Proverbs 1:1 1 Proverbs 1:15

PROVERBS1 The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, who reigned

in Israel; 2 to know wisdom and instruction, and toperceive words of understanding; 3 to receive also *hardsayings, and to understand true justice, and how to directjudgment; 4 that hemight give subtlety to the simple, andto the youngman †discernment and understanding. 5Forby the hearing of these a wise man will be wiser, andthe man of understanding will gain direction; 6 and willunderstand a parable, and a dark speech; the sayings ofthe wise also, and riddles.

7The fear of the Lord is the ‡beginning of wisdom; andthere is good understanding to all that practise it: andpiety toward God is the beginning of discernment; butthe ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction.8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and rejectnot the rules of thy mother. 9 For thou shalt receive forthine head a crown of graces, and a chain of gold roundthy neck.

10My son, let not ungodlymen lead thee astray, neitherconsent thou to them. 11 If they should exhort thee, saying,Come with us, partake in blood, and let us unjustly hidethe just man in the earth: 12 and let us swallow him alive,as Hadeswould, and remove thememorial of him from theearth: 13 let us seize onhis valuable property, and let us fillour houses with spoils: 14 but do thou cast in thy lot withus, and let us all provide a common purse, and let us haveone pouch: 15 go not in the way with them, but turn aside* 1:3 Gr. turnings, q. d. knotty words. See Heb. † 1:4 Or, discretion.‡ 1:7 Or, sum, or, top.

Proverbs 1:17 2 Proverbs 1:32thy foot from their paths:§ 17 for nets are not withoutcause spread for birds. 18 For they that are concerned inmurder store up evils for themselves; and the overthrowof transgressors is evil. 19 These are the ways of all thatperform lawless deeds; for by ungodliness they destroytheir own life.

20 Wisdom sings aloud in passages, and in the broadplaces speaks boldly. 21 And she makes proclamation onthe top of the walls, and sits by the gates of princes;and at the gates of the city boldly says, 22 So long as thesimple cleave to justice, they shall not be ashamed: butthe foolish being lovers of haughtiness, having becomeungodly have hated knowledge, and are become subjectto reproofs. 23 Behold, I will bring forth to you theutterance of my breath, and I will instruct you in myspeech.

24 Since I called, and ye did not hearken; and I spokeat length, and ye gave no heed; 25 but ye set at noughtmy counsels, and disregarded my reproofs; 26 thereforeI also will laugh at your destruction; and I will rejoiceagainst you when ruin comes upon you: 27 yea whendismay suddenly comes upon you, and your overthrowshall arrive like a tempest; and when tribulation anddistress shall come upon you, or when ruin shall comeupon you. 28 For it shall be that when ye call upon me,I will not hearken to you: wicked men shall seek me, butshall not find me. 29 For they hated wisdom, and did notchoose the word of the Lord: 30neither would they attendto my counsels, but derided my reproofs. 31 Thereforeshall they eat the fruits of their own way, and shall befilled with their own ungodliness. 32 For because theywronged the simple, they shall be slain; and an inquisition§ 1:15 For ver 16, see Appendix.

Proverbs 1:33 3 Proverbs 2:16shall ruin the ungodly. 33But he that hearkens tome shalldwell in **confidence, and shall rest securely fromall evil.

21 My son, if thou wilt receive the utterance of my

commandment, and hide it with thee; 2 thine ear shallhearken to wisdom; thou shalt also apply thine heart tounderstanding, and shalt apply it to the instruction of thyson.

3 For if thou shalt call to wisdom, and utter thy voicefor understanding; 4 and if thou shalt seek it as silver, andsearch diligently for it as for treasures; 5 then shalt thouunderstand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledgeof God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; and from his presencecome knowledge and understanding, 7 and he treasuresup salvation for them that walk uprightly: he will protecttheir way; 8 that hemay guard the righteous ways: and hewill preserve the way of them that fear him. 9 Then shaltthou understand righteousness, and judgment; and shaltdirect *all thy course aright.

10 For if wisdom shall come into thine understanding,and discernment shall seem pleasing to thy soul, 11 goodcounsel shall guard thee, and holy understanding shallkeep thee; 12 to deliver thee from the evil way, and fromthe man that speaks nothing faithfully.

13 Alas for those who forsake right paths, to walk inways of darkness; 14 who rejoice in evils, and delight inwicked perverseness; 15 whose paths are crooked, andtheir †courses winding; 16 to remove thee far from thestraight way, and to estrange thee from a righteous** 1:33 Gr. hope. See Ps. 16. * 2:9 Lit. all good a les. † 2:15 Lit. wheeltracks. Compare Heb. 12. 13.

Proverbs 2:17 4 Proverbs 3:10

purpose. My son, let not evil counsel overtake thee,17 of her who has forsaken the instruction of her youth,and forgotten the covenant of God. 18 For she has fixedher house near death, and guided her wheels near Hadeswith the ‡giants. 19 None that go by her shall return,neither shall they take hold of right paths, for they arenot apprehended of the §years of life. 20 For had theygone in good paths, they would have found the paths ofrighteousness **easy. 21 For the upright shall dwell inthe earth, and the holy shall be left behind in it. 22 Thepaths of the ungodly shall perish out of the earth, andtransgressors shall be driven away from it.

31 My son, forget not my laws; but let thine heart keep

my words: 2 for length of existence, and years of life, andpeace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truthforsake thee; but bind themabout thyneck: 4so shalt thoufind favour: *and do thou †provide things honest in thesight of the Lord, and of men.

5 Trust in God with all thine heart; and be not exaltedin thine own wisdom. 6 In all thy ways acquaint thyselfwith her, that she may rightly ‡direct thy paths. 7 Be notwise in thine own conceit; but fear God, and depart fromall evil. 8Then shall there be health to thy body, and goodkeeping to thy bones.

9 Honour the Lord with thy just labours, and givehim the first of thy fruits of righteousness: 10 that thy‡ 2:18 See Heb. § 2:19 Singular variation from Heb. ** 2:20 Gr.smooth. * 3:4 Alex. + 'andwrite themon the table of thine heart.' † 3:4See Rom. 12. 17. ‡ 3:6 Gr. divide. See 2 Tim 2. 13.

Proverbs 3:11 5 Proverbs 3:25

storehouses may be completely filled with corn, and thatthy presses may burst forth with wine.

11 ✡My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord;nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 12 for whom theLord loves, he rebukes, and scourges every son whom hereceives.

13 Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and themortal who knows prudence. 14 For it is better to trafficfor her, than for treasures of gold and silver. 15 And sheis more valuable than precious stones: no evil thing shallresist her: she is well known to all that approach her, andno precious thing is equal to her in value. 16 For lengthof existence and years of life are in her right hand; and inher left hand are wealth and glory: 16a out of her mouthproceeds righteousness, and she carries law and mercyupon her tongue. 17Her ways are good ways, and all herpaths are peaceful. 18 She is a tree of life to all that layhold upon her; and she is a secure help to all that staythemselves on her, as on the Lord.

19 God by wisdom founded the earth, and by prudencehe prepared the heavens. 20 By understanding were thedepths broken up, and the clouds dropped water.

21 My son, let them not §pass from thee, but keep mycounsel and understanding: 22 that thy soul may live, andthat there may be grace round thy neck; 22a and it shallbe health to thy flesh, and safety to thy bones: 23 thatthou mayest go confidently in peace in all thy ways, andthat thy foot may not stumble. 24 For if thou **rest, thoushalt be undismayed; and if thou sleep, thou shalt slumbersweetly. 25 And thou shalt not be afraid of alarm comingupon thee, neither of approaching attacks of ungodly✡ 3:11 Heb. 12. 5,6. § 3:21 See Heb. 2. 1. ** 3:24 Gr. sit down.

Proverbs 3:26 6 Proverbs 4:8

men. 26 For the Lord shall be over all thy ways, and shallestablish thy foot that thou be not moved.

27 Forbear not to do good to the poor, whensoever thyhand may have power to help him. 28 Say not, Come backanother time, to-morrow Iwill give; while thou art able todo him good: for thou knowest not what the next day willbring forth. 29 Devise not evil against thy friend, livingnear thee and trusting in thee.

30 Be not ready to quarrel with a man without a cause,lest he do thee some harm.

31 Procure not the reproaches of bad men, neither dothou covet theirways. 32For every transgressor is uncleanbefore the Lord; neither does he sit among the righteous.33The curse of God is in the houses of the ungodly; but thehabitations of the just are blessed. 34 ††The Lord resiststhe proud; but he gives grace to the humble. 35 The wiseshall inherit glory; but the ungodly have exalted their owndishonour.

41 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and

attend to knowunderstanding. 2For I give you a good gift;forsake ye notmy law. 3For I alsowas a son obedient tomyfather, and loved in the sight of my mother: 4who spokeand instructedme, saying, Let our speech be fixed in thineheart, keep our commandments, forget themnot: 5and donot neglect the speech ofmymouth.* 6And forsake it not,and it shall cleave to thee: love it, and it shall keep thee.8 †Secure it, and it shall exalt thee: honour it, that it may†† 3:34 See 1 Pet. 5. 5. * 4:5 See Appendix - Alexandrian codex has:“Get wisdom, get understanding, forget not, nor decline from the words ofmy mouth.” † 4:8 Lit. dig a trench about her, see Heb.

