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The Book of
Proverbs
The Beginning of Knowledge
(Proverbs
9:1–12)
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 will attain to 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.
The Enticement of Sin
8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother:
9 For they shalt be an ornament of grace to your head, and chains about your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, consent you 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 will find all precious substance, we will fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not you in the way with them; refrain your 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 everyone that is greedy of gain; who taketh away the life of its owners.
Wisdom Calls Aloud
20 Wisdom cries without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22 How long, you simple ones, will you 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 to you, I will make known to you my words.
24 Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But you have set at naught all my counsel, and rejected 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 will they call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, but they will not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They rejected my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore will they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the prosperity of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever hearkeneth to me will dwell in safety, and will be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, if you wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with you;
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you criest after knowledge, and liftest up your voice for understanding;
4 If you seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then you will 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 you will understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; and every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul;
11 Discretion will preserve you, understanding will keep you:
12 To deliver you 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 you from the strange woman, even from the stranger who flattereth with her words;
17 Who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth to death, and her paths to the dead.
19 None that go to her return again, neither do they take hold of the paths of life.
20 That you may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will dwell in the land, and the perfect will remain in it.
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors will be rooted out of it.
Proverbs 3
Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart
1 My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, will they add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them upon the table of your heart:
4 So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:
10 So will your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses will 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.
The Blessings of Wisdom
13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain of it than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you canst desire are not to be compared to her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.
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 everyone that retaineth her.
19 The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has 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 your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So will they be life to your soul, and grace to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way safely, and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you liest down, you are not to be afraid: but you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give; when you have it by you.
29 Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by you.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
31 Envy you 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 to the lowly.
35 The wise will inherit glory: but shame will be the promotion of fools.
Proverbs 4
A Father’s Instruction
1 Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake you 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 to me, Let your 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 will preserve you: love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you: she will bring you to honor, when you dost embrace her.
9 She will give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory will she deliver to you.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.
12 When you goest, your steps will not be straitened; and when you runnest, you are not to stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is your 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 to 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 your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from you.
25 Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove your foot from evil.
Avoiding Immorality
(Leviticus
20:10–21;
1
Corinthians 5:1–8)
1 My son, attend to my wisdom, and bow your ear to my understanding:
2 That you may regard discretion, and that your lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honey-comb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest you shouldst ponder the path of life, her ways are movable, that you canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O you children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove your way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with your wealth; and your labors be in the house of a stranger;
11 And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and your 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 my 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 your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well.
16 Let your fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only your own, and not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of your youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and be you ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt you, 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 will take the wicked himself, and he will be held with the cords of his sins.
23 He will die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Proverbs 6
Warnings against Foolishness
1 My son, if you are surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger,
2 You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when you are come into the hand of your friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure your friend.
4 Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your 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, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her provisions in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt you sleep, O sluggard? when wilt you arise out of your sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So will your poverty come as one that traveleth, and your 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 will his calamity come suddenly; suddenly will he be broken without remedy.
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yes, seven are an abomination to him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.
18 A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.
Warnings against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of your mother:
21 Bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them about your neck.
22 When you goest, it will lead you; when you sleepest, it will keep you; and when you awakest, it will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a lewd 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 neighbor’s wife; whoever toucheth her will not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he stealeth to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he is found, he will restore seven-fold; he will give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoever committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonor will he get; and his reproach will 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 you givest many gifts.
Proverbs 7
Warnings about the Adulteress
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with you.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them upon your fingers, write them upon the table of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, You are my sister; and call understanding your kinswoman:
5 That they may keep you 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 a 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 to him,
14 I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.
15 Therefore I came forth to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you.
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 good-man is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He has 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 impelled him.
22 He goeth after her quickly, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart striketh through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24 Now therefore listen to me, O you children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she has cast down many wounded: yes, many strong men have been slain by her.
27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 8
The Excellence of Wisdom
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors.
4 To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O you simple, understand wisdom: and you fools, be you of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips will be right things.
7 For my mouth will 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 ingenious inventions.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, 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 will find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me; durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, 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 listen to me, O you 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 whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
The Way of Wisdom
(Proverbs
1:1–7)
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent forth her maidens: she cries upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she says 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 will hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
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 your days will be multiplied, and the years of your life will be increased.
12 If you are wise, you will be wise for thyself: but if you scornest, you alone shalt bear it.
The Way of Folly
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 Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she says 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.
Proverbs 10
Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son
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 will perish.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool will fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways will be known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool will 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 has 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 labor 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 restraineth 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 has wisdom.
24 The fear of the wicked, it will come upon him: but the desire of the righteous will 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 will be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction will be to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous will never be removed: but the wicked will not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
Dishonest Scales
(Deuteronomy
25:13–16;
Ezekiel 45:10–12)
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 will guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors will destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect will direct his way: but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them: but transgressors will be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation will perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 A pretender with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge will the just be delivered.
