PROVERBS
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Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David,
king of
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to
perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the
young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise [man] will hear, and will increase
learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the
interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of Yahweh [is] the beginning of
knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy
father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For 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.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay
wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the
grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we
shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all
have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with
them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make
haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the
sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their [own] blood;
they lurk privily for their [own] lives.
19 So [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:
21 She crieth in the chief place of
concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words,
[saying],
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love
simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate
knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will
pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I
have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my
counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I
will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and
your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon
you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will
not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did
not choose the fear of Yahweh:
30 They would none of my counsel: they
despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of
their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall
slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell
safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto
wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,
[and] liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and
searchest for her as [for] hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of
Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For Yahweh giveth wisdom: out of His
mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:
[He is] a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and
preserveth the way of His saints.
9 Then 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;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee,
understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil
[man], from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk
in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in
the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they]
froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman,
[even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth,
and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and
her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again,
neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good
[men], and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land,
and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the
earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine
heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and
peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee:
bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good
understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in Yahweh with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He
shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear
Yahweh, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and
marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour Yahweh with thy substance, and
with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of
Yahweh; neither be weary of His correction:
12 For whom Yahweh 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.
14 For the merchandise of it [is] better
than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She [is] more precious than rubies: and
all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days [is] in her right hand;
[and] in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and
all her paths [are] peace.
18 She [is] a tree of life to them that lay
hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.
19 Yahweh by wisdom hath founded the earth;
by understanding hath He established the heavens.
20 By 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:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and
grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely,
and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be
afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of
the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For Yahweh 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].
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come
again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour,
seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if
he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose
none of his ways.
32 For the froward [is] abomination to
Yahweh: but His secret [is] with the righteous.
33 The curse of Yahweh [is] in the house of
the wicked: but He blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 Surely He scorneth the scorners: but He
giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame
shall be the promotion of fools.
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father,
and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye
not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and
only [beloved] in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let
thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget
[it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve
thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing;
[therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:
she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament
of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;
and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;
I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be
straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take 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].
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it,
and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have
done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,
and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just [is] as the
shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The 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.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes;
keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they [are] life unto those that find
them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for
out of it [are] the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and
perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let
thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all
thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the
left: remove thy foot from evil.
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, [and] bow thine
ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and
[that] thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop [as]
an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp
as a twoedged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take
hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of
life, her ways are moveable, [that] thou canst not know [them].
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and
depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not
nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others,
and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy
wealth; and thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy
flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction,
and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my
teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I 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.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad,
[and] rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers'
with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice
with the wife of thy youth.
19 [Let 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.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished
with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man [are] before the
eyes of Yahweh, and He pondereth all His goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked
himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in
the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend,
[if] thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth,
thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do 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.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber
to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver 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:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or
ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and]
gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?
when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So 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.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh
with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness [is] in his heart, he
deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come
suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 These six [things] doth Yahweh hate:
yea, seven [are] an abomination unto Him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands
that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked
imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A 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:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart,
[and] tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee;
when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and [when] thou awakest, it shall talk
with thee.
23 For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the
law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from
the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine
heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman [a man
is brought] to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious
life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and
his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet
not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's
wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 [Men] do not despise a thief, if he
steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But [if] he be found, he shall restore
sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 [But] whoso committeth adultery with a
woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and
his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy [is] the rage of a man:
therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither
will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my
commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my
law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them
upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister;
and call understanding [thy] kinswoman:
5 That 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,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I
discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her
corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the
black and dark night:
10 And, 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:
12 Now [is she] without, now in the
streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, [and]
with an impudent face said unto him,
14 [I have] peace offerings with me; this
day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee,
diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of
tapestry, with carved [works], with fine linen of
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until
the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman [is] not at home, he is
gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him,
[and] will come home at the day appointed.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him
to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox
goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till 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.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways,
go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded:
yea, many strong [men] have been slain by her.
27 Her house [is] the way to hell, going
down to the chambers of death.
