The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Advertisement.
• Revisers’ Preface.
• Old Testament
• The First Book of Moses, Commonly Called Genesis.
• The Second Book of Moses, Commonly Called Exodus.
• The Third Book of Moses, Commonly Called Leviticus.
• The Fourth Book of Moses, Commonly Called Numbers.
• The Fifth Book of Moses, Called Deuteronomy.
• The Book of Joshua.
• The Book of Judges.
• The Book of Ruth.
• The First Book of Samuel.
• The Second Book of Samuel.
• The First Book of the Kings.
• The Second Book of the Kings.
• The First Book of the Chronicles.
• The Second Book of the Chronicles.
• Ezra.
• The Book of Nehemiah.
• The Book of Esther.
• The Book of Job.
• The Psalms.
• Book I.
• Book II.
• Book III.
• Book IV.
• Book V.
• The Proverbs.
• Ecclesiastes; Or, the Preacher.
• The Song of Songs.
• The Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
• The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
• The Lamentations of Jeremiah.
• The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.
• The Book of Daniel.
• Hosea.
• Joel.
• Amos.
• Obadiah.
• Jonah.
• Micah.
• Nahum.
• Habakkuk.
• Zephaniah.
• Haggai.
• Zechariah.
• Malachi.
• Appendix.
• Classes of Passages.

THE PROVERBS.

1

• • The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

  • 2

    To know wisdom and instruction;
  • To discern the words of understanding;

  • 3

    To receive instruction in wise dealing,
  • In righteousness and judgement and equity;

  • 4

    To give 1 subtilty to the simple,
  • To the young man knowledge and discretion:

  • 5

    That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
  • And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:

  • 6

    To understand a proverb, and 2 a figure;
  • The words of the wise, and their 3 dark sayings.

• • 7

    The fear of the Lord is the 4 beginning of knowledge:
  • But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

  • 8

    My son, hear the instruction of thy father,
  • And forsake not the 5 law of thy mother:

  • 9

    For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,
  • And chains about thy neck.

  • 10

    My son, if sinners entice thee,
  • Consent thou not.

  • 11

    If they say, Come with us,
  • Let us lay wait for blood,
  • Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;

  • 12

    Let us swallow them up alive as 6 Sheol,
  • 7 And whole, as those that go down into the pit;

  • 13

    We shall find all precious substance,
  • We shall fill our houses with spoil;

  • 14

    8 Thou shalt cast thy lot among us;
  • We will all have one purse:

  • 15

    My son, walk not thou in the way with them;
  • Refrain thy foot from their path:

  • 16

    For their feet run to evil,
  • And they make haste to shed blood.

  • 17

    For in vain 9 is the net spread,
  • In the eyes of any bird:

  • 18

    And these lay wait for their own blood,
  • They lurk privily for their own lives.

  • 19

    So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;
  • It taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

• • 20

    Wisdom crieth aloud in the street;
  • She uttereth her voice in the broad places;

  • 21

    She crieth 10 in the chief place of concourse;
  • At the entering in of the gates,
  • In the city, she uttereth her words:

  • 22

    How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?
  • And scorners delight them in scorning,
  • And fools hate knowledge?

  • 23

    Turn you at my reproof:
  • Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you,
  • I will make known my words unto you.

  • 24

    Because I have called, and ye refused;
  • I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

  • 25

    But ye have set at nought all my counsel,
  • And would none of my reproof:

  • 26

    I also will laugh in the day of your calamity;
  • I will mock when your fear cometh;

  • 27

    When your fear cometh as 11 a storm,
  • And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind;
  • When distress and anguish come upon you.

  • 28

    Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer;
  • They shall seek me 1 diligently, but they shall not find me:

  • 29

    For that they hated knowledge,
  • And did not choose the fear of the Lord:

  • 30

    They would none of my counsel;
  • They despised all my reproof:

  • 31

    Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way,
  • And be filled with their own devices.

  • 32

    For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them,
  • And the 2 prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

  • 33

    But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely,
  • And shall be quiet without fear of evil.

2

• 1

  My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
• And lay up my commandments with thee;

• 2

  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom,
• And apply thine heart to understanding;

• 3

  Yea, if thou cry after discernment,
• And lift up thy voice for understanding;

• 4

  If thou seek her as silver,
• And search for her as for hid treasures;

• 5

  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord,
• And find the knowledge of God.

• 6

  For the Lord giveth wisdom;
• Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:

• 7

  He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright,
• 3He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;

• 8

  4 That he may guard the paths of judgement,
• 5 And preserve the way of his saints.

• 9

  Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgement,
• And equity, yea, every good path.

• 10

  For wisdom shall enter into thine heart,
• And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;

• 11

  Discretion shall watch over thee,
• Understanding shall keep thee:

• 12

  To deliver thee from the way of 6 evil,
• From the men that speak froward things;

• 13

  Who forsake the paths of uprightness,
• To walk in the ways of darkness;

• 14

  Who rejoice to do evil,
• And delight in the frowardness of 6 evil;

• 15

  Who are crooked in their ways,
• And perverse in their paths:

• 16

  To deliver thee from the strange woman,
• Even from the stranger which 7 flattereth with her words;

• 17

  Which forsaketh the 8 friend of her youth,
• And forgetteth the covenant of her God:

• 18

  For 9 her house inclineth unto death,
• And her paths unto 10 the dead:

• 19

  None that go unto her return again,
• Neither do they attain unto the paths of life:

• 20

  That thou mayest walk in the way of good men,
• And keep the paths of the righteous.

• 21

  For the upright shall dwell in the 11 land,
• And the perfect shall remain in it.

• 22

  But the wicked shall be cut off from the 11 land,
• And they that deal treacherously shall be rooted out of it.

3

• • My son, forget not my 12 law;
  • But let thine heart keep my commandments:

  • 2

    For length of days, and years of life,
  • And peace, shall they add to thee.

  • 3

    Let not 13 mercy and truth forsake thee:
  • Bind them about thy neck;
  • Write them upon the table of thine heart:

  • 4

    So shalt thou find favour and 14 good understanding
  • In the sight of God and man.

  • 5

    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
  • And lean not upon thine own understanding:

  • 6

    In all thy ways acknowledge him,
  • And he shall 15 direct thy paths.

  • 7

    Be not wise in thine own eyes;
  • Fear the Lord, and depart from evil:

  • 8

    It shall be health to thy navel,
  • And 1 marrow to thy bones.

  • 9

    Honour the Lord with thy substance,
  • And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

  • 10

    So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
  • And thy fats shall overflow with new wine.

• • 11

    My son, despise not the 2 chastening of the Lord;
  • Neither be weary of his reproof:

  • 12

    For whom the Lord loveth he reproveth;
  • Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

  • 13

    Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
  • And the man that 3 getteth understanding.

  • 14

    For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
  • And the gain thereof than fine gold.

  • 15

    She is more precious than 4 rubies:
  • And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.

  • 16

    Length of days is in her right hand;
  • In her left hand are riches and honour.

  • 17

    Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
  • And all her paths are peace.

  • 18

    She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
  • And happy is every one that retaineth her.

  • 19

    The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
  • By understanding he established the heavens

  • 20

    By his knowledge the depths were broken up,
  • And the skies drop down the dew.

• • 21

    My son, let not them depart from thine eyes;
  • Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

  • 22

    So shall they be life unto thy soul,
  • And grace to thy neck.

  • 23

    Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely,
  • And 5 thy foot shall not stumble.

  • 24

    When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:
  • Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

  • 25

    Be not afraid of sudden fear,
  • Neither of the 6 desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:

  • 26

    For the Lord shall be thy confidence,
  • And shall keep thy foot from being taken.

  • 27

    Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
  • When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

  • 28

    Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again,
  • And to-morrow I will give;
  • When thou hast it by thee.

  • 29

    Devise not evil against thy neighbour,
  • Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

  • 30

    Strive not with a man without cause,
  • If he have done thee no harm.

  • 31

    Envy thou not the man of violence,
  • And choose none of his ways.

  • 32

    For the perverse is an abomination to the Lord:
  • But his 7 secret is with the upright.

  • 33

    The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked;
  • But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

  • 34

    8 Surely he scorneth the scorners,
  • 9 But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

  • 35

    The wise shall inherit glory;
  • But 10 shame shall be the promotion of fools.

4

• • Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father,
  • And attend to know understanding:

  • 2

    For I give you good doctrine;
  • Forsake ye not my 11 law.

  • 3

    For I was a son unto my father,
  • Tender and 12 only beloved in the sight of my mother.

  • 4

    And he taught me, and said unto me,
  • Let thine heart retain my words;
  • Keep my commandments, and live:

  • 5

    Get wisdom, get understanding;
  • Forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth:

  • 6

    Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee;
  • Love her, and she shall keep thee.

  • 7

    1 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
  • Yea, with all thou hast gotten get understanding.

  • 8

    Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:
  • She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

  • 9

    She shall give to thine head a chaplet of grace:
  • A crown of 2 beauty shall she deliver to thee.

• • 10

    Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;
  • And the years of thy life shall be many.

  • 11

    I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;
  • I have led thee in paths of uprightness.

  • 12

    When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;
  • And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

  • 13

    Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go:
  • Keep her; for she is thy life.

  • 14

    Enter not into the path of the wicked,
  • And walk not in the way of evil men.

  • 15

    Avoid it, pass not by it;
  • Turn from it, and pass on.

  • 16

    For they sleep not, except they have done mischief;
  • And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

  • 17

    For they eat the bread of wickedness,
  • And drink the wine of violence.

  • 18

    But the path of the righteous is as 3 the shining light,
  • That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • 19

    The way of the wicked is as darkness.
  • They know not at what they stumble.

• • 20

    My son, attend to my words;
  • Incline thine ear unto my sayings.

  • 21

    Let them not depart from thine eyes;
  • Keep them in the midst of thine heart.

  • 22

    For they are life unto those that find them,
  • And health to all their flesh.

  • 23

    Keep thy heart 4 with all diligence;
  • For out of it are the issues of life.

  • 24

    Put away from thee a froward mouth,
  • And perverse lips put far from thee.

