PROVERBS
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Proverbs
1
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David,
king of
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to
perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the
young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise [man] will hear, and will increase
learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the
interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of Yahweh [is] the beginning of
knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy
father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they [shall be] an ornament of grace
unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent
thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay
wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the
grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we
shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all
have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with
them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make
haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the
sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their [own] blood;
they lurk privily for their [own] lives.
19 So [are] the ways of every one that is
greedy of gain; [which] taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her
voice in the streets:
21 She crieth in the chief place of
concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words,
[saying],
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love
simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate
knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will
pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I
have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my
counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I
will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and
your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon
you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will
not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did
not choose the fear of Yahweh:
30 They would none of my counsel: they
despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of
their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall
slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell
safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto
wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,
[and] liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and
searchest for her as [for] hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of
Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For Yahweh giveth wisdom: out of His
mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the
righteous: [He is] a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and
preserveth the way of His saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness,
and judgment, and equity; [yea], every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart,
and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee,
understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil
[man], from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to
walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in
the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they]
froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman,
[even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth,
and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and
her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again,
neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good
[men], and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land,
and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the
earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine
heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and
peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee:
bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in Yahweh with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He
shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear
Yahweh, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and
marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour Yahweh with thy substance, and
with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with
plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of
Yahweh; neither be weary of His correction:
12 For whom Yahweh loveth He correcteth;
even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
13 Happy [is] the man [that] findeth
wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it [is] better
than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She [is] more precious than rubies: and
all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days [is] in her right hand;
[and] in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and
all her paths [are] peace.
18 She [is] a tree of life to them that lay
hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.
19 Yahweh by wisdom hath founded the earth;
by understanding hath He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the depths are broken
up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine
eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and
grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely,
and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be
afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of
the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For Yahweh shall be thy confidence, and
shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it
is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come
again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour,
seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if
he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose
none of his ways.
32 For the froward [is] abomination to
Yahweh: but His secret [is] with the righteous.
33 The curse of Yahweh [is] in the house of
the wicked: but He blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 Surely He scorneth the scorners: but He
giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame
shall be the promotion of fools.
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a
father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye
not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and
only [beloved] in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let
thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget
[it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve
thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing;
[therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:
she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament
of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;
and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;
I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be
straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let [her]
not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked,
and go not in the way of evil [men].
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it,
and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have
done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,
and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just [is] as the
shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness:
they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline
thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes;
keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they [are] life unto those that find
them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for
out of it [are] the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and
perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let
thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all
thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the
left: remove thy foot from evil.
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, [and] bow
thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and
[that] thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop [as]
an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp
as a twoedged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take
hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of
life, her ways are moveable, [that] thou canst not know [them].
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and
depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not
nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others,
and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy
wealth; and thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy
flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction,
and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my
teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of
the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern,
and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad,
[and] rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not
strangers' with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice
with the wife of thy youth.
19 [Let her be as] the loving hind and
pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished
always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished
with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man [are] before the
eyes of Yahweh, and He pondereth all His goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked
himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in
the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend,
[if] thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy
mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself,
when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make
sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber
to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand
[of the hunter], and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider
her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or
ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and]
gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?
when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that
travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh
with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh
with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness [is] in his heart, he
deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come
suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 These six [things] doth Yahweh hate:
yea, seven [are] an abomination unto Him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands
that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked
imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies,
and he that soweth discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep thy father's commandment,
and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart,
[and] tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee;
when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and [when] thou awakest, it shall talk
with thee.
23 For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the
law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from
the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine
heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman [a man
is brought] to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious
life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and
his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet
not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's
wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 [Men] do not despise a thief, if he
steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But [if] he be found, he shall restore
sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 [But] whoso committeth adultery with a
woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and
his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy [is] the rage of a man:
therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither
will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my
commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my
law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them
upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister;
and call understanding [thy] kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the strange
woman, from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked
through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I
discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her
corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the
black and dark night:
10 And, behold, there met him a woman
[with] the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11 (She [is] loud and stubborn; her feet
abide not in her house:
12 Now [is she] without, now in the
streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, [and]
with an impudent face said unto him,
14 [I have] peace offerings with me; this
day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee,
diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of
tapestry, with carved [works], with fine linen of
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until
the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman [is] not at home, he is
gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him,
[and] will come home at the day appointed.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him
to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox
goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as
a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye
children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways,
go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded:
yea, many strong [men] have been slain by her.
27 Her house [is] the way to hell, going
down to the chambers of death.
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding
put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places,
by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of
the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice
[is] to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye
fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent
things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and
wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth [are] in
righteousness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They [are] all plain to him that
understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver;
and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and
all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find
out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of Yahweh [is] to hate evil:
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I
[am] understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree
justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, [even]
all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that
seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour [are] with me; [yea],
durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit [is] better than gold, yea,
than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in
the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to
inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of
His way, before His works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the
beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When [there were] no depths, I was
brought forth; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled,
before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet He had not made the earth,
nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When He prepared the heavens, I [was]
there: when He set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When He established the clouds above:
when He strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When He gave to the sea His decree, that
the waters should not pass His commandment: when He appointed the foundations
of the earth:
30 Then I was by Him, [as] one brought up
[with Him]: and I was daily [His] delight, rejoicing always before Him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of His
earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye
children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and
refuse it not.
34 Blessed [is] the man that heareth me,
watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and
shall obtain favour of Yahweh.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth
his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath
hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath
mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she
crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in
hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the
wine [which] I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in
the way of understanding.
