1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of

understanding;

1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment,

and equity;

1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge

and discretion.

1:5 A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a

man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words

of the wise, and their dark sayings.

1:7 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but]

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not

the law of thy mother:

1:9 For they [shall be] an ornament of grace unto thy head, and

chains about thy neck.

1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

1:11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let

us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

1:12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as

those that go down into the pit:

1:13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our

houses with spoil:

1:14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

1:15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy

foot from their path:

1:16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

1:17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

1:18 And they lay wait for their [own] blood; they lurk privily

for their [own] lives.

1:19 So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;

[which] taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the

streets:

1:21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings

of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, [saying],

1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the

scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit

unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out

my hand, and no man regarded;

1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of

my reproof:

1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your

fear cometh;

1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction

cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon

you.

1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they

shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear

of the LORD:

1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my

reproof.

1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and

be filled with their own devices.

1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the

prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall

be quiet from fear of evil.

2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my

commandments with thee;

2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply

thine heart to understanding;

2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy

voice for understanding;

2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as

[for] hid treasures;

2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find

the knowledge of God.

2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh]

knowledge and understanding.

2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: [he is] a

buckler to them that walk uprightly.

2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of

his saints.

2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and

equity; [yea], every good path.

2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is

pleasant unto thy soul;

2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep

thee:

2:12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil [man], from the

man that speaketh froward things;

2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of

darkness;

2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in the frowardness of

the wicked;

2:15 Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they] froward in their

paths:

2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the

stranger [which] flattereth with her words;

2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the

covenant of her God.

2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the

dead.

2:19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold

of the paths of life.

2:20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good [men], and keep

the paths of the righteous.

2:21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect

shall remain in it.

2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the

transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my

commandments:

3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add

to thee.

3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy

neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the

sight of God and man.

3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto

thine own understanding.

3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy

paths.

3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart

from evil.

3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits

of all thine increase:

3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses

shall burst out with new wine.

3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be

weary of his correction:

3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father

the son [in whom] he delighteth.

3:13 Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man

[that] getteth understanding.

3:14 For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise

of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

3:15 She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou

canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

3:16 Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left

hand riches and honour.

3:17 Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her paths

[are] peace.

3:18 She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and

happy [is every one] that retaineth her.

3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding

hath he established the heavens.

3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds

drop down the dew.

3:21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound

wisdom and discretion:

3:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

3:23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall

not stumble.

3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou

shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of

the wicked, when it cometh.

3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy

foot from being taken.

3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is

in the power of thine hand to do [it].

3:28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to

morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

3:29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth

securely by thee.

3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee

no harm.

3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

3:32 For the froward [is] abomination to the LORD: but his

secret [is] with the righteous.

3:33 The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked: but

he blesseth the habitation of the just.

3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto

the lowly.

3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the

promotion of fools.

4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend

to know understanding.

4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only [beloved] in the

sight of my mother.

4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain

my words: keep my commandments, and live.

4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither

decline from the words of my mouth.

4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and

she shall keep thee.

4:7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and

with all thy getting get understanding.

4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee

to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown

of glory shall she deliver to thee.

4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of

thy life shall be many.

4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in

right paths.

4:12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and

when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her;

for she [is] thy life.

4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the

way of evil [men].

4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and

their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.

4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of

violence.

4:18 But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that

shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

4:19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at

what they stumble.

4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my

sayings.

4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst

of thine heart.

4:22 For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health

to all their flesh.

4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the

issues of life.

4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put

far from thee.

4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look

straight before thee.

4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be

established.

4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot

from evil.

5:1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, [and] bow thine ear to my

understanding:

5:2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and [that] thy lips may

keep knowledge.

5:3 For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb, and

her mouth [is] smoother than oil:

5:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged

sword.

5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are

moveable, [that] thou canst not know [them].

5:7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from

the words of my mouth.

5:8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of

her house:

5:9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto

the cruel:

5:10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours

[be] in the house of a stranger;

5:11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are

consumed,

5:12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart

despised reproof;

5:13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined

mine ear to them that instructed me!

5:14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation

and assembly.

