1 Chronicles
Bible, King James Version
Proverbs
Prov.1
[
1] The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of
Israel;
[
2] To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of
understanding;
[
3] To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and
judgment, and equity;
[
4] To give subtilty to the simple, to the young
man knowledge and discretion.
[
5] A wise man will hear, and will
increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise
counsels:
[
6] To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the
words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
[
7] The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and
instruction.
[
8] My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and
forsake not the law of thy mother:
[
9] For they shall be an ornament
of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
[
10] My son, if
sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
[
11] If they say, Come with us,
let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without
cause:
[
12] Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as
those that go down into the pit:
[
13] We shall find all precious
substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
[
14] Cast in thy lot
among us; let us all have one purse:
[
15] My son, walk not thou in the
way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
[
16] For their feet
run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
[
17] Surely in vain the net
is spread in the sight of any bird.
[
18] And they lay wait for their
own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
[
19] So are the ways
of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners
thereof.
[
20] Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the
streets:
[
21] She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the
openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words,
saying,
[
22] How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and
the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
[
23]
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make
known my words unto you.
[
24] Because I have called, and ye refused; I
have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
[
25] But ye have set
at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
[
26] I also
will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
[
27]
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
[
28] Then shall they call
upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not
find me:
[
29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the
fear of 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 turning
away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy
them.
[
33] But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall
be quiet from fear of evil.
Prov.2
[
1] My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my
commandments with thee;
[
2] So that thou incline thine ear unto
wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
[
3] Yea, if thou
criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding;
[
4] If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for
her as for hid treasures;
[
5] Then shalt thou understand the fear of
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 righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk
uprightly.
[
8] He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the
way of his saints.
[
9] Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and
judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
[
10] When wisdom entereth
into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
[
11]
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
[
12] To
deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward
things;
[
13] Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways
of darkness;
[
14] Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the
frowardness of the wicked;
[
15] Whose ways are crooked, and they
froward in their paths:
[
16] To deliver thee from the strange woman,
even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
[
17] Which
forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her
God.
[
18] For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the
dead.
[
19] None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold
of the paths of life.
[
20] That thou mayest walk in the way of good
men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
[
21] For the upright shall
dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
[
22] But the
wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted
out of it.
Prov.3
[
1] My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my
commandments:
[
2] For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall
they add to thee.
[
3] Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them
about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
[
4] So shalt
thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and
man.
[
5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding.
[
6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths.
[
7] Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the
LORD, and depart from evil.
[
8] It shall be health to thy navel, and
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 presses shall burst out with new
wine.
[
11] My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be
weary of his correction:
[
12] For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;
even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
[
13] Happy is the man
that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
[
14] For
the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain
thereof than fine gold.
[
15] She is more precious than rubies: and all
the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
[
16]
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and
honour.
[
17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace.
[
18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and
happy is every one that retaineth her.
[
19] The LORD by wisdom hath
founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the
heavens.
[
20] By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the
clouds drop down the dew.
[
21] My son, let not them depart from thine
eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
[
22] So shall they be life
unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
[
23] Then shalt thou walk in thy
way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
[
24] When thou liest down,
thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be
sweet.
[
25] Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
the wicked, when it cometh.
[
26] For 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 oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
[
32] For the froward
is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
[
33]
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the
habitation of the just.
[
34] Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he
giveth grace unto the lowly.
[
35] The wise shall inherit glory: but
shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Prov.4
[
1] Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and
attend to know understanding.
[
2] For I give you good doctrine,
forsake ye not my law.
[
3] For I was my father's son, tender and only
beloved in the sight of my mother.
[
4] He taught me also, and said
unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and
live.
[
5] Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither
decline from the words of my mouth.
[
6] Forsake her not, and she shall
preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
[
7] Wisdom is the
principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get
understanding.
[
8] Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall
bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
[
9] She shall give
to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to
thee.
[
10] Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of
thy life shall be many.
[
11] I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;
I have led thee in right paths.
[
12] When thou goest, thy steps shall
not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
[
13]
Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy
life.
[
14] Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the
way of evil men.
[
15] Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass
away.
[
16] For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and
their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
[
17] For
they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
[
18]
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day.
[
19] The way of the wicked is as darkness: they
know not at what they stumble.
[
20] My son, attend to my words;
incline thine ear unto my sayings.
[
21] Let them not depart from thine
eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
[
22] For they are life
unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
[
23] Keep
thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of
life.
[
24] Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put
far from thee.
[
25] Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine
eyelids look straight before thee.
[
26] Ponder the path of thy feet,
and let all thy ways be established.
[
27] Turn not to the right hand
nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Prov.5
[
1] My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my
understanding:
[
2] That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy
lips may keep knowledge.
[
3] For the lips of a strange woman drop as
an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
[
4] But her end is
bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
[
5] Her feet go down to
death; her steps take hold on hell.
[
6] Lest thou shouldest ponder the
path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know
them.
