The Proverbs Chapter 1 The Proverbs
of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. To know wisdom
and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to
receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity. To give subtlety to the simple,
to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear
and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall
attain unto wise counsels, to understand a proverb and the
interpretation, the words of the wise and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son,
hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy
mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head,
and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee,
consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let
us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent
without cause, let us swallow them up alive as the grave, and
whole as those that go down into the pit, We shall find all precious
substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil. Cast in thy
lot among us, let us all have one purse. My son, walk not thou
in the way with them. Refrain thy foot from their path,
for their feet run to evil and make haste to shed blood. Surely
in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird, and they
lay wait for their own blood. They lurk privily for their own
lives. So are the ways of everyone that
is greedy of gain which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. Wisdom crieth without. She uttereth
her voice in the streets. She crieth in the chief place
of concourse, in the openings of the gates, in the city she
uttereth her word, saying, How long, ye simple ones, would ye
love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their
scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn you at my reproof. Behold,
I will pour out my spirit unto you. I will make known my words
unto you. Because I have called and he
refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. But he hath set it nought, all
my counsel, and would none of my reproof. I also will laugh
at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh when your
fear cometh as desolation and your destruction cometh as a
whirlwind when distress and anguish cometh upon you then shall they
call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but
they shall not find me for that they hated knowledge and did
not choose the fear of the Lord They would have none of my counsel.
They despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the
fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity
of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me
shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. you Proverbs chapter 2 My son, if
thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee,
so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine
heart to understanding, yea, if thou cryest after knowledge,
and liftest up thy voice for understanding, if thou seekest
her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures,
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the
knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom. Out
of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth
up sound wisdom for the righteous. He is a buckler to them that
walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment,
and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand
righteousness, and judgment, and equity, yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine
heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion shall
preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee, to deliver thee
from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward
things, who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways
of darkness. who rejoice to do evil, and delight
in the frowardness of the wicked, whose ways are crooked, and they
froward in their paths, to deliver thee from the strange woman,
even from the stranger which flattereth with her words, which
forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of
her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto
the dead. None that go unto her return
again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou
mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the
righteous. For the upright shall dwell in
the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked
shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be
rooted out of it. you you Proverbs chapter 3. My son, forget
not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length
of days and long life and peace shall they add to thee. Let not
mercy and truth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck, write
them upon the table of thine heart. So shalt thou find favor
and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in
the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes,
fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy
navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance,
and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. So shall thy
barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out
with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening
of the Lord, neither be weary of his correction. For whom the
Lord loveth, he correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth
wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding, for the merchandise
of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof
than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies,
and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared
unto her. Length of days is in her right
hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are the
ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a
tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is everyone
that retaineth her. the Lord by wisdom have founded
the earth by understanding have he established the heavens by
his knowledge the depths are broken up and the clouds drop
down the dew my son let not them depart from thine eyes keep sound
wisdom and discretion so shall they be life unto thy soul and
grace to thy neck Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely,
and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt
not be afraid. Yea, thou shalt lie down, and
thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh. For
the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from
being taken. Withhold not good from them to
whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do
it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow
I will give, when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against
thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not
with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy
thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward
is abomination to the Lord, but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the Lord is in the
house of the wicked, but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely
he scorneth the scorners, but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory,
but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Proverbs chapter 4 hear ye children
the instruction of a father and attend to no understanding for
I give you good doctrine forsaking not my law for I was my father's
son tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother he taught
me also and said unto me Let thine heart retain my words,
keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding. Forget it not, neither decline
from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall
preserve thee. Love her, and she shall keep
thee. Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom. And with all thy getting, get
understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote
thee. She shall bring thee to honor
when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head
an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to
thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my
sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught
thee in the way of wisdom, I have led thee in right paths. When
thou goest, thy steps shall not be straightened, and when thou
runnest, thou shalt not stumble. take fast hold of instruction
let her not go keep her for she is thy life enter not into the
path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men avoid
it pass not by it turn from it and pass away for they sleep
not except they've done mischief and their sleep is taken away
unless they cause some to fall for they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence But the path of the just is as
the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect
day. The way of the wicked is as darkness. They know not at what they stumble.