Proverbs 4:9 7 Proverbs 4:27embrace thee; 9 that it may give unto thy head a crown ofgraces, and may cover thee with a crown of delight.

10Hear,my son, and receive my words; and the years ofthy life shall be increased, that the resources of thy lifemay be many. 11 For I teach thee the ways of wisdom;and I cause thee to go in right ‡paths. 12 For when thougoest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thourunnest, thou shalt not be distressed. 13 Take hold of myinstruction; let it not go,—but keep it for thyself for thylife.

14 Go not in the ways of the ungodly, neither covet theways of transgressors. 15 In whatever place they shallpitch their camp, go not thither; but turn from them,and pass away. 16 For they cannot sleep, unless they havedone evil: their sleep is taken away, and they rest not.17 For these live upon the bread of ungodliness, and aredrunken with wine of transgression. 18 But the ways ofthe righteous shine like light; they go on and shine, untilthe day §be fully come. 19But the ways of the ungodly aredark; they know not how they stumble.

20My son, attend to my speech; and apply thine ear tomy words: 21 that thy fountains may not fail thee; keepthem in thine heart. 22 For they are life to those that findthem, and **health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thine heartwith the utmost care; for out of these are the issues oflife. 24 Remove from thee a froward mouth, and put faraway from thee unjust lips. 25Let thine eyes look right on,and let thine eyelids assent to just things. 26Make straightpaths for thy feet, and order thy ways aright. 27 Turn notaside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away thy‡ 4:11 Gr. wheel-tracks, see chap 2. 18; Heb. 12. 13. § 4:18 Gr. orderitself aright. ** 4:22 Or, healing.

Proverbs 4:27a 8 Proverbs 5:16foot from an evil way: 27a [††for God knows the ways onthe right hand, but those on the left are crooked:] 27b andhewill make thy ways straight, andwill guide thy steps inpeace.

51My son, attend to my wisdom, and apply thine ear to

my words; 2 that thou mayest keep good understanding,and the discretion of my lips gives thee a charge.

Give no heed to a worthless woman; 3 for honey dropsfrom the lips of a harlot, who for a season pleases thypalate: 4 but afterwards thou wilt find her *more bitterthan gall, and sharper than a two-edged sword. 5 Forthe feet of folly lead those who deal with her down tothe grave with death; and her steps are not established.6 For she goes not upon the paths of life; but her ways areslippery, and not easily known.

7Now then, my son, hear me, and make not my wordsof none effect. 8 Remove thy way far from her; draw notnear to the doors of her house: 9 lest thou give away thylife to others, and thy substance to the merciless: 10 leststrangers be filled with thy strength, and thy labourscome into the houses of strangers; 11 and thou repentat last, when the flesh of thy body is consumed, 12 andthou shalt say, How have I hated instruction, and myheart avoided reproofs! 13 †I heard not the voice of himthat instructed me, and taught me, neither did I applymine ear. 14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of thecongregation and assembly.

15 Drink waters out of thine own vessels, and out ofthine own springing wells. 16 Let not waters out of thy†† 4:27a Heb. omits. * 5:4 Gr. amore bitter thing. † 5:13 Alex. omits'not.'

Proverbs 5:17 9 Proverbs 6:8bfountain be spilt by thee, but let thy waters go into thystreets. 17Let them be only thine own, and let no strangerpartake with thee. 18 Let thy fountain of water be trulythine own; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19 Letthy loving hart and thy graceful colt company with thee,and let her be considered thine own, and be with thee atall times; for ravished with her love thou shalt be greatlyincreased. 20 Be not intimate with a strange woman,neither fold thyself in the arms of awomannot thine own.21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, andhe looks on all his paths. 22 Iniquities ensnare a man, andevery one is bound in the chains of his own sins. 23 Such aman dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth fromthe abundance of his own substance, and has perishedthrough folly.

61 My son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou

shalt deliver thine hand to an enemy. 2 For a man's ownlips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught withthe lips of his own mouth. 3My son, do what I commandthee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend's account thouart come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir upeven thy friend for whom thou art become surety. 4 Givenot sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber with thine eyelids;5 that thou mayest deliver thyself as a doe out of the toils,and as a bird out of a snare.

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; and see, and emulate hisways, and become wiser than he. 7 For whereas he hasno husbandry, nor any one to compel him, and is underno master, 8 he prepares food for himself in the summer,and lays by abundant store in harvest. 8aOr go to the bee,and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she isengaged in her work; 8bwhose labours kings and private

Proverbs 6:8c 10 Proverbs 6:23men use for health, and she is desired and respectedby all: 8c though weak in *body, she is advanced byhonouring wisdom. 9How long wilt thou lie, O sluggard?andwhenwilt thou awake out of sleep? 10Thou sleepest alittle, and thou restest a little, and thou slumberest a shorttime, and thou foldest thine arms over thy breast a little.11 Then poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveller, andwant as a swift courier: 11a but if thou be diligent, thineharvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall fleeaway as a bad courier.

12 A foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways thatare not good. 13 And the same winks with the eye,and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with thebeckonings of his fingers. 14 His perverse heart devisesevils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a city.15 Therefore his destruction shall come suddenly; over-throw and irretrievable ruin.†

16 For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and heis ruined by reason of impurity of soul. 17 The eye of thehaughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood ofthe just; 18 and a heart devising evil thoughts, and feethastening to do evil,—are hateful to God. 19 An unjust wit-ness kindles falsehoods, and ‡brings on quarrels betweenbrethren.

20 My son, keep the laws of thy father, and reject notthe ordinances of thy mother: 21 but bind them uponthy soul continually, and hang them as a chain aboutthy neck. 22 Whensoever thou walkest, lead this alongand let it be with thee; and when thou sleepest let itkeep thee; that it may talk with thee when thou wakest.23 For the commandment of the law is a lamp and a light;* 6:8c Gr. strength. † 6:15 Comp. Heb. ‡ 6:19 Gr sends forthjudgments.

Proverbs 6:24 11 Proverbs 7:5a way of life; reproof also and correction: 24 to keepthee continually from a married woman, and from thecalumny of a strange tongue.

25 Let not the desire of beauty overcome thee, neitherbe thou caught by thine eyes, neither be captivated withher eyelids. 26For the value of a harlot is asmuch as of oneloaf; and a woman hunts for the precious souls of men.27 Shall any one bind fire in his bosom, and not burn hisgarments? 28or will any one walk on coals of fire, and notburn his feet? 29So is he that goes in to amarried woman;he shall not beheld guiltless, neither any one that touchesher. 30 It is not to be wondered at if one should be takenstealing, for he steals thatwhenhungry hemay satisfy hissoul: 31but if he should be taken, he shall repay sevenfold,and shall deliver himself by giving all his goods. 32But theadulterer through want of sense procures destruction tohis soul. 33 He endures both pain and disgrace, and hisreproach shall never be wiped off. 34 For the soul of herhusband is full of jealousy: he will not spare in the dayof vengeance. 35 He will not forego his enmity for anyransom: neither will he be reconciled for many gifts.

71My son, keep my words, and hide with thee my com-

mandments. 1aMy son, honour the Lord, and thou shalt bestrong; and fear none but him: 2keepmy commandments,and thou shalt live; and keep my words as the pupils ofthine eyes. 3And bind them on thy fingers, and write themon the table of thine heart.

4 Say that wisdom is thy sister, and gain prudence as anacquaintance for thyself; 5 that she may keep thee fromthe strange and wicked woman, if she should assail theewith flattering words.

Proverbs 7:6 12 Proverbs 7:266 For she looks from a window out of her house into

the streets, at one whom she may see of the senselessones, a youngman void of understanding, 7passing by thecorner in the passages *near her house, 8 and speaking,in the dark of the evening, 9 when there happens to bethe stillness of night and of darkness: 10 and the womanmeets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causesthe hearts of young men to flutter. 11 And she is fickle,and debauched, and her feet abide not at home. 12 For atone time she wanders without, and at another time shelies in wait in the streets, at every corner. 13 Then shecaught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent facesaid to him, 14 I have a peace-offering; to-day I pay myvows: 15 therefore I came forth to meet thee, desiring thyface; and I have found thee. 16 I have spread my bed withsheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry fromEgypt. 17 I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and myhouse with cinnamon. 18Come, and let us enjoy love untilthe morning; come, and let us embrace in love. 19 For myhusband is not at home, but is gone on a long journey,20having taken in his hand a bundle ofmoney: aftermanydays he will return to his house.

21 So with much converse she prevailed on him to goastray, andwith the snares of her lips she forced him fromthe right path. 22And he followed her, being gently led on,and that as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog tobonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow: 23 andhe hastens as a bird into a snare, not knowing that he isrunning for his life.

24Now then, my son, hearken to me, and attend to thewords of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart turn aside toher ways:† 26 for she has wounded and cast down many,* 7:7 Gr. of. † 7:25 Alex. + 'and stray not in her paths.'

Proverbs 7:27 13 Proverbs 8:17and those whom she has slain are innumerable. 27 Herhouse is the ‡way of hell, leading down to the chambersof death.

