Of wisdom, folly, &c.

PROVERBS.

Of reproof, & e he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: 25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. Boul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. CHAP. XV. grievous words stir up anger.

CHAP. XIV.

VERY wise woman buildeth her house: but A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but EX the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge 3 Hle that walketh in his uprightness feareth aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out fool the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways, ishness. 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: Put knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, be holding the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but
perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but
he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomina thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. tion to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand is his delight. his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD; but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. 16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith. 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 a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof gettetü Junderstanding.

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 well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the ETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness there- wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. with, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his 2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that mouth calleth for strokes.

False witnesses, &c.

PROVERBS. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is laughty, and before honour is humility. 13 Ile that answereth a matter before he heareth 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 hin, 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.

:

Duties of parents and chiïdren

17 He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and 2 por man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life and ke 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.

22 Whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, W

and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

BE

CHAP. XIX.

CHAP. XX.

VINE 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 plough by reason of the ETTER is the poor that walketh in his integ-cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have rity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. 6 Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 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.

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. 13 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD 15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth bis own soul: but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

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, [ am pure from my sin?

10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. 11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth 15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge arc 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 after wards 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 tale-bearer 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

Of false weights, liars, &c.

CHAP. XXI, XXII, XXIII.

Value of a good name 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but how much more, when he bringeth it with a wick wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. ed mind? 23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. 24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that
which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bring-
eth the wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD,
searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his

throne is upholden by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength:
and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away
evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

CHAP. XXI.

THE king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,

as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man. that heareth, speaketh constantly. 29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of bat tle: but safety is of the LORD. CHAP. XXII.

A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than

great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the fro ward: 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 bor

4 A high look, and a proud heart, and the plough-rower is servant to the lender. ing of the wicked, is sin.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plente-and the rod of his anger shall fail. ousness; 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 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgres

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-sor. top, 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.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a iion without, I shall be slain in the streets. 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit : he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his wicked for their wickedness. riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

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.

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy 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 the LORD, I have

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 un-made known to thee this day, even to thee. derstanding 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 apendeth 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: [

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 the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. 24 Make no friendship with an angry man ; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

26 Be not thou one of them that strike hande, 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 landınark, 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.

CHAP. XXIII.
THEN thou sittest to eat with a ruler, con

W sider diligently what is before thee:

The uncertainty of riches.

PROVERBS. 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be af 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.

CHAP. XXIV.

The sluggard

Bdesire to be with them:

E not thou envious against evil men, neither

2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief

3 Through wisdom is a house builded; and by isjunderstanding it is established:

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which 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.

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

9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will mischievous person. 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 thy 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 thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

17 Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

18 For surely there is an end; and thine pectation shall not be cut off.

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 honey-comb, 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 ex-dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his restingplace:

19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.

20 Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous caters of flesh:

21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

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 thy heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 20 For there shall be no reward to the evit 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 21 The father of the righteous shall greatly joice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. 21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and re-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 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

26 My son, give me thy 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 inereaseth the transgressors among men.

29 Who hath wo? 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 thy 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.

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 thy house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour with out cause; and deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath doneto 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 look ed 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 tra velleth; and thy want as an armed man