinner of meat in an environment of hatefulness.

Proverbs 2:4 explains that one should seek after wisdom and understanding as one who search out silver, a rather formidable task for millers of silver back in the day. This verse indicates that people should seek out these virtues as those trying to uncover hidden treasure.

Proverbs 4:20 is another admonishment to adhere to the words of God and the Scripture and to listen attentively to my "sayings," including those put down on paper in Proverbs and elswhere.