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding
put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places,
by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of
the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice
[is] to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye
fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent
things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and
wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth [are] in
righteousness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They [are] all plain to him that
understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver;
and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For 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.
13 The fear of Yahweh [is] to hate evil:
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I
[am] understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree
justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, [even]
all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that
seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour [are] with me; [yea],
durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit [is] better than gold, yea,
than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in
the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to
inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of
His way, before His works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the
beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When [there were] no depths, I was
brought forth; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled,
before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet He had not made the earth,
nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When He prepared the heavens, I [was]
there: when He set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When He established the clouds above:
when He strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When He gave to the sea His decree, that
the waters should not pass His commandment: when He appointed the foundations
of the earth:
30 Then I was by Him, [as] one brought up
[with Him]: and I was daily [His] delight, rejoicing always before Him;
31 Rejoicing 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.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and
refuse it not.
34 Blessed [is] the man that heareth me,
watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and
shall obtain favour of Yahweh.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth
his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath
hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath
mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she
crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in
hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the
wine [which] I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in
the way of understanding.
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to
himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and
he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of Yahweh [is] the beginning of
wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If 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.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her
house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their
ways:
16 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in
hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread
[eaten] in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead [are]
there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.
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.
3 Yahweh 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.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but
fools die for want of wisdom.
22 The blessing of Yahweh, 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.
25 As 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 Yahweh prolongeth days: but
the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous [shall be]
gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of Yahweh [is] strength to the
upright: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous shall never be removed:
but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth
wisdom: but the forward tongue shall be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is
acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] frowardness.
1 A false balance [is] abomination to
Yahweh: 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.
6 The 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.
11 By 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.
13 A 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 Yahweh: 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.
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth
knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of Yahweh:
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 Yahweh:
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.
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.
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but
the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness
feareth Yahweh: 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 Yahweh [is] strong
confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Yahweh [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.
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 Yahweh [are] in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life:
but perverseness therein [is] a reach 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 Yahweh: but the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.
9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination
unto Yahweh: 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
Yahweh: 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
Yahweh than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better [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 Yahweh 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 Yahweh: 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 Yahweh [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 Yahweh [is] the instruction
of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and
the answer of the tongue, [is] from Yahweh.
2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his
own eyes; but Yahweh weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto Yahweh, and thy
thoughts shall be established.
4 Yahweh 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 Yahweh: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be
unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:
and by the fear of Yahweh [men] depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please Yahweh, 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
Yahweh 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]
Yahweh'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.
15 In 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 Yahweh, 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.
28 A 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.
30 He 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 Yahweh.
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 Yahweh 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 Yahweh.
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.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace,
is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of
understanding.
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.
7 A 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 Yahweh [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 Yahweh.
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.
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 Yahweh.
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.
7 All 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 Yahweh.
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 Yahweh; 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 Yahweh, 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 Yahweh [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.
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 Yahweh.
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,
Yahweh 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 Yahweh, and He shall save thee.
23 Divers weights [are] an abomination unto
Yahweh; and a false balance [is] not good.
24 Man's goings [are] of Yahweh; 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
Yahweh, 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 grey head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away
evil: so [do] stripes the inward parts of the belly.
1 The king's heart [is] in the hand of
Yahweh, [as] the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own
eyes: but Yahweh pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment [is] more
acceptable to Yahweh 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.
26 He 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 Yahweh.
31 The horse [is] prepared against the day
of battle: but safety [is] of Yahweh.
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: Yahweh
[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 Yahweh
[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 Yahweh 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 Yahweh 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.
18 For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou
keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in Yahweh, I have
made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent
things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That 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:
23 For Yahweh 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:
25 Lest 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.
27 If 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].
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
consider diligently what [is] before thee:
2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou
[be] a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they
[are] deceitful meat.
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine
own wisdom.
5 Wilt 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:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is]
he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.
8 The 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:
11 For 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.
13 Withhold not correction from the child:
for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and
shalt deliver his soul from hell.
15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart
shall rejoice, even mine.
16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy
lips speak right things.
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but
[be thou] in the fear of Yahweh all the day long.