[
7] Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from
the words of my mouth.
[
8] Remove thy way far from her, and come not
nigh the door of her house:
[
9] Lest thou give thine honour unto
others, and thy years unto the cruel:
[
10] Lest strangers be filled
with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
[
11]
And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are
consumed,
[
12] And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart
despised reproof;
[
13] And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
[
14] I was almost in
all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
[
15] Drink
waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own
well.
[
16] Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters
in the streets.
[
17] Let them be only thine own, and not strangers'
with thee.
[
18] Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife
of thy youth.
[
19] Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let
her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her
love.
[
20] And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange
woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
[
21] For the ways of man
are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
[
22]
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with
the cords of his sins.
[
23] He shall die without instruction; and in
the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Prov.6
[
1] My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast
stricken thy hand with a stranger,
[
2] Thou art snared with the words
of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
[
3] Do this
now, my son, deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend;
go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
[
4] Give not sleep to
thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
[
5] Deliver thyself as a roe
from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the
fowler.
[
6] Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be
wise:
[
7] Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
[
8]
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the
harvest.
[
9] How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou
arise out of thy sleep?
[
10] Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a
little folding of the hands to sleep:
[
11] So shall thy poverty come
as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
[
12] A naughty
person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
[
13] He winketh
with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his
fingers;
[
14] Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief
continually; he soweth discord.
[
15] Therefore shall his calamity come
suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
[
16] These six
things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto
him:
[
17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent
blood,
[
18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be
swift in running to mischief,
[
19] A false witness that speaketh lies,
and he that soweth discord among brethren.
[
20] My son, keep thy
father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
[
21] Bind
them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
[
22]
When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and
when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
[
23] For the commandment
is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of
life:
[
24] To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the
tongue of a strange woman.
[
25] Lust not after her beauty in thine
heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
[
26] For by means
of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will
hunt for the precious life.
[
27] Can a man take fire in his bosom, and
his clothes not be burned?
[
28] Can one go upon hot coals, and his
feet not be burned?
[
29] So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife;
whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
[
30] Men do not despise
a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
[
31] But
if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of
his house.
[
32] But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh
understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
[
33] A wound
and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped
away.
[
34] For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not
spare in the day of vengeance.
[
35] He will not regard any ransom;
neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Prov.7
[
1] My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with
thee.
[
2] Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of
thine eye.
[
3] Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table
of thine heart.
[
4] Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call
understanding thy kinswoman:
[
5] That they may keep thee from the
strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
[
6]
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
[
7] And
beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of
understanding,
[
8] Passing through the street near her corner; and he
went the way to her house,
[
9] In the twilight, in the evening, in the
black and dark night:
[
10] And, behold, there met him a woman with the
attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
[
11] (She is loud and
stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
[
12] Now is she without,
now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
[
13] So she
caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto
him,
[
14] I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my
vows.
[
15] Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy
face, and I have found thee.
[
16] I have decked my bed with coverings
of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
[
17] I have
perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
[
18] Come, let us
take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with
loves.
[
19] For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long
journey:
[
20] He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come
home at the day appointed.
[
21] With her much fair speech she caused
him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
[
22] He
goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to
the correction of the stocks;
[
23] Till a dart strike through his
liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his
life.
[
24] Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to
the words of my mouth.
[
25] Let not thine heart decline to her ways,
go not astray in her paths.
[
26] For she hath cast down many wounded:
yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
[
27] Her house is the way
to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Prov.8
[
1] Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her
voice?
[
2] She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the
places of the paths.
[
3] She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the
city, at the coming in at the doors.
[
4] Unto you, O men, I call; and
my voice is to the sons of man.
[
5] O ye simple, understand wisdom:
and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
[
6] Hear; for I will
speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right
things.
[
7] For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an
abomination to my lips.
[
8] All the words of my mouth are in
righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
[
9] They
are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find
knowledge.
[
10] Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge
rather than choice gold.
[
11] For wisdom is better than rubies; and
all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
[
12]
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty
inventions.
[
13] The fear of 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 sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have
strength.
[
15] By me kings reign, and princes decree
justice.
[
16] By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of
the earth.
[
17] I love them that love me; and those that seek me early
shall find me.
[
18] Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches
and righteousness.
[
19] My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine
gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
[
20] I lead in the way of
righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
[
21] That I may
cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their
treasures.
[
22] The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way,
before his works of old.
[
23] I was set up from everlasting, from the
beginning, or ever the earth was.
[
24] When there were no depths, I
was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with
water.
[
25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I
brought forth:
[
26] While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the
fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
[
27] When he
prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the
depth:
[
28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened
the fountains of the deep:
[
29] When he gave to the sea his decree,
that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the
foundations of the earth:
[
30] Then I was by him, as one brought up
with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before
him;
[
31] Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my
delights were with the sons of men.