My son, attend to my words. Incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from mine
eyes. Keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are
life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence,
for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a
froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine
eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before
thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be
established. Turn not to the right hand, nor
to the left. Remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 5. My son, attend unto
my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding, that thou
mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her
mouth is smoother than oil. But her end is bitter as wormwood,
sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her
steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the
path of life, her ways are movable, that thou canst not know them.
hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words
of my mouth remove thy way far from her and come not nigh the
door of her house lest thou give thine honour unto others and
thy years unto the cruel lest strangers be filled with thy
wealth and thy labours be in the house of a stranger and thou
mourn at the last when thy flesh and thy body are consumed and
say how have I hated instruction and my heart despised reproof
and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers nor inclined mine
ear to them that instructed me I was almost in all evil in the
midst of the congregation and assembly Drink waters out of
thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters
in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and
not strangers with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed,
and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 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. And why
wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace
the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before
the eyes of the Lord and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities
shall take the wicked himself and he shall be holden with the
cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction
and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. Proverbs chapter 6 My son, if
thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand
with a stranger, thou art snared with the words of thy mouth,
thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 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. Give
not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver
thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird
from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, thou sluggard.
Consider her ways, and be wise. Who, having no guide, overseer,
or ruler, Provided her meat in the summer, And gathereth her
food in the harvest? How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy
sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of
the hands to sleep, So shall thy poverty come as one that
travelleth, And thy want as an armed man. A naughty person,
a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth, he winketh with his eyes,
he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers, frowardness
is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually, he soweth
discord. Therefore shall his calamity
come suddenly, suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things that the Lord
hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto Him. A proud look, a lying
tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth
wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord
among brethren. My son, keep thy father's commandment,
and forsake not the law of thy mother. Bind them continually
upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest,
it shall lead thee. When thou sleepest, it shall
keep thee. And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For
the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. And reproofs
of instruction are the way of life, to keep thee from the evil
woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust
not after her beauty in thine heart, neither let her take thee
with her eyelids. 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. Can a man take fire in his bosom
and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals and
his feet not be burned? So is he that goeth in to his
neighbor's wife. Whosoever toucheth her shall
not be innocent. Men do not despise a thief if
he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry. But if he
be found, he shall restore sevenfold. He shall give all the substance
of his house. But whoso committed adultery
with a woman lacketh understanding. he that doeth it destroyeth his
own soul a wound and dishonor shall he get and his reproach
shall not be wiped away for jealousy is the rage of a man therefore
he will not spare in the day of vengeance he will not regard
any ransom neither will he rest content though thou givest many
gifts you Proverbs chapter 7 My son, keep
my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments,
and live, and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon
thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say
unto wisdom, Thou art my sister, and call understanding thy kin's
woman, that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from
the stranger which flattereth with her words. For at the window
of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among
the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man,
void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner.
And he went the way to her house in the twilight, in the evening,
in the black and dark night. And behold, there met him a woman,
with the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart. She is loud
and stubborn, her feet abide not in her house. Now is she
without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.
So she caught him and kissed him, and with an impudent face
said unto him, I have peace-offerings with me, this day have I paid
my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet
thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works,
with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of
love until the morning. Let us solace ourselves with
loves, for the good man is not at home. He is gone a long journey. He had taken a bag of money with
him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much
fair speech she caused him to yield, With the flattering of
her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway
as an ox, Goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction
of the stocks, Till a dart strike through his liver, as a bird
hasteth to the snare, And knoweth not that it is for his life.
