Summer 2024

15 Proverbs on Health, Healing and Long Life

A long, healthy life is a blessing we all hope for. Of course, many factors can contribute to (or get in the way of) such an outcome. The book of Proverbs spotlights just a few of them.

  1. “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you” (Proverbs 3:1–2).
  2. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body” (Proverbs 3:7–8).
  3. “Hear, my child, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many” (Proverbs 4:10).
  4. “My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:20–22).
  5. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life” (Proverbs 9:10–11).
  6. “Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).
  7. “Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25).
  8. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).
  9. “A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but jealousy makes the bones rot” (Proverbs 14:30).
  10. “Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it” (Proverbs 15:17).
  11. “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the body” (Proverbs 15:30).
  12. “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24).
  13. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).
  14. “The human spirit will endure sickness, but a broken spirit—who can bear?” (Proverbs 18:14).
  15. “Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It’s stupid to get drunk” (Proverbs 20:1, Good News Translation).