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1:1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
1:2To know wisdom and instruction;
To discern the words of understanding;
1:3To receive instruction in wise dealing,
In righteousness and justice and equity;
1:4To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion:
1:5That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
1:6To understand a proverb, and a figure,
The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
1:7The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge;
But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
1:8My son, hear the instruction of thy father,
And forsake not the law of thy mother:
1:9For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,
And chains about thy neck.
1:10My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not.
1:11If they say, Come with us,
Let us lay wait for blood;
Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;
1:12Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol,
And whole, as those that go down into the pit;
1:13We shall find all precious substance;
We shall fill our houses with spoil;
1:14Thou shalt cast thy lot among us;
We will all have one purse:
1:15My son, walk not thou in the way with them;
Refrain thy foot from their path:
1:16For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
1:17For in vain is the net spread
In the sight of any bird:
1:18And these lay wait for their own blood;
They lurk privily for their own lives.
1:19So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;
It taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
1:20Wisdom crieth aloud in the street;
She uttereth her voice in the broad places;
1:21She crieth in the chief place of concourse;
At the entrance of the gates,
In the city, she uttereth her words:
1:22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?
And scoffers delight them in scoffing,
And fools hate knowledge?
1:23Turn you at my reproof:
Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you;
I will make known my words unto you.
1:24Because I have called, and ye have refused;
I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded;
1:25But ye have set at nought all my counsel,
And would none of my reproof:
1:26I also will laugh in the day of your calamity;
I will mock when your fear cometh;
1:27When your fear cometh as a storm,
And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind;
When distress and anguish come upon you.
1:28Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me:
1:29For that they hated knowledge,
And did not choose the fear of Jehovah:
1:30They would none of my counsel;
They despised all my reproof.
1:31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way,
And be filled with their own devices.
1:32For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them,
And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.
1:33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely,
And shall be quiet without fear of evil.
2:1My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
And lay up my commandments with thee;
2:2So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom,
And apply thy heart to understanding;
2:3Yea, if thou cry after discernment,
And lift up thy voice for understanding;
2:4If thou seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hid treasures:
2:5Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah,
And find the knowledge of God.
2:6For Jehovah giveth wisdom;
Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:
2:7He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
2:8That he may guard the paths of justice,
And preserve the way of his saints.
2:9Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice,
And equity, yea, every good path.
2:10For wisdom shall enter into thy heart,
And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;
2:11Discretion shall watch over thee;
Understanding shall keep thee:
2:12To deliver thee from the way of evil,
From the men that speak perverse things;
2:13Who forsake the paths of uprightness,
To walk in the ways of darkness;
2:14Who rejoice to do evil,
And delight in the perverseness of evil;
2:15Who are crooked in their ways,
And wayward in their paths:
2:16To deliver thee from the strange woman,
Even from the foreigner that flattereth with her words;
2:17That forsaketh the friend of her youth,
And forgetteth the covenant of her God:
2:18For her house inclineth unto death,
And her paths unto the dead;
2:19None that go unto her return again,
Neither do they attain unto the paths of life:
2:20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men,
And keep the paths of the righteous.
2:21For the upright shall dwell in the land,
And the perfect shall remain in it.
2:22But the wicked shall be cut off from the land,
And the treacherous shall be rooted out of it.
3:1My son, forget not my law;
But let thy heart keep my commandments:
3:2For length of days, and years of life,
And peace, will they add to thee.
3:3Let not kindness and truth forsake thee:
Bind them about thy neck;
Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
3:4So shalt thou find favor and good understanding
In the sight of God and man.
3:5Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart,
And lean not upon thine own understanding:
3:6In all thy ways acknowledge him,
And he will direct thy paths.
3:7Be not wise in thine own eyes;
Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:
3:8It will be health to thy navel,
And marrow to thy bones.
3:9Honor Jehovah with thy substance,
And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:
3:10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
And thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
3:11My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah;
Neither be weary of his reproof:
3:12For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth;
Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
3:13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
And the man that getteth understanding.