5:15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters

out of thine own well.

5:16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, [and] rivers of

waters in the streets.

5:17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of

thy youth.

5:19 [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.

5:20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange

woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

5:21 For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and

he pondereth all his goings.

5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he

shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

5:23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of

his folly he shall go astray.

6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, [if] thou hast

stricken thy hand with a stranger,

6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken

with the words of thy mouth.

6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come

into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure

thy friend.

6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

6:5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand [of the hunter], and

as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be

wise:

6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food

in the harvest.

6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise

out of thy sleep?

6:10 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of

the hands to sleep:

6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy

want as an armed man.

6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward

mouth.

6:13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he

teacheth with his fingers;

6:14 Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth mischief

continually; he soweth discord.

6:15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall

he be broken without remedy.

6:16 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an

abomination unto him:

6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent

blood,

6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be

swift in running to mischief,

6:19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth

discord among brethren.

6:20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the

law of thy mother:

6:21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, [and] tie them

about thy neck.

6:22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it

shall keep thee; and [when] thou awakest, it shall talk with

thee.

6:23 For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light;

and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:

6:24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the

tongue of a strange woman.

6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her

take thee with her eyelids.

6:26 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.

6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be

burned?

6:28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

6:29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever

toucheth her shall not be innocent.

6:30 [Men] do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his

soul when he is hungry;

6:31 But [if] he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall

give all the substance of his house.

6:32 [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh

understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

6:33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall

not be wiped away.

6:34 For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: therefore he will not

spare in the day of vengeance.

6:35 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.

7:2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of

thine eye.

7:3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of

thine heart.

7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and call

understanding [thy] kinswoman:

7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the

stranger [which] flattereth with her words.

7:6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

7:7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the

youths, a young man void of understanding,

7:8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the

way to her house,

7:9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark

night:

7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman [with] the attire of an

harlot, and subtil of heart.

7:11 (She [is] loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her

house:

7:12 Now [is she] without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait

at every corner.)

7:13 So she caught him, and kissed him, [and] with an impudent

face said unto him,

7:14 [I have] peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my

vows.

7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy

face, and I have found thee.

7:16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with

carved [works], with fine linen of Egypt.

7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

7:18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let

us solace ourselves with loves.

7:19 For the goodman [is] not at home, he is gone a long

journey:

7:20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, [and] will come home

at the day appointed.

7:21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the

flattering of her lips she forced him.

7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the

slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

7:23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to

the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life.

7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to

the words of my mouth.

7:25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in

her paths.

7:26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong [men]

have been slain by her.

7:27 Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to the chambers

of death.

8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the

places of the paths.

8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the

coming in at the doors.

8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of

man.

8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an

understanding heart.

8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening

of my lips [shall be] right things.

8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an

abomination to my lips.

8:8 All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is]

nothing froward or perverse in them.

8:9 They [are] all plain to him that understandeth, and right to

them that find knowledge.

8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge

rather than choice gold.

8:11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that

may be desired are not to be compared to it.

8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of

witty inventions.

8:13 The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and

arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

8:14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding;

I have strength.

8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of

the earth.

8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early

shall find me.

8:18 Riches and honour [are] with me; [yea], durable riches and

righteousness.

8:19 My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my

revenue than choice silver.

8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the

paths of judgment:

8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;

and I will fill their treasures.

8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before

his works of old.

8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever

the earth was.

8:24 When [there were] no depths, I was brought forth; when

[there were] no fountains abounding with water.

8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I

brought forth:

8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor

the highest part of the dust of the world.

8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a

compass upon the face of the depth:

8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened

the fountains of the deep:

8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should

not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of

the earth:

8:30 Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I

was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him;

8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my

delights [were] with the sons of men.

8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed

[are they that] keep my ways.

8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

8:34 Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my

gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour

of the LORD.

8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all

they that hate me love death.

9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven

pillars:

9:2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she

hath also furnished her table.

9:3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest

places of the city,

9:4 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that

wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

9:5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have

mingled.

9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of

understanding.

9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he

that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.

9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man,

and he will love thee.

9:9 Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet

wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.

9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the

knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.

