10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11 (She is loud and stubborn ; 11 Tim.5.18. her feet abide not in her house: Tit. 2. 5. 3 Heb. she strengthen ed her face, and said. 4 Heb.Peace offerings are ироп те. k Is. 19.9. 5 Heb. in his hand. • Or, the new moon. 1 ch. 5. 3. m Ps. 12. 2. 7 Heb. suddenly. 12. 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning : let us solace ourselves with loves. 19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20 He hath taken a bag of money 'with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, "with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his Eccles. 9. liver; "as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24 ¶ Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many Neh.13.26. wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. p ch. 2. 18. & 5. 5. & 9. 18. a ch. 1. 20. & 9. 8. 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. CHAPTER VIII. 1 The fame, 6 and evidency of wisdom. 10 The excellency, 12 the nature, 15 the power, 18 the riches, 22 and the eternity of wisdom. 32 Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it bringeth. OTH not wisdom cry? and un 2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. power, riches, and 4 Unto you, I call; and my men, voice is to the sons of man. 5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6 Hear; for I will speak of bexcellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. BEFORE CHRIST cir. 1000. b ch. 22. 20. 7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination 2 Heb. the to my lips. mouth are 8 All the words of my in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 3 abomination of my lips. 8 Heb. 9 They are all plain to him that wreathed. understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. 12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. с 13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. © Job 28. 15, &c. Ps. 19.10. & 119. 127. ch. 3. 14, 15. & 4. 5,7. 16. 16. Or, subtilty. ach. 16.6. ch. 6. 17. ch. 4. 24. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I Eccles. 7. have strength. 15 "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18 'Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19 m My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. eternity of wisdom. BEFORE CHRIST cir. 1000. 2 Or, a circle. q Gen. 1. 9, Job 38. 10, 2, 18. John 1.1, Col. 1. 13. u Pa. 16. 3. XP8.119.1,2. & 128. 1, 2. y ch.3.13,18. PROVERBS, IX. highest part of the dust of the 27 When he prepared the heavens, 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and "my delights were with the sons of men. 32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth 3 Heb.bring life, and shall 32 obtain favour of the LORD. forth. z ch. 12. 2. a ch. 20. 2. a Matt. 16. 18. Ephes. 2. 20, 21, 22. 1 Pet. 2. 5. b Matt. 22. 3, &c. 4 Heb. her killing. c ver. 5. ch. 23. 30. d Rom. 10. 15. 36 But he that sinneth against me a wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. CHAPTER IX. 1 The discipline, 4 and doctrine of wisdom. ISDOM hath a builded her Whouse, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: b 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. The error of folly. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. BEFORE CHRIST cir. 1000. ch.3.2, 16. & 10.27. Job 35.6,7. ch. 10. 26. 13 PA foolish woman is cla- pch. 7. 11. morous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high a ver. 3. places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, r ver. 4. 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and ch. 20.17. bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 2 Heb. of secrecies. &7.27. 18 But he knoweth not that the tch. 2.18. dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. 4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of ch. 12. 24. the diligent maketh rich. 5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son but he that sleepeth in 3 She hath sent forth her mai-harvest is a son that causeth shame. dens: she crieth upon the highest fool of lips. 9 1 He that walketh uprightly 6 Or, shall walketh surely but he that per-2.4. verteth his ways shall be known. : 10 m He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: "but a prating fool 'shall fall. 11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but Pviolence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 13 In the lips of him that hath ch. 28. 18. Is. 33. 15,16. mch. 6. 13. a ver. 8. 6 Or, shall be beaten. o Ps. 37. 30. ch. 13. 14. & 18. 4. p P8.107.42. ver. 6. q ch. 17.9. 1 Cor. 13. 4. i Pet. 4.8. 33. & 22. 16. Ps. 55. 23. Eccles.7.17. b Job 8. 13. & 11. 20. Ps. 112. 10. ch. 11. 7. 1 Ps. 1.6. & 37.20. k Ps. 37. 22, 29. & 125. 1. ver. 25. 1 Ps. 37. 30. 6 Heb. froward nesses. a Lev. 19. & 20. 10, 23. 7 Heb. Balances of deccit. с their contrary vices. 2bWhen pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 dRiches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth. from death. 2 е 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. BEFORE CHRIST cir. 1000. b ch. 15. 33. & 16. 18. & 18. 12. Dan. 4. 30, 31. ch. 13. 6. d ch. 10. 2. Ezek. 7. 19. Zeph. 1.18. 2 Heb. e Gen. 7. 1. rectify. f ch. 5. 