Hearken unto me now, therefore, O ye children, and attend to
the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to
her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down
many wounded, yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her
house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs Chapter 8 Doth not wisdom
cry, and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the
top of high places, by the way of the places of the paths. She
crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in
at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call, and
my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom,
and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear, for I will speak
of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right
things. For my mouth shall speak truth,
and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of
my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing fraud or perverse
in them. They are all plain to him that
understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive
my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice
gold. For wisdom is better than rubies,
and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared
to it. I, wisdom, dwell with prudence
and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord
is to hate evil. Pride and arrogancy and the evil
way and the forward mouth do I hate. Counsel is mine and sound
wisdom. I am understanding. I have strength. by me kings reign and princes
decree justice by me princes rule and nobles even all the
judges of the earth i love them that love me and those that seek
me early shall find me riches and honor are with me yea durable
riches and righteousness My fruit is better than gold, yea, than
fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the
way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgment, that
I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and I will
fill their treasures. The Lord possessed me in the
beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up
from everlasting, from the beginning, wherever the earth was. When
there was no depths, I was brought forth. When there were no fountains
abounding with water, before the mountains were settled before
the hills was I brought forth while as yet he had not made
the earth nor the fields nor the highest part of the dust
of the world when he prepared the heavens I was there when
he set a compass upon the face of the depth when he established
the clouds above when he strengthened the fountains of the deep when
he gave to the sea his decree that the waters should not pass
his commandment when he appointed the foundations of the earth
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him, and I was daily
his delight, rejoicing always before him, rejoicing in the
habitable part of his earth, and my delights were with the
sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me,
O ye children. For blessed are they that keep
my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise,
and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth
me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor
of the Lord. But he that sinneth against Me
wrongeth his own soul. All they that hate Me love death. Proverbs chapter 9 Wisdom hath
builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. She hath
killed her beasts, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also furnished
her table. She hath sent forth her maidens,
and crieth upon the highest places of the city. Whoso is simple,
let him turn in hither. As for him that wanted understanding,
she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine
which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live,
and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth a scorner getteth
to himself shame, and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth
himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he
hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will
love thee. Give instruction to a wise man,
and he will be yet wiser. Teach a just man, and he will
increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise,
thou shalt be wise for thyself, but if thou scornest, thou alone
shalt bear it. A foolish woman is clamorous.
She is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of
her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, to call passengers
who go right on their ways. Whoso is simple, let him turn
in hither. And as for him that wanted understanding,
she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in
secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead
are there, and her guests are in the depths of hell. A wise son maketh a glad father,
but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Treasures of wickedness
profit nothing, but righteousness delivereth from death. The Lord
will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish, but he casteth
away the substance of the wicked. he becometh poor that dealeth
with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent maketh rich he
that gathereth in summer is a wise son but he that sleepeth in harvest
is a son that causeth shame blessings are upon the head of the just
but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked the memory of the
just is blessed but the name of the wicked shall rot The wise
in heart will receive commandments, but a prating fool shall fall. He that walketh uprightly walketh
surely, but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. He that
winketh with the eye causeth sorrow, but a prating fool shall
fall. The mouth of a righteous man
is a well of life. But violence covereth the mouth
of the wicked, hatred stirreth up stripes, but love covereth
all sins. 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. Wise men lay up knowledge, but
the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. The rich man's wealth
is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is
their poverty. The labor of the righteous tendeth
to life, the fruit of the wicked to sin. He is in the way of life
that keepeth instruction, but he that refuseth reproof erreth. He that hideth hatred with lying
lips and he that uttereth a slander is a fool. In the multitude of
words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips
is wise. The tongue of the just is his
choice silver. The heart of the wicked is little
worth. The lips of the righteous feed
many, but fools die for want of wisdom. The blessing of the
Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. It
is as sport to a fool to do mischief. But a man of understanding hath
wisdom. The fear of the wicked it shall
come upon him, but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. As the whirlwind passeth, so
is the wicked no more, but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. As vinegar to the teeth and as
smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. The fear of the Lord prolongeth
days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. The hope of the righteous shall
be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The
way of the Lord is strength to the upright, but destruction
shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be
removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. The mouth
of the just bringeth forth wisdom, but the fruid tongue shall be
cut out. The lips of the righteous know
what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked speaketh fruidness. Proverbs Chapter 20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink
is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. The fear
of a king is as the roaring of a lion, who so provoketh him
to anger, sinneth against his own soul. It is an honor for
a man to cease from strife, but every fool will be meddling The
sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold, therefore shall
he beg in harvest and have nothing. Counsel in the heart of man is
like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness, but a faithful
man, who can find? The just man walketh in his integrity,
his children are blessed after him. A king that sitteth in the
throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Diver's weights and diver's measures,
both of them are a like abomination to the Lord. even a child is
known by his doings whether his work be pure and whether it be
right the hearing ear and the seeing eye the Lord have made
even both of them love not sleep lest thou come to poverty open
thine eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with bread it is not
it is not saith the buyer but when he's gone his way then he
boasteth There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge
are a precious jewel. Take his garment that is shirty
for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. Bread
of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth shall
be filled with gravel. Every purpose is established
by counsel, and with good advice make war. He that goeth about
as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets, therefore meddle not with him
that flattereth with his lips. Whoso curseth his father or his
mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. An inheritance
may be gotten hastily at the beginning, but the end thereof
shall not be blessed. say not thou I will recompense
evil but wait on the Lord and he shall save thee divers weights
are an abomination unto the Lord and a false balance is not good
man's goings are of the Lord how can a man then understand
his own way it is a snare to the man who devour that which
is holy and after vows to make inquiry A wise king scattereth
the wicked and bringeth the wheel over them. The spirit of man
is the candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the
king and his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young
men is their strength and the beauty of old men is the gray
head. The blueness of a wound cleanses
away evil so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs chapter 21 The king's heart is in the hand
of the Lord, as the rivers of water he turneth it withersoever
he will. Every way of a man is right in
his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the hearts. To do justice and
judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. An high
look and a proud heart and the plowing of the wicked is sin.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, but
of everyone that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures
by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that
seek death. The robbery of the wicked shall
destroy them, because they refuse to do judgment. The way of man
is froward and strange, but as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in a corner
of the housetop than with a brawling woman in a wide house. The soul
of the wicked desireth evil. His neighbor findeth no favor
in his eyes. When the scorner is punished,
the simple is made wise. And when the wise is instructed,
he receiveth knowledge. The righteous man wisely considereth
the house of the wicked, but God overthroweth the wicked for
their wickedness. Whoso stopeth his ears at the
cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be
heard. A gift in secret pacifieth anger,
and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. It is joy to the just
to do judgment, but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall
remain in the congregation of the dead. he that loveth pleasure
shall be a poor man he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich
the wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous and the transgressor
for the upright it is better to dwell in the wilderness than
with a contentious and an angry woman there is treasure to be
desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise but a foolish man
spendeth it up He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
findeth life, righteousness and honor. A wise man scaleth the
city of the mighty and casteth down the strength of the confidence
thereof. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his
tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner
is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. The desire of the slothful
killeth him, for his hands refuse to labor. He coveteth greedily
all the day long, but the righteous giveth and spareth not. The sacrifice
of the wicked is abomination, how much more when he bringeth
it with a wicked mind. A false witness shall perish,
but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A wicked man hardeneth
his face, but as for the upright, he directeth his way. There is
no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared against
the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord. Proverbs Chapter 22 A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and
gold. The rich and poor meet together. The Lord is the maker of them
all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil
and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. By
humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and
life. Thorns and snares are in the
way of the froward, he that doth keep his soul shall be far from
them. Train up a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. The
rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the
lender. He that soweth iniquity shall
reap vanity, and the rod of his anger shall fail. He that hath
a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to
the poor. Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out,
yea, strife and reproach shall cease. He that loveth pureness
of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. The eyes of the Lord preserve
knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
The slothful man saith, there is a lion without I shall be
slain in the streets. The mouth of strange women is
a deep pit. He that is abhorred of the Lord
shall fall therein. Foolishness is bound in the heart
of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. He that oppresseth the poor to
increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely
come to want. Bow down thine ear, and hear
the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee. They
shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in
the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
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? Rob not the poor, because he
is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate, for the
Lord will plead their cause and spoil the soul of those that
spoiled them. Make no friendship with an angry
man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go, lest thou learn
his ways and get a snare to thy soul. Be not thou one of them
that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed
from under thee? Remove not the ancient landmark
which thy fathers have set. Seest thou a man diligent in
his business? He shall stand before kings,
he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs Chapter 23 When thou
sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before
thee, and put a knife to thy throat if thou be a man given
to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties,
for they are deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich. Cease
from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon
that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves
wings, they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Eat thou not the
bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his
dainty meats. For as he thinketh in his heart,
so is he. Eat and drink, saith he to thee,
but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten
shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. Speak not in
the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Remove not the old landmark, and enter not into the fields
of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is mighty. He shall
plead their cause with thee. Apply thine heart unto instruction,
and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Withhold not correction
from the child, for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not
die. Thou shalt beat him with the
rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. My son, if thine heart
be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall
rejoice when thy lips speak right things. Let not thine heart envy
sinners, but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
For surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall not be
cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise,
and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among wine-bibbers,
among riotous eaters of flesh, for the drunkard and the glutton
shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Hearken unto thy father that
begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Buy the
truth, and sell it not, also wisdom, and instruction, and
understanding. The father of the righteous shall
greatly rejoice. And he that begetteth a wise
child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall
be glad, and she that bear thee shall rejoice. My son, give me
thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. For a whore
is a deep ditch, and a strange woman is a narrow pit. She also
lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors
among men. who hath woe, who hath sorrow,
who hath contentions, who hath babbling, who hath wounds without
cause, who hath redness of eyes, they that tarry long at the wine,
they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when
it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth
itself aright. At the last it biteth like a
serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold
strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
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. 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. Proverbs chapter 24 Be not thou envious against evil
men, neither desire to be with them, for their hearts studieth
destruction and their lips talk of mischief. Through wisdom is
an house builded, and by understanding it is established, and by knowledge
shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant
riches. A wise man is strong, yea, a
man of knowledge increaseth strength, for by wise counsel thou shalt
make thy war, and in multitude of counselors there is safety.
Wisdom is too high for a fool, he openeth not his mouth in the
gate. He that deviseth to do evil shall
be called a mischievous person. The thought of foolishness is
sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men. If thou faint in the
day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to
deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready
to be slain, if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not, doth
not he that pondereth the heart consider it? And he that keepeth
the soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every
man according to his works? My son, eat thou honey, because
it is good, and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste.
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. Lay not weight, O wicked man,
against the dwelling of the righteous, spoil not his resting place.
For a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again, but
the wicked shall fall into mischief. Rejoice not when thine enemy
falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth, lest
the Lord see it and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath
from him. fret not thyself because of evil
men neither be thou envious at the wicked for there shall be
no reward to the evil man the candle of the wicked shall be
put out my son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle
not with them that are given to change for their calamity
shall rise suddenly and who knoweth the ruin of them both These things
also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respective
persons in judgment. He that saith unto the wicked,
Thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, nations shall
abhor him. But to them that rebuke him shall
be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. Every man
shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. Prepare thy work
without, and make it fit for thyself in the field, and afterwards
build thine house. Be not a witness against thy
neighbor without cause, and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I
will do so to him as he hath done to me, I will render to
the man according to his work. I went by the field of the slothful,
and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. And lo,
it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face
thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw and
considered it well. I looked upon it and received
instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little
slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall
thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an
armed man. Proverbs chapter 25 These are also proverbs of Solomon
which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. It is the
glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to
search out a matter. The heaven for height, and the
earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take
away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a
vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from before
the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand
not in the place of great men. 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. Go
not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do
in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, and discover not a secret
to another, lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine
infamy turn not away. A word fitly spoken is like apples
of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold and an
ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient
ear. 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. Whoso boasteth himself
of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. By long
forbearing is the prince persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the
bone. Hast thou found honey? Eat so
much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith,
and vomit it. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's
house, Lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. A man that
beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a
sword, and a sharp arrow, Confidence in an unfaithful man in time
of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint. As he
that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar
upon lighter, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. If thine
enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty,
give him water to drink. For thou shalt heap coals of
fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. The north
wind driveth away rain, so doth an angry countenance a backbiting
tongue. It is better to dwell in the
corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman and in a wide
house. As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country. A righteous man falling down
before the wicked is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring. It is not good to eat much honey,
so for men to search their own glory is not glory. He that hath
no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down