9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of

thy life shall be increased.

9:12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if]

thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].

9:13 A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and

knoweth nothing.

9:14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the

high places of the city,

9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

9:16 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him

that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

9:17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is

pleasant.

9:18 But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that]

her guests [are] in the depths of hell.

10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father:

but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.

10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness

delivereth from death.

10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to

famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the

hand of the diligent maketh rich.

10:5 He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise son: [but] he that

sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that causeth shame.

10:6 Blessings [are] upon the head of the just: but violence

covereth the mouth of the wicked.

10:7 The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the

wicked shall rot.

10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating

fool shall fall.

10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that

perverteth his ways shall be known.

10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating

fool shall fall.

10:11 The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life: but

violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

10:13 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.

10:14 Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish

[is] near destruction.

10:15 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city: the

destruction of the poor [is] their poverty.

10:16 The labour of the righteous [tendeth] to life: the fruit

of the wicked to sin.

10:17 He [is in] the way of life that keepeth instruction: but

he that refuseth reproof erreth.

10:18 He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that

uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.

10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he

that refraineth his lips [is] wise.

10:20 The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver: the heart of

the wicked [is] little worth.

10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for

want of wisdom.

10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no

sorrow with it.

10:23 [It is] as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of

understanding hath wisdom.

10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the

desire of the righteous shall be granted.

10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so [is] the wicked no [more]:

but the righteous [is] an everlasting foundation.

10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so [is]

the sluggard to them that send him.

10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the

wicked shall be shortened.

10:28 The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the

expectation of the wicked shall perish.

10:29 The way of the LORD [is] strength to the upright: but

destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.

10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall

not inhabit the earth.

10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the

froward tongue shall be cut out.

10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the

mouth of the wicked [speaketh] frowardness.

11:1 A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just

weight [is] his delight.

11:2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly

[is] wisdom.

11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the

perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness

delivereth from death.

11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but

the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but

transgressors shall be taken in [their own] naughtiness.

11:7 When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish:

and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.

11:8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked

cometh in his stead.

11:9 An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but

through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:

and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.

11:11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it

is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a

man of understanding holdeth his peace.

11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a

faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

11:14 Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the

multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and

he that hateth suretiship is sure.

11:16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong [men] retain

riches.

11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but [he that

is] cruel troubleth his own flesh.

11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that

soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.

11:19 As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he that pursueth

evil [pursueth it] to his own death.

11:20 They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the

LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his

delight.

11:21 [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked shall not be

unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

11:22 [As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, [so is] a fair

woman which is without discretion.

11:23 The desire of the righteous [is] only good: [but] the

expectation of the wicked [is] wrath.

11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there

is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to

poverty.

11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth

shall be watered also himself.

11:26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but

blessing [shall be] upon the head of him that selleth [it].

11:27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he

that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

11:28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the

righteous shall flourish as a branch.

11:29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:

and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart.

11:30 The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he

that winneth souls [is] wise.

11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:

much more the wicked and the sinner.

12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that

hateth reproof [is] brutish.

12:2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of

wicked devices will he condemn.

12:3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root

of the righteous shall not be moved.

12:4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that

maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

12:5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the

counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.

12:6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but

the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

12:7 The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of

the righteous shall stand.

12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he

that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

12:9 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than

he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

12:10 A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the

tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread:

but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.

12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]: but the root of

the righteous yieldeth [fruit].

12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips:

but the just shall come out of trouble.

12:14 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.

12:15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that

hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.

12:16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man]

covereth shame.

12:17 [He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but

a false witness deceit.

12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but

the tongue of the wise [is] health.

12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a

lying tongue [is] but for a moment.

12:20 Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to

the counsellors of peace [is] joy.

12:21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked

shall be filled with mischief.

12:22 Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that

deal truly [are] his delight.

12:23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools

proclaimeth foolishness.

12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful

shall be under tribute.

12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good

word maketh it glad.

12:26 The righteous [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but

the way of the wicked seduceth them.

12:27 The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in

hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.

12:28 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 instruction: but a

scorner heareth not rebuke.

13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of [his] mouth: but the

soul of the transgressors [shall eat] violence.