3:14For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver,
And the profit thereof than fine gold.
3:15She is more precious than rubies:
And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.
3:16Length of days is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
3:18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
And happy is every one that retaineth her.
3:19Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding he established the heavens.
3:20By his knowledge the depths were broken up,
And the skies drop down the dew.
3:21My son, let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
3:22So shall they be life unto thy soul,
And grace to thy neck.
3:23Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely,
And thy foot shall not stumble.
3:24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:
Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
3:25Be not afraid of sudden fear,
Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:
3:26For Jehovah will be thy confidence,
And will keep thy foot from being taken.
3:27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
3:28Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again,
And to-morrow I will give;
When thou hast it by thee.
3:29Devise not evil against thy neighbor,
Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
3:30Strive not with a man without cause,
If he have done thee no harm.
3:31Envy thou not the man of violence,
And choose none of his ways.
3:32For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah;
But his friendship is with the upright.
3:33The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked;
But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
3:34Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers;
But he giveth grace unto the lowly.
3:35The wise shall inherit glory;
But shame shall be the promotion of fools.
4:1Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father,
And attend to know understanding:
4:2For I give you good doctrine;
Forsake ye not my law.
4:3For I was a son unto my father,
Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4:4And he taught me, and said unto me:
Let thy heart retain my words;
Keep my commandments, and live;
4:5Get wisdom, get understanding;
Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;
4:6Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee;
Love her, and she will keep thee.
4:7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom;
Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.
4:8Exalt her, and she will promote thee;
She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
4:9She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace;
A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee.
4:10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;
And the years of thy life shall be many.
4:11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;
I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
4:12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;
And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
4:13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go:
Keep her; for she is thy life.
4:14Enter not into the path of the wicked,
And walk not in the way of evil men.
4:15Avoid it, pass not by it;
Turn from it, and pass on.
4:16For they sleep not, except they do evil;
And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
4:17For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
4:18But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light,
That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
4:19The way of the wicked is as darkness:
They know not at what they stumble.
4:20My son, attend to my words;
Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
4:21Let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep them in the midst of thy heart.
4:22For they are life unto those that find them,
And health to all their flesh.
4:23Keep thy heart with all diligence;
For out of it are the issues of life.
4:24Put away from thee a wayward mouth,
And perverse lips put far from thee.
4:25Let thine eyes look right on,
And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
4:26Make level the path of thy feet,
And let all thy ways be established.
4:27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
Remove thy foot from evil.
5:1My son, attend unto my wisdom;
Incline thine ear to my understanding:
5:2That thou mayest preserve discretion,
And that thy lips may keep knowledge.
5:3For the lips of a strange woman drop honey,
And her mouth is smoother than oil:
5:4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5:5Her feet go down to death;
Her steps take hold on Sheol;
5:6So that she findeth not the level path of life:
Her ways are unstable, and she knoweth it not.
5:7Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me,
And depart not from the words of my mouth.
5:8Remove thy way far from her,
And come not nigh the door of her house;
5:9Lest thou give thine honor unto others,
And thy years unto the cruel;
5:10Lest strangers be filled with thy strength,
And thy labors be in the house of an alien,
5:11And thou mourn at thy latter end,
When thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
5:12And say, How have I hated instruction,
And my heart despised reproof;
5:13Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
5:14I was well-nigh in all evil
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.
5:15Drink waters out of thine own cistern,
And running waters out of thine own well.
5:16Should thy springs be dispersed abroad,
And streams of water in the streets?
5:17Let them be for thyself alone,
And not for strangers with thee.
5:18Let thy fountain be blessed;
And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.
5:19As a loving hind and a pleasant doe,
Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;
And be thou ravished always with her love.
5:20For why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman,
And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
5:21For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah;
And he maketh level all his paths.
5:22His own iniquities shall take the wicked,
And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.