22. Eccles.10.8. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but 'transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 76 When a wicked man dieth, his 8 ch. 10. 28. expectation shall perish and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out bch. 21. 18. of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9 An 'hypocrite with his mouth de- 1 Job 8. 13. stroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. ch. 28.12,28. 10 When it goeth well with the Esth.8.15. righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 'By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 1 ch. 29. 8. & Heb. destitute of heart. mLev.19.16. ch. 20. 19. 13 m4 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful Heb. He spirit concealeth the matter. 14 n Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15 °He that is surety for a stranger 5 shall smart for it: and he that hateth 'suretiship is sure. that walketh, being a talebearer. n 1 Kings 12. 1, &c. ch. 15. 22. & 24. 6. och. 6. 1. Heb. shall be sore broken. Heb. those hands. that strike 16 PA gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel & 25. 34, &c. troubleth his own flesh. p ch. 31. 30. q Matt. 5. 7. 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth right-Hos. 10.12. eousness shall be a sure reward. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. 20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's 6. 8, 9. Jam. 3. 18. ch. 16. 5. Ps. 112. 2. A7FALSE balance is abomina- snout, so is a fair woman which 'is paru tion to the LORD: but a just without discretion. 8 Heb. a perfect weight is his delight. stone. departeth from. Moral virtues, and BEFORE CHRIST cir. 1000. ■Rom.2.8,9. only good but the expectation of of evil men: but the root of the 24 There is that scattereth, and Ps. 112.9. yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 72 Cor. 9. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 25 2 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be soul of bless watered also himself. ing. 2 Heb. The z Matt. 5.7. Amos 8.5,6. b Job 29. 13. Esth. 7.10. Ps. 7. 15, 16. & 9. 15, 16. & 10. 2. & 57.6. d Job 31. 24. Ps. 52. 7. Mark 10. 24. Luke 12. 21. 1 Tim. 6. 17. e Ps. 1. 3. & 52.8. & 92. 12, &c. Jer. 17.8. ? Eccles. 5. 16. 8 Dan. 12. 3. 1 Cor. 9. 19, &c. Jam. 5. 20. 3 Heb. taketh. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29 He that troubleth his own house fshall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 31 Behold, the righteous shall h Jer. 25. 29. be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. CHAPTER XII. 1 Pet. 4. 17, 18. a ch. 8. 35. instruction loveth knowledge: but he WHOSO loveth that hateth reproof is brutish. 2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3 A man shall not be established b ch.10. 25. by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. • ch.31. 23. 1 Cor. 11. 7. d ch. 14. 30. ech. 1. 11,18. fch. 14. 3. g Ps. 37. 30, 37. ch. 11. 21. Matt. 7. 24, 25, 26, 27. 17. 4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8 A man shall be commended ac1 Sam. 25. cording to his wisdom: "but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. per 4 Heb. perverse of heart. 1 ch. 13. 7. k Deut. 25.4. 10 A righteous man regardeth 6 Or, bowels. the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. Pa. 39. 1. ch. 21. 23. Jam. 3. 2. 3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 4 The soul of the sluggard 'de-4 ch. 10. 4. sireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. be broken. r Ps. 32. 10. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. their contrary vices. CHAPTER XIV. Eeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. BEFORE CHRIST cir. 1000. a ch. 24. 3. b Ruth 4.11. 2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that Job 12.4. is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the ach. 12.6. wise shall preserve them. 4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. e Ex. 20. 16. & 23. 1. ch. 6. 19. & 12. 17. ver. 25. 6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy ch.8.9. unto him that understandeth. 7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. & 17. 24. 9 Fools make a mock at sin: butch. 10. 23. among the righteous there is favour. 10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 2 Heb. the bitterness of his soul. 11 The house of the wicked shall b Job 8.15. be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 1 ch. 16. 25. 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end Rom.6.21. thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and 'the end of that mirth 1 ch.5.4. is heaviness. Eccles. 2.2. 14 The backslider in heart shall be m filled with his own ways: and a good ch. 1.31. man shall be satisfied from himself. 15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. & 12.14 16 A wise man feareth, and de-ch. 22. 3. parteth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17 He that is soon angry, dealeth foolishly and a man of wicked devices is hated. : 18 The simple inherit folly: but the 22 A good man leaveth an inherit-prudent are crowned with knowledge. ance to his children's children: and Job 27.16, the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. |