and without walls. Proverbs chapter 26 As snow in
summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a
fool. As the bird by wandering, as
the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle
for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. Answer not a fool
according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer
a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by
the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not
equal, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth
a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable
in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all
things both rewardeth the fool and rewardeth transgressors.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his
own conceit? There is more hope of a fool
than of him. The slothful man saith, There
is a lion in the way, a lion is in the streets. As the door
turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand
in his bosom, it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that
can render a reason. He that passeth by and medleth
with strife belonging not to him is like one that taketh a
dog by the ears. As a madman who casteth firebrands,
arrows, and death, so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,
and saith, Am not I in sport? Where no wood is, there the fire
goeth out. So where there is no tail-bearer,
the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals
and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words
of a tail-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost
parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart
are like a pot's herd covered with silver dross. He that hateth,
dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not, for there are seven
abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit,
his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth
a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those
that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. Proverbs chapter 27 Boast not thyself of tomorrow,
for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another
man praise thee, not thine own mouth, a stranger, and not thine
own lips. A stone is heavy, and the sand
weighty, but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. Wrath
is cruel, and anger is outrageous, but who is able to stand before
envy? Open rebuke is better than secret
love. Faithful are the wounds of a
friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. The full
soul loatheth than honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every
bitter thing is sweet. As a bird that wandereth from
her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. Ointment and
perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man's
friend by hearty counsel. 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 neighbor that is near than
a brother far off. My son, be wise and make my heart
glad that I may answer him that reproaches me. A prudent man
foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the simple pass on
and are punished. Take his garment that is surety
for a stranger and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. He
that blesseth his friend with a loud voice rising early in
the morning it shall be counted a curse to him A continual dropping
in a very rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike. Whoso hideth
her, hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which
bereath itself. Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man
sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Whoso keepeth the
fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof, so he that waiteth on
his master shall be honored. As in water face answereth to
face, so the heart of man to man. Hell and destruction are
never full, so the eyes of man are never satisfied. As the fining
pot for silver and the furnace for gold, so is a man to his
praise. Though thou shouldest bray a
fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his
foolishness depart from him. Be thou diligent to know the
state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds, for riches
are not for ever, and doth the crown endure to every generation. The hay appeareth, and the tender
grass showeth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of
the field. And thou shalt have goat's milk enough for thy food,
for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy
maidens. Proverbs chapter 28 The wicked
flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion. For the transgression of a land
many are the princes thereof, but by a man of understanding
and knowledge the stake thereof shall be prolonged. A poor man
that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth
no food. They that forsake the law praise
the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil
men understand not judgment, but they that seek the Lord understand
all things. Better is the poor that walketh
in his uprightness than he that is perverse in his ways, though
he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise
son, but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. He that by usury and unjust gain
increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that
will pity the poor. He that turneth away his ear
from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
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. The rich man is wise in his own
conceit, but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory, but when
the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covereth his sins shall
not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have
mercy. Happy is the man that feareth
always, but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. As a roaring lion and a ranging
bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. The prince that
wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor, but he that
hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. A man that doeth violence
to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit, let no man stay
him. Whoso walketh uprightly shall
be saved, but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. He that tilleth his land shall
have plenty of bread, but he that followeth after vain persons
shall have poverty enough. A faithful man shall abound with
blessings, but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be
innocent. To have respect of persons is
not good, for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth
not that poverty shall come upon him. He that rebuketh a man afterwards
shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother and saith, It is no transgression,
the same is the companion of a destroyer. He that is of a
proud heart stirreth up strife, but he that putteth his trust
in the Lord shall be made fat. he that trusteth in his own heart
is a fool but whoso walketh wisely he shall be delivered he that
giveth unto the poor shall not lack but he that hideth his eyes
shall have many a curse when the wicked rise men hide themselves
but when they perish the righteous increase Proverbs Chapter 29 He that being
often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed,
and that without remedy. When the righteous are in authority,
the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the
people mourn. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth
his father, but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth
his substance. The king by judgment establisheth
the land, but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. A man
that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but the
righteous doth sing and rejoice. The righteous considereth the
cause of the poor, but the wicked regardeth not to know it. Scornful
men bring a city into a snare, but wise men turn away wrath.