5:23He shall die for lack of instruction;
And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
6:1My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbor,
If thou hast stricken thy hands for a stranger;
6:2Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth,
Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
6:3Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself,
Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbor:
Go, humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor;
6:4Give not sleep to thine eyes,
Nor slumber to thine eyelids;
6:5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter,
And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6:6Go to the ant, thou sluggard;
Consider her ways, and be wise:
6:7Which having no chief,
Overseer, or ruler,
6:8Provideth her bread in the summer,
And gathereth her food in the harvest.
6:9How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?
When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
6:10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep:
6:11So shall thy poverty come as a robber,
And thy want as an armed man.
6:12A worthless person, a man of iniquity,
Is he that walketh with a perverse mouth;
6:13That winketh with his eyes, that speaketh with his feet,
That maketh signs with his fingers;
6:14In whose heart is perverseness,
Who deviseth evil continually,
Who soweth discord.
6:15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly;
On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.
6:16There are six things which Jehovah hateth;
Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him:
6:17Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood;
6:18A heart that deviseth wicked purposes,
Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
6:19A false witness that uttereth lies,
And he that soweth discord among brethren.
6:20My son, keep the commandment of thy father,
And forsake not the law of thy mother:
6:21Bind them continually upon thy heart;
Tie them about thy neck.
6:22When thou walkest, it shall lead thee;
When thou sleepest, it shall watch over thee;
And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
6:23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;
And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
6:24To keep thee from the evil woman,
From the flattery of the foreigner's tongue.
6:25Lust not after her beauty in thy heart;
Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
6:26For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread;
And the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.
6:27Can a man take fire in his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
6:28Or can one walk upon hot coals,
And his feet not be scorched?
6:29So he that goeth in to his neighbor's wife;
Whosoever toucheth her shall not be unpunished.
6:30Men do not despise a thief, if he steal
To satisfy himself when he is hungry:
6:31But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold;
He shall give all the substance of his house.
6:32He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding:
He doeth it who would destroy his own soul.
6:33Wounds and dishonor shall he get;
And his reproach shall not be wiped away.
6:34For jealousy is the rage of a man;
And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
6:35He will not regard any ransom;
Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
7:1My son, keep my words,
And lay up my commandments with thee.
7:2Keep my commandments and live;
And my law as the apple of thine eye.
7:3Bind them upon thy fingers;
Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.
7:4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister;
And call understanding thy kinswoman:
7:5That they may keep thee from the strange woman,
From the foreigner that flattereth with her words.
7:6For at the window of my house
I looked forth through my lattice;
7:7And I beheld among the simple ones,
I discerned among the youths,
A young man void of understanding,
7:8Passing through the street near her corner;
And he went the way to her house,
7:9In the twilight, in the evening of the day,
In the middle of the night and in the darkness.
7:10And, behold, there met him a woman
With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.
7:11She is clamorous and wilful;
Her feet abide not in her house:
7:12Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places,
And lieth in wait at every corner.
7:13So she caught him, and kissed him,
And with an impudent face she said unto him:
7:14Sacrifices of peace-offerings are with me;
This day have I paid my vows.
7:15Therefore came I forth to meet thee,
Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
7:16I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry,
With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
7:17I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
7:18Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning;
Let us solace ourselves with loves.
7:19For the man is not at home;
He is gone a long journey:
7:20He hath taken a bag of money with him;
He will come home at the full moon.
7:21With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield;
With the flattering of her lips she forceth him along.
7:22He goeth after her straightway,
As an ox goeth to the slaughter,
Or as one in fetters to the correction of the fool;
7:23Till an arrow strike through his liver;
As a bird hasteth to the snare,
And knoweth not that it is for his life.
7:24Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me,
And attend to the words of my mouth.
7:25Let not thy heart decline to her ways;
Go not astray in her paths.
7:26For she hath cast down many wounded:
Yea, all her slain are a mighty host.
7:27Her house is the way to Sheol,
Going down to the chambers of death.