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to
himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and
he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of Yahweh [is] the beginning of
wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for
thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].
13 A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is]
simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her
house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their
ways:
16 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in
hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread
[eaten] in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead [are]
there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son
maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing:
but righteousness delivereth from death.
3 Yahweh will not suffer the soul of the
righteous to famish: but He casteth away the substance of the wicked.
4 He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a
slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise
son: [but] he that sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that causeth shame.
6 Blessings [are] upon the head of the
just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just [is] blessed: but
the name of the wicked shall rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive
commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely:
but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth
sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well
of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love
covereth all sins.
13 In the lips of him that hath
understanding wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of him that is void
of understanding.
14 Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the
mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.
15 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong
city: the destruction of the poor [is] their poverty.
16 The labour of the righteous [tendeth] to
life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17 He [is in] the way of life that keepeth
instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18 He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips,
and he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth
not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.
20 The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver:
the heart of the wicked [is] little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but
fools die for want of wisdom.
22 The blessing of Yahweh, it maketh rich,
and He addeth no sorrow with it.
23 [It is] as sport to a fool to do
mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come
upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so [is] the
wicked no [more]: but the righteous [is] an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to
the eyes, so [is] the sluggard to them that send him.
27 The fear of Yahweh prolongeth days: but
the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous [shall be]
gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of Yahweh [is] strength to the
upright: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous shall never be removed:
but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth
wisdom: but the forward tongue shall be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is
acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] frowardness.
1 A false balance [is] abomination to
Yahweh: but a just weight [is] His delight.
2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame:
but with the lowly [is] wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide
them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath:
but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall
direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall
deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in [their own] naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, [his]
expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of
trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth
his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous,
the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city
is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his
neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he
that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel [is], the people fall:
but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall
smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and
strong [men] retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own
soul: but [he that is] cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but
to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.
19 As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so
he that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart [are]
abomination to Yahweh: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] His
delight.
21 [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked
shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 [As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,
[so is] a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous [is] only
good: [but] the expectation of the wicked [is] wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet
increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth]
to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and
he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people
shall curse him: but blessing [shall be] upon the head of him that selleth
[it].
27 He that diligently seeketh good
procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall
fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall
inherit the wind: and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree
of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be
recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth
knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of Yahweh:
but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by
wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her
husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are]
right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.
6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in
wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not:
but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his
wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant,
[is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous [man] regardeth the life of
his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be
satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of
understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil
[men]: but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
13 The wicked is snared by the
transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by
the fruit of [his] mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered
unto him.
15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own
eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a
prudent [man] covereth shame.
17 [He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth
righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the
piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established
for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of them that
imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just:
but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips [are] abomination to Yahweh:
but they that deal truly [are] His delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but
the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear
rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it
stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous [is] more excellent than
his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful [man] roasteth not that
which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.
28 In the way of righteousness [is] life;
and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.
1 A wise son [heareth] his father's
instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of
[his] mouth: but the soul of the transgressors [shall eat] violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his
life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and
[hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 A righteous [man] hateth lying: but a
wicked [man] is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness keepeth [him that is]
upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet
[hath] nothing: [there is] that maketh
himself poor, yet [hath] great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life [are] his
riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but
the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but
with the well advised [is] wisdom.
11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be
diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but
[when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be
destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise [is] a fountain of
life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but
the way of transgressors [is] hard.
16 Every prudent [man] dealeth with
knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into
mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.
18 Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that
refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the
soul: but [it is] abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with wise [men] shall be
wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the
righteous good shall be repayed.
22 A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to
his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the
just.
23 Much food [is in] the tillage of the
poor: but there is [that is] destroyed for want of judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son:
but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying
of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but
the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness
feareth Yahweh: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth Him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of
pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean:
but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a
false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth
it] not: but knowledge [is] easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,
when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent [is] to
understand his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous
[there is] favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness;
and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be
overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto
a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;
and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled
with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the
prudent [man] looketh well to his going.
16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from
evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 [He that is] soon angry dealeth
foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the
prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the
wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own
neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth:
but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but
mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the
talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise [is] their riches:
[but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a
deceitful [witness] speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of Yahweh [is] strong
confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Yahweh [is] a fountain of
life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people [is] the
king's honour: but in the want of people [is] the destruction of the prince.
29 [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great
understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart [is] the life of the
flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth
his Maker: but he that honoureth Him hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his
wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that
hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin
[is] a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favour [is] toward a wise
servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but
grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge
aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of Yahweh [are] in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life:
but perverseness therein [is] a reach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's
instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous [is] much
treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge:
but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an
abomination to Yahweh: but the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.
9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination
unto Yahweh: but he loveth Him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction [is] grievous unto him that
forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction [are] before
Yahweh: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth
him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful
countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding
seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted [are]
evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.
16 Better [is] little with the fear of
Yahweh than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love
is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but
[he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful [man is] as an
hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a
foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly [is] joy to [him that is]
destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are
disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his
mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!
24 The way of life [is] above to the wise,
that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 Yahweh will destroy the house of the
proud: but He will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked [are] an
abomination to Yahweh: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his
own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to
answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 Yahweh [is] far from the wicked: but He
heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the
heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life
abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth
his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh [is] the instruction
of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and
the answer of the tongue, [is] from Yahweh.
2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his
own eyes; but Yahweh weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto Yahweh, and thy
thoughts shall be established.
4 Yahweh hath made all [things] for
Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is]
an abomination to Yahweh: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be
unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:
and by the fear of Yahweh [men] depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please Yahweh, He maketh eve