DP Tool Club 15/CD_ASCQ_15_070894.iso/vrac/olbible.zip/PROVE

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                                  PROVERBS



Chapter 1

1   The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
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 the Lord 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 the
    Lord:
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.

Chapter 2

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 the Lord, and find the
    knowledge of God.
6   For the Lord 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.

Chapter 3

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 the Lord 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 the Lord, and depart from evil.
8   It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9   Honour the Lord 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 the Lord; neither be weary of
    his correction:
12  For whom the Lord 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  The Lord 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 the Lord 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 tomorrow 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 the Lord: but his secret is with
    the righteous.
33  The curse of the Lord 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.

Chapter 4

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.

Chapter 5

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 two-edged 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 the Lord, 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.

Chapter 6

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 the Lord 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.

Chapter 7

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 Egypt.
17  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace
    ourselves with loves.
19  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20  He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day
    appointed.
21  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the
    flattering of her lips she forced him.
22  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or
    as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23  Till a dart strike through his 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.

Chapter 8

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 the Lord 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  The Lord 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 the
    Lord.
36  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that
    hate me love death.

Chapter 9

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 the Lord 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.

Chapter 10

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   The Lord 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 the Lord, 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 the Lord 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 the Lord 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 froward tongue
    shall be cut out.
32  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of
    the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Chapter 11

1   A false balance is abomination to the Lord: 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 suretyship 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 the Lord:  but
    such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21  Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished:  but
    the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22  As a jewel of gold in a swine's 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.

Chapter 12

1   Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof
    is brutish.
2   A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices
    will he condemn.
3   A man shall not be established 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 the Lord: 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.

Chapter 13

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.

Chapter 14

1   Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down
    with her hands.
2   He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: 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 the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall
    have a place of refuge.
27  The fear of the Lord 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.

Chapter 15

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 the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the
    good.
4   A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a
    breach 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 the Lord: but the
    prayer of the upright is his delight.
9   The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: 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 the Lord: 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 the Lord 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  The Lord 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 the Lord: 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  The Lord 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 the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour
    is humility.

Chapter 16

1   The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is
    from the Lord.
2   All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth
    the spirits.
3   Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be
    established.
4   The Lord 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 the Lord:
    though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6   By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men
    depart from evil.
7   When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at
    peace with him.
8   Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without
    right.
9   A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
10  A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth
    not in judgment.
11  A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag
    are his work.
12  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is
    established by righteousness.
13  Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that
    speaketh right.
14  The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will
    pacify it.
15  In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as
    a cloud of the latter rain.
16  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get
    understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth
    his way preserveth his soul.
18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide
    the spoil with the proud.
20  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth
    in the Lord, happy is he.
21  The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the
    lips increaseth learning.
22  Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it:  but the
    instruction of fools is folly.
23  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his
    lips.
24  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to
    the bones.
25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
    the ways of death.
26  He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of
    him.
27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning
    fire.
28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief
    friends.
29  A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way
    that is not good.
30  He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he
    bringeth evil to pass.
31  The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of
    righteousness.
32  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that
    ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of
    the Lord.

Chapter 17

1   Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of
    sacrifices with strife.
2   A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and
    shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3   The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord
    trieth the hearts.
4   A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a
    naughty tongue.
5   Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at
    calamities shall not be unpunished.
6   Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of
    children are their fathers.
7   Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a
    prince.
8   A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it:
    whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9   He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a
    matter separateth very friends.
10  A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into
    a fool.
11  An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall
    be sent against him.
12  Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his
    folly.
13  Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14  The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:  therefore
    leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even
    they both are abomination to the Lord.
16  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom,
    seeing he hath no heart to it?
17  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18  A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in
    the presence of his friend.
19  He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his
    gate seeketh destruction.
20  He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a
    perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a
    fool hath no joy.
22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth
    the bones.
23  A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of
    judgment.
24  Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool
    are in the ends of the earth.
25  A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that
    bare him.
26  Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for
    equity.
27  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding
    is of an excellent spirit.
28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that
    shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Chapter 18

