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Proverbs
Chapter 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of
Israel; 2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the
words of understanding; 3To receive the instruction of
wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4To give subtilty
to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5A
wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of
understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6To understand
a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark
sayings.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8My
son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy
mother: 9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto
thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou
not. 11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood,
let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12Let us
swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down
into the pit: 13We shall find all precious substance, we
shall fill our houses with spoil: 14Cast in thy lot among us;
let us all have one purse: 15My son, walk not thou in the way
with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16For their feet
run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17Surely in vain
the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18And they lay
wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own
lives. 19So are the ways of every one that is greedy
of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in
the streets: 21She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in
the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the
scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23Turn
you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will
make known my words unto you. 24Because I have called, and ye
refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But
ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I
also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When
your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a
whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then
shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me
early, but they shall not find me: 29For that they hated
knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They
would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore
shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their
own devices. 32For the turning away of the simple shall slay
them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33But
whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from
fear of evil.
Chapter 2
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide
my commandments with thee; 2So that thou incline thine ear
unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3Yea,
if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding; 4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest
for her as for hid treasures; 5Then shalt thou
understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6For
the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and
understanding. 7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he
is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8He keepeth the
paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9Then
shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea,
every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and
knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11Discretion shall
preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12To deliver
thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh
froward things; 13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk
in the ways of darkness; 14Who rejoice to do evil, and
delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15Whose ways are
crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16To deliver
thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which
flattereth with her words; 17Which forsaketh the guide of her
youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18For her
house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19None
that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of
life. 20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men,
and keep the paths of the righteous. 21For the upright shall
dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22But
the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall
be rooted out of it.
Chapter 3
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart
keep my commandments: 2For length of days, and long life, and
peace, shall they add to thee. 3Let not mercy and truth
forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of
thine heart: 4So shalt thou find favour and good
understanding in the sight of God and man. 5Trust in the LORD
with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and
depart from evil. 8It shall be health to thy navel, and
marrow to thy bones. 9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and
with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10So shall thy
barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new
wine. 11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;
neither be weary of his correction: 12For whom the LORD
loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth.
13 Happy is the man that findeth
wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14For
the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15She is more
precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be
compared unto her. 16Length of days is in her right
hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17Her
ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace. 18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold
upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19The
LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he
established the heavens. 20By his knowledge the depths are
broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes:
keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22So shall they be life
unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23Then shalt thou walk
in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24When
thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and
thy sleep shall be sweet. 25Be not afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26For
the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being
taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28Say
not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give;
when thou hast it by thee. 29Devise not evil against thy
neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30Strive not
with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31Envy
thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32For
the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is
with the righteous. 33The curse of the LORD is in the
house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 34Surely
he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35The
wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Chapter 4
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father,
and attend to know understanding. 2For I give you good
doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3For I was my father’s
son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4He
taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep
my commandments, and live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding:
forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6Forsake
her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get
wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8Exalt
her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when
thou dost embrace her. 9She shall give to thine head an
ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 10Hear,
O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be
many. 11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led
thee in right paths. 12When thou goest, thy steps shall not
be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 13Take
fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is
thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go
not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by
it, turn from it, and pass away. 16For they sleep not, except
they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they
cause some to fall. 17For they eat the bread of
wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of
the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto
the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked is as
darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear
unto my sayings. 21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep
them in the midst of thine heart. 22For they are life
unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23Keep
thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of
life. 24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips
put far from thee. 25Let thine eyes look right on, and let
thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26Ponder the path of
thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27Turn not to
the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Chapter 5
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow
thine ear to my understanding: 2That thou mayest regard
discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. 3For
the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is
smoother than oil: 4But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp
as a twoedged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps
take hold on hell. 6Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of
life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from
the words of my mouth. 8Remove thy way far from her, and come
not nigh the door of her house: 9Lest thou give thine honour
unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: 10Lest strangers
be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a
stranger; 11And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and
thy body are consumed, 12And say, How have I hated
instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13And have not
obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that
instructed me! 14I was almost in all evil in the midst of the
congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and
running waters out of thine own well. 16Let thy fountains be
dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. 17Let
them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. 18Let
thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19Let
her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy
thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 20And
why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the
bosom of a stranger? 21For the ways of man are before
the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. 22His
own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden
with the cords of his sins. 23He shall die without
instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Chapter 6
1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if
thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2Thou art snared
with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come
into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy
friend. 4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine
eyelids. 5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the
hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways,
and be wise: 7Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8Provideth
her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9How
long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little
folding of the hands to sleep: 11So shall thy poverty come as
one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a
froward mouth. 13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with
his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14Frowardness is
in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15Therefore
shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without
remedy. 16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea,
seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a
lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart
that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to
mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he
that soweth discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and
forsake not the law of thy mother: 21Bind them continually
upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22When
thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee;
and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23For
the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and
reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 24To keep
thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange
woman. 25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither
let her take thee with her eyelids. 26For by means of a
whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the
adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 27Can a man take
fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28Can one
go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29So he that
goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be
innocent. 30Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to
satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 31But if he be
found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of
his house. 32But whoso committeth adultery with a
woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own
soul. 33A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach
shall not be wiped away. 34For jealousy is the rage of
a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35He
will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou
givest many gifts.