10 When the righteous prosper, 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 neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A tale-bearer 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 counselors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger will smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A cheerful woman retaineth honor: 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 will 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 will not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman who 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 will be made fat: and he that watereth will be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people will curse him: but blessing will be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it will come to him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches will fall: but the righteous will flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house will inherit the wind: and the fool will 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 will be recompensed upon the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Proverbs 12
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
1 Whoever loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favor from the LORD: but a man of wicked devices he will condemn.
3 A man will not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous will 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 will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and is destitute of 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 will 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 will come out of trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth showeth 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 will 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 counselors of peace is joy.
21 There will no evil happen to the just: but the wicked will 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 will bear rule: but the slothful will be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man depresseth it: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: 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 path of it there is no death.
Proverbs 13
A Father’s Discipline
1 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man will eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors will eat violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips will have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent will be made fat.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is lothsome, 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 has nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity will be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a Tree of Life.
13 Whoever despiseth the word will be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favor: 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 embassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame will be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof will be honored.
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 will be wise: but a companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good will be repaid.
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 will want.
Proverbs 14
The Wise Woman
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 will 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 finds it not: but knowledge is easy to him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you 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 favor.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end of it 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 will be filled with his own ways: and a good man will 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 by his own neighbor: but the rich has many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth will be to them that devise good.
23 In all labor 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 will 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 honor: 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 honors him has mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that has 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 favor is towards a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Proverbs 15
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
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 in it 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 diffuse 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 to the LORD; but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof will 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 to 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 has 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 has a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.
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 a 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 counselors they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
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 will 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 honor is humility.
Proverbs 16
The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, are from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.
4 The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, 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 will 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 a king’s countenance is life; and his favor 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 a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely will find good: and whoever trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a well-spring of life to him that has 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 a honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.
26 He that laboreth laboreth 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 neighbor, 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 is 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 of it is from the LORD.
Proverbs 17
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant will have rule over a son that causeth shame, and will 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 He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamities will not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children is 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 has 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 a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewardeth evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from 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 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has 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 has a froward heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has 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 has 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 bore him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that has 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.
Proverbs 18
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal 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 well-spring 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 tale-bearer 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 a high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to 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 neighbor 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 will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips will he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it will eat the fruit of it.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 19
The Man of Integrity
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 neighbor.
5 A false witness will not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies will not escape.
6 Many will entreat the favor 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 will find good.
9 A false witness will not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies will 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 favor 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 will suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways will die.
17 He that has pity upon the poor, lendeth to the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again.
18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment: for if you deliver him, yet you must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that will 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 has it will abide satisfied; he will 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 has 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.
Proverbs 20
Wine Is a Mocker
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoever provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is an honor 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 will 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 everyone 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 on 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 is pure, and whether it is right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, says the buyer: but when he is gone, 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 will be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Whoever curseth his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end of it will not be blessed.
22 Say not you, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he will save you.
23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
26 A wise king scatterreth 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 upheld 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.
The King’s Heart
(Psalm
21:1–13)
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 A 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 everyone that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked will 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 house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbor finds no favor 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 Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but will 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 will be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding will remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure will be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked will 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 a 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 finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever 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 labor.
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 will 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 from the LORD.
Proverbs 22
A Good Name
1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor 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 honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul will 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 will reap vanity: and the rod of his anger will fail.
9 He that has a bountiful eye will be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention will end; yes, strife and reproach will cease.
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man says, There is a lion without, I will be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred by the LORD will fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, will surely come to want.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying 1
17 Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keepest them within you; they will withal be fitted in your lips.
19 That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to you this day, even to you.
20 Have not I written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth; that you mightest answer the words of truth to them that send to you?
Saying 2
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.
Saying 3
24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you are not to go:
25 Lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul.
Saying 4
26 Be not you one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.
Saying 6
29 Seest you a man diligent in his business? he will stand before kings; he will not stand before mean men.
True Riches
(1
Timothy 6:17–19;
James 5:1–6)
Saying 7
1 When you sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you:
2 And put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful food.
Saying 8
4 Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom.
5 Wilt you set your eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make to themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.
6 Eat you not the bread of him that has an evil eye, neither desire you his dainties:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to you; but his heart is not with you.
8 The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up, and lose your sweet words.
Saying 10
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11 For their redeemer is mighty; he will plead their cause with you.
Saying 12
12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Saying 13
13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if you beatest him with the rod, he will not die.
14 You shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Saying 14
15 My son, if your heart be wise, my heart will rejoice, even mine.
16 Yes, my reins will rejoice, when your lips speak right things.
Saying 15
17 Let not your heart envy sinners: but be you in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
18 For surely there is an end; and your expectation will not be cut off.
Saying 16
19 Hear you, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.
20 Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty: and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
Saying 17
22 Hearken to your father that fathered you, and despise not your 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 will greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.
