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Proverbs 1
1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of
understanding; 3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice
and judgment and equity; 4To give subtlety to the simple, to the
young man knowledge and discretion. 5A wise man will
hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain
to wise counsels: 6To understand a proverb and the interpretation;
the words of the wise and their dark sayings.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8My son, hear
the instruction of your father and forsake not the law of your mother:
9For they shall be an ornament of grace to your head
and chains about your neck.
10My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 11If
they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for
the innocent without cause: 12Let us swallow them up alive as
the grave; and whole as those who go down into the pit: 13We shall
find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14Cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15My son, do not walk in the way with them; refrain your foot
from their path: 16For their feet run to evil, and hurry to shed
blood. 17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any
bird. 18And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk
secretly for their own lives. 19So are the ways
of every one who is greedy of gain; who takes away the life of its
owners.
20Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets:
21She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of
the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying,
22How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the
scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge?
23Turn at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit to you,
I will make known my words to you. 24Because I have called and
you refused; I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded;
25But you have set at nought all my counsel and would have none
of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock
when your fear comes; 27When your fear comes as desolation and
your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes on
you. 28Then they shall call on me, but I will not answer; they
shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29Because they
hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They
would have none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be
filled with their own devices. 32For the turning away of the simple
shall slay them and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33But who ever listens to me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet
from fear of evil.
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Chapter 2
1My son, if you will receive my words and hide my commandments
with you; 2So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and
apply your heart to understanding; 3Yes, if you cry after knowledge,
and lift up your voice for understanding; 4If you seek
her as silver and search for her as for hid treasures;
5Then you shall understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge
of God. 6For the LORD gives wisdom and out of his mouth
comes knowledge and understanding. 7He lays up sound
wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to those who walk uprightly.
8He keeps the paths of judgment and preserves the way of his saints.
9Then you shall understand righteousness and judgment and equity;
yes, every good path.
10When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge is pleasant
to your soul; 11Discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall
keep you: 12To deliver you from the way of the evil man,
from the man who speaks perverse things; 13Who leaves the paths
of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14Who rejoices
to do evil, and delights in the perverseness of the wicked;
15Whose ways are crooked and they are perverse
in their paths: 16To deliver you from the strange woman,
even from the stranger who flatters with her words;
17Who forsakes the guide of her youth and forgets the covenant
of her God. 18For her house inclines to death and her paths to
the dead. 19No one who goes to her returns again, neither do they
take hold of the paths of life. 20That you may walk in the way
of good men and keep the paths of the righteous. 21For
the upright shall dwell in the land and the perfect shall remain in it.
22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth and the transgressors
shall be rooted out of it.
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Chapter 3
1My son, do not forget my law; but let your heart keep my
commandments: 2For they shall add to you length of days and long
life and peace. 3Do not let mercy and truth forsake you: bind
them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart: 4So
you shall find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own
understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall
direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD and depart from
evil. 8It shall be health to your navel and marrow to your bones.
9Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits
of all your increase: 10So shall your barns be filled with plenty
and your presses shall burst out with new wine. 11My son, do not
despise the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son
in whom he delights.
13Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the
man who gets understanding. 14For the merchandise of
it is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain of it than
fine gold. 15She is more precious than rubies: and all
the things you can desire are not to be compared to her. 16Length
of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches
and honor. 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all
her paths are peace. 18She is a tree of life
to those who lay hold on her: and happy is every one who retains
her. 19The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding
he has established the heavens. 20By his knowledge the depths
are broken up and the skies drop down the dew.
21My son, do not let them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom
and discretion: 22So they shall be life to your soul and grace
to your neck. 23Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your
foot shall not stumble. 24When you lie down, you shall not be
afraid: yes, you shall lie down and your sleep shall be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
the wicked, when it comes. 26For the LORD shall be your confidence
and shall keep your foot from being taken.
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is
in the power of your hand to do it. 28Do not say to your
neighbor, Go and come again and to morrow I will give; when you have it by
you. 29Do plan not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells
securely by you. 30Do not strive with a man without cause if he
has done you no harm. 3 Do not envy the oppressor and choose none
of his ways. 32For the perverse is an abomination to
the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. 33The
curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses
the habitation of the just. 34Surely he scorns the scorners: but
he gives grace to the lowly. 35The wise shall inherit glory: but
shame shall be the promotion of fools.
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Chapter 4
1Children, hear the instruction of a father and attend to know
understanding. 2For I give you good doctrine, do not forsake my
law. 3For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved
in the sight of my mother. 4He taught me also and said to me,
Let your heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live.
5Get wisdom, get understanding: do not forget it; neither
decline from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her and she
shall preserve you: love her and she shall keep you. 7Wisdom
is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with
all your getting get understanding. 8Exalt her and she shall promote
you: she shall bring you to honor, when you embrace her. 9She
shall give an ornament of grace to your head: she shall deliver to you a
crown of glory. 10Hear, O my son and receive my sayings; and the
years of your life shall be many. 11I have taught you in the way
of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. 12When you go, your
steps shall not be straitened; and when you run, you shall not stumble.
13Take fast hold of instruction; do let not her go: keep
her; for she is your life.
14Do not enter into the path of the wicked and do not go in the
way of evil men. 15Avoid it, do not pass it by, turn
from it and pass away. 16For they do not sleep, except they have
done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some
to fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the
wine of violence. 18But the path of the just is as the
shining light, that shines more and more toward the perfect day.
19The way of the wicked is like darkness: they do not
know what they stumble on.
20My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst
of your heart. 22For they are life to those who find
them and health to all their flesh. 23Keep your heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24Put
a perverse mouth away from you and perverse lips put far from you.
25Let your eyes look right on and let your eyelids look straight
before you. 26Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways
be established. 27Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left:
remove your foot from evil.