13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that

openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but

the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

13:5 A righteous [man] hateth lying: but a wicked [man] is

loathsome, and cometh to shame.

13:6 Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright in the way: but

wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet [hath] nothing:

[there is] that maketh himself poor, yet [hath] great riches.

13:8 The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches: but the poor

heareth not rebuke.

13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the

wicked shall be put out.

13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised

[is] wisdom.

13:11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that

gathereth by labour shall increase.

13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire

cometh, [it is] a tree of life.

13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that

feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

13:14 The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to depart

from the snares of death.

13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of

transgressors [is] hard.

13:16 Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool

layeth open [his] folly.

13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful

ambassador [is] health.

13:18 Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth

instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but [it is]

abomination to fools to depart from evil.

13:20 He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a

companion of fools shall be destroyed.

13:21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be

repayed.

13:22 A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's

children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the

just.

13:23 Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor: but there is

[that is] destroyed for want of judgment.

13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth

him chasteneth him betimes.

13:25 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 the foolish

plucketh it down with her hands.

14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but

[he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.

14:3 In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the

lips of the wise shall preserve them.

14:4 Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase

[is] by the strength of the ox.

14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will

utter lies.

14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but

knowledge [is] easy unto him that understandeth.

14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest

not [in him] the lips of knowledge.

14:8 The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way: but

the folly of fools [is] deceit.

14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there

is] favour.

14:10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth

not intermeddle with his joy.

14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the

tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end

thereof [are] the ways of death.

14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of

that mirth [is] heaviness.

14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:

and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.

14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man]

looketh well to his going.

14:16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the

fool rageth, and is confident.

14:17 [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of

wicked devices is hated.

14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with

knowledge.

14:19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates

of the righteous.

14:20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich

[hath] many friends.

14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath

mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.

14:22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth

[shall be] to them that devise good.

14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips

[tendeth] only to penury.

14:24 The crown of the wise [is] their riches: [but] the

foolishness of fools [is] folly.

14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful [witness]

speaketh lies.

14:26 In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his

children shall have a place of refuge.

14:27 The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart

from the snares of death.

14:28 In the multitude of people [is] the king's honour: but in

the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince.

14:29 [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding:

but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

14:30 A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the

rottenness of the bones.

14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he

that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the

righteous hath hope in his death.

14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath

understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is

made known.

14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach

to any people.

14:35 The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his

wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.

15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir

up anger.

15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the

mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

15:3 The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the

evil and the good.

15:4 A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness

therein [is] a breach in the spirit.

15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that

regardeth reproof is prudent.

15:6 In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in

the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of

the foolish [doeth] not so.

15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the

LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

15:9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD:

but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

15:10 Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh the way:

[and] he that hateth reproof shall die.

15:11 Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more

then the hearts of the children of men?

15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will

he go unto the wise.

15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow

of the heart the spirit is broken.

15:14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh

knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15:15 All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is

of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.

15:16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great

treasure and trouble therewith.

15:17 Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a

stalled ox and hatred therewith.

15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow

to anger appeaseth strife.

15:19 The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns:

but the way of the righteous [is] made plain.

15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man

despiseth his mother.

15:21 Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a

man of understanding walketh uprightly.

15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the

multitude of counsellors they are established.

15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word

[spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!

15:24 The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he may depart

from hell beneath.

15:25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will

establish the border of the widow.

15:26 The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the

LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words.

15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he

that hateth gifts shall live.

15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the

mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

15:29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the

prayer of the righteous.

15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good

report maketh the bones fat.

15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the

wise.

15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but

he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

15:33 The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and

before honour [is] humility.

16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the

tongue, [is] from the LORD.

16:2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the

LORD weigheth the spirits.

16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be

established.

16:4 The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the

wicked for the day of evil.

16:5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to

the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be

unpunished.

16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of

the LORD [men] depart from evil.

16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his

enemies to be at peace with him.

16:8 Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues

without right.

16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his

steps.

16:10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth

transgresseth not in judgment.

16:11 A just weight and balance [are] the LORD'S: all the

weights of the bag [are] his work.

16:12 [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for

the throne is established by righteousness.

