He composed ¹  3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs.

The Proverbs ¹  of ²  Solomon ³  son of David, ⁴  king of Israel: ⁵ 

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied: ¹ 

“‘Observe – everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you: “Like mother, like daughter.”

Your maxims ¹  are proverbs of ashes; ²  your defenses ³  are defenses of clay. ⁴ 

The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise child ²  makes a father rejoice, ³  but a foolish child ⁴  is a grief to his mother. ⁵ 

Not only was the Teacher wise, ¹  but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated ²  and arranged ³  many proverbs.

That is why those who speak in proverbs ¹  say, “Come to Heshbon, let it be built. Let the city of Sihon be established! ² 

They are illustrations of this true proverb: ¹  “A dog returns to its own vomit,” ²  and “A sow, after washing herself, ³  wallows in the mire.” ⁴ 

To discern ¹  the meaning of ²  a proverb and a parable, ³  the sayings of the wise ⁴  and their ⁵  riddles. ⁶ 

“I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; ¹  a time ²  is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you ³  plainly ⁴  about the Father.

To ¹  learn ²  wisdom ³  and moral instruction, ⁴  and to discern ⁵  wise counsel. ⁶ 

To receive ¹  moral instruction ²  in skillful living, ³  in ⁴  righteousness, ⁵  justice, ⁶  and equity. ⁷ 

To impart ¹  shrewdness ²  to the morally naive, ³  and ⁴  a discerning ⁵  plan ⁶  to the young person. ⁷ 

I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp. ¹ 

(Let the wise also ¹  hear ²  and gain ³  instruction, and let the discerning ⁴  acquire ⁵  guidance! ⁶ )