1   Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and
    intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2   A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may
    discover itself.
3   When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy
    reproach.
4   The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of
    wisdom as a flowing brook.
5   It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the
    righteous in judgment.
6   A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for
    strokes.
7   A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his
    soul.
8   The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the
    innermost parts of the belly.
9   He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great
    waster.
10  The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into
    it, and is safe.
11  The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his
    own conceit.
12  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is
    humility.
13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and
    shame unto him.
14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit
    who can bear?
15  The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise
    seeketh knowledge.
16  A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour
    cometh and searcheth him.
18  The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the
    mighty.
19  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their
    contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20  A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and
    with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it
    shall eat the fruit thereof.
22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of
    the Lord.
23  The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a
    friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Chapter 19

1   Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is
    perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2   Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that
    hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3   The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth
    against the Lord.
4   Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his
    neighbour.
5   A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies
    shall not escape.
6   Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend
    to him that giveth gifts.
7   All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends
    go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to
    him.
8   He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth
    understanding shall find good.
9   A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies
    shall perish.
10  Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have
    rule over princes.
11  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to
    pass over a transgression.
12  The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as
    dew upon the grass.
13  A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a
    wife are a continual dropping.
14  House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife
    is from the Lord.
15  Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer
    hunger.
16  He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that
    despiseth his ways shall die.
17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which
    he hath given will he pay him again.
18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for
    his crying.
19  A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver
    him, yet thou must do it again.
20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in
    thy latter end.
21  There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of
    the Lord, that shall stand.
22  The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a
    liar.
23  The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide
    satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24  A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as
    bring it to his mouth again.
25  Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that
    hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26  He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son
    that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the
    words of knowledge.
28  An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked
    devoureth iniquity.
29  Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of
    fools.

Chapter 20

1   Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived
    thereby is not wise.
2   The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to
    anger sinneth against his own soul.
3   It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be
    meddling.
4   The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he
    beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5   Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of
    understanding will draw it out.
6   Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man
    who can find?
7   The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after
    him.
8   A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil
    with his eyes.
9   Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike
    abomination to the Lord.
11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and
    whether it be right.
12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of
    them.
13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou
    shalt be satisfied with bread.
14  It is nought, it is nought, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his
    way, then he boasteth.
15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge
    are a precious jewel.
16  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of
    him for a strange woman.
17  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be
    filled with gravel.
18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make
    war.
19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets:  therefore
    meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in
    obscure darkness.
21  An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end
    thereof shall not be blessed.
22  Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he
    shall save thee.
23  Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance
    is not good.
24  Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own
    way?
25  It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after
    vows to make inquiry.
26  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27  The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward
    parts of the belly.
28  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by
    mercy.
29  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men
    is the grey head.
30  The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward
    parts of the belly.

Chapter 21

1   The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water:
    he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2   Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth
    the hearts.
3   To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than
    sacrifice.
4   An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is
    sin.
5   The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every
    one that is hasty only to want.
6   The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and
    fro of them that seek death.
7   The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to
    do judgment.
8   The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work
    is right.
9   It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a
    brawling woman in a wide house.
10  The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour
    in his eyes.
11  When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the
    wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12  The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked:  but
    God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry
    himself, but shall not be heard.
14  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong
    wrath.
15  It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the
    workers of iniquity.
16  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain
    in the congregation of the dead.
17  He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and
    oil shall not be rich.
18  The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor
    for the upright.
19  It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and
    an angry woman.
20  There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
    but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life,
    righteousness, and honour.
22  A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the
    strength of the confidence thereof.
23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from
    troubles.
24  Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to
    labour.
26  He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and
    spareth not.
27  The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he
    bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28  A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh
    constantly.
29  A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth
    his way.
30  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the
    Lord.

