The book Of The Bible Proverbs

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, instructions, and poems that date to the preexilic period, but were edited after the exile probably in the early part of the fifth century BCE. The sayings are attributed to Solomon because of his legendary wisdom. The purpose of the writing is to provide moral teaching to young people based on the experience of the elders. The underlying insight is that “the fear of the LORD is The beginning of wisdom” (1.7; 9.10; 15.33). Also, the book contains a characteristic contrast between good and evil, rich and poor, wisdom and folly.

Passages from the book of Proverbs are presented in the liturgy as the First Reading on Monday through Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week of Year II. Also, selections from Proverbs are read on the Twentieth Sunday of Year B and the Thirty-Third Sunday of Year A in the Roman Missal. Selections from Proverbs are offered as choices for the OT reading in the Ritual Mass for the Blessing of Abbots and Abbesses and at the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8.22-31).