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage
or laugh, there is no rest. The bloodthirsty hate the upright,
but the just seek his soul. A fool uttereth all his mind,
but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. If a ruler hearken
to lies, all his servants are wicked. The poor and the deceitful
man meet together, the Lord lighteneth both their eyes. The king that
faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established
forever. The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. When the
wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth, but the righteous
shall see therefore. Correct thy son, and he shall
give thee rest, yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Where
there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the
law, happy is he. A servant will not be corrected
by words, for though he understand he will not answer. Seest thou
a man that is hasty in his words, there is more hope of a fool
than of him. he that delicately bringeth up
his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the
length an angry man stirreth up strife and a furious man aboundeth
in transgression a man's pride shall bring him low but honor
shall uphold the humble in spirit Whoso is partner with a thief,
hateth his own soul. He heareth cursing, and bereath
it not. The fear of man bringeth a snare. But whoso putteth his trust in
the Lord, shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor,
but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord. An unjust man
is an abomination to the just, and he that is upright in the
way is abomination to the wicked. Proverbs chapter 30 The words
of Agur the son of Jeki, even the prophecy. The man spake unto
Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Yucal. Surely I am more brutish
than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither
learned wisdom nor have the knowledge of the holy. 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? Every word of God is pure. He is a shield unto them that
put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words,
lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two things have
I required of thee. Deny me them not before I die.
remove far from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty
nor riches feed me with food convenient for me 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 Accuse not a servant
unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless
their mother. There is a generation that are
pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, oh how
lofty are their eyes, and their eyelids are lifted up. 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 the horse leech have two daughters crying give
give there are three things that are never satisfied yea four
things say not it is enough the grave and the barren womb the
earth that is not filled with water and the fire that saith
not it is enough the eye that mocketh at his father and despised
to obey his mother the ravens of the valley shall pick it up
and the young eagles shall eat it There be three things which
are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not. 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. Such is the way of an adulterous
woman. She eateth and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have
done no wickedness. For three things the earth is
disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear. For a servant
when he reigneth, and a fool when he is filled with meat.
For an odious woman when she is married, and a handmaid that
is heir to her mistress. There be four things which are
little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise. The ants
are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the
summer. The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses
in the rocks. The locusts have no king, yet
go they forth all of them by bands. The spider taketh hold
with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. There be three things
which go well, yea, four are comely in going, a lion which
is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any, a greyhound,
an he-goat also, and a king against whom there is no rising up. If
thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought
evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Surely the churning of
milk bringeth forth butter, and the ringing of the nose bringeth
forth blood. So the forcing of wrath bringeth
forth strife. Proverbs Chapter 31 The words
of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him, What,
my son? and what, the son of my womb?
and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women,
nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O
Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong
drink, lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment
of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that
is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery
no more. Open thy mouth for the dumb in
the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open
thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor
and needy. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth
safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships. She bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her
household and a portion to her maidens. She considereth the
field, and buyeth it. With the fruit of her hands she
planteth the vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise
is good. Her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to
the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is
not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household
are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings
of tapestry. Her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine
linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength
and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time
to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom,
and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well
to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call
her blessed. her husband also, and he praiseth
her. Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty
is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her
hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. so