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Chapter 5
1My son, attend to my wisdom, and bow your ear to my
understanding: 2That you may regard discretion and that
your lips may keep knowledge. 3For the lips of a strange woman
drop as a honeycomb and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on Sheol.
6Lest you should ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable,
so that you can not know them. 7Hear me now
therefore, O you children and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8Remove your way far from her and do not come near the door of
her house: 9Lest you give your honor to others and your years
to the cruel: 10Lest strangers are filled with your wealth; and
your labors be in the house of a stranger; 11And you
mourn at the last, when your flesh and your body are consumed,
12And say, How I have hated instruction and my heart despised
reproof; 13And I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers nor
inclined my ear to those who instructed me! 14I was almost in
all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15Drink waters out of your own cistern and running waters out
of your own well. 16Let your fountains be dispersed abroad,
and rivers of waters in the streets. 17Let them be only
your own, and not strangers' with you. 18Let your fountain be
blessed: and rejoice with the wife of your youth. 19Let her
be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy you
at all times; and be ravished always with her love. 20And my son,
why would you be ravished with a strange woman and embrace the bosom of a
stranger? 21For the ways of man are before the eyes of
the LORD and he ponders all his goings. 22The wicked himself shall
be taken in his own iniquities and he shall be held with the cords of his
sins. 23He shall die without instruction and he shall go astray
in the greatness of his folly.
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Chapter 6
1My son, if you are surety for your friend, if you have
struck your hand with a stranger, 2You are snared with the words
of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth. 3Do
this now, my son and deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of
your friend; go, humble yourself and make sure your friend. 4Do
not give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5Deliver
yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter and as a bird from
the hand of the fowler.
6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise:
7Who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8Provides
her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
9How long will you sleep, O sluggard? when will you arise out
of your sleep? 10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11So your poverty shall
come on you as a highwayman, and your want as an armed man.
12A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth.
13He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches
with his fingers; 14Perverseness is in his heart, he
plans mischief continually; he sows discord. 15Therefore his calamity
shall come suddenly; he shall be broken suddenly without remedy.
16These six things the LORD hates: yes, seven
are an abomination to him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue
and hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that plans wicked
imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19A
false witness who speaks lies and he who sows discord among brothers.
20My son, keep your father's commandment and do not forsake the
law of your mother: 21Bind them continually on your heart,
and tie them about your neck. 22When you go, it shall
lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake,
it shall talk with you. 23For the commandment is a lamp;
and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the
way of life: 24To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery
of the tongue of a strange woman. 25Do not lust in your heart
after her beauty; neither let her take you with her eyelids. 26For
by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread:
and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 27Can a man
take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? 28Can one
go on hot coals and his feet not be burned? 29So is he who goes
in to his neighbor's wife; who ever touches her shall not be innocent.
30Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy
his soul when he is hungry; 31But if he is found, he
shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32But who ever commits adultery with a woman lacks
understanding: he who does it destroys his own soul. 33He
shall get a wound and dishonor; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will
not spare in the day of vengeance. 35He will not regard any ransom;
neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.
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Chapter 7
1My son, keep my words and lay up my commandments with you.
2Keep my commandments and live; and my law as the apple of your
eye. 3Bind them on your fingers, write them on the table of your
heart. 4Say to wisdom, You are my sister; and call understanding
your kinswoman: 5That they may keep you from the strange
woman, from the stranger who flatters with her words.
6For I looked through my casement at the window of my house
7And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths,
a young man void of understanding, 8Passing through the street
near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9In the twilight,
in the evening , in the black and dark night: 10And, behold, there
met him a woman with the attire of a harlot and subtle of heart.
11(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her
house: 12Now she is without, now in the streets and
lies in wait at every corner.) 13So she caught him and kissed
him, and with an impudent face said to him, 14I
have peace offerings with me; this day I have payed my vows.
15Therefore I came out to meet you diligently to seek your face
and I have found you. 16I have decked my bed with coverings of
tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us
solace ourselves with loves. 19For the goodman is not
at home, he is gone on a long journey: 20He has taken a bag of
money with him and will come home at the day appointed.
21With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the
flattering of her lips she forced him. 22He goes after her
straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction
of the stocks; 23Till a dart strikes through his liver; as a bird
hurries to the snare and does not know that it is for his life.
24Listen to me now therefore, O you children and attend to the
words of my mouth. 25Let not your heart decline to her ways, do
not go astray in her paths. 26For she has cast down many wounded:
yes, many strong men have been killed by her. 27Her house
is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.
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Chapter 8
1Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places
of the paths. 3She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city,
at the coming in at the doors. 4I call to you O men and my voice
is to the sons of man. 5Understand wisdom O you simple
and you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6Hear; for I will
speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right
things. 7For my mouth shall speak truth and wickedness is
an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are
in righteousness; there is nothing perverse or perversity in them.
9They are all plain to him who understands and right
to those who find knowledge. 10Receive my instruction and not
silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11For wisdom
is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are
not to be compared to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence and find out knowledge of witty
inventions. 13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, I
hate pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth.
14Counsel and sound wisdom are mine: I am
understanding; I have strength. 15Kings reign by me and princes
decree justice. 16Princes and nobles and all the judges of the
earth rule by me. 17I love those who love me; and those who seek
me early shall find me. 18Riches and honor are with me;
yes, durable riches and righteousness. 19My fruit
is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice
silver. 20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of
the paths of judgment: 21That I may cause those who love me to
inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his
works of old. 23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
before the earth was. 24When there were no depths, I
was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25Before the mountains were settled, I was brought forth before
the hills: 26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27When he prepared the heavens, I was
there: when he set a compass on the face of the depth: 28When
he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the
deep: 29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should
not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him:
and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights
were with the sons of men. 32Now therefore listen to
me, O you children: for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Hear instruction and be wise and do not refuse it.
34Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at
my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For who ever finds
me finds life and shall obtain favor of the LORD. 36But he who
sins against me wrongs his own soul: all those who hate me love death.