[
32] Now therefore hearken unto
me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
[
33] Hear
instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
[
34] Blessed is the man
that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my
doors.
[
35] For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour
of the LORD.
[
36] But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own
soul: all they that hate me love death.
Prov.9
[
1] Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her
seven pillars:
[
2] She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her
wine; she hath also furnished her table.
[
3] She hath sent forth her
maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
[
4] Whoso is
simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith
to him,
[
5] Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have
mingled.
[
6] Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of
understanding.
[
7] He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself
shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
[
8]
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love
thee.
[
9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
[
10] The fear of
the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is
understanding.
[
11] For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the
years of thy life shall be increased.
[
12] If thou be wise, thou shalt
be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear
it.
[
13] A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth
nothing.
[
14] For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in
the high places of the city,
[
15] To call passengers who go right on
their ways:
[
16] Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for
him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
[
17] Stolen waters
are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
[
18] But he knoweth
not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Prov.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 casteth away the substance of the wicked.
[
4] He
becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent
maketh rich.
[
5] He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he
that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
[
6] Blessings
are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the
wicked.
[
7] The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the
wicked shall rot.
[
8] The wise in heart will receive commandments: but
a prating fool shall fall.
[
9] He that walketh uprightly walketh
surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
[
10] He that
winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall
fall.
[
11] The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but
violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
[
12] Hatred stirreth up
strifes: but love covereth all sins.
[
13] In the lips of him that hath
understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of
understanding.
[
14] Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the
foolish is near destruction.
[
15] The rich man's wealth is his strong
city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
[
16] The labour of
the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
[
17] He
is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof
erreth.
[
18] He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that
uttereth a slander, is a fool.
[
19] In the multitude of words there
wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
[
20] The
tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little
worth.
[
21] The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for
want of wisdom.
[
22] The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he
addeth no sorrow with it.
[
23] It is as sport to a fool to do
mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
[
24] The fear of the
wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be
granted.
[
25] As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but
the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
[
26] As vinegar to the
teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send
him.
[
27] The fear of the LORD 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 strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers
of iniquity.
[
30] The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked
shall not inhabit the earth.
[
31] The mouth of the just bringeth forth
wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
[
32] The lips of the
righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh
frowardness.
Prov.11
[
1] A false balance is 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 transgressors shall destroy
them.
[
4] Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness
delivereth from death.
[
5] The righteousness of the perfect shall
direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
[
6]
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be
taken in their own naughtiness.
[
7] When a wicked man dieth, his
expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
[
8]
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his
stead.
[
9] An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but
through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
[
10] When it goeth well
with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is
shouting.
[
11] By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but
it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
[
12] He that is void of
wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his
peace.
[
13] A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a
faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
[
14] Where no counsel is, the
people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.
[
15]
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth
suretiship is sure.
[
16] A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong
men retain riches.
[
17] The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:
but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
[
18] The wicked worketh
a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure
reward.
[
19] As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth
evil pursueth it to his own death.
[
20] They that are of a froward
heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his
delight.
[
21] Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be
unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
[
22] As
a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without
discretion.
[
23] The desire of the righteous is only good: but the
expectation of the wicked is wrath.
[
24] There is that scattereth, and
yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth
to poverty.
[
25] The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that
watereth shall be watered also himself.
[
26] He that withholdeth corn,
the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that
selleth it.
[
27] He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but
he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
[
28] He that
trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a
branch.
[
29] He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:
and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
[
30] The fruit of
the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is
wise.
[
31] Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:
much more the wicked and the sinner.
Prov.12
[
1] Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he
that hateth reproof is brutish.
[
2] A good man obtaineth 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 not be
moved.
[
4] A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that
maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
[
5] The thoughts of the
righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
[
6]
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the
upright shall deliver them.
[
7] The wicked are overthrown, and are
not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
[
8] A man shall be
commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be
despised.
[
9] He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than
he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
[
10] A righteous man
regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are
cruel.
[
11] He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread:
but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
[
12] The
wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth
fruit.
[
13] The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but
the just shall come out of trouble.
[
14] A man shall be satisfied with
good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be
rendered unto him.
[
15] The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:
but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
[
16] A fool's wrath is
presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
[
17] He that
speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness
deceit.
[
18] There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but
the tongue of the wise is health.
[
19] The lip of truth shall be
established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
[
20]
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of
peace is joy.
[
21] There shall no evil happen to the just: but the
wicked shall be filled with mischief.
[
22] Lying lips are abomination
to 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 the
slothful shall be under tribute.
[
25] Heaviness in the heart of man
maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
[
26] The righteous is
more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth
them.
[
27] The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in
hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
[
28] In the
way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Prov.13
[
1] A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a
scorner heareth not rebuke.
[
2] A man shall eat good by the fruit of
his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
[
3]
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips
shall have destruction.
[
4] The soul of the sluggard desireth, and
hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
[
5] A
righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to
shame.