Chapter 22

1   A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving
    favour rather than silver and gold.
2   The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3   A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple
    pass on, and are punished.
4   By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and
    life.
5   Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his
    soul shall be far from them.
6   Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will
    not depart from it.
7   The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the
    lender.
8   He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger
    shall fail.
9   He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his
    bread to the poor.
10  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and
    reproach shall cease.
11  He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king
    shall be his friend.
12  The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the
    words of the transgressor.
13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in
    the streets.
14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the
    Lord shall fall therein.
15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of
    correction shall drive it far from him.
16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that
    giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17  Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine
    heart unto my knowledge.
18  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall
    withal be fitted in thy lips.
19  That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this
    day, even to thee.
20  Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and
    knowledge,
21  That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that
    thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22  Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted
    in the gate:
23  For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that
    spoiled them.
24  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou
    shalt not go:
25  Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26  Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are
    sureties for debts.
27  If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from
    under thee?
28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29  Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before
    kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Chapter 23

1   When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is
    before thee:
2   And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3   Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4   Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5   Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly
    make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6   Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire
    thou his dainty meats:
7   For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to
    thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8   The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy
    sweet words.
9   Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy
    words.
10  Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the
    fatherless:
11  For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12  Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of
    knowledge.
13  Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with
    the rod, he shall not die.
14  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from
    hell.
15  My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16  Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord
    all the day long.
18  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut
    off.
19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
20  Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and
    drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
22  Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother
    when she is old.
23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and
    understanding.
24  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that
    begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall
    rejoice.
26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27  For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28  She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the
    transgressors among men.
29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath
    babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour
    in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33  Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter
    perverse things.
34  Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or
    as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35  They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have
    beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet
    again.

Chapter 24

1   Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2   For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of
    mischief.
3   Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is
    established:
4   And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and
    pleasant riches.
5   A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6   For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of
    counsellors there is safety.
7   Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8   He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9   The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination
    to men.
10  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11  If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those
    that are ready to be slain;
12  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth
    the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know
    it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13  My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which
    is sweet to thy taste:
14  So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast
    found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be
    cut off.
15  Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
    spoil not his resting place:
16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the
    wicked shall fall into mischief.
17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad
    when he stumbleth:
18  Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his
    wrath from him.
19  Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the
    wicked;
20  For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the
    wicked shall be put out.
21  My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them
    that are given to change:
22  For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of
    them both?
23  These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect
    of persons in judgment.
24  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the
    people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25  But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing
    shall come upon them.
26  Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27  Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field;
    and afterwards build thine house.
28  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not
    with thy lips.
29  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to
    the man according to his work.
30  I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man
    void of understanding;
31  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered
    the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received
    instruction.
33  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands
    to sleep:
34  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an
    armed man.

Chapter 25

1   These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of
    Judah copied out.
2   It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is
    to search out a matter.
3   The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings
    is unsearchable.
4   Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a
    vessel for the finer.
5   Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be
    established in righteousness.
6   Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in
    the place of great men:
7   For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that
    thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine
    eyes have seen.
8   Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the
    end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9   Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret
    to another:
10  Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not
    away.
11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12  As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise
    reprover upon an obedient ear.
13  As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful
    messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his
    masters.
14  Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind
    without rain.
15  By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh
    the bone.
16  Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest
    thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17  Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of
    thee, and so hate thee.
18  A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and
    a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken
    tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20  As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon
    nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be
    thirsty, give him water to drink:
22  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall
    reward thee.
23  The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a
    backbiting tongue.
24  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a
    brawling woman and in a wide house.
25  As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far
    country.
26  A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled
    fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27  It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own
    glory is not glory.
28  He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is
    broken down, and without walls.

Chapter 26

1   As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for
    a fool.
2   As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse
    causeless shall not come.
3   A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's
    back.
4   Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto
    him.
5   Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own
    conceit.
6   He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet,
    and drinketh damage.
7   The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of
    fools.
8   As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to
    a fool.
9   As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in
    the mouth of fools.
10  The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and
    rewardeth transgressors.
11  As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a
    fool than of him.
13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the
    streets.
14  As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his
    bed.
15  The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring
    it again to his mouth.
16  The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can
    render a reason.
17  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is
    like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in
    sport?
20  Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no
    talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious
    man to kindle strife.
22  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the
    innermost parts of the belly.
23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with
    silver dross.
24  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within
    him;
25  When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven
    abominations in his heart.
26  Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed
    before the whole congregation.
27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone,
    it will return upon him.
28  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a
    flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Chapter 27