Chapter 7
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments
with thee. 2Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the
apple of thine eye. 3Bind them upon thy fingers, write them
upon the table of thine heart. 4Say unto wisdom, Thou art
my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5That
they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which
flattereth with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my
casement, 7And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned
among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8Passing
through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9In
the twilight, in the evening , in the black and dark night: 10And,
behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and
subtil of heart. 11(She is loud and stubborn; her feet
abide not in her house: 12Now is she without, now in
the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13So she
caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto
him, 14I have peace offerings with me; this day have I
payed my vows. 15Therefore came I forth to meet thee,
diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16I have
decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with
fine linen of Egypt. 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let us take our fill of love
until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19For
the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20He
hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day
appointed. 21With her much fair speech she caused him to
yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22He
goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a
fool to the correction of the stocks; 23Till a dart strike
through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that
it is for his life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children,
and attend to the words of my mouth. 25Let not thine heart
decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26For she
hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain
by her. 27Her house is the way to hell, going down to
the chambers of death.
Chapter 8
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth
her voice? 2She standeth in the top of high places, by the
way in the places of the paths. 3She crieth at the gates, at
the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4Unto
you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5O
ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding
heart. 6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the
opening of my lips shall be right things. 7For my
mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my
lips. 8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9They are
all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find
knowledge. 10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and
knowledge rather than choice gold. 11For wisdom is
better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be
compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out
knowledge of witty inventions. 13The fear of the LORD is
to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward
mouth, do I hate. 14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:
I am understanding; I have strength. 15By me kings
reign, and princes decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and
nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17I love
them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18Riches
and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and
righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, yea,
than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20I lead
in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21That
I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill
their treasures.
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his
way, before his works of old. 23I was set up from
everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24When
there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were
no fountains abounding with water. 25Before the mountains
were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26While
as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part
of the dust of the world. 27When he prepared the heavens, I was
there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28When
he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of
the deep: 29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the
waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the
foundations of the earth: 30Then I was by him, as one
brought up with him: and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing always before him; 31Rejoicing in the habitable
part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children:
for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33Hear
instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34Blessed is
the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the
posts of my doors. 35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and
shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36But he that sinneth
against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Chapter 9
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out
her seven pillars: 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath
mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3She
hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the
city, 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as
for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5Come,
eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6Forsake
the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7He
that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh
a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8Reprove not a
scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9Give
instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach
a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of
the holy is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall
be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12If
thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou
scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is
simple, and knoweth nothing. 14For she sitteth at the door of
her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15To
call passengers who go right on their ways: 16Whoso is
simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth
understanding, she saith to him, 17Stolen waters are sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 18But he
knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are
in the depths of hell.
Chapter 10
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad
father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but
righteousness delivereth from death. 3The LORD will not
suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the
substance of the wicked.
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack
hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son:
but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth
shame.
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just:
but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the
name of the wicked shall rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but
a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he
that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but
a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of
life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth
all sins.
13 In the lips of him that hath understanding
wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of
understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth
of the foolish is near destruction.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong
city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to
life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17 He is in the way of life that keepeth
instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips,
and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin:
but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the just is as choice
silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21The
lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he
addeth no sorrow with it.
23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief:
but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him:
but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. 25As the
whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the
righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the
eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the
years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28The hope of the
righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked
shall perish.
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the
upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 30The
righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the
earth.
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but
the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32The lips of the
righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh
frowardness.
Chapter 11
1 A false balance is abomination to the
LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but
with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but
righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his
way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6The
righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall
be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation
shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and
the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his
neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city
rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11By
the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by
the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his
neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13A
talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit
concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but
in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for
it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men
retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but
he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him
that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he
that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are
abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their
way are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the
wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be
delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so
is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good:
but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;
and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it
tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that
watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse
him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth
favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but
the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit
the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of
life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in
the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Chapter 12
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he
that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD:
but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but
the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her
husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his
bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but
the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait
for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not:
but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom:
but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is
better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his
beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with
bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of
understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men:
but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his
lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit
of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be
rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own
eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a
prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth
righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a
sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever:
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that
imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the
wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD:
but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the
heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but
the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop:
but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his
neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which
he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is
precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in
the pathway thereof there is no death.
