and their contrary vices.

Rished,and he that speaketh lies shall perish. 3 It is an honour for a man to cease 10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; from strife: but every fool will be medmuch less for a servant to have rule over dling.

princes.

4 The sluggard will not plough by rea11 The discretion of a man deferreth son of the cold; therefore shall he beg in his anger; and it is his glory to pass over harvest, and have nothing.

a transgression.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like

12 The king's wrath is as the roaring deep water; but a man of understanding of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon will draw it out. the grass.

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

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul: but he that despise th his ways shall die.

17 He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment, scattereth away'all evil with his eyes.

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

10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer eye, the LORD hath made even both of punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet them. thou must do it again.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to 20 Hear counsel, and receive instruc- poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt tion, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter be satisfied with bread.

end.

14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the 21 There are many devices in a man's buyer: but when he is gone his way, then heart; nevertheless the counsel of the he boasteth. LORD, that shall stand.

22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

25 Smite a scorner and the simple will 18 Every purpose is established by beware and reprove one that hath un-counsel: and with good advice make war. derstanding, and he will understand know- 19 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer ledge. revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not 26 He that wasteth his father, and with him that flattereth with his lips. chaseth away his mother, is a son that 20 Whoso curseth his father or his mocauseth shame, and bringeth reproach. ther, his lamp shall be put out in obscure 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruc-darkness. tion that causeth to err from the words of 21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily knowledge. at the beginning; but the end thereof shall

28 An ungodly witness scorneth judg-not be blessed. ment: and the mouth of the wicked de- 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; voureth iniquity. but wait on the LORD, and he shall save

29 Judgments are prepared for scorn-thee. ers, and stripes for the back of fools. CHAP. XX.

23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not

WINE is a mocker, strong drink is good.

raging and whosoever is deceiv

ed thereby is not wise.

24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? 2 The fear of a king is as the roaring 25 It is a snare to the man who devourof a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger eth that which is holy, and after vows to sinneth against his own soul.

make inquiry,

Of sundry moral virtues,

PROVERBS.

and their contrary vices.

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, than with a contentious and an angry woand bringeth the wheel over them.

man.

27 The spirit of man is the candle of 20 There is treasure to be desired, the LORD, searching all the inward parts and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a of the belly. foolish man spendeth it up.

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. CHAP. XXI.

TH

HE king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 A high look, and a proud heart, and the ploughing of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles. 24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. CHAP. XXII.

8 The way of man is froward and A GOOD name is rather to be chosen

strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD 11 When the scorner is punished, the are riches, and honour, and life. simple is made wise: and when the wise 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. the froward: he that doth keep his soul 12 The righteous man wisely consider-shall be far from them.

eth the house of the wicked: but God 6 Train up a child in the way he should overthroweth the wicked for their wicked-go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

ness.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. 9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of poor. iniquity.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention 16 The man that wandereth out of the shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall way of understanding shall remain in the cease. congregation of the dead.

11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for 17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a the grace of his lips the king shall be his poor man: he that loveth wine and oil friend. shall not be rich.

12 The eyes of the LORD preserve 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for knowledge, and he overthroweth the words the righteous, and the transgressor for the of the transgressor. upright. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

14 The mouth of strange women is a thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

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

9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their Redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. 15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

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

20 Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

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

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

23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wis26 Be not thou one of them that strike dom, and instruction, and understanding. hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 24 The father of the righteous shall 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a should he take away thy bed from under wise child shall have joy of him.

thee?

25 Thy father and thy mother shall be

28 Remove not the ancient landmark, glad. and she that bare thee shall rejoice, which thy fathers have.set.

26 My son, give me thine heart, and let bu-thine eyes observe my ways.

29 Seest thou a man diligent in his siness? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. CHAP. XXIII.

WHE

HEN thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

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

27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men. 29 Who hath wo? Who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an and stingeth like an adder. eagle toward heaven.

32 At the last it biteth like a serpent,

33 Thine eyes shall behold strange wo6 Eat thou not the bread of him that men, and thine heart shall utter perverse hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his things.

dainty meats:

34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is down in the midst of the sea, or as he that he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but lieth upon the top of a.mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt say, and I was not sick; they have beaten

his heart is not with thee.

Of sundry moral virtues,

PROVERBS.

and their contrary vices.

me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? | art righteous; him shall the people curse, I will seek it yet again. nations shall abhor him : CHAP. XXIV.

25 But to them that rebuke him shall

BE not thou envious against evil men. be delight, and a good blessing shall come

neither desire to be

them:

2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3 Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established:

upon them.

26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant 28 Be not a witness against thy neighriches. bour without cause; and deceive not with

5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of thy lips. knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

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

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not be that pondereth the heart

consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul,

doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? 13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honey-comb, which is sweet to thy taste:

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

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

I

32 Then I saw, and considered it well : looked upon it, and received instruction. 33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. CHAP. XXV.

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

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom 3 The heaven for height, and the earth be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, for depth, and the heart of kings is unthen there shall be a reward, and thy ex-searchable. pectation shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting-place:

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

5 Take away the wicked from before 16 For a just man falleth seven times, the king, and his throne shall be establishand riseth up again: but the wicked shall ed in righteousness. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy fall- of the king, and stand not in the place of eth, and let not thine heart be glad when great men: he stumbleth:

fall into mischief.

18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease bim, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

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

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou 20 For there shall be no reward to the know not what to do in the end thereof, evil man; the candle of the wicked shall when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. be put out. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou

10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12 As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Observations about fools. CHAP. XXVI, XXVII. Of sluggards and busybodies.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them fools.

that send him: for he refresheth the soul 10 The great God that formed all things of his masters. both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth

14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift transgressors.

is like clouds and wind without rain.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a

15 By long forbearing is a prince per- fool returneth to his folly. suaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much conceit? there is more hope of a fool than as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled of him.

therewith, and vomit it..

13 The slothful man saith, There is a

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neigh-lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. bour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

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

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre: so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a

reason.

17 He that .passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? bis head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 20 Whore no wood is, there the fire 23 The north wind driveth away rain: goeth out: so where there is no tale-bearer, so doth an angry countenance a backbiting the strife ceaseth.

tongue.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and 24 It is better to dwell in a corner of wood to fire; so is a contentious man to the house-top, than with a brawling wo-kindle strife. man and in a wide house.

22 The words of a tale bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall thereturn upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. CHAP. XXVII..

BOAST nowest not what a day may not thyself of to-morrow; for

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, bring forth.

lest be be wise in his own conceit.

2 Let another man praise thee, and not

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand thine own mouth; a stranger, and not of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh thine own lips. damage.

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn geeth up into the hand of a

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? 5'Open rebuke is better than secret love.