  • 25

    Let thine eyes look right on,
  • And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

  • 26

    5 Make level the path of thy feet,
  • And let all thy ways be 6 established.

  • 27

    Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
  • Remove thy foot from evil.

5

• 1

  My son, attend unto my wisdom;
• Incline thine ear to my understanding:

• 2

  That thou mayest preserve discretion,
• And that thy lips may keep knowledge.

• 3

  For the lips of a strange woman drop honey,
• And her mouth is smoother than oil:

• 4

  But her latter end is bitter as wormwood,
• Sharp as a two-edged sword.

• 5

  Her feet go down to death;
• Her steps take hold on 7 Sheol;

• 6

  8 So that she findeth not the level path of life:
• Her ways are unstable and9 she knoweth it not.

• 7

  Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me,
• And depart not from the words of my mouth.

• 8

  Remove thy way far from her,
• And come not nigh the door of her house:

• 9

  Lest thou give thine honour unto others,
• And thy years unto the cruel:

• 10

  Lest strangers be filled with thy 10 strength;
• And thy labours be in the house of an alien;

• 11

  And thou 11 mourn at thy latter end,
• When thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

• 12

  And say, How have I hated instruction,
• And my heart despised reproof;

• 13

  Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers,
• Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

• 14

  I was well nigh in all evil
• In the midst of the congregation and assembly.

• 15

  Drink waters out of thine own cistern,
• And running waters out of thine own well.

• 16

  1 Should thy springs be dispersed abroad,
• And rivers of water in the streets?

• 17

  Let them be for thyself alone,
• And not for strangers with thee.

• 18

  Let thy fountain be blessed;
• And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.

• 19

  As a loving hind and a pleasant doe,
• Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;
• And 2 be thou ravished always with her love.

• 20

  For why shouldest thou, my son, 2 be ravished with a strange woman,
• And embrace the bosom of a stranger?

• 21

  For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord,
• And he 3 maketh level all his paths.

• 22

  His own iniquities shall take the wicked,
• And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.

• 23

  He shall die for lack of instruction;
• And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

6

• • My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbour,
  • If thou hast stricken 4 thy hands for a stranger,

  • 2

    Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth,
  • Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

  • 3

    Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself,
  • Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbour;
  • Go, 5 humble thyself, and importune thy neighbour.

  • 4

    Give not sleep to thine eyes,
  • Nor slumber to thine eyelids.

  • 5

    Deliver thyself as a 6 roe from the hand of the hunter,
  • And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

• • 6

    Go to the ant, thou sluggard;
  • Consider her ways, and be wise:

  • 7

    Which having no 7 chief,
  • Overseer, or ruler,

  • 8

    Provideth her meat in the summer,
  • And gathereth her food in the harvest.

  • 9

    How long wilt thou 8 sleep, O sluggard?
  • When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

  • 10

    Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
  • A little folding of the hands to 8 sleep:

  • 11

    So shall thy poverty come as a 9 robber,
  • And thy want as 10 an armed man.

• • 12

    A worthless person, a man of iniquity;
  • He walketh with a froward mouth;

  • 13

    He winketh with his eyes, he 11 speaketh with his feet,
  • He 12 maketh signs with his fingers;

  • 14

    Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth evil continually;
  • He 13 soweth discord.

  • 15

    Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly;
  • On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.

  • 16

    There be six things which the Lord hateth;
  • Yea, seven which are an abomination 14 unto him:

  • 17

    Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
  • And hands that shed innocent blood;

  • 18

    An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
  • Feet that be swift in running to mischief;

  • 19

    A false witness that 15 uttereth lies,
  • And he that 13 soweth discord among brethren.

• • 20

    My son, keep the commandment of thy father,
  • And forsake not the 16 law of thy mother:

  • 21

    Bind them continually upon thine heart,
  • Tie them about thy neck.

  • 22

    When thou walkest, it shall lead thee;
  • When thou 17 sleepest, it shall watch over thee;
  • And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

  • 23

    For 1 the commandment is a lamp; and 2 the law is light;
  • And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

  • 24

    To keep thee from the evil woman,
  • From the flattery of the stranger’s tongue.

  • 25

    Lust not after her beauty in thine heart;
  • Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

  • 26

    For on account of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread:
  • And 3 the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.

  • 27

    Can a man take fire in his bosom,
  • And his clothes not be burned?

  • 28

    Or can one walk upon hot coals,
  • And his feet not be scorched?

  • 29

    So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife;
  • Whosoever toucheth her shall not be 4 unpunished.

  • 30

    Men do not despise a thief, if he steal
  • To satisfy his soul when he is hungry:

  • 31

    But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold;
  • He shall give all the substance of his house

  • 32

    He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of 5 understanding:
  • He doeth it that would destroy his own soul.

  • 33

    Wounds and dishonour shall he get;
  • And his reproach shall not be wiped away.

  • 34

    For jealousy is the rage of a man;
  • And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

  • 35

    He will not regard any ransom;
  • Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

7

• 1

  My son, keep my words,
• And lay up my commandments with thee.

• 2

  Keep my commandments and live;
• And my 6 law as the apple of thine eye.

• 3

  Bind them upon thy fingers;
• Write them upon the table of thine heart.

• 4

  Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister;
• And call understanding thy7 kinswoman:

• 5

  That they may keep thee from the strange woman,
• From the stranger which 8 flattereth with her words.

• 6

  For at the window of my house
• I looked forth through my lattice;

• 7

  And I beheld among the simple ones,
• I discerned among the youths,
• A young man void of understanding,

• 8

  Passing through the street near her corner,
• And he went the way to her house;

• 9

  In the twilight, in the evening of the day,
• In the 9 blackness of night and the darkness.

• 10

  And, behold, there met him a woman
• With the attire of an harlot, and 10 wily of heart.

• 11

  She is 11 clamorous and wilful;
• Her feet abide not in her house:

• 12

  Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places,
• And lieth in wait at every corner.

• 13

  So she caught him, and kissed him,
• 12And with an impudent face she said unto him:

• 14

  Sacrifices of peace offerings 13 are with me;
• This day have I paid my vows.

• 15

  Therefore came I forth to meet thee,
• Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

• 16

  I have spread my couch with 14 carpets of tapestry,
• With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

• 17

  I have 15 perfumed my bed
• With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

• 18

  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning;
• Let us solace ourselves with loves.

• 19

  For the goodman is not at home,
• He is gone a long journey:

• 20

  He hath taken a bag of money with him;
• He will come home at the full moon.

• 21

  With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield,
• With the flattering of her lips she forceth him away.

• 22

  He goeth after her 1 straightway,
• As an ox goeth to the slaughter,
• Or as 2 fetters to the correction of the fool;

• 23

  Till an arrow strike through his liver;
• As a bird hasteth to the snare,
• And knoweth not that it is for his life.

• 24

  Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me,
• And attend to the words of my mouth.

• 25

  Let not thine heart decline to her ways,
• Go not astray in her paths.

• 26

  For she hath cast down many wounded:
• Yea, all her slain are a mighty host.

• 27

  Her house is the way to 3 Sheol,
• Going down to the chambers of death.

8

• 1

  Doth not wisdom cry,
• And understanding put forth her voice?

• 2

  In the top of high places by the way,
• Where the paths meet, she standeth;

• 3

  Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
• At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:

• 4

  Unto you, O men, I call;
• And my voice is to the sons of men.

• 5

  O ye simple, understand 4 subtilty;
• And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

• 6

  Hear, for I will speak excellent things;
• And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

• 7

  For my mouth shall utter truth;
• And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

• 8

  All the words of my mouth 5 are in righteousness;
• There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

• 9

  They are all plain to him that understandeth,
• And right to them that find knowledge.

• 10

  Receive my instruction, and not silver;
• And knowledge rather than choice gold.

• 11

  For wisdom is better than 6 rubies;
• And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto her.

• 12

  I wisdom have made 4 subtilty my dwelling,
• And find out 7 knowledge and discretion.

• 13

  The fear of the Lord is to hate evil:
• Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
• And the froward mouth, do I hate.

• 14

  Counsel is mine, and 8 sound knowledge:
• I am understanding; I have might.

• 15

  By me kings reign,
• And princes decree justice.

• 16

  By me 9 princes rule,
• And nobles, even all the judges 10 of the earth.

• 17

  I love them that love me;
• And those that seek me 11 diligently shall find me.

• 18

  Riches and honour are with me;
• Yea,12 durable riches and righteousness.

• 19

  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
• And my 13 revenue than choice silver.

• 20

  I walk in the way of righteousness,
• In the midst of the paths of judgement:

• 21

  That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,
• And that I may fill their treasuries.

• 22

  The Lord14 possessed me 15 in the beginning of his way,
• 16 Before his works of old.

• 23

  I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
• Or ever the earth was.

• 24

  When there were no depths, I was brought forth;
• When there were no fountains abounding with water.

• 25

  Before the mountains were settled,
• Before the hills was I brought forth:

• 26

  While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
• Nor the 17 beginning of the dust of the world.

• 27

  When he 18 established the heavens, I was there:
• When he set a circle upon the face of the deep:

• 28

  When he made firm the skies above:
• When the fountains of the deep became strong:

• 29

  When he gave to the sea 19 its bound,
• That the waters should not transgress his commandment:
• When he 1 marked out the foundations of the earth:

• 30

  Then I was by him, as a master workman:
• And I 2 was daily his delight,
• 3 Rejoicing always before him;

• 31

  3 Rejoicing in his habitable earth;
• And my delight was with the sons of men.

• 32

  Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me:
• For blessed are they that keep my ways.

• 33

  Hear instruction, and be wise,
• And refuse it not.

• 34

  Blessed is the man that heareth me,
• Watching daily at my gates,
• Waiting at the posts of my doors.

• 35

  For whoso findeth me findeth life,
• And shall 4 obtain favour of the Lord.

• 36

  But he that 5 sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul:
• All they that hate me love death.

9

• • Wisdom hath builded her house,
  • She hath hewn out her seven pillars:

  • 2

    She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine;
  • She hath also furnished her table.

  • 3

    She hath sent forth her maidens, she crieth
  • Upon the highest places of the city,

  • 4

    Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
  • As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

  • 5

    Come, eat ye of my bread,
  • And drink of the wine which I have mingled.

  • 6

    6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;
  • And walk in the way of understanding.

• • 7

    He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame:
  • And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

  • 8

    Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
  • Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

  • 9

    Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
  • Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

  • 10

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
  • And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

  • 11

    For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
  • And the years of thy life shall be increased.

  • 12

    If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself:
  • And if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

• • 13

    7 The foolish woman is clamorous;
  • She is8 simple, and knoweth nothing.

  • 14

    And she sitteth at the door of her house,
  • On a seat in the high places of the city,

  • 15

    To call to them that pass by,
  • Who go right on their ways,

  • 16

    Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
  • And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

  • 17

    Stolen waters are sweet,
  • And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

  • 18

    But he knoweth not that 9 the dead are there;
  • That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

10

1 The proverbs of Solomon.

• A wise son maketh a glad father:
• But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

• 2

  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing:
• But righteousness delivereth from death.

• 3

  The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish:
• But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked.

• 4

  He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand:
• But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

• 5

  He that gathereth in summer is 10 a wise son:
• But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son 11 that causeth shame.

• 6

  Blessings are upon the head of the righteous:
• But 12 violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

• 7

  The memory of the just is blessed:
• But the name of the wicked shall rot.

• 8

  The wise in heart will receive commandments:
• But 1 a prating fool 2 shall fall.

• 9

  He that walketh uprightly walketh surely:
• But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

• 10

  He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow:
• 3 But 1 a prating fool 2 shall fall.

• 11

  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life:
• But 4 violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

• 12

  Hatred stirreth up strifes:
• But love covereth all transgressions.

• 13

  In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found:
• But a rod is for the back of him that is void of 5 understanding.

• 14

  Wise men lay up knowledge:
• But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

• 15

  The rich man’s wealth is his strong city:
• The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

• 16

  The labour of the righteous tendeth to life;
• The increase of the wicked to sin.

• 17

  He 6 is in the way of life that heedeth 7 correction:
• But he that forsaketh reproof 8 erreth.

• 18

  He that hideth hatred is of lying lips;
• And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

• 19

  In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression:
• But he that refraineth his lips 9 doeth wisely.

• 20

  The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver:
• The heart of the wicked is little worth.

• 21

  The lips of the righteous feed many:
• But the foolish die for lack of 5 understanding.

• 22

  The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich,
• And 10 he addeth no sorrow therewith.

• 23

  It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness:
• 11 And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

• 24

  The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him:
• And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

• 25

  12 When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more:
• But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

• 26

  As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
• So is the sluggard to them that send him.

• 27

  The fear of the Lord13 prolongeth days:
• But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

• 28

  The hope of the righteous shall be gladness:
• But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

• 29

  The way of the Lord is a strong hold to the upright;
• But 14 it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

• 30

  The righteous shall never be removed:
• But the wicked shall not dwell in the 15 land.

• 31

  The mouth of the righteous 16 bringeth forth wisdom:
• But the froward tongue shall be cut off.

• 32

  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable:
• But the mouth of the wicked 17speaketh frowardness.

11

• 1

  18 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord:
• But a just weight is his delight.

• 2

  When pride cometh, then cometh shame:
• But with the lowly is wisdom.

• 3

  The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
• But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

• 4

  Riches profit not in the day of wrath:
• But righteousness delivereth from death.

• 5

  The righteousness of the perfect shall 19 direct his way:
• But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

• 6

  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:
• But they that deal treacherously shall be taken in their own mischief.

• 7

  When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
• And the hope of 20 iniquity perisheth.

• 8

  The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
• And the wicked cometh in his stead.

• 9

  With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbour:
• But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

• 10

  When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:
• And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

• 11

  By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
• But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

• 12

  He that despiseth his neighbour is void of 1 wisdom:
• But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

• 13

  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets:
• But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

• 14

  Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth:
• But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

• 15

  He that is surety for a stranger 2 shall smart for it:
• But he that hateth 3 suretiship is sure.

• 16

  A gracious woman retaineth honour:
• And violent men retain riches.

• 17

  The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:
• But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

• 18

  The wicked earneth deceitful wages:
• But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

• 19

  4 He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life:
• And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.

• 20

  They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord:
• But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

• 21

  5Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished:
• But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

• 22

  As a 6 jewel of gold in a swine’s snout,
• So is a fair woman which 7 is without discretion.

• 23

  The desire of the righteous is only good:
• But the expectation of the wicked is 8 wrath.

• 24

  There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more;
• And there is that withholdeth 9 more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.

• 25

  The liberal soul shall be made fat:
• And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

• 26

  He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him:
• But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

• 27

  He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour:
• But he that searcheth after mischief, it shall come unto him.

• 28

  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:
• But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

• 29

  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:
• And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

• 30

  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
• And he that is wise winneth souls.

• 31

  Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:
• How much more the wicked and the sinner!

12

• 1

  Whoso loveth 10 correction loveth knowledge:
• But he that hateth reproof is brutish.

• 2

  A good man shall obtain favour of the Lord:
• But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

• 3

  A man shall not be established by wickedness:
• But the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

• 4

  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
• But she that 11 maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

• 5

  The thoughts of the righteous are 1 just:
• But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

• 6

  The words of the wicked 2 are of lying in wait for blood:
• But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

• 7

  3 The wicked are overthrown, and are not:
• But the house of the righteous shall stand

• 8

  A man shall be commended according to his wisdom:
• But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

• 9

  Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,
• Than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

• 10

  A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast
• But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

• 11

  He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:
• But he that followeth after 4 vain persons is void of understanding.

• 12

  The wicked desireth 5 the net of evil men:
• But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

• 13

  In the transgression of the lips is 6 a snare to the evil man:
• But the righteous shall come out of trouble.

• 14

  A 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.

• 15

  The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes:
• But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

• 16

  A fool’s vexation is 7 presently known:
• But a prudent man concealeth shame.

• 17

  He that 8 uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness,
• But a false witness deceit.

• 18

  There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword:
• But the tongue of the wise is health.

• 19

  The lip of truth shall be established for ever:
• But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

• 20

  Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil:
• But to the counsellors of peace is joy.

• 21

  There shall no mischief happen to the righteous:
• But the wicked shall be filled with evil

• 22

  Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord:
• But they that deal truly are his delight.

• 23

  A prudent man concealeth knowledge:
• But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

• 24

  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule:
• But 9 the slothful shall be put under taskwork.

• 25

  10 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;
• But a good word maketh it glad.

• 26

  The righteous is a guide to his neighbour:
• But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

• 27

  9 The slothful man 11 roasteth not that which he took in hunting:
• But the precious substance of men 12is to the diligent.

• 28

  In the way of righteousness is life;
• And in the pathway thereof there is no death.

13

• 1

  A wise son heareth his father’s 13 instruction:
• But a scorner heareth not rebuke.

• 2

  A man shall eat good 14 by the fruit of his mouth:
• But 15 the soul of the treacherous shall eat violence.

• 3

  He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life:
• But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

• 4

  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing:
• But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

• 5

  A righteous man hateth lying:
• But a wicked man 16 is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

• 6

  Righteousness guardeth 17 him that is upright in the way:
• But wickedness overthroweth 18 the sinner.

• 7

  There is that 1 maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:
• There is that 1 maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.

• 8

  The ransom of a man’s life is his riches:
• But the poor heareth no 2 threatening.

• 9

  The light of the righteous rejoiceth:
• But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

• 10

  By pride cometh only contention:
• But with the well advised is wisdom.

• 11

  Wealth gotten 3 by vanity shall be diminished:
• But he that gathereth 4 by labour shall have increase.

• 12

  Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:
• But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

• 13

  Whoso despiseth 5 the word 6 bringeth destruction on himself:
• But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

• 14

  The 7 law of the wise is a fountain of life,
• To depart from the snares of death.

• 15

  Good understanding 8 giveth favour:
• But the way of the treacherous is rugged.

• 16

  Every prudent man worketh with knowledge:
• But a fool spreadeth out folly.

• 17

  A wicked messenger falleth into evil:
• But a faithful ambassador is health.

• 18

  Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth 9 correction:
• But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

• 19

  The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:
• But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

• 20

  10 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise:
• But the companion of fools shall 11 smart for it.

• 21

  Evil pursueth sinners:
• But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

• 22

  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children;
• And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

• 23

  Much food is in the 12 tillage of the poor:
• But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.

• 24

  He that spareth his rod hateth his son:
• But he that loveth him chasteneth him 13 betimes.

• 25

  The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:
• But the belly of the wicked shall want.

14

• 1

  Every wise woman buildeth her house:
• But 14 the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.

• 2

  He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord:
• But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

• 3

  In the mouth of the foolish is a 15 rod 16 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 17 uttereth lies.

• 6

  A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not:
• But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.

• 7

  18 Go into the presence of a foolish man,
• And thou shalt not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

• 8

  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way:
• But the folly of fools is deceit.

• 9

  19 The foolish make a mock at 20 guilt:
• But among the upright there is 21 good will.

• 10

  The heart knoweth its own bitterness;
• And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

• 11

  The house of the wicked shall be overthrown:
• But the tent of the upright shall flourish.

• 12

  There is a way which 22 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 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 beareth himself insolently, and is confident.

• 17

  He that is soon angry will deal 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 pity on the poor, happy is he.

• 22

  1 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

  2 The crown of the wise is their riches:
• But the folly of fools is only folly.

• 25

  A true witness delivereth souls:
• But he that 3 uttereth lies causeth deceit.

• 26

  In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence:
• And 4 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 glory:
• But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

• 29

  He that is slow to anger is of great understanding:
• But he that is hasty of spirit 5 exalteth folly.

• 30

  A 6 sound heart is the life of the flesh.
• But 7 envy is the rottenness of the bones.

• 31

  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker:
• But he that hath mercy on the needy honoureth him.

• 32

  The wicked is thrust down in his 8 evil-doing:
• But the righteous 9 hath hope in his death.

• 33

  Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding:
• 10 But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.

• 34

  Righteousness exalteth a nation:
• But sin is a reproach to 11 any people.

• 35

  The king’s favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely:
• But his wrath shall be against him that 12 causeth shame.

15

• 1

  A soft answer turneth away wrath:
• But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

• 2

  The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright:
• But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

• 3

  The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
• Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

• 4

  13 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:
• But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

• 5

  A fool despiseth his father’s 14 correction:
• But he that regardeth reproof 15 getteth prudence.

• 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 16doeth not so.

• 8

  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord:
• But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

• 9

  The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord:
• But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

• 10

  There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way:
• And he that hateth reproof shall die.

• 11

  1 Sheol and 2 Abaddon are before the Lord:
• How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

• 12

  A scorner loveth not to be reproved:
• He will not go unto the wise.

• 13

  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:
• But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

• 14

  The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge:
• But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

• 15

  All the days of the afflicted are evil:
• But he that is of a cheerful 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 3 dinner of herbs where love is,
• Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

• 18

  A wrathful man stirreth up contention:
• But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

• 19

  The way of the sluggard is as an hedge of thorns:
• But the path of the upright is made an high way.

• 20

  A wise son maketh a glad father:
• But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

• 21

  Folly is joy to him that is void of 4 wisdom:
• But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.

• 22

  Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed:
• But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

• 23

  A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth.
• And a word in due season, how good is it!

• 24

  To the wise the way of life goeth upward,
• That he may depart from 1 Sheol beneath.

• 25

  The Lord will root up the house of the proud:
• But he will establish the border of the widow.

• 26

  Evil devices are an abomination to the Lord:
• But 5 pleasant words are pure.

• 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 good tidings make the bones fat.

• 31

  The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life
• Shall abide among the wise.

• 32

  He that refuseth 6 correction despiseth his own soul:
• But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth 4 understanding.

• 33

  The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom;
• And before honour goeth humility.

16

• 1

  The 7 preparations of the heart belong to man:
• But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

• 2

  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes:
• But the Lord weigheth the spirits.

• 3

  8 Commit thy works unto the Lord,
• And thy 9 thoughts shall be established.

• 4

  The Lord hath made every thing for 10 its own end:
• Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

• 5

  Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord:
• 11Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

• 6

  By mercy and truth iniquity is 12 purged:
• And by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

• 7

  When a man’s ways please the Lord,
• He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

• 8

  Better is a little with righteousness
• Than great revenues with injustice.

• 9

  A man’s heart deviseth his way:
• But the Lord directeth his steps.

• 10

  1 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king:
• His mouth shall not transgress in judgement.

• 11

  A just balance and scales are the Lord’s:
• All the weights of the bag are his work.

• 12

  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness:
• For the throne is established by righteousness

• 13

  Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
• And they love him that speaketh right.

• 14

  The wrath of a king is as messengers of death:
• But a wise man will pacify it.

• 15

  In the light of the king’s countenance is life;
• And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

• 16

  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
• Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

• 17

  The high way of the upright is to depart from evil:
• He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

• 18

  Pride goeth before destruction,
• And an haughty spirit before a fall.

• 19

  Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the 2 poor,
• Than to divide the spoil with the proud

• 20

  He that 3 giveth heed unto 4 the word shall find good:
• And whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

• 21

  The wise in heart shall be called prudent:
• And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

• 22

  Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it:
• But the correction of fools is their folly.

• 23

  The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth,
• And addeth learning to his lips.

• 24

  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
• Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

• 25

  5 There is a way which 6 seemeth right unto a man,
• But the end thereof are the ways of death.

• 26

  The appetite of the labouring man laboureth for him;
• For his mouth 7 craveth it of him.

• 27

  A worthless man 8 deviseth mischief:
• And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

• 28

  A froward man scattereth abroad strife:
• And a whisperer 9 separateth chief friends.

• 29

  A man of violence enticeth his neighbour,
• And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

• 30

  10 He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things:
• He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

• 31

  The hoary head is a crown of 11 glory,
• 12 It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

• 32

  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
• And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

• 33

  The lot is cast into the lap;
• But the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

17

• 1

  Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith,
• Than an house full of 13 feasting with strife.

• 2

  A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that 14 causeth shame,
• And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

• 3

  The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold:
• But the Lord trieth the hearts.

• 4

  An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;
• And15 a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

• 5

  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker:
• And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

• 6

  Children’s children are the crown of old men;
• And the glory of children are their fathers.

• 7

  16 Excellent speech becometh not a fool:
• Much less do lying lips a prince.

• 8

  A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it:
• Whithersoever 17 it turneth, 17 it 18 prospereth.

• 9

  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love:
• But he that harpeth on a matter 1 separateth chief friends.

• 10

  A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding
• Than an hundred stripes into a fool.

• 11

  2 An evil man seeketh only rebellion;
• Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

• 12

  Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,
• Rather than a fool in his folly.

• 13

  Whoso rewardeth evil for good,
• Evil shall not depart from his house.

• 14

  The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:
• Therefore leave off contention, before there be quarrelling.

• 15

  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,
• Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

• 16

  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
• Seeing he hath no 3 understanding?

• 17

  A friend loveth at all times,
• And 4 a brother is born for adversity.

• 18

  A man void of 3 understanding striketh hands,
• And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.

• 19

  5 He loveth transgression that loveth strife:
• He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

• 20

  He that hath a froward heart findeth no good:
• And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into 6 mischief.

• 21

  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow:
• And the father of a fool hath no joy.

• 22

  A merry heart 7 is a good medicine:
• But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

• 23

  A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom,
• To pervert the ways of judgement.

• 24

  Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding:
• But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

• 25

  A foolish son is a grief to his father,
• And bitterness to her that bare him.

• 26

  Also to 8 punish the righteous is not good,
• Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.

• 27

  9 He that spareth his words hath knowledge:
• And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

• 28

  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise:
• 10 When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

18

• 1

  He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,
• And 11 rageth against all sound wisdom.

• 2

  A fool hath no delight in understanding,
• But only that his heart may reveal itself.

• 3

  When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,
• And with ignominy cometh reproach.

• 4

  The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
• 12 The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

• 5

  To accept the person of the wicked is not good,
• 13Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgement.

• 6

  A fool’s lips 14 enter into contention,
• And his mouth calleth for stripes.

• 7

  A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
• And his lips are the snare of his soul.

• 8

  The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
• And they go down into the 15 innermost parts of the belly.

• 9

  He also that is slack in his work
• Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

• 10

  The name of the Lord is a strong tower:
• The righteous runneth into it, and 16 is safe.

• 11

  The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
• And as an high wall in his own imagination.

• 12

  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
• And before honour goeth humility.

• 13

  He that giveth answer before he heareth,
• It is folly and shame unto him

• 14

  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
• But a broken spirit who can 1 bear?

• 15

  The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;
• And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

• 16

  A man’s gift maketh room for him,
• And bringeth him before great men.

• 17

  He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
• But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out

• 18

  The lot canseth contentions to cease,
• And parteth between the mighty.

• 19

  A brother 2 offended is harder to be won than a strong city:
• And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

• 20

  A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
• With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

• 21

  Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
• And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

• 22

  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
• And obtaineth favour of the Lord.

• 23

  The poor useth intreaties:
• But the rich answereth roughly.

• 24

  3 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction
• But there is a 4 friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

19

• 1

  Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity
• Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

• 2

  Also, 5 that the soul be without knowledge is not good;
• And he that hasteth with his feet 6 sinneth.

• 3

  The foolishness of man subverteth his way;
• And his heart fretteth against the Lord.

• 4

  Wealth addeth many friends:
• But 7 the poor is separated from his friend.

• 5

  A false witness shall not be unpunished;
• And he that 8 uttereth lies shall not escape.

• 6

  Many will intreat the favour of 9 the liberal man:
• And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

• 7

  All the brethren of the poor do hate him:
• How much more do his friends go far from him!
• 10 He pursueth them with words, but they are gone.

• 8

  He that getteth 11 wisdom loveth his own soul.
• He that keepeth understanding shall find good.

• 9

  A false witness shall not be unpunished;
• And he that 8 uttereth lies shall perish.

• 10

  Delicate living is not seemly for a fool;
• Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

• 11

  The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger;
• And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

• 12

  The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion;
• But his favour is as dew upon the grass.

• 13

  A foolish son is the calamity of his father:
• And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

• 14

  House and riches are an inheritance from fathers:
• But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

• 15

  Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep;
• And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

• 16

  He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul:
• But he that 12 is careless of his ways shall die.

• 17

  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord,
• And his good deed will he pay him again.

• 18

  Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope;
• And set not thy heart on 1 his destruction.

• 19

  A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty:
• For if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.

• 20

  Hear counsel, and receive 2 instruction,
• That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

• 21

  There are many devices in a man’s heart;
• But the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

• 22

  3 The desire of a man is the measure of his kindness:
• And a poor man is better than a liar.

• 23

  The fear of the Lordtendeth to life:
• And he that hath it shall abide satisfied;
• He shall not be visited with evil.

• 24

  The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish,
• And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

• 25

  Smite a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence:
• And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

• 26

  He that 4 spoileth his father, and chaseth away his mother,
• Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.

• 27

  Cease, my son, to hear instruction
• Only to err from the words of knowledge.

• 28

  A worthless witness mocketh at judgement:
• And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

• 29

  Judgements are prepared for scorners,
• And stripes for the back of fools.

20

• 1

  Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler;
• And whosoever 5 erreth thereby is not wise.

• 2

  The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion:
• He that 6 provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own 7 life.

• 3

  It is an honour for a man to 8 keep aloof from strife:
• But every fool will be quarrelling.

• 4

  The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter;
• 9 Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

• 5

  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;
• But a man of understanding will draw it out.

• 6

  10 Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness:
• But a faithful man who can find?

• 7

  A just man that walketh in his integrity,
• Blessed are his children after him.

• 8

  A king that sitteth on the throne of judgement
• 11 Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

• 9

  Who can say, I have made my heart clean,
• I am pure from my sin?

• 10

  12 Divers weights, and divers measures,
• Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

• 11

  Even a child maketh himself 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 abundance of 13 rubies:
• But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

• 16

  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;
• And 14 hold him in pledge that is surety for 15 strangers.

• 17

  Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man;
• But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

• 18

  Every purpose is established by counsel:
• And by wise guidance make thou war.

• 19

  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets:
• Therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

• 20

  Whoso curseth his father or his mother,
• His lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.

• 21

  An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning;
• But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

• 22

  Say not thou, I will recompense evil:
• Wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

• 23

  Divers weights are an abomination to the Lord;
• And 1 a false balance is not good.

• 24

  A man’s goings are of the Lord;
• How then can man understand his way?

• 25

  It is a snare to a man 2 rashly to say, It is holy,
• And after vows to make inquiry.

• 26

  A wise king winnoweth the wicked,
• And bringeth the threshing wheel over them.

• 27

  The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
• Searching all the innermost parts of the belly.

• 28

  Mercy and truth preserve the king:
• And 3 his throne is upholden by mercy.

• 29

  The glory of young men is their strength:
• And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

• 30

  Stripes that wound cleanse away evil:
• And strokes reach the innermost parts of the belly.

21

• 1

  The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord as the watercourses:
• He turneth it whithersoever he will.

• 2

  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:
• But the Lord weigheth the hearts.

• 3

  To do justice and judgement.
• Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

• 4

  An high look, and a proud heart,
• 4Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

• 5

  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness:
• But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.

• 6

  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
• Is a vapour driven to and fro; 5 they that seek them seek death.

• 7

  The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away;
• Because they refuse to do judgement.

• 8

  The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked:
• But as for the pure, his work is 6 right.

• 9

  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
• Than with a contentious woman in 7 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 8 when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

• 12

  9 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked;
• How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.

• 13

  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
• He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.

• 14

  A gift in secret 10 pacifieth anger,
• And a present in the bosom strong wrath.

• 15

  It is joy to the righteous to do judgement;
• 11 But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

• 16

  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
• Shall rest in the congregation of 12 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 is a ransom for the righteous;
• And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.

• 19

  It is better to dwell in a desert land,
• Than with 13 a contentious and fretful woman.

• 20

  There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
• But a foolish man swalloweth 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 bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

• 23

  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
• Keepeth his soul from troubles.

• 24

  The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name,
• He worketh in the arrogance of pride.

• 25

  The desire of the slothful killeth him;
• For his hands refuse to labour.

• 26

  There is that coveteth greedily all the day long
• But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

• 27

  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination:
• How much more, when he bringeth it 1 with a wicked mind!

• 28

  A false witness shall perish:
• But the man that heareth shall speak 2 unchallenged.

• 29

  A wicked man hardeneth his face:
• But as for the upright, 3 he ordereth his ways.

• 30

  There is no wisdom nor understanding
• Nor counsel against the Lord.

• 31

  The horse is prepared against the day of battle:
• But 4 victory is of the Lord.

22

• • A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
  • And5 loving favour rather than silver and gold.

  • 2

    The rich and the poor meet together.
  • The Lord is the maker of them all

  • 3

    A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself:
  • But the simple pass on, and 6 suffer for it.

  • 4

    The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
  • Is riches, and honour, and life.

  • 5

    Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward
  • He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.

  • 6

    Train up a child 7 in the way he should go,
  • And even when he is old he will not depart from it.

  • 7

    The rich ruleth over the poor,
  • And the borrower is servant to the lender.

  • 8

    He that soweth iniquity shall reap 8 calamity:
  • And the rod of his wrath shall fail.

  • 9

    He that hath a 9 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 ignominy shall cease.

  • 11

    He that loveth 10 pureness of heart,
  • 11For the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

  • 12

    The eyes of the Lord preserve him that hath knowledge,
  • But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.

  • 13

    The sluggard saith, There is a lion without:
  • I shall be 12 murdered in the streets.

  • 14

    The mouth of strange women is a deep pit:
  • He 13 that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.

  • 15

    Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
  • But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

  • 16

    He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain,
  • And he that giveth to the rich, cometh only to want.

• • 17

    Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
  • And apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

  • 18

    For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
  • If they be established together upon thy lips.

  • 19

    That thy trust may be in the Lord,
  • I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.

  • 20

    Have not I written unto thee 14 excellent things
  • 15 Of counsels and knowledge;

  • 21

    To make thee know 16 the certainty of the words of truth,
  • That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?

• • 22

    Rob not the poor, 17 because he is poor,
  • Neither 18 oppress the afflicted in the gate:

  • 23

    For the Lord will plead their cause,
  • And despoil of life those that despoil them.

  • 24

    Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger;
  • And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:

  • 25

    Lest thou learn his ways,
  • And get a snare to thy soul.

  • 26

    Be thou not one of them that strike hands,
  • Or of them that are sureties for debts:

  • 27

    If thou hast not wherewith to pay,
  • Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

  • 28

    Remove not the ancient landmark,
  • Which thy fathers have set

  • 29

    Seest thou a man 1 diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;
  • He shall not stand before 2 mean men.

23

• 1

  When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
• Consider diligently 3 him that is before thee;

• 2

  4 And put a knife to thy throat,
• If thou be a man given to appetite.

• 3

  Be not desirous of his dainties;
• Seeing they are deceitful meat.

• 4

  Weary not thyself to be rich;
• Cease 5 from thine own wisdom.

• 5

  6 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?
• For riches certainly make themselves wings,
• Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

• 6

  Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye,
• Neither desire thou his dainties:

• 7

  For 7 as he reckoneth within himself, so is he:
• Eat and drink, saith he to thee;
• But his heart is not with thee.

• 8

  The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up,
• And lose thy sweet words.

• 9

  Speak not in the hearing of a fool;
• For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

• 10

  8 Remove not the ancient landmark;
• And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

• 11

  For their redeemer is strong;
• He shall plead their cause against thee.

• 12

  Apply thine heart unto 9 instruction,
• And thine ears to the words of knowledge.

• 13

  Withhold not correction from the child:
• For10 if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die.

• 14

  Thou shalt beat him with the rod,
• And shalt deliver his soul from 11 Sheol.

• 15

  My son, if thine heart be wise,
• My heart shall be glad, even mine:

• 16

  Yea, my reins shall rejoice,
• When thy lips speak right things.

• 17

  Let not thine heart envy sinners:
• But be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long:

• 18

  For surely there is a 12 reward;
• And thy hope shall not be cut off.

• 19

  Hear thou, my son, and be wise,
• And guide thine heart in the way.

• 20

  Be not among winebibbers;
• Among gluttonous eaters of flesh:

• 21

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

• 22

  Hearken unto thy father that begat thee,
• And despise not thy mother when she is old.

• 23

  Buy the truth, and sell it not;
• Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

• 24

  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice:
• And he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

• 25

  Let thy father and thy mother be glad,
• And let her that bare thee rejoice.

• 26

  My son, give me thine heart,
• And let thine eyes 13 delight in my ways.

• 27

  For a whore is a deep ditch;
• And a strange woman is a narrow pit.

• 28

  Yea, she heth in wait 14 as a robber,
• And increaseth the treacherous among men.

• 29

  Who hath 1 woe? who hath 2 sorrow? who hath contentions?
• Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause?
• Who hath 3 redness of eyes?

• 30

  They that tarry long at the wine;
• They that go to 4 seek out mixed wine.

• 31

  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,
• When it giveth its colour in the cup,
• When it 5 goeth down smoothly:

• 32

  At the last it biteth like a serpent,
• And stingeth like 6 an adder.

• 33

  Thine eyes shall behold 7 strange things,
• And thine heart shall utter froward 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 hurt;
• They have beaten me, and I felt it not:
• When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

24

• 1

  Be not thou envious against evil men,
• Neither desire to be with them:

• 2

  For their heart studieth oppression,
• And their lips talk of mischief.

• 3

  Through wisdom is an house builded;
• And by understanding it is established:

• 4

  And by knowledge are the chambers filled
• With all precious and pleasant riches.

• 5

  A wise man 8 is strong;
• Yea, a man of knowledge 9 increaseth might.

• 6

  For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war:
• And in the multitude of counsellors there is 10 safety.

• 7

  Wisdom is too high for a fool:
• He openeth not his mouth in the gate.

• 8

  He that deviseth to do evil,
• Men shall call him a mischievous person.

• 9

  The thought of 11 the foolish is sin:
• And the scorner is an abomination to men.

• 10

  If thou faint in the day of adversity,
• Thy strength is small.

• 11

  Deliver them that are carried away unto death,
• And those that are 12 ready to be slain 13 see that thou hold back.

• 12

  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not 14 this:
• Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it?
• And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it?
• And shall not he render to every man according to his work?

• 13

  My son, eat thou honey, for it is good;
• And the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

• 14

  So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul:
• If thou hast found it, then shall there be a 15 reward,
• And thy hope shall not be cut off.

• 15

  Lay not wait, 16 O wicked man, against the 17 habitation of the righteous;
• Spoil not his 18 resting place:

• 16

  For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:
• But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

• 17

  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth,
• And let not thine heart be glad when he is overthrown:

• 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-doers;
• Neither be thou envious at the wicked:

• 20

  For there will be no 15 reward to the evil man;
• The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

• 21

  My son, fear thou the Lord and the king:
• And meddle not with them that are given to change:

• 22

  For their calamity shall rise suddenly;
• And who knoweth the destruction 19 of them both?

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

• To have respect of persons in judgement is not good.

• 24

  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous;
• Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him:

• 25

  But to them that rebuke him shall be delight,
• And a good blessing shall come upon them.

• 26

  He 1 kisseth the lips
• That giveth a right answer.

• 27

  Prepare thy work without,
• And make it ready for thee in the field;
• And afterwards build thine house.

• 28

  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause;
• 2 And deceive not with thy lips.

• 29

  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me;
• I will render to the man according to his work.

• 30

  I went by the field of the slothful,
• And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

• 31

  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns,
• The face thereof was covered with 3 nettles,
• And the stone wall thereof was broken down.

• 32

  Then I beheld, and considered well:
• I saw, and received instruction.

• 33

  4Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
• A little folding of the hands to sleep:

• 34

  So shall thy poverty come as a robber;
• And thy want as an armed man.

25

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

• 2

  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
• But the glory 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 cometh forth a vessel for the finer:

• 5

  Take away the wicked from before the king,
• And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

• 6

  5 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king,
• And stand not in the place of great men:

• 7

  For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither;
• Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince,
• Whom thine eyes have seen.

• 8

  Go not forth hastily to strive,
• 6 Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,
• When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

• 9

  Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself,
• 7 And disclose not the secret of another:

• 10

  Lest he that heareth it revile thee,
• And thine infamy turn not away.

• 11

  A word 8 fitly spoken
• Is like apples of gold in 9 baskets of silver.

• 12

  As10 an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
• So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

• 13

  As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
• So is a faithful messenger to them that send him;
• For he refresheth the soul of his masters.

• 14

  As clouds and wind without rain,
• So is he that boasteth himself 11 of his gifts falsely.

• 15

  By long forbearing is a 12 ruler persuaded,
• And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

• 16

  Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee;
• Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

• 17

  Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house;
• Lest he be 13 weary of thee, and hate thee.

• 18

  A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour
• Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

• 19

  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
• Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint

• 20

  As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon 1 nitre,
• So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

• 21

  If 2 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 roward thee.

• 23

  The north wind bringeth forth rain:
• So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

• 24

  3 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
• Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

• 25

  As cold waters to a 4 thirsty soul,
• So is good news from a far country.

• 26

  As a 5 troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring,
• So is a righteous man that 6 giveth way before the wicked.

• 27

  It is not good to eat much honey:
• 7 So for men to search out their own glory is not glory.

• 28

  8 He whose spirit is without restraint
• Is like a city that is broken down and hath no wall.

26

• 1

  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
• So honour is not seemly for a fool.

• 2

  As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
• So the curse that is causeless 9 lighteth not.

• 3

  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
• And a rod for the back of fools.

• 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 10 his own conceit.

• 6

  He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
• Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

• 7

  The legs of the lame hang loose:
• So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

• 8

  11 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones,
• So is he that giveth honour to a fool.

• 9

  As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
• So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

• 10

  12As an archer that woundeth all,
• So is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

• 11

  As a dog that returneth to his vomit,
• So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

• 12

  Seest thou a man wise in 10 his own conceit?
• There is more hope of a fool than of him.

• 13

  13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;
• A lion is in the streets.

• 14

  As the door turneth upon its hinges,
• So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

• 15

  14 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;
• It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

• 16

  The sluggard is wiser in 10 his own conceit
• Than seven men that can 15 render a reason.

• 17

  16 He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,
• Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

• 18

  As a madman who casteth firebrands,
• Arrows, and death;

• 19

  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,
• And saith, Am not I in sport?

• 20

  For lack of wood the fire goeth out:
• And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

• 21

  As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire;
• So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

• 22

  1 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
• And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

• 23

  Fervent lips and a wicked heart
• Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

• 24

  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,
• But he layeth up deceit within him:

• 25

  When he speaketh fair, believe him not;
• For there are seven abominations in his heart:

• 26

  Though his hatred cover itself with guile,
• His wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.

• 27

  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:
• And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

• 28

  A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath 2 wounded;
• And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

27

• • Boast not thyself of to-morrow;
  • For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

  • 2

    Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth;
  • A stranger, and not thine own lips.

  • 3

    A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty;
  • But a fool’s vexation is heavier than them both.

  • 4

    Wrath is cruel, and anger is 3 outrageous;
  • But who is able to stand before jealousy?

  • 5

    Better is open rebuke
  • Than love that is hidden.

  • 6

    Faithful are the wounds of a friend:
  • But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

  • 7

    The full soul 4 loatheth an honeycomb:
  • But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

  • 8

    As a bird that wandereth from her nest,
  • So is a man that wandereth from his place.

  • 9

    Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:
  • So doth the sweetness of a man’s friend that cometh of hearty counsel.

  • 10

    Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not;
  • And go not to thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity:
  • Better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

  • 11

    My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
  • That I may answer him that reproacheth me.

  • 12

    5 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself:
  • But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

  • 13

    6 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;
  • And hold him in pledge that is surety for a strange woman.

  • 14

    He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
  • It shall be counted a curse to him.

  • 15

    A continual dropping in a very rainy day
  • And a contentious woman are alike:

  • 16

    He that would 7 restrain her 8 restraineth the wind,
  • And 9 his right hand encountereth oil.

  • 17

    Iron sharpeneth iron;
  • So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

  • 18

    Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof;
  • And he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

  • 19

    10 As in water face answereth to face,
  • So the heart of man to man.

  • 20

    11 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied;
  • And the eyes of man are never satisfied.

  • 21

    The fining pot is for silver, and the furnance for gold,
  • And a man is tried by 12 his praise.

  • 22

    Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle among bruised corn,
  • 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 unto all generations?

  • 25

    The 1 hay is carried, and the tender grass sheweth itself,
  • And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.

  • 26

    The lambs are for thy clothing,
  • And the goats are the price of the field:

  • 27

    And there will be goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household;
  • And maintenance for thy maidens.

28

• 1

  The wicked flee when no man pursueth:
• But the righteous are bold as a lion.

• 2

  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof:
• But by 2 men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

• 3

  A needy man that oppresseth the poor
• Is like a sweeping rain 3 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 judgement:
• But they that seek the Lord understand all things.

• 6

  4 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
• Than he that is 5 perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

• 7

  Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son:
• But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.

• 8

  He that augmenteth his substance by usury and increase,
• Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.

• 9

  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
• Even his prayer is an abomination.

• 10

  Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,
• He shall fall himself into his own pit:
• But the perfect shall inherit good.

• 11

  The rich man is wise in 6 his own conceit;
• But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

• 12

  When the righteous triumph, there is great glory:
• But when the wicked rise, men 7 hide themselves.

• 13

  He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper:
• But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

• 14

  Happy is the man that feareth alway:
• But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into 8 mischief.

• 15

  As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;
• So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

• 16

  9 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor:
• But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

• 17

  A man that is laden with the blood of any person
• Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.

• 18

  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered:
• But 10 he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

• 19

  11 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 unpunished.

• 21

  To have respect of persons is not good:
• 1 Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

• 22

  He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,
• And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

• 23

  He that rebuketh a man shall afterward 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 greedy spirit stirreth up strife:
• But he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

• 26

  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
• But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

• 27

  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
• But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

• 28

  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:
• But when they perish, the righteous increase.

29

• 1

  He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck
• Shall suddenly be broken, and that without remedy.

• 2

  When the righteous 2 are increased, the people rejoice:
• But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

• 3

  Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father:
• But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

• 4

  The king by judgement establisheth the land:
• But 3 he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.

• 5

  A man that flattereth his neighbour
• Spreadeth a net for his steps.

• 6

  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare:
• But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

• 7

  The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor:
• The wicked 4 hath not understanding to know it.

• 8

  Scornful men set a city in a flame:
• But wise men turn away wrath.

• 9

  If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man,
• 5 Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.

• 10

  The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect:
• 6 And as for the upright, they seek his life.

• 11

  A fool uttereth all his 7 anger:
• But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.

• 12

  If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood,
• All his servants are wicked.

• 13

  The poor man and the oppressor meet together:
• The Lord lighteneth the eyes of them both.

• 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 causeth shame to his mother.

• 16

  When the wicked 2 are increased, transgression increaseth:
• But the righteous shall look upon their fall.

• 17

  Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest;
• Yes, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

• 18

  Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint:
• But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

• 19

  A servant will not be corrected by words:
• For though he understand he will not 8 give heed.

• 20

  Seest thou a man that is hasty in his 9 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 10 a son at the last.

• 22

  An angry man stirreth up strife,
• And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.

• 23

  A man’s pride shall bring him low:
• But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honour.

• 24

  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul:
• 1 He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

• 25

  The fear of man bringeth a snare:
• But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord2 shall be safe.

• 26

  Many seek the ruler’s favour:
• But a man’s judgement cometh from the Lord.

• 27

  An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous:
• And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

30

1 The words of Agur the son of 3 Jakeh; the 4 oracle.

• • The man saith 5 unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ueal:

  • 2

    Surely I am more brutish than any man,
  • And have not the understanding of a man:

  • 3

    And I have not learned wisdom,
  • 6 Neither have I the knowledge of the Holy One.

  • 4

    Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended?
  • Who hath gathered the wind in his fists?
  • Who hath bound the waters in his garment?
  • Who hath established all the ends of the earth?
  • What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou knowest?

• • 5

    7 Every word of God is 8 tried:
  • He is a shield unto them that 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 asked of thee;
  • Deny me them not before I die:

  • 8

    Remove far from me vanity and lies:
  • Give me neither poverty nor riches;
  • Feed me with 9 the food that is needful for me:

  • 9

    Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord?
  • Or lest I be poor, and steal,
  • And 10 use profanely the name of my God.

• • 10

    Slander not a servant unto his master,
  • Lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty.

• • 11

    There is a generation that curseth their father,
  • And doth not bless their mother.

  • 12

    There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes,
  • And yet are not washed from their filthiness.

  • 13

    There is a generation, Oh 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 11 horseleach hath two daughters, 12crying, Give, give.
  • There are three things that are never satisfied,
  • Yea, four that say not, Enough:

  • 16

    13 The grave; and the barren womb;
  • The earth that is not satisfied with water;
  • And the fire that saith not, Enough.

• • 17

    The eye that mocketh at his father,
  • And despiseth to obey his mother,
  • The ravens of 14 the valley shall pick it out,
  • And the 15 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

    So is the way of an adulterous woman;
  • She eateth, and wipeth her mouth,
  • And saith, I have done no wickedness.

• • 21

    1 For three things the earth doth tremble,
  • And for four, which it cannot bear:

  • 22

    For a servant when he is king;
  • And a fool when he is filled with meat;

  • 23

    For an odious woman when she is married;
  • And an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

• • 24

    There be four things which are little upon the earth,
  • But they are exceeding wise:

  • 25

    The ants are a people not strong,
  • Yet they provide their meat in the summer;

  • 26

    The 2 comes 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 lizard 3 taketh hold with her hands,
  • Yet is she in kings’ palaces.

• • 29

    There be three things which are stately in their march,
  • Yea, four which are stately in going:

  • 30

    The lion, which is mightiest among beasts,
  • And turneth not away for any;

  • 31

    The 4 greyhound; the he-goat also;
  • And the king, 5 against whom there is no rising up.

• • 32

    If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself,
  • Or if thou hast thought evil,
  • Lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

  • 33

    For the 6 churning of milk bringeth forth butter,
  • And the 6 wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood:
  • So the 6 forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

31

17 The words of king Lemuel; the 8 oracle which his mother taught him.

• • 2

    What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?
  • And what, O son of my vows?

  • 3

    Give not thy strength unto women,
  • Nor thy ways to 9 that which destroyeth kings.

  • 4

    It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
  • Nor for princes 10to say, Where is strong drink?

  • 5

    Lest they drink, and forget 11 the law,
  • And pervert the judgement 12 of any that is afflicted.

  • 6

    Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
  • And wine unto the bitter in soul:

  • 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 13 left desolate.

  • 9

    Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
  • And minister judgement to the poor and needy.

• • 10

    A virtuous woman who can find?
  • For her price is far above 14 rubies.

  • 11

    The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
  • And he shall have no lack of 15 gain.

  • 12

    She doeth him good and not evil
  • All the days of her life.

  • 13

    She seeketh wool and flax,
  • And worketh 16 willingly with her hands.

  • 14

    She is like the merchant-ships;
  • She bringeth her food from afar.

  • 15

    She riseth also while it is yet night,
  • And giveth meat to her household,
  • And their 17 task 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 maketh strong her arms.

  • 18

    She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable:
  • Her lamp goeth not out by night.

  • 19

    She layeth her hands to the distaff,
  • And her 1 hands hold the spindle.

  • 20

    She spreadeth out her 2 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 for herself 3 carpets of tapestry;
  • Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

  • 23

    Her husband is known in the gates,
  • When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

  • 24

    She maketh linen garments and selleth them;
  • And delivereth girdles unto the 4 merchant.

  • 25

    Strength and dignity are her clothing;
  • And she laugheth at the time to come.

  • 26

    She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
  • And the 5 law of kindness is on her tongue.

  • 27

    She looketh well to the ways of her household,
  • And eateth not the bread of idleness.

  • 28

    Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
  • Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:

  • 29

    Many daughters have done virtuously,
  • But thou excellest them all.

  • 30

    Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
  • But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

  • 31

    Give her of the fruit of her hands;
  • And let her works praise her in the gates.

[1 ]Or, prudence

[2 ]Or, an interpretation

[3 ]Or, riddles

[4 ]Or, chief part

[5 ]Or, teaching

[6 ]Or, the grave

[7 ]Or, Even the perfect

[8 ]Or, Cast in thy lot

[9 ]Or, the net is spread in the sight &c.

[10 ]Heb. at the head of the noisy streets.

[11 ]Or, desolation

[1 ]Or, early

[2 ]Or, careless ease

[3 ]Or, And a shield for &c.

[4 ]Or, That they may keep

[5 ]Or, Yea, he preserveth

[6 ]Or, the evil man

[7 ]Heb. maketh smooth her words.

[8 ]Or, guide

[9 ]Or, she sinketh down unto death, which is her house

[10 ]Or, the shades Heb. Rephaim.

[11 ]Or, earth

[12 ]Or, teaching

[13 ]Or, kindness

[14 ]Or, good reputs

[15 ]Or, make straight or plain

[1 ]Or, refreshing Heb. moistening.

[2 ]Or, instruction

[3 ]Heb. draweth forth.

[4 ]See Job xxviii. 18

[5 ]Heb. thou shalt not dash thy foot.

[6 ]Or, storm

[7 ]Or, counsel Or, friendship

[8 ]Or, Though

[9 ]Or, Yet

[10 ]Or, fools carry away shame

[11 ]Or, teaching

[12 ]Heb an only one

[1 ]Or, The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom

[2 ]Or, glory

[3 ]Or, the light of dawn

[4 ]Or, above all that thou guardest

[5 ]Or, Weigh carefully

[6 ]Or, ordered aright

[7 ]Or, the grave

[8 ]Or, Lest thou find the level &c. Or, Lest thou weigh carefully the path of life

[9 ]Or, thou canst not know them

[10 ]Or, wealth

[11 ]Or, groan

[1 ]Or, Let

[2 ]Heb go astray.

[3 ]Or, weigheth carefully

[4 ]Or, thy hand with a stranger

[5 ]Or, bestir

[6 ]Or, gazelle

[7 ]Or, judge

[8 ]Heb. lie down.

[9 ]Or, rover

[10 ]Heb. a man with a shield.

[11 ]Or, shuffleth

[12 ]Or, teacheth

[13 ]Heb. letteth loose.

[14 ]Heb. of his soul.

[15 ]Heb. breatheth out.

[16 ]Or, teaching

[17 ]Heb. liest down.

[1 ]Or, their commandment

[2 ]Or, their teaching

[3 ]Heb a man’s wife.

[4 ]Heb. held innocent.

[5 ]Heb heart.

[6 ]Or, teaching

[7 ]Or, familiar friend

[8 ]Heb. maketh smooth her words.

[9 ]Heb. pupil (of the eye).

[10 ]Or, close Heb guarded.

[11 ]Or, turbulent

[12 ]Heb. She hardened her face, and said.

[13 ]Or, were due from me

[14 ]Or, cushions

[15 ]Or, sprinkled

[1 ]Heb. suddenly.

[2 ]Or, one in fetters The text is probably corrupt.

[3 ]Or, the grave

[4 ]Or, prudence

[5 ]Or, are righteousness

[6 ]See Job xxviii. 18.

[7 ]Or, knowledge of witty inventions

[8 ]Or, effectual working

[9 ]Or, rulers

[10 ]Many ancient authorities read, of righteousness.

[11 ]Or, early

[12 ]Or, ancient

[13 ]Or, increase

[14 ]Or, formed

[15 ]Or, as

[16 ]Or, The first of

[17 ]Or, sum

[18 ]Or, prepared

[19 ]Or, his decree

[1 ]Or, appointed

[2 ]Or, had delight continually

[3 ]Or, Sporting

[4 ]Heb. draw forth.

[5 ]Or, misseth me

[6 ]Or, Forsake the simple

[7 ]Or, Folly

[8 ]Heb. simplicity

[9 ]Or, the shades Heb. Rephaim.

[10 ]Or, a son that doeth wisely

[11 ]Or, that doeth shamefully

[12 ]Or, the mouth of the wicked covereth violence

[1 ]Heb. the foolish of lips.

[2 ]Or, shall be overthrown or laid low

[3 ]The Sept. and Syr. read, But he that rebuketh openly maketh peace.

[4 ]Or, the mouth of the wicked covereth violence

[5 ]Heb. heart.

[6 ]Or, is a way

[7 ]Or, instruction

[8 ]Or, causeth to err

[9 ]Or, is wise

[10 ]Or, toil addeth nothing thereto

[11 ]Or, But a man of understanding hath wisdom

[12 ]Or, As the whirl-wind passeth, so is the wicked no more

[13 ]Heb. addeth.

[14 ]Or, destruction shall be to &c.

[15 ]Or, earth

[16 ]Or, buddeth with

[17 ]Or, is

[18 ]Heb. A balance of deceit.

[19 ]Or, make straight or plain

[20 ]Or, strong men

[1 ]Heb. heart.

[2 ]Heb. shall be sore broken.

[3 ]Heb. those that strike hands.

[4 ]Or, So righteousness tendeth to life, and he &c.

[5 ]Or, My hand upon it! Heb. Hand to hand.

[6 ]Or, ring

[7 ]Heb turneth aside from.

[8 ]Or, arrogance

[9 ]Or, what is justly due

[10 ]Or, instruction

[11 ]Or, doeth shamefully

[1 ]Heb. judgement

[2 ]Or, are a lying in wait

[3 ]Or, Overthrow the wicked, and they are not

[4 ]Or, vain things

[5 ]Or, the prey

[6 ]Or, an evil snare

[7 ]Or, openly Heb in the day

[8 ]Heb breatheth out

[9 ]Heb. slothfulness.

[10 ]Or, Care

[11 ]Or, catcheth not his prey

[12 ]Or, is to be diligent

[13 ]Or, correction

[14 ]Or, from

[15 ]Or, the desire of the treacherous is for violence

[16 ]Or, causeth shame and bringeth reproach

[17 ]Heb. uprightness of way.

[18 ]Heb. sin.

[1 ]Or, feigneth

[2 ]Or, rebuke

[3 ]The Sept. and Vulg. have, in haste.

[4 ]Heb. with the hand.

[5 ]See ch. xvi. 20.

[6 ]Or, maketh himself a debtor thereto

[7 ]Or, teaching

[8 ]Or, getteth

[9 ]Or, instruction

[10 ]According to another reading, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.

[11 ]Heb. be broken.

[12 ]Or, tilled land

[13 ]Or, diligently

[14 ]Heb. folly.

[15 ]Or, shoot

[16 ]Or, for his pride

[17 ]Heb. breatheth out.

[18 ]Or, Go from... for thou wilt not &c.

[19 ]Or, Guilt mocketh at the foolish

[20 ]Or, the guilt offering

[21 ]Or, the favour of God

[22 ]Or, is straight before

[1 ]Or, Shall they not go astray

[2 ]Or, Their riches is a crown unto the wise

[3 ]Heb. breatheth out.

[4 ]Or, the children of him that hath it

[5 ]Or, carrieth away

[6 ]Or, tranquil

[7 ]Or, jealousy

[8 ]Or, calamity

[9 ]Or, hath a refuge

[10 ]Or, And in the midst of fools it maketh itself known

[11 ]Heb. peoples.

[12 ]Or, doeth shamefully

[13 ]Heb. The healing of the tongue.

[14 ]Or, instruction

[15 ]Or, dealeth prudently

[16 ]Or, is not stedfast or right

[1 ]Or, The grave

[2 ]Or, Destruction

[3 ]Or, portion

[4 ]Heb. heart.

[5 ]Or, the pure speak pleasant words

[6 ]Or, instruction

[7 ]Or, plans

[8 ]Heb. Roll.

[9 ]Or, purposes

[10 ]Or, his own purpose

[11 ]See ch. xl. 21.

[12 ]Or, atoned for

[1 ]Heb. Divination.

[2 ]Or, meek

[3 ]Or, handleth a matter wisely

[4 ]See ch. xiii. 13.

[5 ]See ch. xiv. 12.

[6 ]Or, is straight before

[7 ]Or, urgeth him thereto

[8 ]Heb. diggeth.

[9 ]Or, alienateth his friend

[10 ]Or, He that shutteth his eyes to devise froward things, that compresseth his lips, bringeth &c.

[11 ]Or, beauty

[12 ]Or, If it be found

[13 ]Heb. the sacrifices of strife.

[14 ]Or, doeth shamefully

[15 ]Heb. falsehood.

[16 ]Or, Arrogant

[17 ]Or, he

[18 ]Or, dealeth wisely

[1 ]See ch. xvi. 28.

[2 ]Or, A rebellious man (Heb. Rebellion) seeketh only evil

[3 ]Heb. heart.

[4 ]Or, is born as a brother

[5 ]Or, He that loveth transgression loveth strife

[6 ]Or, calamity

[7 ]Heb. causeth good healing.

[8 ]Or, fine

[9 ]Or, He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit

[10 ]Or, He that shutteth his lips is &c.

[11 ]Or, quarrelleth with

[12 ]Or, A flowing brook, a wellspring of wisdom

[13 ]Or, So as to turn aside

[14 ]Or, bring contention

[15 ]Heb. chambers.

[16 ]Heb. is set on high.

[1 ]Or, raise up

[2 ]Or, injured

[3 ]Heb A man of friends

[4 ]Heb. lover.

[5 ]Or, desire without knowledge is not good

[6 ]Or, misseth his way

[7 ]Or, the friend of the poor separateth himself from him

[8 ]Heb. breatheth out.

[9 ]Or, a prince

[10 ]Or, He pursueth after words, which are nought

[11 ]Heb. heart.

[12 ]Heb. despiseth.

[1 ]Heb. causing him to die.

[2 ]Or, correction

[3 ]Or, That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness

[4 ]Or, violently entreateth

[5 ]Or, reeleth

[6 ]Or, angereth himself against him

[7 ]Heb. soul.

[8 ]Or, cease

[9 ]Or, Therefore when he seeketh in harvest, there shall be nothing

[10 ]Or, Many a man will meet one that is kind to him

[11 ]Or, Winnoweth

[12 ]Heb A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah.

[13 ]See Job xxviii. 18.

[14 ]Or, take a pledge of him

[15 ]Another reading is, a strange woman.

[1 ]Heb. a balance of deceit

[2 ]Or, rashly to utter holy words Or, to de vour that which is holy

[3 ]Or, he upholdeth his throne

[4 ]Or, And the tillage

[5 ]Or, according to some ancient authorities, they are snares of death or, into the snares of death

[6 ]Or, straight

[7 ]Or, a house in common Heb a house of society.

[8 ]Or, when one considereth the wise

[9 ]Or, One that is righteous ... he overthroweth the wicked &c.

[10 ]Heb bendeth

[11 ]Or, But destruction shall be to &c.

[12 ]Or, the shades Heb. Rephaim.

[13 ]Or, a contentious woman and vexation

[1 ]Or, to atone for wickedness

[2 ]Or, so as to endure

[3 ]Another reading is, he considereth his way.

[4 ]Or, deliverance

[5 ]Or, favour is better than &c.

[6 ]Heb. are mulcted

[7 ]Heb. according to his way

[8 ]Or, vanity

[9 ]Heb. good.

[10 ]Another reading is, the pure of heart.

[11 ]Or, Hath grace in his lips Or, That hath grace in his lips

[12 ]Or, slain

[13 ]Or, against whom the Lord hath indignation

[14 ]The word is doubtful. Another reading is, heretofore.

[15 ]Or, In

[16 ]Or, of a certainty the words &c.

[17 ]Or, for

[18 ]Or, crush

[1 ]Or, skilful

[2 ]Heb obscure

[3 ]Or, what

[4 ]Or, For thou wilt put

[5 ]Or, by reason of thine own understanding

[6 ]Or, Wilt thou set thine eyes upon it? it is gone: Heb. Shall thine eyes fly upon it and it is not?

[7 ]Or, as one that reckoneth

[8 ]See ch. xxii. 28

[9 ]Or, correction

[10 ]Or, though

[11 ]Or, the grave

[12 ]Or, sequel Or, future Heb latter end.

[13 ]Another reading is. observe.

[14 ]Or, as for a prey

[1 ]Heb. Oh!

[2 ]Heb. Alas!

[3 ]Or, darkness

[4 ]Or, try

[5 ]Or, moveth itself aright

[6 ]Or, a basilisk

[7 ]Or, strange women

[8 ]Heb. is in strength.

[9 ]Heb. strengtheneth might.

[10 ]Or, victory

[11 ]Heb. foolishness.

[12 ]Heb. tottering to the slaughter.

[13 ]Or, forbear thou not to deliver

[14 ]Or, this man

[15 ]See ch. xxiii. 18

[16 ]Or, as a wicked man

[17 ]Or, pasture

[18 ]Or, fold

[19 ]Or, of their years

[1 ]Or, kisseth with the lips

[2 ]Heb. And wouldest thou deceive with thy lips?

[3 ]Or, wild vetches

[4 ]See ch vi. 10, 11.

[5 ]Heb. Glorify not thyself.

[6 ]Or, Lest it be said in the end thereof, What wilt thou do? when &c.

[7 ]Or, But

[8 ]Or, in due season

[9 ]Or, filigree work

[10 ]Or, a nosering

[11 ]Heb. in a gift of falsehood.

[12 ]Or, judge

[13 ]Heb. full of thee.

[1 ]Or, soda

[2 ]Heb. he that hateth thee.

[3 ]See ch. xxi. 9.

[4 ]Or, weary

[5 ]Heb. trampled.

[6 ]Or, is moved

[7 ]Or, But for men to search out their own glory is glory The Hebrew text is obscure.

[8 ]Or, He that hath no rule over his spirit

[9 ]Heb. cometh not.

[10 ]Heb. his own eyes.

[11 ]Or, As one that bindeth fast a stone in a sling

[12 ]Or, A master worker formeth all things; but he that hireth the fool is as one that hireth them that pass by The Hebrew text is obscure.

[13 ]See ch. xxii. 13.

[14 ]See ch. xix. 24.

[15 ]Or, answer discreetly

[16 ]Or, He that vexeth himself . . . is like one that taketh a passing dog &c.

[1 ]See ch. xviii. 8.

[2 ]Heb crushed.

[3 ]Heb. a flood.

[4 ]Heb. trampleth upon.

[5 ]See ch. xxii. 3.

[6 ]See ch. xx. 16.

[7 ]Heb. hide.

[8 ]Heb. hideth.

[9 ]Or, the ointment of his right hand bewrayeth itself

[10 ]Or, As water sheweth face to face, so the heart sheweth man to man

[11 ]See ch. xv. 11.

[12 ]Or, that which he praiseth Or, that whereof he boasteth

[1 ]Heb. grass.

[2 ]Or, a man

[3 ]Heb. without food.

[4 ]See ch xix 1.

[5 ]Heb. perverse of two ways.

[6 ]Heb. his own eyes.

[7 ]Heb. must be searched for.

[8 ]Or, calamity

[9 ]Or, O prince that lackest understanding and art a great oppressor, he &c.

[10 ]Or, he that walketh perversely in two ways

[11 ]See ch. xii. 11.

[1 ]Or, For for a piece of bread a man will transgress

[2 ]Or, are in authority

[3 ]Or, he that imposeth tribute Heb. a man of offerings.

[4 ]Or, understandeth not knowledge

[5 ]Or, He rageth and laugheth, and there is no rest

[6 ]Or, But the upright care for his soul

[7 ]Heb. spirit.

[8 ]Heb. answer.

[9 ]Or, business

[10 ]The meaning of the word is doubtful. The Vulgate renders it, refractory

[1 ]See Lev. v. 1.

[2 ]Heb. shall be set on high.

[3 ]Or, Jakeh, of Massa See Gen. xxv 14.

[4 ]Or, burden

[5 ]Or, as otherwise read, I have wearied myself, O God, I have wearied myself, O God, and am consumed: for I am &c.

[6 ]Or, That I should have the knowledge &c.

[7 ]See Ps. xii. 6, xviii. 30.

[8 ]Heb. purified.

[9 ]Heb. the bread of my portion.

[10 ]Heb. handle the name.

[11 ]Or, vampire

[12 ]Or, called

[13 ]Heb. Sheol.

[14 ]Or, the brook

[15 ]Or, vultures

[1 ]Heb Under.

[2 ]See Lev. xi. 5.

[3 ]Or, thou canst seize with thy hands

[4 ]Or, war-horse Heb well girt (or, well knit) in the loins.

[5 ]Or, when his army is with him

[6 ]Heb. pressing

[7 ]Or, The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which &c See ch xxx. 1, margin.

[8 ]Or, burden

[9 ]Or, as otherwise read, them that destroy

[10 ]Another reading is, to desire strong drink.

[11 ]Heb. that which is decreed.

[12 ]Heb. of all the sons of affliction.

[13 ]Or, ready to pass away Heb. the sons of passing away.

[14 ]See Job xxviii. 18.

[15 ]Heb. spoil.

[16 ]Or, at the business of

[17 ]Or, portion

[1 ]Heb. palms.

[2 ]Heb. palm.

[3 ]Or, cushions

[4 ]Heb. Canaanite.

[5 ]Or, teaching