8:1Doth not wisdom cry,
And understanding put forth her voice?
8:2On the top of high places by the way,
Where the paths meet, she standeth;
8:3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:
8:4Unto you, O men, I call;
And my voice is to the sons of men.
8:5O ye simple, understand prudence;
And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.
8:6Hear, for I will speak excellent things;
And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
8:7For my mouth shall utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8:8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
8:9They are all plain to him that understandeth,
And right to them that find knowledge.
8:10Receive my instruction, and not silver;
And knowledge rather than choice gold.
8:11For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it.
8:12I wisdom have made prudence my dwelling,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
8:13The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil:
Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
And the perverse mouth, do I hate.
8:14Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge:
I am understanding; I have might.
8:15By me kings reign,
And princes decree justice.
8:16By me princes rule,
And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
8:17I love them that love me;
And those that seek me diligently shall find me.
8:18Riches and honor are with me;
Yea, durable wealth and righteousness.
8:19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
And my revenue than choice silver.
8:20I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice;
8:21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,
And that I may fill their treasuries.
8:22Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way,
Before his works of old.
8:23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
Before the earth was.
8:24When there were no depths, I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
8:25Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills was I brought forth;
8:26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
8:27When he established the heavens, I was there:
When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,
8:28When he made firm the skies above,
When the fountains of the deep became strong,
8:29When he gave to the sea its bound,
That the waters should not transgress his commandment,
When he marked out the foundations of the earth;
8:30Then I was by him, as a master workman;
And I was daily his delight,
Rejoicing always before him,
8:31Rejoicing in his habitable earth;
And my delight was with the sons of men.
8:32Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me;
For blessed are they that keep my ways.
8:33Hear instruction, and be wise,
And refuse it not.
8:34Blessed is the man that heareth me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
8:35For whoso findeth me findeth life,
And shall obtain favor of Jehovah.
8:36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul:
All they that hate me love death.
9:1Wisdom hath builded her house;
She hath hewn out her seven pillars:
9:2She hath killed her beasts;
She hath mingled her wine;
She hath also furnished her table:
9:3She hath sent forth her maidens;
She crieth upon the highest places of the city:
9:4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
9:5Come, eat ye of my bread,
And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
9:6Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;
And walk in the way of understanding.
9:7He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling;
And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
9:8Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee:
Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9:9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
9:10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom;
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
9:11For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
And the years of thy life shall be increased.
9:12If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself;
And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.
9:13The foolish woman is clamorous;
She is simple, and knoweth nothing.
9:14And she sitteth at the door of her house,
On a seat in the high places of the city,
9:15To call to them that pass by,
Who go right on their ways:
9:16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither;
And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
9:17Stolen waters are sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
9:18But he knoweth not that the dead are there;
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
10:1The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son maketh a glad father;
But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
10:2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing;
But righteousness delivereth from death.
10:3Jehovah will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish;
But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked.
10:4He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand;
But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
10:5He that gathereth in summer is a wise son;
But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
10:6Blessings are upon the head of the righteous;
But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
10:7The memory of the righteous is blessed;
But the name of the wicked shall rot.
10:8The wise in heart will receive commandments;
But a prating fool shall fall.
10:9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely;
But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10:10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow;
But a prating fool shall fall.
10:11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life;
But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
10:12Hatred stirreth up strifes;
But love covereth all transgressions.
10:13In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found;
But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
10:14Wise men lay up knowledge;
But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
10:15The rich man's wealth is his strong city:
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
10:16The labor of the righteous tendeth to life;
The increase of the wicked, to sin.
10:17He is in the way of life that heedeth correction;
But he that forsaketh reproof erreth.
10:18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips;
And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
10:19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression;
But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
10:20The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver:
The heart of the wicked is little worth.
10:21The lips of the righteous feed many;
But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
10:22The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich;
And he addeth no sorrow therewith.
10:23It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness;
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
10:24The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him;
And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
10:25When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more;
But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
10:26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
So is the sluggard to them that send him.