[
6] Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but
wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
[
7] There is that maketh himself
rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great
riches.
[
8] The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor
heareth not rebuke.
[
9] The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the
lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
[
10] Only by pride cometh
contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
[
11] Wealth gotten by
vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall
increase.
[
12] Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the
desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
[
13] Whoso despiseth the word
shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be
rewarded.
[
14] The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart
from the snares of death.
[
15] Good understanding giveth favour: but
the way of transgressors is hard.
[
16] Every prudent man dealeth with
knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
[
17] A wicked messenger
falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
[
18]
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that
regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
[
19] The desire accomplished is
sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from
evil.
[
20] He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a
companion of fools shall be destroyed.
[
21] Evil pursueth sinners: but
to the righteous good shall be repayed.
[
22] A good man leaveth an
inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up
for the just.
[
23] Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there
is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
[
24] He that spareth his
rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him
betimes.
[
25] The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but
the belly of the wicked shall want.
Prov.14
[
1] Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish
plucketh it down with her 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 rod of pride: but the lips
of the wise shall preserve them.
[
4] Where no oxen are, the crib is
clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
[
5] A faithful
witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
[
6] A
scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that
understandeth.
[
7] Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou
perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
[
8] The wisdom of the
prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is
deceit.
[
9] Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is
favour.
[
10] The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth
not intermeddle with his joy.
[
11] The house of the wicked shall be
overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
[
12]
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways
of death.
[
13] Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of
that mirth is heaviness.
[
14] The backslider in heart shall be filled
with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from
himself.
[
15] The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man
looketh well to his going.
[
16] A wise man feareth, and departeth from
evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
[
17] He that is soon
angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
[
18]
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with
knowledge.
[
19] The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the
gates of the righteous.
[
20] The poor is hated even of his own
neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
[
21] He that despiseth his
neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is
he.
[
22] Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall
be to them that devise good.
[
23] In all labour there is profit: but
the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
[
24] The crown of the
wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
[
25] A
true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh
lies.
[
26] In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his
children shall have a place of refuge.
[
27] The fear of the LORD is a
fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
[
28] In the
multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the
destruction of the prince.
[
29] He that is slow to wrath is of great
understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
[
30] A
sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the
bones.
[
31] He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he
that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
[
32] The wicked is driven
away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
[
33]
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in
the midst of fools is made known.
[
34] Righteousness exalteth a
nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
[
35] The king's favour is
toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Prov.15
[
1] A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words
stir up anger.
[
2] The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but
the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
[
3] The eyes of the LORD
are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
[
4] A wholesome
tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the
spirit.
[
5] A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that
regardeth reproof is prudent.
[
6] In the house of the righteous is
much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
[
7] The
lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not
so.
[
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 unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after
righteousness.
[
10] Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the
way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
[
11] Hell and destruction
are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of
men?
[
12] A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he
go unto the wise.
[
13] A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:
but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
[
14] The heart of him
that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on
foolishness.
[
15] All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that
is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
[
16] Better is little with
the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
[
17]
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred
therewith.
[
18] A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow
to anger appeaseth strife.
[
19] The way of the slothful man is as an
hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
[
20] A
wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his
mother.
[
21] Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a
man of understanding walketh uprightly.
[
22] Without counsel purposes
are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are
established.
[
23] A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a
word spoken in due season, how good is it!
[
24] The way of life is
above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
[
25] The LORD
will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the
widow.
[
26] The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD:
but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
[
27] He that is greedy
of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall
live.
[
28] The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the
mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
[
29] The LORD is far from
the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
[
30] The light
of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones
fat.
[
31] The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the
wise.
[
32] He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he
that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
[
33] The fear of the LORD
is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Prov.16
[
1] The preparations of the heart in man, and 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] Commit thy
works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
[
4] The
LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of
evil.
[
5] Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the
LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
[
6] By
mercy and truth iniquity is 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 without right.
[
9] A man's heart
deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
[
10] A divine
sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in
judgment.
[
11] A just weight and balance are 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! and to get
understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
[
17] The highway of the
upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his
soul.
[
18] Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit
before a fall.
[
19] Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the
lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
[
20] He that handleth
a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in 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 instruction of fools is
folly.
[
23] The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth
learning to his lips.
[
24] Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet
to the soul, and health to the bones.
[
25] There is a way that seemeth
right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
[
26] He
that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of
him.
[
27] An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as
a burning fire.
[
28] A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer
separateth chief friends.
[
29] A violent man enticeth his neighbour,
and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
[
30] He shutteth his
eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to
pass.
[
31] The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the
way of righteousness.
[
32] He that is slow to anger is better than the
mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
[
33]
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the
LORD.
Prov.17
[
1] Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than
an house full of sacrifices with strife.
[
2] A wise servant shall have
rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among
the brethren.
[
3] The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for
gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
[
4] A wicked doer giveth heed to
false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
[
5] Whoso
mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall
not be unpunished.