16:13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love

him that speaketh right.

16:14 The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a

wise man will pacify it.

16:15 In the light of the king's countenance [is] life; and his

favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.

16:16 How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to

get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

16:17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he

that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit

before a fall.

16:19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly,

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and

whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he.

16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the

sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

16:22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath

it: but the instruction of fools [is] folly.

16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth

learning to his lips.

16:24 Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul,

and health to the bones.

16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end

thereof [are] the ways of death.

16:26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth

craveth it of him.

16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is]

as a burning fire.

16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth

chief friends.

16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into

the way [that is] not good.

16:30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his

lips he bringeth evil to pass.

16:31 The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in

the way of righteousness.

16:32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty;

and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

16:33 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 sacrifices [with] strife.

17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth

shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the

brethren.

17:3 The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold:

but the LORD trieth the hearts.

17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar

giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that

is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

17:6 Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the

glory of children [are] their fathers.

17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying

lips a prince.

17:8 A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that

hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that

repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.

17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred

stripes into a fool.

17:11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel

messenger shall be sent against him.

17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a

fool in his folly.

17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from

his house.

17:14 The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out

water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled

with.

17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the

just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

17:16 Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get

wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for

adversity.

17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh

surety in the presence of his friend.

17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that

exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

17:20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that

hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

17:21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the

father of a fool hath no joy.

17:22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken

spirit drieth the bones.

17:23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert

the ways of judgment.

17:24 Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding; but the

eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth.

17:25 A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness

to her that bare him.

17:26 Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike

princes for equity.

17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of

understanding is of an excellent spirit.

17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise:

[and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of

understanding.

18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh

[and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.

18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart

may discover itself.

18:3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and

with ignominy reproach.

18:4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the

wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.

18:5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to

overthrow the righteous in judgment.

18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth

for strokes.

18:7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the

snare of his soul.

18:8 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down

into the innermost parts of the belly.

18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that

is a great waster.

18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous

runneth into it, and is safe.

18:11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high

wall in his own conceit.

18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before

honour [is] humility.

18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is]

folly and shame unto him.

18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a

wounded spirit who can bear?

18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of

the wise seeketh knowledge.

18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before

great men.

18:17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but

his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18:18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between

the mighty.

18:19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong

city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.

18:20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his

mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they

that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

18:22 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and

obtaineth favour of the LORD.

18:23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

18:24 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and

there is a 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.

19:2 Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not

good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.

19:3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart

fretteth against the LORD.

19:4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from

his neighbour.

19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that]

speaketh lies shall not escape.

19:6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man

[is] a friend to him that giveth gifts.

19:7 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].

19:8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth

understanding shall find good.

19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that]

speaketh lies shall perish.

19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant

to have rule over princes.

19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is]

his glory to pass over a transgression.

19:12 The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his

favour [is] as dew upon the grass.

19:13 A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the

contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.

19:14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a

prudent wife [is] from the LORD.

19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul

shall suffer hunger.

19:16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul;

[but] he that despiseth his ways shall die.

19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and

that which he hath given will he pay him again.

19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul

spare for his crying.

19:19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou

deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.

19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be

wise in thy latter end.

19:21 [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless

the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

19:22 The desire of a man [is] his kindness: and a poor man [is]

better than a liar.

19:23 The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath

it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

19:24 A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his] bosom, and will

not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove

one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand

knowledge.

19:26 He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his]

mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to

err from the words of knowledge.

19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the

wicked devoureth iniquity.

19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the

back of fools.

20:1 Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever

is deceived thereby is not wise.

20:2 The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso]

provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul.

20:3 [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every

fool will be meddling.

20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold;

[therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.

20:5 Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water; but a man

of understanding will draw it out.

20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a

faithful man who can find?

20:7 The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are]

blessed after him.

20:8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth

away all evil with his eyes.

20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my

sin?

20:10 Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both of them [are]

alike abomination to the LORD.

20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be]

pure, and whether [it be] right.

20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made

even both of them.

20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine

eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

20:14 [It is] naught, [it is] naught, saith the buyer: but when

he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

20:15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of

knowledge [are] a precious jewel.

20:16 Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take

a pledge of him for a strange woman.

20:17 Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man; but afterwards his

mouth shall be filled with gravel.

20:18 [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good

advice make war.

20:19 He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth secrets:

therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be

put out in obscure darkness.

20:21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning;

but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the

LORD, and he shall save thee.

20:23 Divers weights [are] an abomination unto the LORD; and a

false balance [is] not good.

20:24 Man's goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then

understand his own way?

20:25 [It is] a snare to the man [who] devoureth [that which is]

holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel

over them.

20:27 The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching

all the inward parts of the belly.

20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is

upholden by mercy.

20:29 The glory of young men [is] their strength: and the beauty

of old men [is] the gray head.

20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so [do]

stripes the inward parts of the belly.

21:1 The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the

rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

21:2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD

pondereth the hearts.

21:3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD

than sacrifice.

21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the

wicked, [is] sin.

21:5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness;

but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.

21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity

tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

21:7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they

refuse to do judgment.

21:8 The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the

pure, his work [is] right.

21:9 [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than

with a brawling woman in a wide house.

21:10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour

findeth no favour in his eyes.

21:11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and

when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

21:12 The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the

wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their]

wickedness.

21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also

shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

21:14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the

bosom strong wrath.

21:15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction

[shall be] to the workers of iniquity.

21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding

shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

21:17 He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that

loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

21:18 The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the

transgressor for the upright.

21:19 [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a

contentious and an angry woman.

21:20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling

of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth

life, righteousness, and honour.

21:22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth

down the strength of the confidence thereof.

21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul

from troubles.

21:24 Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in

proud wrath.

21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands

refuse to labour.

21:26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous

giveth and spareth not.

21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much

more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

21:28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth

speaketh constantly.

21:29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright,

he directeth his way.

21:30 [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against

the LORD.

21:31 The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but

safety [is] of the LORD.

22:1 A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches,

[and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.

22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of

them all.

22:3 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but

the simple pass on, and are punished.

22:4 By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and

honour, and life.

22:5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he

that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is

old, he will not depart from it.

22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is]

servant to the lender.

22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of

his anger shall fail.

22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he

giveth of his bread to the poor.

22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea,

strife and reproach shall cease.

22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his

lips the king [shall be] his friend.

22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he

overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

22:13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I

shall be slain in the streets.

22:14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is

abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

22:15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the

rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and]

he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and

apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

22:18 For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within

thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to

thee this day, even to thee.

22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels

and knowledge,

22:21 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?

22:22 Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress

the afflicted in the gate:

22:23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of

those that spoiled them.

22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious

man thou shalt not go:

22:25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

22:26 Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them

that are sureties for debts.

22:27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy

bed from under thee?

22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have

set.

22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand

before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

23:1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently

what [is] before thee:

23:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to

appetite.

23:3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] deceitful

meat.

23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for

[riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an

eagle toward heaven.

23:6 Eat thou not the bread of [him that hath] an evil eye,

neither desire thou his dainty meats:

23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink,

saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.

23:8 The morsel [which] thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and

lose thy sweet words.

23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the

wisdom of thy words.

23:10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields

of the fatherless:

23:11 For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall plead their cause

with thee.

23:12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the

words of knowledge.

23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou

beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

23:14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his

soul from hell.

23:15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice,

even mine.

23:16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right

things.

23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the

fear of the LORD all the day long.

23:18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall

not be cut off.

23:19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in

the way.

23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty:

and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.

23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not

thy mother when she is old.

23:23 Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also] wisdom, and

instruction, and understanding.

23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he

that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.

23:25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare

thee shall rejoice.

23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my

ways.

23:27 For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a strange woman [is] a

narrow pit.

23:28 She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey, and increaseth the

transgressors among men.

23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who

hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness

of eyes?

23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek

mixed wine.

23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth

his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright.

23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an

adder.

23:33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart

shall utter perverse things.

23:34 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.

23:35 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.

24:1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be

with them.

24:2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk

of mischief.

24:3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it

is established:

24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all

precious and pleasant riches.

24:5 A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth

strength.

24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in

multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

24:7 Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth

in the gate.

24:8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous

person.

24:9 The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the scorner [is]

an abomination to men.

24:10 [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is]

small.

24:11 If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto

death, and [those that are] ready to be slain;

24:12 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?

24:13 My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the

honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste:

24:14 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.

24:15 Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the

righteous; spoil not his resting place:

24:16 For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again:

but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine

heart be glad when he stumbleth:

24:18 Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him, and he turn

away his wrath from him.

24:19 Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou

envious at the wicked;

24:20 For there shall be no reward to the evil [man]; the candle

of the wicked shall be put out.

24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not

with them that are given to change:

24:22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth

the ruin of them both?

24:23 These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good

to have respect of persons in judgment.

24:24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him

shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

24:25 But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good

blessing shall come upon them.

24:26 [Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right

answer.

24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in

the field; and afterwards build thine house.

24:28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and

deceive [not] with thy lips.

24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will

render to the man according to his work.

24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard

of the man void of understanding;

24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles

had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was

broken down.

24:32 Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it,

and] received instruction.

24:33 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding

of the hands to sleep:

24:34 So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and

thy want as an armed man.

25:1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of

Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

25:2 [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour

of kings [is] to search out a matter.

25:3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the

heart of kings [is] unsearchable.

25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come

forth a vessel for the finer.

25:5 Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne

shall be established in righteousness.

25:6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and

stand not in the place of great [men]:

25:7 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.

25:8 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.

25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover

not a secret to another:

25:10 Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine

infamy turn not away.

25:11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures

of silver.

25:12 [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so

is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

25:13 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.

25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds

and wind without rain.

25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft

tongue breaketh the bone.

25:16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for

thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

25:17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be

weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.

25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour

[is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is

like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

25:20 [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.

25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he

be thirsty, give him water to drink:

25:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the

LORD shall reward thee.

25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry

countenance a backbiting tongue.

25:24 [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,

than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25:25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from

a far country.

25:26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a

troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

25:27 [It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search

their own glory [is not] glory.

25:28 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a

city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not

seemly for a fool.

26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the

curse causeless shall not come.

26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for

the fool's back.

26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be

like unto him.

26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in

his own conceit.

26:6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off

the feet, [and] drinketh damage.

26:7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in

the mouth of fools.

26:8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that

giveth honour to a fool.

26:9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is]

a parable in the mouth of fools.

26:10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth

the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to

his folly.

26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more

hope of a fool than of him.

26:13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a

lion [is] in the streets.

26:14 [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the

slothful upon his bed.

26:15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth

him to bring it again to his mouth.

26:16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men

that can render a reason.

26:17 He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging]

not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

26:18 As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

26:19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith,

Am not I in sport?

26:20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where

[there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

26:21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so

[is] a contentious man to kindle strife.

26:22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go

down into the innermost parts of the belly.

26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd

covered with silver dross.

26:24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up

deceit within him;

26:25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are]

seven abominations in his heart.

26:26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall

be shewed before the [whole] congregation.

26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that

rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

26:28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it;

and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a

day may bring forth.

27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a

stranger, and not thine own lips.

27:3 A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's

wrath [is] heavier than them both.

27:4 Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is]

able to stand before envy?

27:5 Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.

27:6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an

enemy [are] deceitful.

27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul

every bitter thing is sweet.

27:8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that

wandereth from his place.

27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the

sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

27:10 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.

27:11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer

him that reproacheth me.

27:12 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and] hideth himself;

[but] the simple pass on, [and] are punished.

27:13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a

pledge of him for a strange woman.

27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising

early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious

woman are alike.

27:16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of

his right hand, [which] bewrayeth [itself].

27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance

of his friend.

27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so

he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

27:19 As in water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man

to man.

27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man

are never satisfied.

27:21 [As] the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold;

so [is] a man to his praise.

27:22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat

with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him.

27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and]

look well to thy herds.

27:24 For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure]

to every generation?

27:25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself,

and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

27:26 The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and the goats [are] the

price of the field.

27:27 And [thou shalt have] goats' milk enough for thy food, for

the food of thy household, and [for] the maintenance for thy

maidens.