25 Thy father and your mother will be glad, and she that bore you will rejoice.
Saying 18
26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a lewd woman 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.
Saying 19
29 Who has woe? who has sorrow? who has contentions? who has babbling? who has wounds without cause? who has redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not you upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, when it moves itself aright.
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33 Thy eyes will behold strange women, and your heart will utter perverse things.
34 And you will 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, wilt you say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when will I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Proverbs 24
Do Not Envy
1 Be not you envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Saying 21
3 Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge will the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Saying 22
5 A wise man is strong; and a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For by wise counsel you will make your war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety.
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Saying 24
8 He that deviseth to do evil will be called a mischievous person.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Saying 25
10 If you faintest in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
11 If you forbearest to deliver them that are drawn to death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 If you sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth your soul, doth not he know it? and will not he render to every man according to his works?
Saying 26
13 My son, eat you honey, because it is good; and the honey-comb, which is sweet to your taste:
14 So will the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul: when you have found it, then there will be a reward, and your expectation will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; destroy not his resting-place:
16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth again: but the wicked will fall into mischief.
Saying 28
17 Rejoice not when your enemy falleth, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Saying 29
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be you envious at the wicked;
20 For there will be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked will be extinguished.
Saying 30
21 My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
Further Sayings of the Wise
23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He that says to the wicked, You are righteous; him will the people curse, nations will abhor him:
25 But to them that rebuke him will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Every man will kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27 Prepare your work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips.
29 Say not, I will do so to him as he has 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 of it, and its stone wall 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 will your poverty come as one that traveleth; and your want as an armed man.
Proverbs 25
More Proverbs of Solomon
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 honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for hight, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there will come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will 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 to you, Come up hither; than that you shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and reveal not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an ear-ring 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 Whoever 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 Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled with it, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor 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 a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy will hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he will thirst, give him water to drink:
22 For you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, 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 turbid 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 has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 26
Similitudes and Instructions
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless will 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 you also be like 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 honor 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 you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon its 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 fire-brands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no tale-bearer, 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 tale-bearer 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 will be shown before the whole congregation.
27 Whoever diggeth a pit will fall into it: 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.
Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
(James
4:13–17)
1 Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for you knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than 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 lotheth a honey-comb; 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 Thy own friend, and your father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into your brother’s house in the day of your calamity: for better is a neighbor 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 will be counted a curse to him.
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16 Whoever 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 He that keepeth the fig-tree will eat the fruit of it: so he that waiteth on his master will be honored.
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 you shouldst bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
23 Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.
24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
25 The plant appeareth, and the tender grass showeth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
27 And you will have goats milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for maintenance for your maidens.
Proverbs 28
The Boldness of the Righteous
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 its princes: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof will 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 is rich.
7 He who 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 will gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer will be abomination.
10 Whoever causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he will fall himself into his own pit: but the upright will have good things in possession.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor man that has understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 He that covereth his sins will not prosper: but he who confesseth and forsaketh them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart will 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 will prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person will flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18 He who walketh uprightly will be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways will fall at once.
19 He that tilleth his land will have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons will have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich will 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 has an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty will come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterward will find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father or his mother, and says, 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 will be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walketh wisely, he will be delivered.
27 He that giveth to the poor will not want: but he that hideth his eyes will have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs 29
The Flourishing of the Righteous
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, will 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 He that 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 neighbor 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 rageth or laugheth, there is no rest.
10 The blood-thirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in until afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearkeneth to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD enlighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne will 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 will see their fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your 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 understandeth, he will not answer.
20 Seest you 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 will have him at length become his son.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low: but honor will uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoever is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and discloseth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but he who putteth his trust in the LORD will be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor; 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.
Proverbs 30
The Words of Agur
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke to Ithiel, even to 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 has ascended into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you canst tell?
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to them that put their trust in him.
6 Add you not to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
7 Two things have I required of you; deny them not to me 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 you, 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 to his master, lest he curse you, and you 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 are 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 horse-leech has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, 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 says not, It is enough.
17 The eye that mocketh at its father, and despiseth to obey its mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it.
18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I don't know:
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 says, 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 food.
23 For an odious woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are very wise:
25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26 The conies are but a feeble people, yet they make 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 king’s palaces.
29 There are three things which go well, yes, four are comely in going:
30 A lion, which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31 A greyhound; a he-goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
32 If you have done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your 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.
Proverbs 31
The Sayings for King Lemuel
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 your strength to women, nor your 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 to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
The Virtues of a Noble Woman
א
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
ב
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he will have no need of spoil.
ג
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
ד
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
ה
14 She is like the merchant’s ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
ו
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
ז
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
ח
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
ט
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
י
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
כ
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yes, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
ל
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
מ
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
נ
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
ס
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles to the merchant.
ע
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; and she will rejoice in time to come.
פ
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
צ
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
ק
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
ר
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excellest them all.
ש
30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she will be praised.
ת
31 Give
her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.