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 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 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 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 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 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 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 intreaties; 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 intreat 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_ naught, _it is_ naught, 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 enquiry. **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 gray 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.