[
6] Children's children are the crown of old men;
and the glory of children are their fathers.
[
7] Excellent speech
becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
[
8] A gift is
as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth,
it prospereth.
[
9] He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but
he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
[
10] A reproof
entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a
fool.
[
11] An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel
messenger shall be sent against him.
[
12] Let a bear robbed of her
whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
[
13] Whoso
rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
[
14]
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off
contention, before it be meddled with.
[
15] He that justifieth the
wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the
LORD.
[
16] Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get
wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
[
17] A friend loveth at all
times, and a brother is born for adversity.
[
18] A man void of
understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his
friend.
[
19] He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that
exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
[
20] He that hath a froward
heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into
mischief.
[
21] He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and
the father of a fool hath no joy.
[
22] A merry heart doeth good like a
medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
[
23] A wicked man
taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
[
24]
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the
ends of the earth.
[
25] A foolish son is a grief to his father, and
bitterness to her that bare him.
[
26] Also to punish the just is not
good, nor to strike princes for equity.
[
27] He that hath knowledge
spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent
spirit.
[
28] Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise:
and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Prov.18
[
1] Through desire a man, having separated himself,
seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
[
2] A fool hath no delight
in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
[
3] When the
wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy
reproach.
[
4] The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the
wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
[
5] It is not good to accept
the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
[
6]
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for
strokes.
[
7] A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the
snare of his soul.
[
8] The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and
they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
[
9] He also that
is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
[
10]
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is
safe.
[
11] The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high
wall in his own conceit.
[
12] Before destruction the heart of man is
haughty, and before honour is humility.
[
13] He that answereth a
matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
[
14] The
spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can
bear?
[
15] The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of
the wise seeketh knowledge.
[
16] A man's gift maketh room for him, and
bringeth him before great men.
[
17] He that is first in his own cause
seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
[
18] The lot
causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
[
19] A
brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions
are like the bars of a castle.
[
20] A man's belly shall be satisfied
with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be
filled.
[
21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they
that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
[
22] Whoso findeth a wife
findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
[
23] The poor
useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
[
24] A man that hath
friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer
than a brother.
Prov.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, that
the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet
sinneth.
[
3] The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart
fretteth against the LORD.
[
4] Wealth maketh many friends; but the
poor is separated from his neighbour.
[
5] A false witness shall not be
unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
[
6] Many will
intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth
gifts.
[
7] All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do
his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting
to him.
[
8] He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that
keepeth understanding shall find good.
[
9] A false witness shall not
be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
[
10] Delight is
not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over
princes.
[
11] The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is
his glory to pass over a transgression.
[
12] The king's wrath is as
the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
[
13] A
foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a
continual dropping.
[
14] House and riches are the inheritance of
fathers and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
[
15] Slothfulness casteth
into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
[
16] He that
keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways
shall die.
[
17] He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD;
and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
[
18] Chasten thy
son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his
crying.
[
19] A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou
deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
[
20] Hear counsel, and receive
instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
[
21] There
are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that
shall stand.
[
22] The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man
is better than a liar.
[
23] The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and
he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with
evil.
[
24] A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not
so much as bring it to his mouth again.
[
25] Smite a scorner, and the
simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will
understand knowledge.
[
26] He that wasteth his father, and chaseth
away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth
reproach.
[
27] Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to
err from the words of knowledge.
[
28] An ungodly witness scorneth
judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
[
29]
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Prov.20
[
1] Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and
whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
[
2] The fear of a king is
as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own
soul.
[
3] It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every
fool will be meddling.
[
4] The sluggard will not plow by reason of the
cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
[
5] Counsel
in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it
out.
[
6] Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a
faithful man who can find?
[
7] The just man walketh in his integrity:
his children are blessed after him.
[
8] A king that sitteth in the
throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
[
9] Who can
say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
[
10] Divers
weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the
LORD.
[
11] Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be
pure, and whether it be right.
[
12] The hearing ear, and the seeing
eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
[
13] Love not sleep, lest
thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with
bread.
[
14] It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he
is gone his way, then he boasteth.
[
15] There is gold, and a multitude
of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
[
16] Take
his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a
strange woman.
[
17] Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards
his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
[
18] Every purpose is
established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
[
19] He that
goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him
that flattereth with his lips.
[
20] Whoso curseth his father or his
mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
[
21] An
inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall
not be blessed.
[
22] Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on
the LORD, and he shall save thee.
[
23] Divers weights are an
abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
[
24] Man's
goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own
way?
[
25] It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy,
and after vows to make inquiry.
[
26] A wise king scattereth the
wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
[
27] The spirit of man is
the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the
belly.
[
28] Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is
upholden by mercy.
[
29] The glory of young men is their strength: and
the beauty of old men is the gray head.
