1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;Next Verse 2
The Book of Proverbs (Hebrew: ???????, Míshlê (Shlomoh), "Proverbs (of Solomon)") is the second book of the third section (called Writings) of the Hebrew Bible and a book of the Christian Old Testament. When translated into Greek and Latin, the title took on different forms: in the Greek Septuagint (LXX) it became ????????? Paroimiai ("Proverbs"); in the Latin Vulgate the title was Proverbia, from which the English name is derived.
Proverbs is not merely an anthology but a "collection of collections" relating to a pattern of life which lasted for more than a millennium. It is an example of the Biblical wisdom tradition, and raises questions of values, moral behaviour, the meaning of human life, and right conduct. The repeated theme is that "the fear of God (meaning submission to the will of God) is the beginning of wisdom". Wisdom is praised for her role in creation; God acquired her before all else, and through her he gave order to chaos; and since humans have life and prosperity by conforming to the order of creation, seeking wisdom is the essence and goal of the religious life.
"Proverbs" translates the Hebrew word mashal, but "mashal" has a wider range of meaning than the short catchy sayings implied by the English word. Thus, while roughly half the book is made up of "sayings" of this type, the other half is made up of longer poetic units of various types. These include "instructions" formulated as advice from a teacher or parent addressed to a student or child, dramatic personifications of both Wisdom and Folly, and the "words of the wise" sayings, longer than the Solomonic "sayings" but shorter and more diverse than the "instructions".
The first section (chapters 1–9) consists of an initial invitation to young men to take up the course of wisdom, ten "instructions", and five poems on personified Woman Wisdom. Proverbs 10:1–22:16, with 375 sayings, consists of two parts, the first contrasting the wise man and the fool (or the righteous and the wicked), the second addressing wise and foolish speech. Chapters 25–29, attributed to editorial activity of "the men of Hezekiah," contrasts the just and the wicked and broaches the topic of rich and poor. Chapter 30:1–4, the "sayings of Agur", introduces creation, divine power, and human ignorance.
We thank you for our mothers , to whom you have entrusted them with the precious care of human life since its inception.
You have given women the ability to participate with you in the creation of new life. Make every woman can come to understand the full meaning of this blessing.
Look at every mother who is expecting a child, strengthens her faith in Your fatherly care and love for her and her son on the way . Give courage in times of fear or pain, understanding in times of uncertainty and doubt, and hope in times of trouble. Give joy in the birth of your child.
Bless the mothers to whom you have given the great privilege and responsibility of being a teacher of a boy or a girl.
Make all of them can foster the faith of their children, following the example of Mary, the Mother of Your Son.
Help all the "spiritual mothers" who are in the care of the children of others and assume their task with maternal love, who can discover that engendering life is much more than giving birth.
We ask you to send the Holy Spirit of Comfort to mothers who have lost children, who are sick or separated from their families, who are in danger or problems of any kind. Show them Your mercy and give them strength and serenity.
Fill our mothers with mothers who are no longer with us, who enjoy in Your presence the fruit of their efforts on earth.
Mary, Mother of Heaven, intercede for all mothers, be her guide and consolation. Grant you Grace from God for this life and eternal joy in Glory.