81Thou shalt proclaimwisdom, that understandingmay

be obedient to thee. 2 For she is on lofty eminences,and stands in the midst of the ways. 3 For she sits bythe gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, saying,4 You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sonsof men. 5 O ye simple, *understand subtlety, and ye thatare untaught, imbibe knowledge. 6 Hearken to me; for Iwill speak solemn truths; and will produce right sayingsfrom my lips. 7 For my throat shall meditate truth; andfalse lips are an abomination before me. 8 All the wordsof my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing inthem wrong or perverse. 9 They are all evident to thosethat understand, and right to those that find knowledge.10 Receive instruction, and not silver; and knowledgerather than tried gold. 11 For wisdom is better thanprecious stones; and no valuable substance is of equalworth with it.

12 I wisdom have dwelt with counsel and knowledge,and I have called upon understanding. 13 The fear ofthe Lord hates unrighteousness, and insolence, and pride,and the ways of wickedmen; and I hate the perverse waysof bad men. 14 Counsel and safety are mine: prudenceis mine, and strength is mine. 15 By me kings reign, andprinces decree justice. 16Byme nobles become great, andmonarchs by me rule over the earth. 17 I love those thatlove me; and they that seek me shall find me.‡ 7:27 Gr. ways. * 8:5 For the use of ἄκατος and πανοῦργος in this book,see Appendix.

Proverbs 8:18 14 Proverbs 8:3518 Wealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant

possessions and righteousness. 19 It is better to havemy fruit than to have gold and precious stones; and myproduce is better than choice silver. 20 I walk in waysof righteousness, and am conversant with the paths ofjudgment; 21 that I may divide substance to them thatlove me, and may fill their treasures with good things.21a If I declare to you the things that daily happen, I willremember also to recount the things of old.

22 The Lord made me the beginning of his ways forhis works. 23 He established me †before time was in thebeginning, before he made the earth: 24 even before hemade the depths; before the fountains of water cameforth: 25 before the mountains were settled, and beforeall hills, he begets me. 26 The Lord made countries anduninhabited tracts, and the highest inhabited parts of theworld. 27 When he prepared the heaven, I was presentwith him; and when he ‡prepared his throne upon thewinds: 28 and when he strengthened the clouds above;and when he secured the fountains of the earth: 29 §andwhen he strengthened the foundations of the earth: 30 Iwas by him, **suiting myself to him, I was that whereinhe took delight; and daily I rejoiced in his presencecontinually. 31 For he rejoiced when he had completedthe world, and rejoiced among the children of men.

32Now then, my son, hear me: blessed is the man whoshall hearken to me, and the mortal who shall keep myways;†† 34watchingdaily atmydoors, waiting at the postsof my entrances. 35Formy outgoings are the outgoings of† 8:23 Gr. before the age. ‡ 8:27 Or, marked out. § 8:29 See Appendix.** 8:30 Or, arranging all things. †† 8:32 appendix has Alexandrine textas: “And blessed are they that keep my ways.”

Proverbs 8:36 15 Proverbs 9:12blife, and in them is prepared favour from the Lord. 36 Butthey that sin against me act wickedly against their ownsouls: and they that hate me love death.

91Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven

pillars. 2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled herwine in a bowl, and prepared her table. 3 She has sentforth her servants, callingwith a loud proclamation to thefeast, saying, 4Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me:and to them that want understanding she says, 5 Come,eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled foryou.

6 Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek*wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge. 7Hethat reproves evilmen shall get dishonour to himself; andhe that rebukes an ungodly man shall disgrace himself.8 Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebukea wiseman, and he will love thee. 9Give an opportunity toa wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, andhe will receive more instruction. 10 The fear of the Lordis the †beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints isunderstanding: 10a for to know the law is the character ofa sound mind. 11 For in this way thou shalt live long, andyears of thy life shall be added to thee.

12 Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also bewise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest provewicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. 12a ‡He that stayshimself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, andthe same will pursue birds in their flight: 12b for he hasforsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused* 9:6 Alex. + 'that ye may live.' † 9:10 Or, summit. ‡ 9:12a Heb. — tobeginning of verse 13.

Proverbs 9:12c 16 Proverbs 10:8the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; 12c andhe goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed todrought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.

13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty,comes to want a morsel. 14 She sits at the doors ofher house, on a seat openly in the streets, 15 calling topassers by, and to those that are going right on theirways; 16 saying, Whoso is most senseless of you, let himturn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence,saying, 17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweetwater of theft.

18But he knows thatmightymen die by her, and he fallsin with a snare of hell. 18a But hasten away, delay not inthe place, neither fix thine eye upon her: 18b for thus shaltthou go through strange water; 18c but do thou abstainfrom strange water, and drink not of a strange fountain,18d that thou mayest live long, and years of life may beadded to thee.

101 A wise son makes his father glad: but a foolish son

is a grief to his mother. 2 Treasures shall not profitthe lawless: but righteousness shall deliver from death.3 The Lord will not famish a righteous soul: but he willoverthrow the life of the ungodly.

4 Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of thevigorous make rich. 4a A son who is instructed shall bewise, and shall use the fool for a servant. 5 A wise son issaved fromheat: but a lawless son is blighted of thewindsin harvest.

6 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just:but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.7 The memory of the just is praised; but the name ofthe ungodly man is extinguished. 8 A wise man in heart

Proverbs 10:9 17 Proverbs 10:26will receive commandments; but he that is unguardedin his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness. 9 Hethat walks simply, walks confidently; but he that pervertshis ways shall be known. 10 He that winks with his eyesdeceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reprovesboldly is a peacemaker. 11 There is a fountain of life in thehand of a righteous man; but destruction shall cover themouth of the ungodly.

12 Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all thatdo not love strife. 13 He that brings forth wisdom fromhis lips smites the *fool with a rod. 14 The wise will hidediscretion; but themouth of the hasty draws near to ruin.15 The wealth of rich men is a strong city; but poverty isthe ruin of the ungodly. 16 The works of the righteousproduce life; but the fruits of the ungodly produce sins.17 Instruction keeps the right ways of life; but instructionunchastened goes astray.

18 Righteous lips cover enmity; but they that utterrailings are most foolish. 19 By a multitude of words thoushalt not escape sin; but if thou refrain thy lips thou wiltbe prudent. 20The tongue of the just is tried silver; but theheart of the ungodly shall fail. 21The lips of the righteousknow sublime truths: but the foolish die in want. 22 Theblessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous; itenriches him, and grief of heart shall not be added to it.

23 A fool does mischief in †sport; but wisdom bringsforth prudence for a man.

24 The ungodly is engulphed in destruction; but thedesire of the righteous is acceptable. 25When the stormpasses by, the ungodly vanishes away; but the righteousturns aside and escapes for ever. 26 As a sour grape is* 10:13 Lit. heartless man, Hebraism. † 10:23 Gr. laughter.

Proverbs 10:27 18 Proverbs 11:9hurtful to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so iniquityhurts those that practise it. 27 The fear of the Lord addslength of days: but the years of the ungodly shall beshortened. 28 Joy rests long with the righteous: but thehope of the ungodly shall perish. 29 The fear of the Lordis a strong hold of the saints: but ruin comes to them thatwork wickedness.

30 The righteous shall never fail: but the ungodly shallnot dwell in the earth. 31 The mouth of the righteousdrops wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish.32 The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of theungodly is perverse.

111 False balances are an abomination before the Lord:

but a just weight is acceptable unto him. 2 Whereverpride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouthof the lowly meditates wisdom.* 3 †When a just mandies he ‡leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodlyis speedy, and causes joy. 5 Righteousness §traces outblameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust deal-ing.

6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: buttransgressors are caught in their own destruction. 7 Atthe death of a just man his hope does not perish: but theboast of the ungodly perishes. 8A righteous man escapesfrom a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in hisplace. 9 In themouth of ungodlymen is a snare to citizens:but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.* 11:2 See Appendix. † 11:3 the Alexandrine text reads: “The integrity ofthe upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoilthem.” ‡ 11:3 Comp. Heb. § 11:5 Gr. right divides.

Proverbs 11:10 19 Proverbs 11:2410 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers:**11 but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown.

12 A man void of understanding sneers at his fellowcitizens: but a sensible man is quiet. 13A double-tonguedman discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but hethat is ††faithful in spirit conceals matters. 14 They thathave no ‡‡guidance fall like leaves: but in much counselthere is safety.

15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a justman: and he hates the sound of safety. 16 A graciouswife §§brings glory to her husband: but a woman hatingrighteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful cometo want: but the ***diligent support themselves withwealth. 17A merciful man does good to his own soul: butthe merciless destroys his own body.

18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: butthe seed of the righteous is a reward of truth. 19 Arighteous son is born for life: but the persecution ofthe ungodly ends in death. 20 Perverse ways are anabomination to the Lord: but all they that are blamelessin their ways are acceptable to him. 21 He that unjustlystrikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sowsrighteousness shall receive a faithful reward. 22 As anornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-mindedwoman. 23All the desire of the righteous is good: but thehope of the ungodly shall perish.