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Chapter 9
1Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars:
2She has killed her animals; she has mingled her wine; she has
also furnished her table. 3She has sent forth her maidens: she
cries on the highest places of the city, 4Who ever is
simple, let him turn in here: as for him who wants understanding,
she says to him, 5Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine
which I have mingled. 6Forsake the foolish and live;
and go in the way of understanding. 7He who reproves a scorner
gets shame to himself: and he who rebukes a wicked man gets himself
a blot. 8Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hates you: rebuke a
wise man and he will love you. 9Give instruction to a
wise man and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man and
he will increase in learning. 10The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11For by me your days shall be multiplied and the years of your
life shall be increased. 12If you are wise, you shall be wise
for yourself: but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it.
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Chapter 10
1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but
a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 2Treasures
of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death.
3The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish:
but he casts away the substance of the wicked. 4He becomes poor
who deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes
rich. 5He who gathers in summer is a wise son:
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
6Blessings are on the head of the just: but violence
covers the mouth of the wicked. 7The memory of the just
is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. 8The
wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9He who walks uprightly walks surely: but he who perverts his
ways shall be known. 10He who winks with the eye causes sorrow:
but a prating fool shall fall. 11The mouth of a righteous man
is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12Hatred stirs up strife: but love covers all sins.
13In the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found: but
a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish
is near destruction. 15The rich man's wealth is
his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16The labor of the righteous tends to life: the fruit
of the wicked to sin. 17He who keeps instruction is in
the way of life: but he who refuses reproof errs. 18He who hides
hatred with lying lips and he who utters a slander, is
a fool. 19In the multitude of words there not lack sin: but he
who refrains his lips is wise. 20The tongue of the just
is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is worth little.
21The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for lack
of wisdom. 22The blessing of the LORD makes rich and he adds no
sorrow with it. 23It is like sport to a fool to do mischief:
but a man of understanding has wisdom. 24The fear of the wicked
shall come on him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25As the whirlwind passes, so the wicked is no
more: but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
26As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is
the sluggard to those who send him. 27The fear of the LORD prolongs
days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28The hope
of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked
shall perish. 29The way of the LORD is strength to the
upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not
inhabit the earth. 31The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom:
but the perverse tongue shall be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous
know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks
perverseness.
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Chapter 11
1A false balance is an abomination to the LORD: but a
just weight is his delight. 2When pride comes,
then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3The
integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors
shall destroy them. 4Riches do not profit in the day of wrath:
but righteousness delivers from death. 5The righteousness of the
perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but
transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish:
and the hope of unjust men perishes. 8The righteous is
delivered out of trouble and the wicked comes in his place. 9A
hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth: but through knowledge
the just shall be delivered. 10When it goes well with the righteous,
the city rejoices: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is
overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12He who is void of wisdom
despises his neighbor: but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13A talebearer reveals secrets: but he who is of a faithful spirit
conceals the matter. 14Where no counsel is, the people
fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
15He who is surety for a stranger shall smart for it:
and he who hates suretiship is sure. 16A gracious woman retains
honor: and strong men retain riches. 17The merciful man
does good to his own soul: but he who is cruel troubles his own
flesh. 18The wicked works a deceitful work: but a sure reward
will be to him who sows righteousness. 19As righteousness
tends to life: so he who pursues evil pursues it to his
own death. 20Those who are of a perverse heart are an
abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their
way are his delight. 21Though hand join
in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous
shall be delivered. 22Like a jewel of gold in a swine's
snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion.
23The desire of the righteous is only good: but
the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24There is one
who scatters and yet increases; and there is one who withholds more
than is fitting but it tends to poverty. 25The liberal
soul shall be made fat: and he who waters shall also be watered himself.
26The people shall curse him who withholds his corn: but blessing
shall be on the head of him who sells it. 27He
who diligently seeks good procures favor: but he who seeks mischief, it shall
come to him. 28He who trusts in his riches shall fall: but the
righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29He who troubles his own
house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the
wise of heart. 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree
of life; and he who wins souls is wise. 31Behold, the
righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the
sinner.
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Chapter 12
1Who ever loves instruction loves knowledge: but he who hates
reproof is brutish. 2A good man obtains favor
of the LORD: but he will condemn a man of wicked devices. 3A man
shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall
not be moved. 4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
but she who makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but
the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6The words of
the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright
shall deliver them. 7The wicked are overthrown and cease:
but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8A man shall be commended
according to his wisdom: but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9He who is despised and has a servant, is better
than he who honors himself and lacks bread. 10A righteous
man regards the life of his animal: but the tender mercies of the
wicked are cruel. 11He who tills his land shall be satisfied
with bread: but he who follows vain persons is void of understanding.
12The wicked desires the net of evil men: but the root
of the righteous yields fruit. 13The wicked is snared
by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of
trouble. 14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of
his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered
to him. 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:
but he who listens to counsel is wise. 16A fool's wrath
is soon known: but a prudent man covers shame. 17He
who speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword: but the
tongue of the wise is health. 19The lip of truth shall
be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil: but
to the counselors of peace is joy. 21There shall no evil
happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but those
who deal truly are his delight. 23A prudent man conceals
knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. 24The
hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word
makes it glad. 26The righteous is more excellent than
his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduces them. 27The slothful
man does not roast that which he took in hunting: but the substance
of a diligent man is precious. 28In the way of righteousness
is life; and in the pathway of it there is no
death.