1   Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may
    bring forth.
2   Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and
    not thine own lips.
3   A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier
    than them both.
4   Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand
    before envy?
5   Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6   Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are
    deceitful.
7   The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every
    bitter thing is sweet.
8   As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth
    from his place.
9   Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a
    man's friend by hearty counsel.
10  Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go
    into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity:  for better is a
    neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
11  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that
    reproacheth me.
12  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple
    pass on, and are punished.
13  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of
    him for a strange woman.
14  He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the
    morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15  A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are
    alike.
16  Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right
    hand, which bewrayeth itself.
17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his
    friend.
18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that
    waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
19  As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never
    satisfied.
21  As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man
    to his praise.
22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a
    pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to
    thy herds.
24  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every
    generation?
25  The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of
    the mountains are gathered.
26  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the
    field.
27  And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of
    thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Chapter 28

1   The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a
    lion.
2   For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof:  but by
    a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be
    prolonged.
3   A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which
    leaveth no food.
4   They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law
    contend with them.
5   Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord
    understand all things.
6   Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is
    perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7   Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of
    riotous men shameth his father.
8   He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall
    gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9   He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer
    shall be abomination.
10  Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall
    fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in
    possession.
11  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath
    understanding searcheth him out.
12  When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the
    wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and
    forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14  Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart
    shall fall into mischief.
15  As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the
    poor people.
16  The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but
    he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17  A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to
    the pit; let no man stay him.
18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in
    his ways shall fall at once.
19  He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that
    followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste
    to be rich shall not be innocent.
21  To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that
    man will transgress.
22  He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that
    poverty shall come upon him.
23  He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that
    flattereth with the tongue.
24  Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no
    transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth
    his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
26  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh
    wisely, he shall be delivered.
27  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his
    eyes shall have many a curse.
28  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the
    righteous increase.

Chapter 29

1   He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be
    destroyed, and that without remedy.
2   When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the
    wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3   Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company
    with harlots spendeth his substance.
4   The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth
    gifts overthroweth it.
5   A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6   In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the
    righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7   The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked
    regardeth not to know it.
8   Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9   If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh,
    there is no rest.
10  The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till
    afterwards.
12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13  The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth
    both their eyes.
14  The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be
    established for ever.
15  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth
    his mother to shame.
16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the
    righteous shall see their fall.
17  Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give
    delight unto thy soul.
18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the
    law, happy is he.
19  A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he
    will not answer.
20  Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a
    fool than of him.
21  He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have
    him become his son at the length.
22  An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in
    transgression.
23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble
    in spirit.
24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth
    cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the
    Lord shall be safe.
26  Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from
    the Lord.
27  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright
    in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Chapter 30

1   The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake
    unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2   Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding
    of a man.
3   I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4   Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the
    wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath
    established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his
    son's name, if thou canst tell?
5   Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their
    trust in him.
6   Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a
    liar.
7   Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
8   Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor
    riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9   Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be
    poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
10  Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be
    found guilty.
11  There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless
    their mother.
12  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not
    washed from their filthiness.
13  There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids
    are lifted up.
14  There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth
    as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from
    among men.
15  The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are
    three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is
    enough:
16  The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with
    water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
17  The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother,
    the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall
    eat it.
18  There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which
    I know not:
19  The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the
    way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a
    maid.
20  Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her
    mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21  For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it
    cannot bear:
22  For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with
    meat;
23  For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir
    to her mistress.
24  There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are
    exceeding wise:
25  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the
    summer;
26  The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the
    rocks;
27  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28  The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29  There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
30  A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31  A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no
    rising up.
32  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast
    thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
33  Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing
    of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth
    strife.

Chapter 31

1   The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2   What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my
    vows?
3   Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which
    destroyeth kings.
4   It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor
    for princes strong drink:
5   Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any
    of the afflicted.
6   Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto
    those that be of heavy hearts.
7   Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no
    more.
8   Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed
    to destruction.
9   Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and
    needy.
10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall
    have no need of spoil.
12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13  She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14  She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her
    household, and a portion to her maidens.
16  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands
    she planteth a vineyard.
17  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out
    by night.
19  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her
    hands to the needy.
21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her
    household are clothed with scarlet.
22  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and
    purple.
23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders
    of the land.
24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto
    the merchant.
25  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time
    to come.
26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of
    kindness.
27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
    bread of idleness.
28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he
    praiseth her.
29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the
    Lord, she shall be praised.
31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her
    in the gates.