Love to our enemies. CHAP. XXV, XXVI, XXVII. Of tale-bearers and busybodies 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. CHAP. XXV. Observations about kings, &c. THE out. 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 righteous ness. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit ? 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 low-there is more hope of a fool than of him. er in the presence of the prince whom thinc eyes 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in have seen. 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 ; 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 tale-bearer, 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 tale-bearer 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. 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 him-it self; 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 ear-ring 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. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunk- 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 28 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 ogation. joint. 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre: so is he that singeth songs to a 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 the LORD shall reward 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in a 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. Observations about fools, &c. As our is not seenily for a fool. 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by 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 deceft, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congre 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. CHAP. XXVII. Uncertainty of the morrow, &c. yet at a morrow, for thou knowest what 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? 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 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. CHAP. XXVI. 7 The full soul loatheth a honey-comb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 8 As a bird that wandereth froni her nest, so is man that wandereth from his place. a 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. Of care to avoid offences. PROVERBS. Impious characters. 12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief himself; but the simple pass on, and are pun- 15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is ished. a wicked ruler over the poor people. 13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange wo 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. man. 14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted curse to him. a 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. CHAP. XXVIII. 21 To have respect of persons is not good: for, for a piece of bread that man will transgress. 22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. 23 He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. 24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. 25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. 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 wi in his own conceit, but the poor that hath understanding searchetti him out. 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 hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 2 When the righteous are in authority, the people the beareth rule, the people mourn. 3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. 1 When righteous men do rejoice, there is grent glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. curse. 28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. CHAP. XXIX. On public and private government. Of impiety and integrity. righteous are as a 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. a 3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. 5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. 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 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. 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. wise men turn away wrath. 8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but 9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. 10 The blood-thirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. 11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. 12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. 13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. 14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. 15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. 13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 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: 14 Happy is the man that feareth always: but he' but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 21 CHAP. XXX, XXXI. Praise and properties of a good wife. 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; Of anger, pride, thieving, &c. 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 the LORD shall be safe. 26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD. 27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just; and he that is upright in the way is abonination to the wicked. CHAP. XXX. Agur's confession and prayer. THE IE 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 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; me them not before I die: deny 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 the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in 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 fa ther, 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 horse-leech 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. 23 For an odious woman when she is married; and a 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; a 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 thy hand upon thy mouth. 33 Surely the churning of milk bringoth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. CHAP. XXXI. Lemuel's lesson of chastity, &e. 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 to 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 1 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubics. 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 The sitteth among the elders of the land. ECCLESIASTES. All human courses vain. 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. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD,sheshall be praised. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her house-31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let hold, and eateth not the bread of idleness. her own works praise her in the gates. The vanities of pleasures 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. ¶ ECCLESIASTES, or the PREACHER. CHAP. I. Vanity of earthly enjoyments. TH 3 What profit, hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. CHAP II The vanity of pleasure. I SAID in my heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me; 4 One generation passeth away,and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full: unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart froin any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shal! there be any remembrance of things 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but that are to come with those that shall come after. the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself per12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Je-ceived also that one event happeneth to them all. rusalem. 15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 16 For there is no remembrance of the wise 14 I have seen all the works that are done un-more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which der the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexa-now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. tion of spirit. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 1 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. 81 gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings, and of the provinces: gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. ነ 20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. 21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of. the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 3I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I plant-make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This ed trees in them of all kind of fruits: also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. What God does is for ever. CHAP. III, IV, V. A time for all things. 4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. under the heaven: 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. is 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for 15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. sun. 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches: neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 91 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. The advantages of society. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but wo to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13 1 Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be adnonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign ; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. CHAP. V. Against oppression, &c. EEP thy foot when thou goest to the house more 16 ¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy 18 I said in my heart concerning the estate of 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? 9 T Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all : the is served by the field. 10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. |