10:27The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days;
But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
10:28The hope of the righteous shall be gladness;
But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
10:29The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright;
But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
10:30The righteous shall never be removed;
But the wicked shall not dwell in the land.
10:31The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom;
But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.
10:32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable;
But the mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness.
11:1A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah;
But a just weight is his delight.
11:2When pride cometh, then cometh shame;
But with the lowly is wisdom.
11:3The integrity of the upright shall guide them;
But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
11:4Riches profit not in the day of wrath;
But righteousness delivereth from death.
11:5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way;
But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
11:6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them;
But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.
11:7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish;
And the hope of iniquity perisheth.
11:8The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
And the wicked cometh in his stead.
11:9With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor;
But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
11:10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth;
And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11:11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted;
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
11:12He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom;
But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
11:13He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets;
But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
11:14Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth;
But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
11:15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it;
But he that hateth suretyship is secure.
11:16A gracious woman obtaineth honor;
And violent men obtain riches.
11:17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul;
But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
11:18The wicked earneth deceitful wages;
But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
11:19He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life;
And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.
11:20They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah;
But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.
11:21Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished;
But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
11:22As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,
So is a fair woman that is without discretion.
11:23The desire of the righteous is only good;
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
11:24There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more;
And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
11:25The liberal soul shall be made fat;
And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
11:26He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him;
But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
11:27He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor;
But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him.
11:28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall;
But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
11:29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind;
And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
And he that is wise winneth souls.
11:31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:
How much more the wicked and the sinner!
12:1Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge;
But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
12:2A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah;
But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
12:3A man shall not be established by wickedness;
But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
12:4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband;
But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
12:5The thoughts of the righteous are just;
But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
12:6The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood;
But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
12:7The wicked are overthrown, and are not;
But the house of the righteous shall stand.
12:8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom;
But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
12:9Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,
Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.
12:10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast;
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
12:11He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;
But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.
12:12The wicked desireth the net of evil men;
But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
12:13In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man;
But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
12:14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth;
And the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes;
But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
12:16A fool's vexation is presently known;
But a prudent man concealeth shame.
12:17He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness;
But a false witness, deceit.
12:18There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword;
But the tongue of the wise is health.
12:19The lip of truth shall be established for ever;
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
12:20Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil;
But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
12:21There shall no mischief happen to the righteous;
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
12:22Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah;
But they that deal truly are his delight.
12:23A prudent man concealeth knowledge;
But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
12:24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule;
But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
12:25Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;
But a good word maketh it glad.
12:26The righteous is a guide to his neighbor;
But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
12:27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting;
But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.
12:28In the way of righteousness is life;
And in the pathway thereof there is no death.
13:1A wise son heareth his father's instruction;
But a scoffer heareth not rebuke.
13:2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth;
But the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence.
13:3He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life;
But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
13:4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
13:5A righteous man hateth lying;
But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
13:6Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way;
But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
13:7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:
There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
13:8The ransom of a man's life is his riches;
But the poor heareth no threatening.
13:9The light of the righteous rejoiceth;
But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
13:10By pride cometh only contention;
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
13:11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished;
But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.
13:12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick;
But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13:13Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself;
But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
13:14The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
That one may depart from the snares of death.
13:15Good understanding giveth favor;
But the way of the transgressor is hard.
13:16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge;
But a fool flaunteth his folly.
13:17A wicked messenger falleth into evil;
But a faithful ambassador is health.
13:18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth correction;
But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
13:19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul;
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
13:20Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise;
But the companion of fools shall smart for it.
13:21Evil pursueth sinners;
But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.
13:22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children;
And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
13:23Much food is in the tillage of the poor;
But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.
13:24He that spareth his rod hateth his son;
But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
13:25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul;
But the belly of the wicked shall want.
14:1Every wise woman buildeth her house;
But the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.