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Chapter 13
1A wise son hears his father's instruction: but a scorner
does not hear rebuke. 2A man shall eat good by the fruit of
his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat
violence. 3He who keeps his mouth keeps his life: but
he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. 4The soul of
the sluggard desires and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent
shall be made fat. 5A righteous man hates lying: but
a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6Righteousness keeps him who is upright in the way: but
wickedness overthrows the sinner. 7There is one who makes himself
rich, yet has nothing: there is one who makes himself poor,
yet has great riches. 8The ransom of a man's life
are his riches: but the poor does not hear rebuke. 9The
light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put
out. 10Contention comes only by pride: but with the well advised
is wisdom. 11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be
diminished: but he who gathers by labor shall increase. 12Hope
deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it
is a tree of life. 13Who ever despises the word shall be
destroyed: but he who fears the commandment shall be rewarded.
14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart
from the snares of death. 15Good understanding gives favor: but
the way of transgressors is hard. 16Every prudent
man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly.
17A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador
is health. 18Poverty and shame shall be to him
who refuses instruction: but he who regards reproof shall be honored.
19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is
abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20He who walks with
wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21Evil pursues sinners: but good shall be repaid to the righteous.
22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's
children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there
is one who is destroyed for want of judgment. 24He who
spares his rod hates his son: but he who loves him chastens him diligently.
25The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly
of the wicked shall want.
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Chapter 14
1Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it
down with her hands. 2He who walks in his uprightness fears the
LORD: but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the
lips of the wise shall preserve them. 4Where no oxen are,
the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength
of the ox. 5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness
will utter lies. 6A scorner seeks wisdom and does not find
it: but knowledge is easy to him who understands.
7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive
in him the lips of knowledge. 8The wisdom of the prudent
is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is
favor. 10The heart knows its own bitterness; and a stranger does
not intermeddle with his joy. 11The house of the wicked shall
be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12There is a way which seems right to a man, but the ends of it
are the ways of death. 13Even in laughter the heart is
sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 14The
backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall
be satisfied from himself. 15The simple believes every word:
but the prudent man looks well to his going. 16A wise
man fears and departs from evil: but the fool rages and is confident.
17He who is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of
wicked devices is hated. 18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent
are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow before the good; and
the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor is hated
even of his own neighbor: but the rich have many friends.
21He who despises his neighbor sins: but happy is he
who has mercy on the poor. 22Do they not err who devise evil?
but mercy and truth shall be to those who devise good.
23In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips
tends only to penury. 24The crown of the wise is
their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness
speaks lies. 26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence:
and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27The fear of the
LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28In the multitude of people is the king's honor: but
in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
29He who is slow to wrath is of great understanding:
but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly. 30A sound
heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the
bones. 31He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he
who honors him has mercy on the poor. 32The wicked is driven away
in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death.
33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding: but
that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach
to any people. 35The king's favor is toward a wise servant:
but his wrath is against him who causes shame.
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Chapter 15
1A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of
fools pours out foolishness. 3The eyes of the LORD are
in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4A wholesome
tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness in it is a breach
in the spirit. 5A fool despises his father's instruction: but
he who regards reproof is prudent. 6Much treasure is
in the house of the righteous: but trouble is in the revenues of the wicked.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the
foolish does not so. 8The sacrifice of the wicked
is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright
is his delight. 9The way of the wicked is an
abomination to the LORD: but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10Correction is grievous to him who forsakes the way:
and he who hates reproof shall die. 11Sheol and destruction
are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children
of men? 12A scorner does not love one who reproves him: neither
will he go to the wise. 13A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance:
but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14The heart of
him who has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on
foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil:
but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great
treasure and trouble with it. 17Better is a dinner of
herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it. 18A
wrathful man stirs up strife: but he who is slow to anger appeases
strife. 19The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of
thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20A
wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.
21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of wisdom:
but a man of understanding walks uprightly. 22Without counsel
purposes are disappointed: but they are established in the multitude of
counselors. 23A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a
word spoken in due season, how good it is! 24The
way of life is above to the wise, so that he may depart from Sheol
beneath. 25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he
will establish the border of the widow. 26The thoughts of the
wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of
the pure are pleasant words. 27He who is greedy of gain
troubles his own house; but he who hates gifts shall live. 28The
heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours
out evil things. 29The LORD is far from the wicked: but
he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes
rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
31The ear that hears the reproof of life abides among the wise.
32He who refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he who
hears reproof gets understanding. 33The fear of the LORD
is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.
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Chapter 16
1The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue,
is from the LORD. 2All the ways of a man are
clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits. 3Commit
your works to the LORD and your thoughts shall be established.
4The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even
the wicked for the day of evil. 5Every one who is proud
in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand
join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6By mercy and
truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart
from evil. 7When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his
enemies to be at peace with him. 8Better is a little
with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9A man's
heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps. 10A divine
sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth does not transgresses
in judgment. 11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S:
all the weights of the bag are his work. 12It is
an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established
by righteousness. 13Righteous lips are the delight of
kings; and they love him who speaks right. 14The wrath of a king
is as a messenger of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and
his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16How much
better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding iss
rather to be chosen than silver! 17The highway of the upright
is to depart from evil: he who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit
before a fall. 19Better it is to be of a humble spirit
with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20He
who handles a matter wisely shall find good: and he who trusts in the LORD,
is happy. 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent:
and the sweetness of the lips increases learning. 22Understanding
is a wellspring of life to him who has it: but the instruction of
fools is folly. 23The heart of the wise teaches his mouth
and adds learning to his lips. 24Pleasant words are as
a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones. 25There
is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the way
of death. 26He who labors labors for himself; for his mouth craves
it of him. 27An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there
is as a burning fire. 28A perverse man sows strife: and a
whisperer separates chief friends. 29A violent man entices his
neighbor and leads him into the way that is not good.
30He shuts his eyes to devise perverse things: moving his lips
he brings evil to pass. 31The hoary head is a crown of
glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32He who is slow to anger is better than the
mighty; and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing of it
is of the LORD.
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Chapter 17
1Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it, than a
house full of sacrifices with strife. 2A wise servant
shall have rule over a son who causes shame and shall have part of the
inheritance among the brothers. 3The refining pot is
for silver and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts.