28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are

bold as a lion.

28:2 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.

28:3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping

rain which leaveth no food.

28:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as

keep the law contend with them.

28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the

LORD understand all [things].

28:6 Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than

[he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich.

28:7 Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a

companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.

28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,

he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his

prayer [shall be] abomination.

28:10 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.

28:11 The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor

that hath understanding searcheth him out.

28:12 When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory:

but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso

confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

28:14 Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that

hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

28:15 [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked

ruler over the poor people.

28:16 The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great

oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong

[his] days.

28:17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person

shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

28:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is]

perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once.

28:19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but

he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty

enough.

28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that

maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

28:21 To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece

of bread [that] man will transgress.

28:22 He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and

considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour

than he that flattereth with the tongue.

28:24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is]

no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.

28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he

that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso

walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that

hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28:28 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 destroyed, and that without remedy.

29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice:

but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that

keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.

29:4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that

receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his

feet.

29:6 In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but

the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

29:7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the

wicked regardeth not to know [it].

29:8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn

away wrath.

29:9 [If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he

rage or laugh, [there is] no rest.

29:10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his

soul.

29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it

in till afterwards.

29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.

29:13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD

lighteneth both their eyes.

29:14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne

shall be established for ever.

29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to

himself] bringeth his mother to shame.

29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth:

but the righteous shall see their fall.

29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he

shall give delight unto thy soul.

29:18 Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that

keepeth the law, happy [is] he.

29:19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he

understand he will not answer.

29:20 Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is]

more hope of a fool than of him.

29:21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child

shall have him become [his] son at the length.

29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man

aboundeth in transgression.

29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold

the humble in spirit.

29:24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he

heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.

29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his

trust in the LORD shall be safe.

29:26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but [every] man's judgment

[cometh] from the LORD.

29:27 An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he

that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.

30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy:

the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

30:2 Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the

understanding of a man.

30:3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the

holy.

30:4 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?

30:5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them

that put their trust in him.

30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou

be found a liar.

30:7 Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me [them] not

before I die:

30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty

nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

30:9 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].

30:10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee,

and thou be found guilty.

30:11 [There is] a generation [that] curseth their father, and

doth not bless their mother.

30:12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes,

and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.

30:13 [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and

their eyelids are lifted up.

30:14 [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.

30:15 The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying], Give, give.

There are three [things that] are never satisfied, [yea], four

[things] say not, [It is] enough:

30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth [that] is not

filled with water; and the fire [that] saith not, [It is]

enough.

30:17 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.

30:18 There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me,

yea, four which I know not:

30:19 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.

30:20 Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and

wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

30:21 For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four

[which] it cannot bear:

30:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is

filled with meat;

30:23 For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid

that is heir to her mistress.

30:24 There be four [things which are] little upon the earth,

but they [are] exceeding wise:

30:25 The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their

meat in the summer;

30:26 The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet make they their

houses in the rocks;

30:27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by

bands;

30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings'

palaces.

30:29 There be three [things] which go well, yea, four are

comely in going:

30:30 A lion [which is] strongest among beasts, and turneth not

away for any;

30:31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom

[there is] no rising up.

30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if

thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine hand upon thy mouth.

30:33 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.

31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother

taught him.

31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the

son of my vows?

31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that

which destroyeth kings.

31:4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to

drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the

judgment of any of the afflicted.

31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and

wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his

misery no more.

31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are

appointed to destruction.

31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of

the poor and needy.

31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far

above rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that

he shall have no need of spoil.

31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her

life.

31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her

hands.

31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food

from afar.

31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to

her household, and a portion to her maidens.

31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of

her hands she planteth a vineyard.

31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her

arms.

31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle

goeth not out by night.

31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold

the distaff.

31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth

forth her hands to the needy.

31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all

her household [are] clothed with scarlet.

31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing

[is] silk and purple.

31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among

the elders of the land.

31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth

girdles unto the merchant.

31:25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall

rejoice in time to come.

31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is]

the law of kindness.

31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth

not the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband

[also], and he praiseth her.

31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest

them all.

31:30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman

[that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works

praise her in the gates.