14:2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah;
But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
14:3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his pride;
But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
14:4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean;
But much increase is by the strength of the ox.
14:5A faithful witness will not lie;
But a false witness uttereth lies.
14:6A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not;
But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
14:7Go into the presence of a foolish man,
And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way;
But the folly of fools is deceit.
14:9A trespass-offering mocketh fools;
But among the upright there is good will.
14:10The heart knoweth its own bitterness;
And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
14:11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown;
But the tent of the upright shall flourish.
14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man;
But the end thereof are the ways of death.
14:13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;
And the end of mirth is heaviness.
14:14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways;
And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
14:15The simple believeth every word;
But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
14:16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil;
But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
14:17He that is soon angry will deal foolishly;
And a man of wicked devices is hated.
14:18The simple inherit folly;
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
14:19The evil bow down before the good;
And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
14:20The poor is hated even of his own neighbor;
But the rich hath many friends.
14:21He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth;
But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.
14:22Do they not err that devise evil?
But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
14:23In all labor there is profit;
But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
14:24The crown of the wise is their riches;
But the folly of fools is only folly.
14:25A true witness delivereth souls;
But he that uttereth lies causeth deceit.
14:26In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence;
And his children shall have a place of refuge.
14:27The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life,
That one may depart from the snares of death.
14:28In the multitude of people is the king's glory;
But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
14:29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding;
But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
14:30A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh;
But envy is the rottenness of the bones.
14:31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker;
But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him.
14:32The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing;
But the righteous hath a refuge in his death.
14:33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding;
But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.
14:34Righteousness exalteth a nation;
But sin is a reproach to any people.
14:35The king's favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely;
But his wrath will be against him that causeth shame.
15:1A soft answer turneth away wrath;
But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
15:2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright;
But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
15:3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,
Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
15:4A gentle tongue is a tree of life;
But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
15:5A fool despiseth his father's correction;
But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
15:6In the house of the righteous is much treasure;
But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
15:7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;
But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
15:9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
15:10There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;
And he that hateth reproof shall die.
15:11Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah:
How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
15:12A scoffer loveth not to be reproved;
He will not go unto the wise.
15:13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance;
But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
15:14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge;
But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
15:15All the days of the afflicted are evil;
But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
15:16Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah,
Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
15:17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
15:18A wrathful man stirreth up contention;
But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
15:19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns;
But the path of the upright is made a highway.
15:20A wise son maketh a glad father;
But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
15:21Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom;
But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
15:22Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed;
But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
15:23A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;
And a word in due season, how good is it!
15:24To the wise the way of life goeth upward,
That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
15:25Jehovah will root up the house of the proud;
But he will establish the border of the widow.
15:26Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah;
But pleasant words are pure.
15:27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;
But he that hateth bribes shall live.
15:28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer;
But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
15:29Jehovah is far from the wicked;
But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
15:30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart;
And good tidings make the bones fat.
15:31The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life
Shall abide among the wise.
15:32He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul;
But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
15:33The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honor goeth humility.
16:1The plans of the heart belong to man;
But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.
16:3Commit thy works unto Jehovah,
And thy purposes shall be established.
16:4Jehovah hath made everything for its own end;
Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
16:5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah:
Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for;
And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.
16:7When a man's ways please Jehovah,
He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
16:8Better is a little, with righteousness,
Than great revenues with injustice.
16:9A man's heart deviseth his way;
But Jehovah directeth his steps.
16:10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king;
His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
16:11A just balance and scales are Jehovah's;
All the weights of the bag are his work.
16:12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness;
For the throne is established by righteousness.
16:13Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
And they love him that speaketh right.
16:14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death;
But a wise man will pacify it.
16:15In the light of the king's countenance is life;
And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16:16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil:
He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
16:18Pride goeth before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
16:19Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
16:20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good;
And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.
16:21The wise in heart shall be called prudent;
And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
16:22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it;
But the correction of fools is their folly.