4A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives
ear to a naughty tongue. 5Who ever mocks the poor reproaches his
Maker: and he who is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6Children's children are the crown of old men; and the
glory of children are their fathers. 7Excellent speech
does not become a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. 8A gift
is as a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it: whereever
it turns, it prospers. 9He who covers a transgression seeks love;
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. 10A
reproof enters more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel
messenger shall be sent against him. 12Let a bear robbed of her
whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13Whoever
rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14The
beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave
off contention, before it be meddled with. 15He who justifies
the wicked and he who condemns the just, even both of them are an
abomination to the LORD. 16Wherefore is there a price
in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to
it? 17A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for
adversity. 18A man void of understanding strikes hands,
and becomes surety in the presence of his friend. 19He
loves transgression who loves strife: and he who exalts his gate
seeks destruction. 20He who has a perverse heart finds no good:
and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief. 21He who
begets a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has
no joy. 22A merry heart does good like a medicine: but
a broken spirit dries the bones. 23A wicked man takes
a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. 24Wisdom
is before him who has understanding; but the eyes of a fool
are in the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is
a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bare him. 26Also
to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for
equity. 27He who has knowledge spares his words: and
a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28When he holds
his peace even a fool is counted wise: and he who shuts his lips
is esteemed a man of understanding.
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Chapter 18
1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks
and intermeddles with all wisdom. 2A fool has no delight
in understanding but that his heart may be exposed. 3When the
wicked comes, then comes also contempt and with ignominy reproach.
4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters,
and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to
overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6A fool's lips enter into
contention and his mouth calls for strokes. 7A fool's mouth
is his destruction and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a talebearer are like wounds and they go
down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9He also who is slothful
in his work is brother to him who is a great waster. 10The name
of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it and is
safe. 11The rich man's wealth is his strong city and
as a high wall in his own conceit. 12The heart of man is haughty
before destruction and before honor is humility. 13He
who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and
shame to him. 14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
but who can bear a wounded spirit? 15The heart of the prudent
gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16A man's
gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
17He who is first in his own cause seems just;
but his neighbor comes and searches him. 18The lot causes contentions
to cease and parts between the mighty. 19A brother offended is
harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions
are like the bars of a castle. 20A man's belly shall
be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase
of his lips he shall be filled. 21Death and life are
in the power of the tongue: and those who love it shall eat the fruit of
it. 22Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor of the LORD. 23The poor uses entreaties; but
the rich answers roughly. 24A man who has friends must
show himself friendly: and there is a friend who sticks closer than
a brother.
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Chapter 19
1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than
he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. 2Also,
it is not good that the soul is without knowledge;
and he who hurries with his feet sins. 3The foolishness
of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD.
4Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his
neighbor. 5A false witness shall not be unpunished and he
who speaks lies shall not escape. 6Many will entreat the
favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him who gives
gifts. 7All the brothers of the poor hate him: how much more do
his friends go far from him? he pursues them with words,
yet they are lacking to him. 8He who
gets wisdom loves his own soul: he who keeps understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished and he who speaks
lies shall perish. 10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less
for a servant to have rule over princes. 11The discretion of a
man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his
favor is as dew on the grass. 13A foolish son is
the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a
continual dropping. 14House and riches are the inheritance
of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall
suffer hunger. 16He who keeps the commandment keeps his own soul;
but he who despises his ways shall die. 17He who has
pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and that which he has given he will pay
him again. 18Chasten your son while there is hope and let not
your soul spare for his crying. 19A man of great wrath shall suffer
punishment: for if you deliver him, yet you must do it again.
20Hear counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in
your latter end. 21There are many devices in a man's
heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22The desire
of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than
a liar. 23The fear of the LORD tends to life: and he
who has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24A slothful man hides his hand in his bosom
and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25Strike
a scorner and the simple will beware: and reprove one who has understanding,
and he will understand knowledge. 26He who wastes
his father, and chases away his mother,
is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. 27My son,
cease to hear the instruction that causes error from the words of
knowledge. 28An ungodly witness scorns judgment: and the mouth
of the wicked devours iniquity. 29Judgments are prepared for scorners
and stripes for the back of fools.
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Chapter 20
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and
who ever is deceived by it is not wise. 2The fear of a king
is as the roaring of a lion: who ever provokes him to anger
sins against his own soul. 3It is an honor for
a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4The
sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore he shall
beg in harvest and have nothing. 5Counsel in the heart
of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw
it out. 6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but
a faithful man who can find? 7The just man walks in his
integrity: his children are blessed after him. 8A king
who sits in the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10Different weights, and different measures, both of
them are alike abomination to the LORD. 11Even a child
is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it
is right. 12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD
has made even both of them. 13Do not love sleep, lest you come
to poverty; open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14The buyer says, it is naught, it is naught,:
but when he is gone his way, then he boasts. 15There is gold and
a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious
jewel. 16Take his garment who is surety for a stranger:
and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 17Bread of deceit
is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with
gravel. 18Every purpose is established by counsel: and
make war with good advice. 19He who goes about as a
talebearer reveals secrets: therefore do not meddle with him who flatters
with his lips. 20Who ever curses his father or his mother, his
lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. 21An inheritance may
be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end of it shall not be blessed.
22Do not say, I will recompense evil; but wait on the
LORD and he will save you. 23Different weights are an
abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand
his own way? 25It is a snare to the man who
devours that which is holy and after vows to make enquiry.
26A wise king scatters the wicked and brings the wheel over them.
27The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching
all the inward parts of the belly. 28Mercy and truth preserve
the king: and his throne is upheld by mercy. 29The glory of young
men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the
gray head. 30The blueness of a wound cleans away evil: so
do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
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Chapter 21
1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as
the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will. 2Every way
of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts.
3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the
LORD than sacrifice. 4A high look and a proud heart, and
the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 5The thoughts of the
diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one who is
hasty only to want. 6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a vanity tossed to and fro of those who seek death.