18 For 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.
20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous
eaters of flesh:
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall
come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee,
and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also]
wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly
rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad,
and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let
thine eyes observe my ways.
27 For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a
strange woman [is] a narrow pit.
28 She 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?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they
that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is
red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright.
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent,
and stingeth like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women,
and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, 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.
35 They 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.
1 Be not thou envious against evil men,
neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and
their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and
by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be
filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of
knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For 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.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be
called a mischievous person.
9 The 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;
12 If 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:
14 So [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:
16 For 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:
18 Lest Yahweh 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;
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil
[man]; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear thou Yahweh and the king:
[and] meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 For 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.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou
[art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But to them that rebuke [him] shall be
delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 [Every 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.
29 Say 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;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with
thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof
was broken down.
32 Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well:
I looked upon [it, and] received instruction.
33 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come [as] one that
travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of Hezekiah king of
2 [It is] the glory of God to conceal a
thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.
3 The 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.
5 Take 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]:
7 For 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.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour
[himself]; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest 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.
12 [As] 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:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon
his head, and Yahweh 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.
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.
5 Answer 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.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so
[is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so
[is] he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 [As] 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,
19 So [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.
21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and
wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The 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;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not:
for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
26 [Whose] 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.
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.
4 Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is]
outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?
5 Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.
6 Faithful [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.
10 Thine 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.
16 Whosoever 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.
24 For riches [are] not for ever: and doth
the crown [endure] to every generation?
25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass
sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26 The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and
the goats [are] the price of the field.
27 And [thou shalt have] goats' milk enough
for thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for] the maintenance for thy
maidens.
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 Yahweh 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 Yahweh 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.
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: Yahweh 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.
18 Where [there is] no vision, the people
perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by
words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his
words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his
servant from a child shall have him become [his] son at the length.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a
furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but
honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his
own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but
whoso putteth his trust in Yahweh shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but
[every] man's judgment [cometh] from Yahweh.
27 An unjust man [is] an abomination to the
just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh,
[even] the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2 Surely I [am] more brutish than [any]
man, and have not the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the
knowledge of the holy.
4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?
who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a
garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? What [is] his name,
and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?
5 Every word of God [is] pure: He [is] a
shield unto them that put their trust in Him.
6 Add thou not unto His words, lest He
reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 Two [things] have I required of thee;
deny me [them] not before I die:
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give
me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9 Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say,
Who [is] Yahweh? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [as
vain].
10 Accuse not a servant unto his master,
lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11 [There is] a generation [that] curseth
their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure
in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.
13 [There is] a generation, O how lofty are
their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.
14 [There is] a generation, whose teeth
[are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off
the earth, and the needy from [among] men.
15 The horseleach hath two daughters,
[crying], Give, give. There are three [things that] are never satisfied, [yea],
four [things] say not, [It is] enough:
16 The grave; and the barren womb; the
earth [that] is not filled with water; and the fire [that] saith not, [It is]
enough.
17 The eye [that] mocketh at [his] father,
and despiseth to obey [his] mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out,
and the young eagles shall eat it.
18 There be three [things which] are too
wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way
of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the
way of a man with a maid.
20 Such [is] the way of an adulterous
woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21 For three [things] the earth is
disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:
22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a
fool when he is filled with meat;
23 For an odious [woman] when she is
married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 There be four [things which are] little
upon the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise:
25 The ants [are] a people not strong, yet
they prepare their meat in the summer;
26 The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet
make they their houses in the rocks;
27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth
all of them by bands;
28 The spider taketh hold with her hands,
and is in kings' palaces.
29 There be three [things] which go well,
yea, four are comely in going:
30 A lion [which is] strongest among
beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a
king, against whom [there is] no rising up.
32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting
up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine hand upon thy mouth.
33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth
forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing
of wrath bringeth forth strife.
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy
that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my
womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy
ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is]
not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and
pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready
to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause
of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and
plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her
price [is] far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all
the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh
willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she
bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and
strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is]
good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and
her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her
household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of
tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when
he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it];
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and
in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her
household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her
blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but
thou excellest them all.
30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is]
vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth Yahweh, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and
let her own works praise her in the gates.