16:23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth,
And addeth learning to his lips.
16:24Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
16:25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
But the end thereof are the ways of death.
16:26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him;
For his mouth urgeth him thereto.
16:27A worthless man deviseth mischief;
And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
16:28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife;
And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
16:29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor,
And leadeth him in a way that is not good.
16:30He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things:
He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
16:31The hoary head is a crown of glory;
It shall be found in the way of righteousness.
16:32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
16:33The lot is cast into the lap;
But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.
17:1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
17:2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,
And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
17:3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;
But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
17:4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;
And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
17:5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker;
And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
17:6Children's children are the crown of old men;
And the glory of children are their fathers.
17:7Excellent speech becometh not a fool;
Much less do lying lips a prince.
17:8A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it;
Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
17:9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;
But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
17:10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding
Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
17:11An evil man seeketh only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
17:12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
17:13Whoso rewardeth evil for good,
Evil shall not depart from his house.
17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:
Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
17:15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
17:16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
Seeing he hath no understanding?
17:17A friend loveth at all times;
And a brother is born for adversity.
17:18A man void of understanding striketh hands,
And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
17:19He loveth transgression that loveth strife:
He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
17:20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good;
And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
17:21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow;
And the father of a fool hath no joy.
17:22A cheerful heart is a good medicine;
But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
17:23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom,
To pervert the ways of justice.
17:24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding;
But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
17:25A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her that bare him.
17:26Also to punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.
17:27He that spareth his words hath knowledge;
And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
17:28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise;
When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.
18:1He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
And rageth against all sound wisdom.
18:2A fool hath no delight in understanding,
But only that his heart may reveal itself.
18:3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
And with ignominy cometh reproach.
18:4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
18:5To respect the person of the wicked is not good,
Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
18:6A fool's lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calleth for stripes.
18:7A fool's mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
18:8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
18:9He also that is slack in his work
Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
18:10The name of Jehovah is a strong tower;
The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
18:11The rich man's wealth is his strong city,
And as a high wall in his own imagination.
18:12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;
And before honor goeth humility.
18:13He that giveth answer before he heareth,
It is folly and shame unto him.
18:14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
But a broken spirit who can bear?
18:15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
18:16A man's gift maketh room for him,
And bringeth him before great men.
18:17He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18:18The lot causeth contentions to cease,
And parteth between the mighty.
18:19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;
And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
18:20A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
18:22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
18:23The poor useth entreaties;
But the rich answereth roughly.
18:24He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction;
But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
19:1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity
Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
19:2Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good;
And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
19:3The foolishness of man subverteth his way;
And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
19:4Wealth addeth many friends;
But the poor is separated from his friend.
19:5A false witness shall not be unpunished;
And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
19:6Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man;
And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
19:7All the brethren of the poor do hate him:
How much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursueth them with words, but they are gone.
19:8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul:
He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
19:9A false witness shall not be unpunished;
And he that uttereth lies shall perish.
19:10Delicate living is not seemly for a fool;
Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
19:11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger;
And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
19:12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion;
But his favor is as dew upon the grass.
19:13A foolish son is the calamity of his father;
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
19:14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers;
But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
19:15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep;
And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
19:16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul;
But he that is careless of his ways shall die.
19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah,
And his good deed will he pay him again.
19:18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope;
nd set not thy heart on his destruction.
19:19A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty;
For if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.
19:20Hear counsel, and receive instruction,
That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
19:21There are many devices in a man's heart;
But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
19:22That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness;
And a poor man is better than a liar.
19:23The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life;
And he that hath it shall abide satisfied;
He shall not be visited with evil.
19:24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
19:25Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
19:26He that doeth violence to his father, and chaseth away his mother,
Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
19:27Cease, my son, to hear instruction
Only to err from the words of knowledge.
19:28A worthless witness mocketh at justice;
And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
19:29Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And stripes for the back of fools.
20:1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler;
And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
20:2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion:
He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.