Chapter 13
1 A wise son heareth his father’s
instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his
mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but
he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath
nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked
man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright
in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath
nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great
riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life are his
riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the
lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the
well advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be
diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when
the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but
he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of
life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of
transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge:
but a fool layeth open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a
faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that
refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:
but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be
wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good
shall be repayed.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his
children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up
for the just.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor:
but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he
that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his
soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Chapter 14
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the
foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the
LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of
pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is
clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false
witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it
not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou
perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand
his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous
there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a
stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but
the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the
end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his
own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent
man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from
evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly:
and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are
crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at
the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but
the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he
that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and
truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of
the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but
the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful
witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD is strong
confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27The
fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares
of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the
king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of
the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of
great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth
folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh:
but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his
Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but
the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath
understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made
known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is
a reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favour is toward a wise
servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Chapter 15
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous
words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright:
but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but
perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but
he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much
treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the
heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an
abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his
delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination
unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that
forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD:
how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him:
neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but
by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh
knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil:
but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the
LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17Better is
a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he
that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an
hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish
man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is
destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but
in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a
word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is above to the wise,
that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud:
but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an
abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are
pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own
house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:
but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he
heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and
a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth
among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own
soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction
of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Chapter 16
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the
answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own
eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts
shall be established.
4 The LORD hath made all things for himself:
yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is
an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he
shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the
fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh
even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than
great revenues without right.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD
directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the
king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are the
LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit
wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of
death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15In the light of the
king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud
of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than
gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart
from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an
haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit
with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find
good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and
the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life
unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and
addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet
to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his
mouth craveth it of him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there
is as a burning fire. 28A froward man soweth strife: and
a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and
leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30He
shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth
evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if
it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better
than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a
city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole
disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Chapter 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness
therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that
causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the
brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the
furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and
a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and
he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old
men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less
do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes
of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;
but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an
hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion:
therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,
rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not
depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one
letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled
with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that
condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of
a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is
born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and
becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and
he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good:
and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his
sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the
bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath
understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the
earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,
and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor
to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and
a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28Even a
fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that
shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Chapter 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself,
seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that
his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also
contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep
waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the
wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his
mouth calleth for strokes. 7A fool’s mouth is his
destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds,
and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother
to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower:
the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong
city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
and before honour is humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,
it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and
the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth
him before great men.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth
just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and
parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won
than a strong city: and their contentions are like the
bars of a castle.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the
fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be
filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the
tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich
answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself
friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a
brother.
Chapter 19
1 Better is the poor that walketh in his
integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without
knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his
feet sinneth.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and
his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is
separated from his neighbour.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he
that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and
every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7All
the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go
far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are
wanting to him.
8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he
that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he
that speaketh lies shall perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for
a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and
it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a
lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his
father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of
fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an
idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own
soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the
LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not
thy soul spare for his crying.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment:
for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou
mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man’s
heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and
a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and
he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited
with evil.
24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his
bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and
reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand
knowledge.
26 He that wasteth his father, and
chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and
bringeth reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that
causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the
mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes
for the back of fools.
Chapter 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is
raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a
lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own
soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from
strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold;
therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep
water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own
goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his
children are blessed after him.
8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment
scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am
pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both
of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his
work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD
hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open
thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith
the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but
the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a
stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but
afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel:
and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer
revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with
his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp
shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at
the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but
wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23 Divers weights are an abomination unto
the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a
man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who
devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth
the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the
LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his
throne is upholden by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength:
and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do
stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Chapter 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the
LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he
will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own
eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more
acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the
plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to
plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is
a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them;
because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but
as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the
housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his
neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made
wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the
house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their
wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward
in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but
destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of
understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor
man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the
righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness,
than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil
in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the
mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth
his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his
name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his
hands refuse to labour. 26He coveteth greedily all the day
long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is
abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked
mind?
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that
heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for
the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor
counsel against the LORD. 31The horse is prepared
against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Chapter 22
1 A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is
the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and
hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are
riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of
the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is
servant to the lender.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and
the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;
for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go
out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the
grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he
overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a
lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit:
he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a
child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches,
and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to
want.
17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the
wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18For it is
a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be
fitted in thy lips. 19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I
have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20Have not I
written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21That
I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou
mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor:
neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23For the LORD
will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a
furious man thou shalt not go: 25Lest thou learn his ways,
and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not thou one of them that strike
hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27If
thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under
thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy
fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand
before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Chapter 23
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider
diligently what is before thee: 2And put a knife to
thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3Be
not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own
wisdom. 5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for
riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle
toward heaven.
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an
evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7For as he
thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee;
but his heart is not with thee. 8The morsel which
thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will
despise the wisdom of thy words.
10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into
the fields of the fatherless: 11For their redeemer is
mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine
ears to the words of knowledge. 13Withhold not correction
from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall
not die. 14Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt
deliver his soul from hell. 15My son, if thine heart be wise,
my heart shall rejoice, even mine. 16Yea, my reins shall
rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou
in the fear of the LORD all the day long. 18For surely there
is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine
heart in the way. 20Be not among winebibbers; among riotous
eaters of flesh: 21For the drunkard and the glutton shall
come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 22Hearken
unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is
old. 23Buy the truth, and sell it not; also
wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24The father of
the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child
shall have joy of him. 25Thy father and thy mother shall be
glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. 26My son, give me
thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. 27For a
whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow
pit. 28She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and
increaseth the transgressors among men.
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath
contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause?
who hath redness of eyes? 30They that tarry long at the wine;
they that go to seek mixed wine. 31Look not thou upon the
wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when
it moveth itself aright. 32At the last it biteth like a
serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33Thine eyes shall
behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34Yea,
thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he
that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35They have stricken me, shalt
thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt
it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Chapter 24
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither
desire to be with them. 2For their heart studieth
destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by
understanding it is established: 4And by knowledge shall the
chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5A
wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 6For
by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors
there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth
not his mouth in the gate. 8He that deviseth to do evil shall
be called a mischievous person. 9The thought of foolishness is
sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 If thou faint in the day of adversity,
thy strength is small.
11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are
drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12If
thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the
heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not
he know it? and shall not he render to every man
according to his works?
13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is
good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: 14So
shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou
hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation
shall not be cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the
dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: 16For
a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the
wicked shall fall into mischief.
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let
not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18Lest the LORD
see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from
him.
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men,
neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20For there shall be
no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put
out.
21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and
meddle not with them that are given to change: 22For their
calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23 These things also belong to the
wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24He
that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the
people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25But to them that
rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon
them. 26Every man shall kiss his lips that
giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for
thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without
cause; and deceive not with thy lips. 29Say not, I
will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man
according to his work.
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the
vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31And, lo, it was
all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face
thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32Then I
saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and
received instruction. 33Yet a little sleep, a little
slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 34So shall
thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed
man.
Chapter 25
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which
the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3The
heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is
unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there
shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5Take away the
wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established
in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the
king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7For
better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that
thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine
eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know
not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee
to shame. 9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself;
and discover not a secret to another: 10Lest he that heareth it
put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of
gold in pictures of silver. 12As an earring of gold,
and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an
obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so
is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the
soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is
like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a
soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is
sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house;
lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his
neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of
trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold
weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth
songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22For thou
shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth
an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of
the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is
good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is
as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for
men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is
like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Chapter 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so
honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by
flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a
rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest
thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his
folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7The legs
of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that
giveth honour to a fool. 9As a thorn goeth up into the
hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things
both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a
fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there
is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a
lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth
the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his
bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit
than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with
strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog
by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands,
arrows, and death, 19So is the man that
deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth
out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21As
coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a
contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a talebearer
are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the
belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like
a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and
layeth up deceit within him; 25When he speaketh fair, believe
him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26Whose
hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole
congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he
that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are
afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Chapter 27
1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest
not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own
mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty;
but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both. 4Wrath
is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able
to stand before envy?
5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6Faithful
are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are
deceitful.
7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the
hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is
a man that wandereth from his place.
9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth
the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel. 10Thine
own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy
brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is
a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I
may answer him that reproacheth me.
12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and
hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger,
and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a
contentious woman are alike. 16Whosoever hideth her hideth
the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the
countenance of his friend.
18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit
thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
19 As in water face answereth to face, so
the heart of man to man.
20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes
of man are never satisfied.
21 As the fining pot for silver, and the
furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar
among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart
from him.
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy
flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24For riches are
not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 25The
hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the
mountains are gathered. 26The lambs are for thy
clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27And
thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food
of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
Chapter 28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the
righteous are bold as a lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many are
the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge
the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like
a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but
such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that
seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his
uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though
he be rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but
he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his
substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an
evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall
have good things in possession.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit;
but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there
is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but
whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but
he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so
is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is
also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall
prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any
person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he
that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of
bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have
poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but
he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good:
for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil
eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find
more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and
saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion
of a destroyer.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:
but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but
whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but
he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but
when they perish, the righteous increase.
Chapter 29
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people
rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he
that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but
he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a
net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is
a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but
the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men
turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish
man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just
seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man
keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are
wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together:
the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his
throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child
left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression
increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest;
yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
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