[
30] The blueness of a wound
cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Prov.21
[
1] The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the
rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
[
2] Every way of
a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
[
3]
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than
sacrifice.
[
4] An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the
wicked, is sin.
[
5] The thoughts of the diligent tend only to
plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
[
6] The
getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them
that seek death.
[
7] The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them;
because they refuse to do judgment.
[
8] The way of man is froward and
strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
[
9] It is better to
dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide
house.
[
10] The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour
findeth no favour in his eyes.
[
11] When the scorner is punished, the
simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth
knowledge.
[
12] The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the
wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
[
13]
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but
shall not be heard.
[
14] A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a
reward in the bosom strong wrath.
[
15] It is joy to the just to do
judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
[
16]
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the
congregation of the dead.
[
17] He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor
man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
[
18] The wicked
shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the
upright.
[
19] It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a
contentious and an angry woman.
[
20] There is treasure to be desired
and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it
up.
[
21] He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life,
righteousness, and honour.
[
22] A wise man scaleth the city of the
mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
[
23]
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from
troubles.
[
24] Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in
proud wrath.
[
25] The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his
hands refuse to labour.
[
26] He coveteth greedily all the day long:
but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
[
27] The sacrifice of the
wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked
mind?
[
28] A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth
speaketh constantly.
[
29] A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for
the upright, he directeth his way.
[
30] There is no wisdom nor
understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
[
31] The horse is prepared
against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Prov.22
[
1] A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
[
2] The rich and poor
meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
[
3] A prudent man
foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are
punished.
[
4] By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and
honour, and life.
[
5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward:
he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
[
6] Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from
it.
[
7] The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to
the lender.
[
8] He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod
of his anger shall fail.
[
9] He that hath a bountiful eye shall be
blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
[
10] Cast out the
scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall
cease.
[
11] He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his
lips the king shall be his friend.
[
12] The eyes of the LORD preserve
knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
[
13] The
slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the
streets.
[
14] The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is
abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
[
15] Foolishness is bound in
the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from
him.
[
16] He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he
that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
[
17] Bow down
thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my
knowledge.
[
18] For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within
thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
[
19] That thy trust may
be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
[
20]
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and
knowledge,
[
21] That I might make thee know the certainty of the words
of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto
thee?
[
22] Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the
afflicted in the gate:
[
23] For the LORD will plead their cause, and
spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
[
24] Make no friendship
with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
[
25] Lest
thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
[
26] Be not thou one
of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for
debts.
[
27] If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy
bed from under thee?
[
28] Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy
fathers have set.
[
29] Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he
shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Prov.23
[
1] When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider
diligently what is before thee:
[
2] And put a knife to thy throat, if
thou be a man given to appetite.
[
3] Be not desirous of his dainties:
for they are deceitful meat.
[
4] Labour not to be rich: cease from
thine own wisdom.
[
5] Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?
for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward
heaven.
[
6] Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye,
neither desire thou his dainty meats:
[
7] For as he thinketh in his
heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with
thee.
[
8] The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and
lose thy sweet words.
[
9] Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will
despise the wisdom of thy words.
[
10] Remove not the old landmark; and
enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
[
11] For their redeemer
is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
[
12] Apply thine
heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
[
13]
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he
shall not die.
[
14] Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt
deliver his soul from hell.
[
15] My son, if thine heart be wise, my
heart shall rejoice, even mine.
[
16] Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when
thy lips speak right things.
[
17] Let not thine heart envy sinners:
but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
[
18] For surely
there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
[
19] Hear
thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
[
20] Be
not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
[
21] For the
drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a
man with rags.
[
22] Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and
despise not thy mother when she is old.
[
23] Buy the truth, and sell
it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
[
24] The
father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise
child shall have joy of him.
[
25] Thy father and thy mother shall be
glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
[
26] My son, give me thine
heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
[
27] For a whore is a deep
ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
[
28] She also lieth in
wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
[
29]
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath
wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
[
30] They that tarry
long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
[
31] Look not thou
upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it
moveth itself aright.
[
32] At the last it biteth like a serpent, and
stingeth like an adder.
[
33] Thine eyes shall behold strange women,
and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
[
34] Yea, thou shalt be
as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top
of a mast.
[
35] They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not
sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it
yet again.
Prov.24
[
1] Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire
to be with them.
[
2] For their heart studieth destruction, and their
lips talk of mischief.
[
3] Through wisdom is an house builded; and by
understanding it is established:
[
4] And by knowledge shall the
chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
[
5] A wise
man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
[
6] For by
wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is
safety.
[
7] Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in
the gate.
[
8] He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a
mischievous person.
[
9] The thought of foolishness is sin: and the
scorner is an abomination to men.
[
10] If thou faint in the day of
adversity, thy strength is small.
[
11] If thou forbear to deliver them
that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
[
12]
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart
consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he
render to every man according to his works?
[
13] My son, eat thou
honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy
taste:
[
14] So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when
thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not
be cut off.