20:3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife;
But every fool will be quarrelling.
20:4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
20:5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;
But a man of understanding will draw it out.
20:6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness;
But a faithful man who can find?
20:7A righteous man that walketh in his integrity,
Blessed are his children after him.
20:8A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment
Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
20:9Who can say, I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin?
20:10Diverse weights, and diverse measures,
Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
20:11Even a child maketh himself known by his doings,
Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
20:12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
Jehovah hath made even both of them.
20:13Love not sleep, let thou come to poverty;
Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
20:14It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer;
But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
20:15There is gold, and abundance of rubies;
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
20:16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners.
20:17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man;
But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
20:18Every purpose is established by counsel;
And by wise guidance make thou war.
20:19He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets;
Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20:20Whoso curseth his father or his mother,
His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
20:21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning;
But the end thereof shall not be blessed.
20:22Say not thou, I will recompense evil:
Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.
20:23Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah;
And a false balance is not good.
20:24A man's goings are of Jehovah;
How then can man understand his way?
20:25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy,
And after vows to make inquiry.
20:26A wise king winnoweth the wicked,
And bringeth the threshing -wheel over them.
20:27The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah,
Searching all his innermost parts.
20:28Kindness and truth preserve the king;
And his throne is upholden by kindness.
20:29The glory of young men is their strength;
And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
20:30Stripes that wound cleanse away evil;
And strokes reach the innermost parts.
21:1The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses:
He turneth it whithersoever he will.
21:2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;
But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
21:3To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
21:4A high look, and a proud heart,
Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
21:5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;
But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
21:6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
21:7The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away,
Because they refuse to do justice.
21:8The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
21:9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
21:10The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
21:11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
21:12The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked,
How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.
21:13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
21:14A gift in secret pacifieth anger;
And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
21:15It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
21:16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
21:17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:
He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
21:18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous;
And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.
21:19It is better to dwell in a desert land,
Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
21:20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21:21He that followeth after righteousness and kindness
Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
21:22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,
And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
21:23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
21:24The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name;
He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
21:25The desire of the sluggard killeth him;
For his hands refuse to labor.
21:26There is that coveteth greedily all the day long;
But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination:
How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
21:28A false witness shall perish;
But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
21:29A wicked man hardeneth his face;
But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against Jehovah.
21:31The horse is prepared against the day of battle;
But victory is of Jehovah.
22:1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
And loving favor rather than silver and gold.
22:2The rich and the poor meet together:
Jehovah is the maker of them all.
22:3A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself;
But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
22:4The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah
Is riches, and honor, and life.
22:5Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse:
He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
22:6Train up a child in the way he should go,
And even when he is old he will not depart from it.
22:7The rich ruleth over the poor;
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
22:8He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity;
And the rod of his wrath shall fail.
22:9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;
For he giveth of his bread to the poor.
22:10Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out;
Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.
22:11He that loveth pureness of heart,
For the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
22:12The eyes of Jehovah preserve him that hath knowledge;
But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.
22:13The sluggard saith, There is a lion without:
I shall be slain in the streets.
22:14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit:
He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein.
22:15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
22:16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain,
And he that giveth to the rich, shall come only to want.
22:17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
22:18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
If they be established together upon thy lips.
22:19That thy trust may be in Jehovah,
I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
22:20Have not I written unto thee excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
22:21To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth,
That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
22:22Rob not the poor, because he is poor;
Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
22:23For Jehovah will plead their cause,
And despoil of life those that despoil them.
22:24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger;
And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:
22:25Lest thou learn this ways,
And get a snare to thy soul.
22:26Be thou not one of them that strike hands,
Or of them that are sureties for debts.
22:27If thou hast not wherewith to pay,
Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
22:28Remove not the ancient landmark,
Which thy fathers have set.
22:29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;
He shall not stand before mean men.
23:1When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
Consider diligently him that is before thee;
23:2And put a knife to thy throat,
If thou be a