7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse
to do judgment. 8The way of man is perverse and strange:
but as for the pure, his work is right.
9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than
with a brawling woman in a wide house. 10The soul of the wicked
desires evil: his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11When
the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is
instructed, he receives knowledge. 12The righteous man
wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the
wicked for their wickedness. 13Who ever stops his ears
at the cry of the poor, also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong
wrath. 15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but
destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16The
man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation
of the dead. 17He who loves pleasure shall be a poor
man: he who loves wine and oil shall not be rich. 18The wicked
shall be a ransom for the righteous and the transgressor for the
upright. 19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than
with a contentious and an angry woman. 20There is treasure
and oil to be desired in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man uses
it up. 21He who follows after righteousness and mercy finds life,
righteousness and honor. 22A wise man scales the city
of the mighty and casts down the strength of the confidence of it.
23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24Whoever deals in proud wrath, his name is proud
and haughty scorner. 25The desire of the slothful kills
him; for his hands refuse to labor. 26He covets greedily all the
day long: but the righteous gives and spares not. 27The sacrifice
of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings
it with a wicked mind? 28A false witness shall perish: but the
man who hears speaks constantly. 29A wicked man hardens his face:
but as for the upright, he directs his way. 30There
is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but
safety is of the LORD.
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Chapter 22
1A good name is rather to be chosen than great
riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker
of them all. 3A prudent man foresees the evil and hides
himself: but the simple pass on and are punished. 4Riches, honor
and life come by humility and the fear of the LORD .
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse:
he who keeps his soul shall be far from them. 6Train up a child
in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich rules over the poor and the borrower is servant
to the lender. 8He who sows iniquity shall reap vanity: and the
rod of his anger shall fail. 9He who has a bountiful eye shall
be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor. 10Cast out
the scorner and contention shall go away; yes, strife and reproach will cease.
11He who loves pureness of heart for the grace of his
lips, the king shall be his friend. 12The eyes of the
LORD preserve knowledge and he overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13The slothful man says, There is a lion out
side, I shall be killed in the streets. 14The mouth of strange
women is a deep pit: he who is abhorred of the LORD shall fall in
it. 15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child;
but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches and
he who gives to the rich, shall surely come to lack.
17Bow down your ear and hear the words of the wise and apply your
heart to my knowledge. 18For it is a pleasant thing if
you keep them within you; they shall all be fitted in your lips.
19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to
you this day, even to you. 20Have I not written to you excellent
things in counsels and knowledge, 21That I might make you know
the certainty of the words of truth; that you might answer the words of truth
to those who send to you? 22Do not rob the poor, because he
is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23For
the LORD will plead their cause and spoil the soul of those who spoiled them.
24Make no friendship with an angry man; and you shall not go with
a furious man: 25Lest you learn his ways and get a snare to your
soul. 26Do not be one of those who strike hands,
or of those who are sureties for debts. 27If you have
nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28Do not remove the ancient landmark, which your fathers have
set. 29Do you see a man diligent in his business? he shall stand
before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
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Chapter 23
1When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what
is before you: 2And put a knife to your throat, if you
are a man given to appetite. 3Do not be desirous of his
dainties: for they are deceitful meat. 4Do not labor
to be rich: cease from your own wisdom. 5Will you set your eyes
on that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings;
they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6Do not eat the bread
of him who has an evil eye, neither desire his dainty meats:
7For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he:
Eat and drink, he says to you; but his heart is not with you.
8The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up and
lose your sweet words. 9Do not speak in the ears of a fool: for
he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10Remove not the old
landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11For
their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with you.
12Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of
knowledge. 13Do not withhold correction from the child: for
if you beat him with the rod, he will not die. 14You
shall beat him with the rod and shall deliver his soul from Sheol.
15My son, if your heart is wise, my heart shall rejoice, even
mine. 16Yes, my reins shall rejoice, when your lips speak right
things. 17Do not let your heart envy sinners: but be
in the fear of the LORD all the day long. 18For surely there is
an end; and your expectation shall not be cut off. 19Hear, my
son and be wise and guide your heart in the way. 20Do not be among
winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21For the drunkard
and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a
man with rags. 22Listen to your father who begat you and
do not despise your mother when she is old. 23Buy the truth
also wisdom, instruction and understanding and do not sell
them; . 24The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice:
and he who begets a wise child shall have joy from him.
25Your father and your mother shall be glad and she who bore you
shall rejoice. 26My son, give me your heart and let your eyes
observe my ways. 27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a
strange woman is a narrow pit. 28She also lies in wait
as for a prey and increases the transgressors among men.
29Who has woe? who has sorrow? who has contentions? who has babbling?