24 There are some who scatter their own, and makeit more: and there are some also who gather, yet have** 11:10 See Appendix which gives the Alexandrine text as: “[note - Partof verse 10.]— but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation.”†† 11:13 See chap 20. 27. ‡‡ 11:14 Or, governance. §§ 11:16 Gr.raises. *** 11:16 Gr. manly.

Proverbs 11:25 20 Proverbs 12:9less.††† 25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionateman is not graceful. 26May he that hoards corn leave itto the nation: but blessing be on the head of him thatgives it. 27He that devises good counsels seeks good favour:but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtakehim. 28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he thathelps righteous men shall rise.‡‡‡ 29 He that deals notgraciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; andthe fool shall be servant to the wise man. 30 Out of thefruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the soulsof transgressors are cut off before their time. 31 §§§If therighteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly andthe sinner appear?

121He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates

reproofs is a fool. 2 *He that has found favour with theLord is made better; but a transgressor shall be passedover in silence. 3A man shall not prosper by wickedness;but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up. 4 Avirtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a wormin wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.

5The thoughts of the righteous are true judgments; butungodly men devise deceits.

6 The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouthof the upright shall deliver them. 7When the ungodly isoverthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the justremain. 8 The mouth of an understanding man is praisedby a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.9 Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than onehonouring himself and wanting bread.††† 11:24 Gr. diminished. ‡‡‡ 11:28 See 1 Tim. 5. 8. §§§ 11:31 See1 Pet. * 12:2 Or. better is he, etc.

Proverbs 12:10 21 Proverbs 12:2610 A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle;

but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful. 11He thattills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but theythat pursue vanities are void of understanding. 11aHe thatenjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonourin his own strong holds.

12 The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the rootsof the godly are firmly set. 13 For the sin of his lips asinner falls into snares; but a righteousman escapes fromthem. 13a He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, buthe that contends in the gates will afflict souls. 14The soulof a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of hismouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given tohim. 15 The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; buta wise man hearkens to counsels. 16 A fool declares hiswrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his owndisgrace. 17A righteous man declares the open truth; butan unjust witness is deceitful.

18 Some wound as they speak, like swords; but thetongues of the wise heal. 19True lips establish testimony;but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue. 20There is deceitin the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that lovepeace shall rejoice. 21No injustice will please a just man;but the ungodly will be filled with mischief. 22 Lyinglips are an abomination to the Lord; but he that dealsfaithfully is accepted with him. 23An understanding manis a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meetwith curses.

24 The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule;but the deceitful shall be for a prey. 25 A terrible wordtroubles the heart of a righteousman; but a goodmessagerejoices him. 26 A just arbitrator shall be his own friend;but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly

Proverbs 12:27 22 Proverbs 13:13amen shall lead them astray. 27A deceitful man shall catchno game; but a †blameless man is a precious possession.28 In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways ofthose that remember injuries lead to death.

131A wise son is obedient to his father: but a disobedient

son will be destroyed. 2 A good man shall eat of thefruits of righteousness: but the lives of transgressors shallperish before their time. 3 He that keeps his own mouthkeeps his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shallbring terror upon himself. 4 Every slothful man desires,but the hands of the active are diligent. 5A righteousmanhates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is ashamed,and will have no confidence.* 7 There are some who,having nothing, enrich themselves: and there are somewho bring themselves down in the midst ofmuch wealth.

8 A man's own wealth is the ransom of his life: but thepoor †endures not threatening. 9 The righteous alwayshave light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched.9aCrafty souls go astray in sins: but just men pity, and aremerciful. 10A bad man does evil with insolence: but theythat are judges of themselves are wise. 11Wealth gottenhastilywith iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers forhimself with godliness shall be increased. The righteousis merciful, and lends. 12 Better is he that begins to helpheartily, than he that promises and leads another to hope:for a good desire is a tree of life. 13He that slights amattershall be slighted of it: but he that fears the commandmenthas health of soul. 13aTo a crafty son there shall be nothing† 12:27 Gr. pure. * 13:5 See Appendix for Alexandrine text shown as:“Righteousness preserves the simple in the way, but sin makes worthless theungodly.” † 13:8 Or, comes not in for.

Proverbs 13:14 23 Proverbs 14:6good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous doings,and his way shall be directed aright.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life: but theman void of understanding shall die by a snare. 15 Sounddiscretion gives favour, and to know the law is the part ofa sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend todestruction.

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge: but thefool displays his own mischief. 17 A rash king shall fallinto mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him.18 Instruction removes poverty and disgrace: but he thatattends to reproofs shall be honoured. 19 The desires ofthe godly gladden the soul, but the works of the ungodlyare far from knowledge. 20 If thou walkest with wisemen thou shalt be wise: but he that walks with foolsshall be known. 21 Evil shall pursue sinners; but goodshall overtake the righteous. 22 A good man shall inheritchildren's children; and the wealth of ungodlymen is laidup for the just. 23 The righteous shall spend many yearsin wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.

24He that spares the rodhates his son: but he that loves,carefully chastens him. 25A just man eats and satisfies hissoul: but the souls of the ungodly are in want.

141Wise women build houses: but a foolish one digs hers

down with her hands. 2 He that walks uprightly fearsthe Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways shall bedishonoured. 3 Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod ofpride; but the lips of the wise preserve them. 4 Whereno oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there isabundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent. 5Afaithful witness does not lie; but an unjust witness kindlesfalsehoods. 6 Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and

Proverbs 14:7 24 Proverbs 14:22shalt not find it; but discretion is easily available with theprudent.

7 All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wiselips are the weapons of discretion. 8 The wisdom of theprudent will understand their ways; but the folly of foolsleads astray. 9 The houses of transgressors *will needpurification; but the houses of the just are acceptable.

10 If a man's †mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful;and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed;but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shallstand. 12 There is a way which seems to be right withmen, but the ends of it ‡reach to the depth of hell.13Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comesto grief. 14 A §stout-hearted man shall be filled withhis own ways; and a good man with his own thoughts.15 The simple believes every word: but the prudent manbetakes himself to after-thought. 16Awiseman fears, anddeparts from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joinshimself with the transgressor. 17 A passionate man actsinconsiderately; but a sensible man bears up under manythings.

18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but theprudent shall take fast hold of understanding. 19Evil menshall fall before the good; and the ungodly shall attendat the gates of the righteous. 20 Friends will hate poorfriends; but the friends of the rich are many. 21 He thatdishonours the needy sins: but he that has pity on thepoor is most blessed. 22 They that go astray devise evils:but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil* 14:9 Gr. shall owe. See Job 6. 21. † 14:10 Or, heart be sensitive.‡ 14:12 Gr. come. § 14:14 Lit. bold-hearted.

Proverbs 14:23 25 Proverbs 15:4do not understand mercy and truth: but compassion andfaithfulness are with the framers of good. 23With everyone who is careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want. 24A prudent man isthe crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.

25A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil: but adeceitfulman kindles falsehoods. 26 In the fear of the Lordis strong confidence: and he leaves his children a support.27The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; andit causes men to turn aside from the snare of death.

28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king: but in thefailure of people is the ruin of a prince. 29 A man slow towrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spiritis very foolish. 30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of theheart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.31He that oppresses the needy provokes hisMaker: but hethat honours him has pity upon the poor. 32 The ungodlyshall be driven away in his wickedness: but **he who issecure in his own holiness is just.

33There iswisdom in the goodheart of aman: but in theheart of fools it is not discerned. 34 Righteousness exaltsa nation: but sins diminish tribes. 35 An understandingservant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behaviourhe removes disgrace.

151 Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer

turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but themouth of the foolish tells out evil things.

3 The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and thegood in every place. 4 *The wholesome tongue is a** 14:32 Comp. Heb. * 15:4 Gr. the healing of the tongue.

Proverbs 15:5 26 Proverbs 15:19tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with†understanding. 5 A fool scorns his father's instruction:but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent.In abounding righteousness is great strength: but theungodly shall ‡utterly perish from the earth.

6 In the houses of the righteous is much strength:but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish. 7 The lips ofthe wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of thefoolish are not safe. 8 The sacrifices of the ungodly arean abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them thatwalk honestly are acceptable with him. 9 The ways of anungodlyman are an abomination to the Lord; but he lovesthose that follow after righteousness. 10 The instructionof the simple is known by them that pass by; but they thathate reproofs die disgracefully.

11 Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; howshall not also be the hearts of men? 12 An uninstructedperson will not love those that reprove him; neither willhe associate with the wise. 13 When the heart rejoicesthe countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, thecountenance is sad. 14 An upright heart seeks discretion;but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.

15 The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evilthings; but the good are always quiet. 16 Better is a smallportion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasureswithout the fear of the Lord. 17 Better is an entertainmentof herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast ofcalves, with enmity. 18 A passionate man stirs up strife;but he that is slow to anger appeases even a §rising one.18a A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; butan ungodly man rather stirs them up. 19 The ways of† 15:4 Gr. spirit. ‡ 15:5 Gr. with the roots wholly torn up. § 15:18Gr. future.

Proverbs 15:20 27 Proverbs 15:33sluggards are strewnwith thorns; but those of the diligentare made smooth. 20 A wise son gladdens his father; buta foolish son sneers at his mother. 21 The ways of afoolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceedson his way aright. 22 They that honour not councilsput off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts ofcounsellors.

23 A bad man will by no means **attend to counsel;neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for thecommon weal.

24The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that hemayturn aside and escape from hell. 25 The Lord pulls downthe houses of scorners; but he establishes the border ofthe widow. 26 An unrighteous thought is abomination tothe Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.27A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hatesthe receiving of bribes is safe. 27a [By alms and by faithfuldealings ††sins are purged away;] but by the fear of theLord every one departs from evil.

28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness;but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. 28aTheways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; andthrough them even enemies become friends. 29God is farfrom the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of therighteous. 29a Better are small receipts with righteous-ness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness.

29b Let the heart of a man think justly, that his stepsmay be rightly ordered of God. 30The eye that sees rightlyrejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.32 He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he thatminds reproofs loves his soul. 33 The fear of the Lord** 15:23 Or, obey. †† 15:27a Observe, this is not in the Heb. nor anysuch doctrine.

Proverbs 16:2 28 Proverbs 15:17is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour willcorrespond therewith.

162 All the works of the humble man are manifest with

God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day. 5 Everyone that is proud in heart is unclean before God, andhe that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not beheld guiltless. 7 The beginning of a good way is to dojustly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offersacrifices. 8 He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledgewith righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shallfind peace. 9 All the works of the Lord are done withrighteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evilday.

10 There is an oracle upon the lips of a king; and hismouth shall not err in judgment. 11 The poise of thebalance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works arerighteous measures. 12An evil-doer is an abomination toa king; for the throne of rule is established by righteous-ness. 13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and heloves right words. 14The anger of a king is a messenger ofdeath; but a wise man will pacify him. 15The son of a kingis in the light of life; and they that are in favour with himare as a cloud of latter rain. 16 The *brood of wisdom ismore to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudencemore to be chosen than silver. 17 The paths of life turnaside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are lengthof life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity;and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He thatkeeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loveshis life will spare his mouth.* 16:16 Or, Abodes. Comp. Heb. See Luke 13. 35.

Proverbs 15:18 29 Proverbs 17:118 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.

19Better is a meek-spiritedmanwith †lowliness, than onewho divides spoils with the proud. 20 He who is skilful inbusiness finds good: but he that trusts in God is mostblessed. 21 Men call the wise and understanding evil:but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; butthe instruction of fools is evil. 23 The heart of the wisewill discern the things which proceed from his own mouth;and on his lips he will wear knowledge. 24Good words arehoneycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of thesoul.

25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, butthe end of them looks to the depth of hell. 26 A manwho labours, labours for himself, and drives from him hisown ruin. 27 But the perverse bears destruction upon hisown mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, andtreasures fire on his own lips. 28 A perverse man spreadsmischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs;and he separates friends. 29A transgressor tries to ensnarefriends, and leads them in ways that are not good.

30 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perversethings, andmarks outwith his lips all evils: he is a furnaceof wickedness. 31 Old age is a crown of ‡honour, but itis found in the ways of righteousness. 32 A man slow toanger is better than a strongman; and he that governs histemper better than he that takes a city. 33 All evils comeupon the ungodly into their bosoms; but all righteousthings come of the Lord.

171Better is amorsel with pleasure in peace, than a house

† 16:19 Or, affliction. ‡ 16:31 Gr. boasting.

Proverbs 17:2 30 Proverbs 17:18full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.2A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, andshall divide portions among brethren. 3As silver and goldare tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.4A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: buta righteous man attends not to false lips. 5He that laughsat the poor provokes him that made him; and he thatrejoices at the destruction of another shall not be heldguiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; andtheir fathers are the glory of children. 6a The faithfulhas the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless noteven a farthing. 7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; norlying lips a just man. 8 Instruction is to them that useit a gracious reward: and whithersoever it may turn, itshall prosper. 9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; buthe that hates to hide them separates friends and *kindred.10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but afool, though scourged, understands not. 11Every badmanstirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him anunmerciful messenger.

12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but foolswill meditate evils. 13Whoso rewards evil for good, evilshall not be removed from his house. 14 Rightful rulegives power to words; but sedition and strife precedepoverty. 15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and thejust unjust, is unclean and abominable with God. 16Whyhas the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be ableto purchase wisdom. 16a He that exalts his own houseseeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shallfall into mischiefs. 17 Have thou a friend for every time,and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this accountare they born. 18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices* 17:9 Comp. Heb.

Proverbs 17:19 31 Proverbs 18:5over himself, as he also that becomes surety would makehimself responsible for his own friends.

19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes; 20 and the hard-heartedman†comesnot in for good. Amanof a changefultongue will fall into mischiefs; 21 and the heart of a foolis grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over anuninstructed son; but awise son gladdens hismother. 22Aglad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowfulman dry up. 23 The ways of a man who unjustly receivesgifts in his bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly manperverts the ways of righteousness. 24 The countenanceof a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to theends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a cause of anger to hisfather, and grief to her that bore him.

26 It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is itholy to plot against righteous princes. 27He that forbearsto utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man iswise. 28Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks afterwisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to besensible.

181 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks

excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach. 2 Asenselessman feels no need ofwisdom, for he is rather ledby folly. 3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth ofevils, he despises them; but dishonour and reproach comeupon him. 4A word in the heart of a man is a deep water,and a river and fountain of life spring forth. 5 It is notgood to accept the person of the ungodly, nor is it holyto pervert justice in judgment.† 17:20 Or, meets not with good men.

Proverbs 18:6 32 Proverbs 18:22a6The lips of a fool bring him into troubles, and his bold

mouth calls for death. 7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him,and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8 Fear casts downthe slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brotherof him that ruins himself. 10 The name of the Lord isof great strength; and the righteous *running to it areexalted. 11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; andits glory casts a broad shadow. 12 Before ruin a man'sheart is exalted, and before honour it is humble. 13Whosoanswers a word before he hears a cause, it is folly andreproach to him. 14 A wise servant calms a man's anger;but who can endure a faint-hearted man? 15 The heart ofthe sensibleman purchases discretion; and the ears of thewise seek understanding. 16 A man's gift †enlarges him,and seats him among princes. 17A righteous man accuseshimself at the beginning of his speech, but ‡when he hasentered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

18 A silent man quells strifes, and determines betweengreat powers. 19 A brother helped by a brother is as astrong and high city; and is as strong as a well-foundedpalace. 20Amanfills his belly with the fruits of hismouth;and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips. 21 Lifeand death are in the power of the tongue; and they thatrule it shall eat the fruits thereof. 22He that has found agood wife has found favours, and has received gladnessfrom God. 22a [§He that puts away a good wife, puts awaya **good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolishand ungodly.]* 18:10 Gr. having run. † 18:16 See Ps. 118. 32. ‡ 18:17 Comp. Mark14. ult. and margin, with 2 Tim. 4. 14-17. § 18:22a Heb. omits this verse.** 18:22a Gr. plural.

Proverbs 19:3 33 Proverbs 19:1819

3The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames Godin his heart.

4 Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is de-serted even of the friend he has. 5 A false witness shallnot be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall notescape. 6Many court the favour of kings; but every badman becomes a reproach to anotherman. 7Every one whohates his poor brother shall also be far from friendship.Good understanding will draw near to them that know it,and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harmperfects mischief; and he that uses provoking words shallnot escape.

8 He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he thatkeeps wisdom shall find good. 9 A false witness shallnot be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischiefshall perish by it. 10 Delight does not suit a fool, nor is itseemly if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.11 A merciful man is long-suffering; and his *triumphovertakes transgressors. 12 The threatening of a king islike the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is hisfavour.

13A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows paid outof the hire of a harlot are not pure. 14Fathers divide houseand substance to their children: but a wife is suited to aman by the Lord. 15 †Cowardice possesses the effeminateman; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger. 16He thatkeeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he thatdespises his ways shall perish. 17He that has pity on thepoor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to himaccording to his gift. 18 Chasten thy son, for so he shallbe hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.* 19:11 Gr. boasting comes upon. † 19:15 Or, keeps down.

Proverbs 19:19 34 Proverbs 20:419 A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if hecommit injury, he shall also lose his life.

20 Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thoumayest be wise at thy latter end. 21 There are manythoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lordabides for ever. 22Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poorman is better than a rich liar. 23The fear of the Lord is lifeto aman: ‡and he shall lodgewithout fear in placeswhereknowledge is not seen. 24He that unjustly hides his handsin his bosom, will not even bring them up to his mouth.25When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple manis made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he willunderstand discretion.

26 He that dishonours his father, and drives awayhis mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed toreproach. 27A son who ceases to attend to the instructionof a father will cherish evil designs. 28 He that becomessurety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: andthe mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgments.29 Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and pun-ishments likewise for fools.

201 Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full

of violence: but every fool is entangled with them. 2 Thethreat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; andhe that provokes him sins against his own soul. 3 It isa glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but everyfool is entangled with such matters. 4 A sluggard whenreproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows cornin harvest.‡ 19:23 Or, 'but he that is without fear (sc. of the Lord) shall dwell' etc.

Proverbs 20:5 35 Proverbs 20:295 Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a prudent

man will draw it out. 6 A man is valuable, and a mercifulman precious: but it is hard to find a faithful man. 7 Hethat walks blameless in justice, shall leave his childrenblessed. 8Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne,no evil thing can stand before his presence. 9 Who willboast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly saythat he is pure from sins? 9a The lamp of him that revilesfather or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shallsee darkness.

9b A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be blessedin the end. 9c Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy;but wait on the Lord, that he may help thee.

10 A large and small weight, and *divers measures, areeven both of them unclean before the Lord; and so is hethat makes them. 11A youth when in companywith a godlyman, will be restrained in his devices, and then his waywill be straight. 12 The ear hears, and the eye sees: evenboth of them are the Lord's work. 13 Love not to speak ill,lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled withbread.

23 A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; anda deceitful balance is not good in his sight. 24 A man'sgoings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortalunderstand his ways? 25 It is a snare to a man hastilyto consecrate some of his own property: for in that caserepentance comes after vowing. 26 A wise king utterlycrushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.

27The †spirit ofman is a light of the Lord, who searchesthe inmost parts of the belly. 28 Mercy and truth area guard to a king, and will surround his throne withrighteousness. 29Wisdom is an ornament to young men;* 20:10 Gr. double. † 20:27 Comp. chap 11. 13.

Proverbs 20:30 36 Proverbs 21:18and grey hairs are the glory of old men. 30 Bruises andcontusions befall badmen; and plagues shall come into theinward parts of their belly.

211 As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's

hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to pointout. 2Everyman seems to himself righteous; but the Lorddirects the hearts. 3 To do justly and to speak truth, aremore pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices. 4 Ahigh-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and thelamp of the wicked is sin. 6He that gathers treasures witha lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.7Destruction shall lodgewith the ungodly; for they refuseto do justly. 8To the froward God sends froward ways; forhis works are pure and right. 9 It is better to dwell in acorner *on the house-top, than in plastered rooms withunrighteousness, and in an open house. 10 The soul ofthe ungodly shall not be pitied by any man. 11When anintemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser:and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.12A righteousmanunderstands the hearts of the ungodly:and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.

13He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himselfalso shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him. 14 Asecret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirsup strong wrath. 15 It is the joy of the righteous to dojudgment: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.16 A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness,shall rest in the congregation of †giants. 17 A poor manloves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance; 18 and a* 21:9 Gr. in the open air. † 21:16 Heb. Rephaim. see Appendix. Noteon 2 Kings 5. 18.

Proverbs 21:19 37 Proverbs 22:4transgressor is the ‡abomination of a righteous man. 19 Itis better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsomeand talkative and passionate woman. 20 A desirabletreasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolishmen will swallow it up. 21 The way of righteousness andmercy will find life and glory. 22 A wise man assaultsstrong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which theungodly trusted. 23 He that keeps his mouth and histongue keeps his soul from trouble.

24 A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called apest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.25Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose todo anything. 26 An ungodly man entertains evil desiresall the day: but the righteous is unsparingly mercifuland compassionate. 27 The sacrifices of the ungodly areabomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.§28 A false witness shall perish; but an obedient manwill speak cautiously. 29 An ungodly man **impudentlywithstands with his face; but the upright man himselfunderstands his ways. 30 There is no wisdom, there isno courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly. 31 Ahorse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of theLord.

221 A fair name is better than much wealth, and good

favour is above silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poormeet together; but the Lord made them both. 3 Anintelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished ishimself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and‡ 21:18 Gr. `off-scouring;' perhaps `ransom,' q. d. that which cleans.§ 21:27 Or, unlawfully. ** 21:29 See Alex. ungodly.

Proverbs 22:5 38 Proverbs 22:19wealth, and glory, and life. 5 Thistles and snares are inperverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain fromthem. 7The rich will rule over the poor, and servants willlend to their own masters.

8He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shallfully receive the punishment of his deeds. 8a *God loves acheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove thefolly of his works. 9 He that has pity on the poor shallhimself be maintained; for he has given of his own breadto the poor. 9aHe that gives liberally secures victory andhonour; but he takes away the life of them that possessthem. 10 Cast out a pestilent person from the council, andstrife shall go outwith him; forwhenhe sits in the councilhe dishonours all.

11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless per-sons are acceptable with him: a king rules with hislips. 12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; butthe transgressor despises wise words. 13 The sluggardmakes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, andmurderers in the streets. 14 The mouth of a transgressoris a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall intoit. 14a Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like toturn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside froma perverse and bad way. 15Folly is attached to the heart ofa child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.

16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own sub-stance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

17 Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear alsomyword, and apply thine heart, 18 that thoumayest knowthat they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, theyshall also gladden thee on thy lips. 19 That thy hope maybe in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.* 22:8a See 2 Cor. 9. 7. Compare Heb.

Proverbs 22:20 39 Proverbs 23:720 And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyselfon the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.21 I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good tohear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to themthat †question thee.

22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neitherdishonour the helpless man in the gates. 23 For the Lordwill plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul insafety.

24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodgewith a passionate man: 25 lest thou learn of his ways, andget snares to thy soul.

26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person.27For if thosehavenotwhence to give compensation, theywill take the bed that is under thee. 28Remove not the old‡landmarks, which thy fathers placed.

29 It is fit that an observant man and one diligent inhis business should attend on kings, and not attend onslothful men.

231 If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider

attentively the things set before thee: 2 and apply thinehand, knowing that it behoves thee to prepare suchmeats:but if thou art very insatiable, 3 desire not his provisions;for these belong to a false life.

4 If thou art poor, measure not thyself with a rich man;but refrain thyself in thy wisdom. 5 If thou shouldest fixthine eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like aneagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the houseof his master. 6 Sup not with an envious man, neitherdesire thou his meats: 7 so he eats and drinks as if any one† 22:21 See 1 Pet. 3. 15. ‡ 22:28 Gr. eternal.

Proverbs 23:8 40 Proverbs 23:28should swallow a hair, and do not bring him in to thyself,nor eat thy morsel with him: 8 for he will vomit it up, andspoil thy fair words.

9 Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any timehe sneer at thy wise words. 10 Remove not the ancientlandmarks; and enter not upon the possession of thefatherless: 11 for the Lord is their redeemer; he is mighty,and will plead their cause with thee. 12 Apply thineheart to instruction, and prepare thine ears for words ofdiscretion.

13 Refrain not from chastening a child; for if thou beathim with the rod, he shall not die. 14 For thou shalt beathim with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from death.

15 Son, if thy heart be wise, thou shalt also gladden myheart; 16and thy lips shall conversewithmy lips, if they beright. 17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou inthe fear of the Lord all the day. 18 For if thou shouldestkeep these things, thou shalt have posterity; and thinehope shall not be removed.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and rightly direct thethoughts of thine heart. 20 Be not a wine-bibber, neithercontinue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh: 21 forevery drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor; and ev-ery sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and raggedgarments.

22 Hearken, my son, to thy father which begot thee,and despise not thy mother because she is grown old. 24Arighteous father brings up his children well; and his soulrejoices over a wise son. 25 Let thy father and thy motherrejoice over thee, and let her that bore thee be glad.

26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyesobserve my ways. 27 For a strange house is a vessel fullof holes; and a strange well is narrow. 28 For such a one

Proverbs 23:29 41 Proverbs 24:7shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cutoff.

29Who has woe? who trouble? who has quarrels? andwho vexations and disputes? who has bruises without acause? whose eyes are livid? 30Are not those of them thatstay long at wine? are not those of them that haunt theplaces where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; butconverse with just men, and converse with them *openly.31 For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups,thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle. 32Butat last such a one stretches himself out as one smitten bya serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by ahorned serpent.

33Whenever thine eyes shall behold a strange woman,then thy mouth shall speak perverse things. 34 And thoushalt lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a greatstorm. 35And thou shalt say, They smoteme, and Iwas notpained; and theymockedme, and I knew it not: whenwillit be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom Imay go in company?

241My son, envy not badmen, nor desire to bewith them.

2For their heartmeditates falsehoods, and their lips speakmischiefs. 3 A house is built by wisdom, and is set up byunderstanding. 4 By discretion the chambers are filledwith all precious and excellent wealth. 5 A wise man isbetter than a strong man; and a man who has prudencethan a large estate. 6War is carried on with generalship,and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.

7 Wisdom and good understanding are in the gatesof the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth* 23:30 Gr. in public walks.

Proverbs 24:8 42 Proverbs 24:22bof the Lord, 8 but deliberate in council. Death befallsuninstructed men. 9 The fool also dies in sins; anduncleanness attaches to a pestilent man. 10 He shall bedefiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, untilhe be utterly consumed.

11Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeemthem that are appointed to be slain; spare not thy help.12 But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; knowthat the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formedbreath for all, he knows all things, who renders to everyman according to his works. 13My son, eat honey, for thehoneycomb is good, that thy throat may be sweetened.14Thus shalt thou perceive wisdom in thy soul: for if thoufind it, thine end shall be good, and hope shall not failthee.

15 Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of therighteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.16For a righteousmanwill fall seven times, and rise again:but the ungodly shall bewithout strength in troubles. 17 Ifthine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither beelated at his overthrow. 18 For the Lord will see it, and itwill not please him, and he will turn away his wrath fromhim. 19 Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious ofsinners. 20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: andthe light of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear God and the king; and do not disobeyeither of them. 22 For they will suddenly punish theungodly, and who can know the vengeance inflicted byboth?

22a *[A son that keeps the commandment shall †escapedestruction; for such an one has fully received it. 22b Letno falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea,* 24:22a Heb. omits to the end. † 24:22a Lit. be outside of.

Proverbs 24:22c 43 Proverbs 24:22tlet no falsehood proceed from his tongue. 22c The king'stongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoevershall be given up to it shall be destroyed: 22d for if hiswrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords,22e and devours men's bones, and burns them up as aflame, so that they are not even fit to be eaten by theyoung eagles. 22fMy son, reverencemywords, and receivethem, and repent.]

These things says the man to them that trust in God;and I cease.

22g For I am the most simple of all men, and there is notin me the wisdom of men. 22hGod has taught me wisdom,and I know the knowledge of the holy. 22iWho has goneup to heaven, and come down? who has gathered thewinds in his bosom? who has wrapped up the waters in agarment? who has dominion of all the ends of the earth?what is his name? or what is the name of his children?22k For all the words of God are tried in the fire, and hedefends those that reverence him. 22l Add not unto hiswords, lest he reprove thee, and thou be made a liar.

22m Two things I ask of thee; take not favour from mebefore I die. 22nRemove far fromme vanity and falsehood:and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me whatis needful and sufficient: 22o lest I be filled and becomefalse, and say, Who sees me? or be poor and steal, andswear vainly by the name of God.

22p Deliver not a servant into the hands of his master,lest he curse thee, and thou be utterly destroyed. 22q Awicked generation curse their father, and do not blesstheir mother. 22r A wicked generation judge themselvesto be just, but do not cleanse their way. 22s A wickedgeneration have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves withtheir eyelids. 22t A wicked generation have swords for

Proverbs 24:23 44 Proverbs 24:38teeth and jaw-teeth as knives, so as to destroy and devourthe lowly from the earth, and the poor of them fromamong men.

23 And this thing I say to you that are wise for you tolearn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judg-ment. 24He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shallbe cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.25 But they that reprove him shall appear more excellent,and blessing shall come upon them; 26 and men will kisslips that answer well. 27 Prepare thy works for thy goingforth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come afterme, and thou shalt rebuild thine house. 28 Be not a falsewitness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggeratewiththy lips. 29 Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treathim, and I will avenge myself on him for that whereinhe has injured me. 30 A foolish man is like a farm, anda senseless man is like a vineyard. 31 If thou let him alone,hewill altogether remain barren and coveredwithweeds;‡and he becomes destitute, and his stonewalls are brokendown. 32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I mightreceive instruction. 33 The sluggard says, I slumber a little,and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my armsacross my breast. 34 But if thou do this, thy poverty willcome speedily; and thy want like a swift courier.

35The horse-leech had three dearly-beloved daughters:and these three did not satisfy her; and the fourthwas notcontented so as to say, Enough. 36The grave, and the loveof a woman, and the earth not filled with water; wateralso and fire will not say, It is enough.

37The eye that laughs to scorn a father, and dishonoursthe old age of amother, let the ravens of the valleys pick itout, and let the young eagles devour it. 38Moreover there‡ 24:31 Gr. grass.

Proverbs 24:39 45 Proverbs 24:54are three things impossible for me to comprehend, andthe fourth I know not: 39 the track of a flying eagle; andthe ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a shippassing through the sea; and the ways of a man in youth.40 Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who havingwashed herself fromwhat she has done, says she has donenothing amiss.

41 By three things the earth is troubled, and the fourthit cannot bear: 42 if a servant reign; or a fool be filledwith food; 43 or if a maid-servant should cast out her ownmistress; and if a hateful woman should marry a goodman.

44 And there are four very little things upon the earth,but these are wiser than the wise: 45 the ants which areweak, and yet prepare their food in summer; 46 the rabbitsalso are a feeble race, whomake their houses in the rocks.47 The locusts have no king, and yet march orderly atone command. 48 And the eft, which supports itself byits hands, and is easily taken, dwells in the fortresses ofkings.

49 And there are three things which go well, and afourth which passes along finely. 50 A lion's whelp,stronger than all other beasts, which turns not away, norfears any beast; 51 and a cock walking in boldly amongthe hens, and a goat leading the herd; and a king publiclyspeaking before a nation.

52 If thou abandon thyself to mirth, and stretch forththine hand in a quarrel, thou shalt be disgraced. 53Milkout milk, and there shall be butter, and if thou wringone's nostrils there shall come out blood: so if thou extortwords, there will come forth quarrels and strifes.

54 My words have been spoken by God—the oracularanswer of a king, whom his mother instructed.

Proverbs 24:55 46 Proverbs 25:1055 What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of

God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of mywomb? what? son of my vows? 56 Give not thy wealthto women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do allthings with counsel: drink wine with counsel. 57 Princesare prone to anger: let them then not drink wine: 58 lestthey drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judgethe poor rightly. 59 Give strong drink to those that are insorrow, and thewine to drink to those in pain: 60 that theymay forget their poverty, and may not remember theirtroubles any more. 61 Open thy mouth with the word ofGod, and judge all fairly. 62 Open thy mouth and judgejustly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.

251 These are the *miscellaneous instructions of

Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judeacopied out.

2 The glory of God conceals a matter: but the gloryof a king honours business. 3 Heaven is high, and earthis deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable. 4 Beat thedrossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure. 5 Slaythe ungodly from before the king, and his throne shallprosper in righteousness.

6Benot boastful in the presence of the king, and remainnot in the places of princes; 7 for it is better for thee thatit should be said, Come up to me, than that one shouldhumble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of thatwhich thine eyes have seen.

8 Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent atlast. 9 Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreatbackward, despise him not; 10 lest thy friend continue to* 25:1 Possibly genuine, q. d. beyond doubt.

Proverbs 25:10a 47 Proverbs 25:26reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart,but shall be to thee like death. 10a Favour and friendshipset a man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thoube made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy wayspeaceably.

11 As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it tospeak a wise word. 12 In an ear-ring of gold a precioussardius is also set; so is a wise word to an obedient ear.13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good againstheat, so a faithfulmessenger refreshes those that sendhim;for he helps the souls of his employers.

14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evidentobjects, so is he that boasts of a false gift. 15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaksthe bones. 16 Having found honey, eat only what isenough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up. 17Entersparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated withthy company, and hate thee. 18 As a club, and a dagger,and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears falsewitness against his friend. 19 The way of the wicked andthe foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.

20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling thebody afflicts the heart. 20a As a moth in a garment, and aworm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.

21 If thine enemyhunger, feed him; if he thirst, give himdrink; 22 for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire uponhis head, and the Lord shall reward thee with good. 23Thenorth wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokesthe tongue. 24 It is better to dwell on a corner of theroof, than with a railing woman in an open house. 25 Ascold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a goodmessage from a land far off. 26 As if one should stop awell, and corrupt a spring of water, so is it unseemly for

Proverbs 25:27 48 Proverbs 26:16a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man. 27 It isnot good to eat much honey; but it is right to honourvenerable sayings. 28 As a city whose walls are brokendown, and which is unfortified, so is a man who doesanything without counsel.

261 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour

is not seemly for a fool. 2 As birds and sparrows fly, so acurse shall not come upon any one without a cause. 3 Asa whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for asimple nation. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,lest thou become like him. 5 Yet answer a fool accordingto his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit. 6 Hethat sends a message by a foolish messenger procures forhimself a reproach from his own ways. 7As well take awaythe motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouthof fools. 8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like onethat gives glory to a fool. 9 Thorns *grow in the hand ofa drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools. 10 †Allthe flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their furyis brought to nought. 11 As when a dog goes to his ownvomit, and becomes abominable, so is a fool who returnsin his wickedness to his own sin. 11a [There is a shame thatbrings sin: and there is a shame that is glory and grace.]12 I have seen a man who seemed ‡to himself to be wise;but a fool hadmore hope than he. 13A sluggardwhen senton a journey says, There is a lion in the ways, and there aremurderers in the streets.

14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard onhis bed. 15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom,will not be able to bring it up to his mouth. 16A sluggard* 26:9 Compare Heb. † 26:10 Great variation from Hebrew here.‡ 26:12 Gr. by.

Proverbs 26:17 49 Proverbs 27:6seems to himself wiser than one who §most satisfactorilybrings back a message.

17As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makeshimself the champion of another's cause. 18As those whoneed correction put forth fair words to men, and he thatfirst falls in with the proposal will be overthrown; 19 soare all that lay wait for their own friends, and when theyare discovered, say, I did it in jest. 20 With much woodfire increases; but where there is not a double-mindedman, strife ceases. 21A hearth for coals, andwood for fire;and a railing man for the tumult of strife. 22The words ofcunning knaves are soft; but they smite even to the inmostparts of the bowels.

23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as apotsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart. 24 Aweeping enemypromises all thingswithhis lips, but in hisheart he contrives deceit. 25 Though thine enemy intreatthee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are sevenabominations in his heart. 26He that hides enmity framesdeceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sinsin the public assemblies. 27 He that digs a pit for hisneighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rollsit upon himself. 28A lying tongue hates the truth; and anunguarded mouth causes tumults.

271 Boast not of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what

the next day shall bring forth. 2 Let thy neighbour, andnot thine own mouth, praise thee; a stranger, and notthine own lips. 3A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome;but a fool's wrath is heavier than both. 4 Wrath ismerciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing.5Open reproofs are better than secret love. 6The wounds§ 26:16 Compare Heb.

Proverbs 27:7 50 Proverbs 27:21aof a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneouskisses of an enemy.

7 A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry souleven bitter things appear sweet. 8 As when a bird fliesdown from its own nest, so aman is brought into bondagewhenever he estranges himself from his own place. 9Theheart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: butthe soul is broken by calamities.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsakenot; and when thou art in distress go not into thybrother's house: better is a friend that is near than abrother living far off. 11 Son, be wise, that thy heart mayrejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words.12A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself;but fools pass on, and will be punished. 13 Take away theman's garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoeverlays waste another's goods. 14 Whosoever shall bless afriend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem todiffer nothing from one who curses him.

15 On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of hishouse; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of hisown house. 16 The north wind is sharp, but it is calledby name propitious. 17 Iron sharpens iron; and a mansharpens his friend's countenance. 18 He that plants afig-tree shall eat the fruits of it: so he that waits on hisown master shall be honoured. 19 As faces are not likeother faces, so neither are the thoughts of men. 20 Helland destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of meninsatiable. 20a [*He that fixes his eye is an abominationto the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain theirtongue.] 21Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and aman istried by the mouth of them that praise him. 21aThe heart* 27:20a Heb. omits to ver 21.

Proverbs 27:22 51 Proverbs 28:9of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an uprightheart seeks knowledge. 22 Though thou scourge a fool,disgracing him in the midst of the council, thou wilt stillin no wise remove his folly from him.

23 Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock,and pay attention to thine herds. 24 For a man has notstrength and power for ever; neither does he transmitit from generation to generation. 25 Take care of theherbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, and gatherthe mountain hay; 26 that thou mayest have wool of sheepfor clothing: pay attention to the land, that thou mayesthave lambs. 27 My son, thou hast from me words veryuseful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.

281 The ungodly man flees when no one pursues: but

the righteous is confident as a lion. 2 By reason of thesins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will*quell them. 3A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodlydeeds. As an impetuous and unprofitable rain, 4 so theythat forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that lovethe law fortify themselves with a wall. 5 Evil men will notunderstand judgment: but they that seek the Lord willunderstand †everything.

6 A poor man walking in truth is better than a richliar. 7 A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps updebauchery dishonours his father. 8He that increases hiswealth by usuries and unjust gains, gathers it for him thatpities the poor. 9He that turns away his ear from hearingthe law, even he has ‡made his prayer abominable.* 28:2 Gr. quench. † 28:5 Gr. in everything. ‡ 28:9 Or, abhorred hisprayer.

Proverbs 28:10 52 Proverbs 28:2410 He that causes upright men to err in an evil way,

himself shall fall into destruction: transgressors also shallpass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it. 11 A richman is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poorman will condemn him. 12 By reason of the help ofrighteous men great glory arises: but in the places of theungodly men are caught.

13He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper:but he that blames himself shall be loved. 14 Blessed is theman who religiously fears §always: but the hard of heartshall fall intomischiefs. 15Ahungry lion and a thirstywolfis he, who, being poor, rules over a poor nation. 16 A kingin need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hatesinjustice shall live a long time.

17 He that becomes surety for a man charged withmurder shall be an exile, and not in safety. 17a Chastenthy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thysoul: he shall not obey a sinful nation. 18 He that walksjustly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shallbe entangled therein. 19He that tills his own land shall besatisfied with **bread: but he that follows idleness shallhave plenty of poverty.

20Amanworthy of credit shall bemuchblessed: but thewicked shall not be unpunished. 21He that reverences notthe persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell aman for amorsel of bread. 22An enviousmanmakes hasteto be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will havethe mastery over him.

23He that reproves aman'sways shall havemore favourthan he that flatters with the tongue. 24 ✡He that castsoff father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is§ 28:14 Gr. all things. ** 28:19 Gr. plural. ✡ 28:24 Mark 7. 11.

Proverbs 28:25 53 Proverbs 29:14partaker with an ungodly man. 25 An unbelieving manjudges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will actcarefully. 26 He that trusts to a bold heart, such an oneis a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe. 27Hethat gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he thatturns away his eye from him shall be in great distress. 28 Inthe places of ungodly men the righteous ††mourn: but intheir destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.

291 A reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for

when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be noremedy. 2 When the righteous are praised, the peoplewill rejoice: but when the ungodly rule, men mourn.3 When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but hethat keeps harlots will waste wealth. 4 A righteous kingestablishes a country: but a transgressor destroys it. 5Hethat prepares a net in theway of his own friend, entangleshis own feet in it. 6A great snare is spread for a sinner: butthe righteous shall be in joy and gladness. 7 A righteousman knows how to judge for the poor: but the ungodlyunderstands not knowledge; and the poor man has notan understanding mind.

8 Lawless men burn down a city: but wise men turnaway wrath. 9 A wise man shall judge nations: buta worthless man being angry laughs and fears not.10Bloodymen hate a holy person, but the upright will seekhis soul. 11A fool utters all hismind: but thewise reserveshis in part. 12When a king hearkens to unjust language,all his subjects are transgressors. 13 When the creditorand debtor meet together, the Lord oversees them both.14When a king judges the poor in truth, his throne shall†† 28:28 Gr. groan.

Proverbs 29:15 54 Proverbs 31:13be established *for a testimony. 15 Stripes and reproofsgive wisdom: but an erring child disgraces his parents.16When the ungodly abound, sins abound: but when theyfall, the righteous are warned.

17 Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest; andhe shall give honour to thy soul. 18 There shall be nointerpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the lawis †blessed. 19A stubborn servant will not be reproved bywords: for even if he understand, still he will not obey.20 If thou see a man hasty in hiswords, know that the foolhas hope rather than he. 21He that lives wantonly from achild, shall be a servant, and in the end shall grieve overhimself. 22A furious man stirs up strife, and a passionateman digs up sin. 23 Pride brings a man low, but the Lordupholds the humble-minded with honour.

24 He that shares with a thief, hates his own soul:and if any having heard an oath uttered tell not of it,25 they fearing and reverencing men unreasonably havebeen overthrown, but he that trusts in the Lord shallrejoice. Ungodliness causes aman to stumble: but he thattrusts in ‡his master shall be safe. 26 Many wait on thefavour of rulers; but justice comes to aman from the Lord.27 A righteous man is an abomination to an unrighteousman, and the direct way is an abomination to the sinner.

3110 Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one

is more valuable than precious stones. 11 The heartof her husband trusts in her: such a one shall standin no need of fine spoils. 12 For she employs all herliving for her husband's good. 13 Gathering wool and* 29:14 Heb. 'for ever.' See Am. 1. 11; Mic. 7. 18; in the Greek. † 29:18Or, 'most blessed.' ‡ 29:25 Possibly, 'in the Lord.' See 2 Pet. 2. 1.

Proverbs 31:14 55 Proverbs 31:31flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands. 14 She islike a ship trading from a distance: so she procures herlivelihood. 15 And she rises by night, and gives food toher household, and appointed tasks to her maidens. 16 Sheviews a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her handsshe plants a possession. 17 She strongly girds her loins,and strengthens her arms for work. 18 And she finds byexperience that working is good; and her candle goes notout all night. 19 She reaches forth her arms to needfulworks, and applies her hands to the spindle. 20 And sheopens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit tothe poor.

21 Her husband is not anxious about those at homewhen he tarries anywhere abroad: for all *her householdare clothed. 22 She makes for her husband †clothes ofdouble texture, and garments for herself of fine linenand scarlet. 23And her husband becomes a distinguishedperson in the gates, when he sits in council with the oldinhabitants of the land. 24 She makes fine linens, andsells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouthheedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.25 She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in thelast days. 26 The ways of her household are careful, andshe eats not the bread of idleness. 27 But she opens hermouth wisely, and according to law. 28 And her kindnessto them sets up her children for them, and they growrich, and her husband praises her. 29 Many daughtershave obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; butthouhast exceeded, thouhast surpassed all. 30Charms arefalse, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise womanthat is blessed, and let her praise the fear of the Lord.31 Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband* 31:21 Gr. those with her. † 31:22 Comp. Heb. and A. V.

Proverbs 31:31 56 Proverbs 31:31be praised in the gates.

57Translation of the Greek Septuagint into English by Sir

Lancelot Charles Lee BrentonPublished in 1851, and now in the Public Domain.If you find errors in the text, please report them so that we can correct them.PDF generated using Haiola and XeLaTeX on 22 May 2020 from source files dated 11Apr 202062f8f7cc-dcce-5317-a24f-ee09db21c76e