[
15] Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of
the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
[
16] For a just man
falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into
mischief.
[
17] Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine
heart be glad when he stumbleth:
[
18] Lest the LORD see it, and it
displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
[
19] Fret not
thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the
wicked;
[
20] For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle
of the wicked shall be put out.
[
21] My son, fear thou 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 ruin of them
both?
[
23] These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to
have respect of persons in judgment.
[
24] He that saith unto the
wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor
him:
[
25] But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good
blessing shall come upon them.
[
26] Every man shall kiss his lips that
giveth a right answer.
[
27] Prepare thy work without, and make it fit
for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
[
28] Be
not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy
lips.
[
29] Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will
render to the man according to his work.
[
30] I went by the field of
the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of
understanding;
[
31] And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and
nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken
down.
[
32] Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and
received instruction.
[
33] Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a
little folding of the hands to sleep:
[
34] So shall thy poverty come
as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Prov.25
[
1] These are also 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 honour of kings is to search out a
matter.
[
3] The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the
heart of kings is unsearchable.
[
4] Take away the dross from the
silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
[
5] Take
away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in
righteousness.
[
6] Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king,
and stand not in the place of great men:
[
7] For better it is that it
be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the
presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
[
8] Go not forth
hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy
neighbour hath put thee to shame.
[
9] Debate thy cause with thy
neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
[
10] Lest he
that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not
away.
[
11] A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of
silver.
[
12] As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so
is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
[
13] As the cold of snow in
the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he
refresheth the soul of his masters.
[
14] Whoso boasteth himself of a
false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
[
15] By long
forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the
bone.
[
16] Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for
thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
[
17] Withdraw thy
foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate
thee.
[
18] A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a
maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
[
19] Confidence in an unfaithful
man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of
joint.
[
20] As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as
vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy
heart.
[
21] If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he
be thirsty, give him water to drink:
[
22] For thou shalt heap coals of
fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
[
23] The north
wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting
tongue.
[
24] It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than
with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
[
25] As cold waters to a
thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
[
26] A righteous man
falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt
spring.
[
27] It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search
their own glory is not glory.
[
28] He that hath no rule over his own
spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Prov.26
[
1] As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour
is not seemly for a fool.
[
2] As the bird by wandering, as the swallow
by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
[
3] A whip for the
horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
[
4] Answer
not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto
him.
[
5] Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his
own conceit.
[
6] He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
[
7] The legs of the lame
are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
[
8] As he that
bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
[
9]
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of
fools.
[
10] The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the
fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
[
11] As a dog returneth to his
vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
[
12] Seest thou a man wise in
his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
[
13] The
slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the
streets.
[
14] As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the
slothful upon his bed.
[
15] The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom;
it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
[
16] The sluggard is
wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
[
17]
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one
that taketh a dog by the ears.
[
18] As a mad man who casteth
firebrands, arrows, and death,
[
19] So is the man that deceiveth his
neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
[
20] Where no wood is, there
the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife
ceaseth.
[
21] As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a
contentious man to kindle strife.
[
22] The words of a talebearer are
as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the
belly.
[
23] Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd
covered with silver dross.
[
24] He that hateth dissembleth with his
lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
[
25] When he speaketh fair,
believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
[
26]
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the
whole congregation.
[
27] Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and
he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
[
28] A lying tongue
hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Prov.27
[
1] Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not
what a day may bring forth.
[
2] Let another man praise thee, and not
thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
[
3] A stone is
heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them
both.
[
4] Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to
stand before envy?
[
5] Open rebuke is better than secret
love.
[
6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an
enemy are deceitful.
[
7] The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to
the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
[
8] As a bird that
wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his
place.
[
9] Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the
sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
[
10] Thine own friend,
and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the
day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far
off.
[
11] My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer
him that reproacheth me.
[
12] A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and
hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
[
13] Take
his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a
strange woman.
[
14] He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
[
15]
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are
alike.
[
16] Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of
his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
[
17] Iron sharpeneth iron; so
a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
[
18] Whoso keepeth the
fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be
honoured.
[
19] As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man
to man.
[
20] Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man
are never satisfied.
[
21] As the fining pot for silver, and the
furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
[
22] Though thou
shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his
foolishness depart from him.
[
23] Be thou diligent to know the state
of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
[
24] For riches are not for
ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
[
25] The hay
appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are
gathered.
[
26] The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the
price of the field.
[
27] And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for
thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy
maidens.
Prov.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 a man of understanding and knowledge the state
thereof shall be prolonged.
[
3] A poor man that oppresseth the poor is
like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
[
4] They that forsake the
law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
[
5]
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all
things.
[
6] Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than
he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
[
7] Whoso keepeth
the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his
father.
[
8] He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,
he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
[
9] He that
turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be
abomination.
[
10] Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil
way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good
things in possession.
[
11] The rich man is wise in his own conceit;
but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
[
12] When
righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man
is hidden.
[
13] He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
[
14] Happy is the man
that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into
mischief.
[
15] As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked
ruler over the poor people.
[
16] The prince that wanteth understanding
is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his
days.
[
17] A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall
flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
[
18] Whoso walketh uprightly
shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at
once.
[
19] He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he
that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
[
20] A
faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich
shall not be innocent.
[
21] To have respect of persons is not good:
for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
[
22] He that
hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come
upon him.
[
23] He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more
favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
[
24] Whoso robbeth his
father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the
companion of a destroyer.
[
25] He that is of a proud heart stirreth up
strife: but he that putteth his trust in 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.
Prov.29
[
1] He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck,
shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
[
2] When the
righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth
rule, the people mourn.
[
3] Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father:
but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
[
4]
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts
overthroweth it.
[
5] A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a
net for his feet.
[
6] In the transgression of an evil man there is a
snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
[
7] The righteous
considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know
it.
[
8] Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away
wrath.
[
9] If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he
rage or laugh, there is no rest.
[
10] The bloodthirsty hate the
upright: but the just seek his soul.
[
11] A fool uttereth all his
mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
[
12] If a ruler
hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
[
13] The poor and the
deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
[
14]
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for
ever.
[
15] The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to
himself bringeth his mother to shame.
[
16] When the wicked are
multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their
fall.
[
17] Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall
give delight unto thy soul.
[
18] Where there is no vision, the people
perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
[
19] A servant will
not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not
answer.
[
20] Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is
more hope of a fool than of him.
[
21] He that delicately bringeth up
his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the
length.
[
22] An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man
aboundeth in transgression.
[
23] A man's pride shall bring him low:
but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
[
24] Whoso is partner
with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it
not.
[
25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his
trust in the LORD shall be safe.
[
26] Many seek the ruler's favour;
but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
[
27] An unjust man is
an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to
the wicked.
Prov.30
[
1] The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the
prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
[
2]
Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a
man.
[
3] I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the
holy.
[
4] Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath
gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath
established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's
name, if thou canst tell?
[
5] Every word of God is pure: he is a
shield unto them that put their trust in him.
[
6] Add thou not unto
his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
[
7] Two
things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
[
8]
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me
with food convenient for me:
[
9] Lest I be full, and deny thee, and
say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God
in vain.
[
10] Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse
thee, and thou be found guilty.
[
11] There is a generation that
curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
[
12] There is a
generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their
filthiness.
[
13] There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes!
and their eyelids are lifted up.
[
14] There is a generation, whose
teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off
the earth, and the needy from among men.
[
15] The horseleach hath two
daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied,
yea, four things say not, It is enough:
[
16] The grave; and the barren
womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It
is enough.
[
17] The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to
obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young
eagles shall eat it.
[
18] There be three things which are too
wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
[
19] The way of an eagle
in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of
the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
[
20] Such is the way of an
adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no
wickedness.
[
21] For three things the earth is disquieted, and for
four which it cannot bear:
[
22] For a servant when he reigneth; and a
fool when he is filled with meat;
[
23] For an odious woman when she is
married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
[
24] There be
four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding
wise:
[
25] The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their
meat in the summer;
[
26] The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make
they their houses in the rocks;
[
27] The locusts have no king, yet go
they forth all of them by bands;
[
28] The spider taketh hold with her
hands, and is in kings' palaces.
[
29] There be three things which go
well, yea, four are comely in going:
[
30] A lion which is strongest
among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
[
31] A greyhound; an he
goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
[
32] If
thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil,
lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
[
33] Surely the churning of milk
bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the
forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Prov.31
[
1] The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his
mother taught him.
[
2] What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and
what, the son of my vows?
[
3] Give not thy strength unto women, nor
thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
[
4] It is not for kings, O
Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong
drink:
[
5] Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the
judgment of any of the afflicted.
[
6] Give strong drink unto him that
is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
[
7]
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no
more.
[
8] Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are
appointed to destruction.
[
9] Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and
plead the cause of the poor and needy.
[
10] Who can find a virtuous
woman? for her price is far above rubies.
[
11] The heart of her
husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of
spoil.
[
12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her
life.
[
13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her
hands.
[
14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food
from afar.
[
15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat
to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
[
16] She considereth a
field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a
vineyard.
[
17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth
her arms.
[
18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle
goeth not out by night.
[
19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and
her hands hold the distaff.
[
20] She stretcheth out her hand to the
poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
[
21] She is not
afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with
scarlet.
[
22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing
is silk and purple.
[
23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he
sitteth among the elders of the land.
[
24] She maketh fine linen, and
selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
[
25] Strength
and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to
come.
[
26] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the
law of kindness.
[
27] She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
[
28] Her children arise up, and
call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
[
29] Many
daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
[
30]
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she
shall be praised.
[
31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her
own works praise her in the gates.