who has wounds without cause? who has redness of eyes? 30those
who tarry long at the wine; those who go to seek mixed wine. 31Do
not look on the wine when it is red, when it gives its color in the cup,
when it moves itself aright. 32At the last it bites like
a serpent and stings like an adder. 33Your eyes shall behold strange
women and your heart shall utter perverse things. 34Yes, you shall
be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies on the
top of a mast. 35They have struck me, you shall say and
I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I did not feel it: when
shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
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Chapter 24
1Do not be envious against evil men, neither desire to be with
them. 2For their heart studies destruction and their lips talk
of mischief. 3Through wisdom a house is built; and by understanding
it is established: 4And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled
with all precious and pleasant riches. 5A wise man is
strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength. 6For you shall
make your war by wise counsel: and in the multitude of counselors there
is safety. 7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he does
not open his mouth in the gate. 8He who planss to do evil shall
be called a mischievous person. 9The thought of foolishness
is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength
is small. 11If you forbear to deliver those who
are drawn to death and those who are ready to be killed;
12If you say, Behold, we did not know it; does not he who ponder
the heart consider it? and he who keeps your soul, does he
not know it? and shall he not render to every
man according to his works? 13My son, eat honey because it
is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste:
14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your
soul: when you have found it, then there shall be a reward and your
expectation shall not be cut off. 15O wicked man, do
not lay wait against the dwelling of the righteous; do not spoil his resting
place: 16For a just man falls seven times and rises up
again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 17Do not rejoice
when your enemy falls and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:
18Lest the LORD sees it and it displeases him and he
turns away his wrath from him. 19Fret not yourself because of
evil men, neither be envious at the wicked; 20For there
shall be no reward to the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall
be put out. 21My son, fear the LORD and the king: and
meddle not with those who are given to change: 22For their calamity
shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both? 23These
things also belong to the wise. It is not good
to have respect of persons in judgment. 24He who says to the wicked,
You are righteous; the people shall curse him, nations shall abhor him:
25But to those who rebuke him shall be delight and a
good blessing shall come on them. 26Every man shall kiss
his lips who gives a right answer. 27Prepare your work
without and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your
house. 28Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause;
and do not deceive with your lips. 29Do not say, I will do so
to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
30I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the
man void of understanding; 31And, lo, it was all grown over with
thorns, and nettles had covered the face of it and its stone wall
was broken down. 32Then I saw, and considered it
well: I looked on it and received instruction.
33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding
of the hands to sleep: 34So your poverty shall come as
one who travels; and your want as an armed man.
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Chapter 25
1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of
Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2It is the glory of
God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out
a matter. 3The heaven for height and the earth for depth and the
heart of kings is unsearchable. 4Take away the dross
from the silver and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5Take away the wicked from before the king and his throne
shall be established in righteousness. 6Do not put forth yourself
in the presence of the king and stand not in the place of great men:
7For it is better that it be said to you, Come up here;
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your
eyes have seen. 8Do not go forth hastily to strive, lest you
do not know what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put
you to shame. 9Debate your cause with your neighbor
himself; and do not uncover a secret to another: 10Lest
he who hears it put you to shame and your infamy is not turned away.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures
of silver. 12As a gold earring and an ornament of fine
gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear. 13As
the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger
to those who send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Who ever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds
and wind without rain. 15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded
and a soft tongue breaks the bone. 16Have you found honey? eat
so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it.
17Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house; lest he be weary
of you and so hate you. 18A man who bears false witness
against his neighbor is a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is
like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint.
20As he who takes away a garment in cold weather, and
as vinegar on nitre, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is
thirsty, give him water to drink: 22For you shall heap coals of
fire on his head and the LORD shall reward you. 23The north wind
drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
than with a brawling woman in a wide house. 25As cold
waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as
a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring. 27It is not
good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is
not glory. 28He who has no rule over his own spirit
is like a city that is broken down, and without
walls.
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Chapter 26
1As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly
for a fool. 2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying,
so the curse shall not come causeless. 3A whip for the horse,
a bridle for the ass and a rod for the fool's back. 4Do not answer
a fool according to his folly, lest you also are like to him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his
own conceit. 6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts
off the feet, and drinks damage. 7The legs of the lame
are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8As
he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so
is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10The great
God who formed all things rewards both the fool and
transgressors. 11As a dog returns to his vomit, so a
fool returns to his folly. 12Do you see a man wise in his own
conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13The
slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion
is in the streets. 14As the door turns on his
hinges, so does the slothful on his bed. 15The slothful
hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to
his mouth. 16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit
than seven men who can render a reason. 17He who passes by,
and meddles with strife not belonging to him, is
like one who takes a dog by the ears. 18As a mad man
who casts firebrands, arrows and death, 19So is the man
who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not in sport?
20Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where
there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21As coals are to burning coals and wood to
fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The
words of a talebearer are as wounds and they go down into the innermost
parts of the belly. 23Burning lips and a wicked heart are
like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24He who hates
lies with his lips and lays up deceit within him; 25When he speaks
fair, do not believe him: for there are seven abominations in his
heart. 26Whoever's hatred is covered by deceit, his
wickedness shall be shown before the whole congregation.
27Whoever digs a pit shall fall in it: and he who rolls a stone,
it will return on him. 28A lying tongue hates those who are
afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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Chapter 27
1Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you know not what a day may
bring forth. 2Let another man praise you and not your own mouth;
a stranger and not your own lips. 3A stone is heavy and
the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
4Wrath is cruel and anger is outrageous; but
who is able to stand before envy? 5Open rebuke
is better than secret love. 6Faithful are the
wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every
bitter thing is sweet. 8As a bird who wanders from her nest, so
is a man who wanders from his place. 9Ointment and perfume
rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty
counsel. 10Do not forsake your own friend and your father's friend;
neither go into your brother's house in the day of your calamity:
for better is a neighbor who is near than a brother
far off. 11My son, be wise and make my heart glad, that I may
answer him who reproaches me. 12A prudent man foresees
evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on,
and are punished. 13Take his garment who is surety for
a stranger and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 14It
shall be counted a curse to him who blesses his friend with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning. 15A continual dropping in a very
rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. 16Whoever hides her
hides the wind and the ointment of his right hand, which betrays
itself. 17Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the
countenance of his friend. 18Whoever keeps the fig tree shall
eat the fruit of it: so he who waits on his master shall be honored.
19As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man
to man. 20Sheol and destruction are never full; so the eyes of
man are never satisfied. 21As the refining pot for silver
and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
22Though you would pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle among
wheat, yet his foolishness will not depart from him. 23Be
diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your
herds. 24For riches are not forever: and does the crown
endure to every generation? 25The hay appears and the
tender grass shows itself and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats
arefor the price of the field. 27And you shall
have goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household
and for the maintenance for your maidens.
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Chapter 28
1The wicked flees when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold
as a lion. 2For the transgression of a land many are
its princes: but the state of it shall be prolonged by a man of
understanding and knowledge. 3A poor man who oppresses
the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep
the law contend with them. 5Evil men do not understand judgment:
but those who seek the LORD understand all things.
6Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness, than
he who is perverse in his ways, though rich.
7Whoever keeps the law is a wise son: but he who is a
companion of riotous men shames his father. 8He who by
usury and unjust gain increases his substance shall gather it for him who
will pity the poor. 9He who turns away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer shall be an abomination. 10Whoever
causes 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.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor
who has understanding searches him out. 12When righteous
men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked
rise, a man is hidden. 13He who covers his sins shall not prosper:
but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.
14Happy is the man who fears always: but he who hardens
his heart shall fall into mischief. 15As a roaring lion
and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16The prince who wants understanding is also a great
oppressor: but he who hates covetousness shall prolong his
days. 17A man who does violence to the blood of any person
shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. 18Whoever walks uprightly
shall be saved: but he who is perverse in his ways shall
fall at once. 19He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread:
but he who follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he who hurries
to be rich shall not be innocent. 21To have respect of persons
is not good: that man will transgress for for a piece of
bread. 22He who hurries to be rich has an evil eye and
considers not that poverty shall come on him. 23He who rebukes
a man shall find afterward more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, It is
no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he who puts
his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. 26He who trusts in his
own heart is a fool: but whoever walks wisely shall be delivered.
27He who gives to the poor shall not lack: but he who hides his
eyes shall have many a curse. 28When the wicked rise, men hide
themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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Chapter 29
1He, who being often reproved hardens his neck, shall
suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy. 2When the righteous
are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the
people mourn. 3Whoever loves wisdom rejoices his father: but he
who keeps company with harlots spends his substance. 4The
king establishes the land by judgment: but he who receives gifts overthrows
it. 5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6There is a snare in the transgression of an evil man
: but the righteous sings and rejoices. 7The righteous considers
the cause of the poor: but the wicked does not regard to know
it. 8Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise
men turn away wrath. 9If a wise man contends
with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it
in till afterward. 12If a ruler listen to lies, all his servants
are wicked. 13The poor and the deceitful man meet together:
the LORD lightens both their eyes. 14The king who faithfully judges
the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. 15The rod
and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his
mother to shame. 16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression
increases: but the righteous shall see their fall. 17Correct your
son and he shall give you rest; yes, he shall give delight to your soul.
18Where there is no vision the people perish: but he
who keeps the law, happy is he. 19A servant will not
be corrected by words: for though he understands he will not answer.
20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? there
is more hope for a fool than for him. 21He who delicately
brings up his servant from a child shall have him become his son
at the length. 22An angry man stirs up strife and a furious man
abounds in transgression. 23A man's pride shall bring him low:
but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. 24Whoever is partner
with a thief hates his own soul: he hears cursing and does not betray
it. 25The fear of man brings a snare: but whoever puts
his trust in the LORD shall be safe. 26Many seek the ruler's favor;
but every man's judgment comes from the LORD.
27An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he
who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
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Chapter 30
1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy:
the man spoke to Ithiel, even to Ithiel and Ucal, 2Surely I
am more brutish than any man and have not the understanding
of a man. 3I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of
the holy. 4Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who
has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment?
who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name
and what is his son's name, if you can tell? 5Every word
of God is pure: he is a shield to those who put their trust
in him. 6Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you and you
be found a liar. 7Two things I have required of you;
do not deny them to me before I die: 8Remove far from
me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food
convenient for me: 9Lest I be full and deny you and say,
Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor and steal and take the name of
my God in vain. 10Do not accuse a servant to his master,
lest he curses you and you be found guilty. 11There is
a generation who curses their father and does not bless their mother.
12There is a generation who are pure in their
own eyes and yet is not washed from their filthyness.
13There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes!
and their eyelids are lifted up. 14There 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.
15The horse leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give.
There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four
things do not say, It is enough: 16The grave;
and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and
the fire does not says, It is enough. 17The eye
that mocks at his father and despises to obey his
mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young eagles shall
eat it. 18There are three things which are too wonderful
for me, yes, four which I do not know: 19The way of an eagle in
the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of
the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. 20Such is
the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth and says, I
have done no wickedness. 21For three things the earth
is troubled and for four which it cannot bear: 22For
a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23For an odious woman when she is married; and a handmaid
who is heir to her mistress. 24There are four things which
are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
25The ants are not a strong people, yet they prepare
their meat in the summer; 26The conies are but a feeble
folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27The locusts have
no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands; 28The spider
takes hold with her hands and is in kings' palaces. 29There are
three things which go well, yes, four are comely in going:
30A lion which is the strongest among animals and does
not turn away for any; 31A greyhound; a he goat also; and a king,
against whom there is no rising up. 32If you have done
foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay
your hand on your mouth. 33Surely the churning of milk brings
forth butter and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing
of wrath brings forth strife.
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Chapter 31
1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught
him. 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the
son of my vows? 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your
ways to that which destroys kings. 4It is not for kings,
O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor strong drink for
princes: 5Lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment
of any of the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to him who is ready
to die and wine to those who are of heavy hearts. 7Let him drink
and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more. 8Open
your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously and plead the cause of the
poor and needy. 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price
is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband safely
trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12She will
do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13She seeks
wool and flax and works willingly with her hands. 14She is like
the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar. 15She rises
also while it is still night and gives meat to her household and a portion
to her maidens. 16She considers a field and buys it: she plants
a vineyard with the fruit of her hands. 17She girds her loins
with strength and strengthens her arms. 18She perceives that her
merchandise is good: her lamp does not go out by night.
19She lays her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth
her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her
household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing
is silk and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes fine linen
and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
25Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall
rejoice in time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom; and
in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She looks well
to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband
also and he praises her. 29Many daughters have done
virtuously, but you excel them all. 30Favor is deceitful
and beauty is vain: but a woman who fears the
LORD, shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates.