 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 subtlety to the simple, to the young
man knowledge and discretion.
 5  A wise [man] will hear, and will increase
learning; and a man of understanding shall attain
unto wise counsels:
 6  To understand a proverb, and the interpreta-
tion; the words of the wise, and their dark say-
ings.
 7  The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of
knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruc-
tion.
 8  My son, hear the instruction of thy father,
and forsake not the law of thy mother:
 9  For they [shall be] an ornament of grace unto
thy head, and chains about thy neck.
 10  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou
not. 
 11  If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait
for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent
without cause: 
 12  Let us swallow them up alive as the grave;
and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
 13  We shall find all precious substance, we
shall fill our houses with spoil:
 14  Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one
purse:
 15  My son, walk not thou in the way with them;
refrain thy foot from their path:
 16  For their feet run to evil, and make haste to
shed blood.
 17  Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight
of any bird.
 18  And they lay wait for their [own] blood; they
lurk privily for their [own] lives.
 19  So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy
of gain; [which] taketh away the life of the
owners thereof.
 20  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice
in the streets:
 21  She crieth in the chief place of concourse,
in the openings of the gates: in the city she
uttereth her words, [saying],
 22  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love sim-
plicity? and the scorners delight in their scorn-
ing, and fools hate knowledge?
 23  Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour
out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words
unto you.
 24  Because I have called, and ye refused; I have
stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
 25  But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and
would none of my reproof:
 26  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will
mock when your fear cometh;
 27  When your fear cometh as desolation, and your
destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress
and anguish cometh upon you.
 28  Then shall they call upon me, but I will not
answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall
not find me: 
 29  For that they hated knowledge, and did not
choose the fear of the LORD:
 30  They would none of my counsel: they despised
all my reproof.
 31  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of
their own way, and be filled with their own devic-
es.
 32  For the turning away of the simple shall slay
them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy
them.
 33  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell
safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
 1  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and
hide my commandments with thee;
 2  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom,
[and] apply thine heart to understanding;
 3  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and]
liftest up thy voice for understanding;
 4  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest
for her as [for] hid treasures;
 5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of 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 pre-
serveth the way of his saints.
 9  Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and
judgment, and equity; [yea], every good path.
 10  When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and
knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
 11  Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding
shall keep thee:
 12  To deliver thee from the way of the evil
[man], from the man that speaketh froward things;
 13  Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk
in the ways of darkness;
 14  Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in the
frowardness of the wicked;
 15  Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they] froward
in their paths:
 16  To deliver thee from the strange woman,
[even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with
her words;
 17  Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and
forgetteth the covenant of her God.
 18  For her house inclineth unto death, and her
paths unto the dead.
 19  None that go unto her return again, neither
take they hold of the paths of life.
 20  That thou mayest walk in the way of good
[men], and keep the paths of the righteous.
 21  For the upright shall dwell in the land, and
the perfect shall remain in it.
 22  But the wicked shall be cut off from the
earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out
of it.
 1  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart
keep my commandments:
 2  For length of days, and long life, and peace,
shall they add to thee.
 3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind
them about thy neck; write them upon the table of
thine heart: 
 4  So shalt thou find favour and good understand-
ing in the sight of God and man.
 5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding.
 6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.
 7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD,
and depart from evil.
 8  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to
thy bones. 
 9  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with
the firstfruits of all thine increase:
 10  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and
thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
 11  My son, despise not the chastening of the
LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
 12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even
as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
 13  Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and
the man [that] getteth understanding.
 14  For the merchandise of it [is] better than
the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof
than fine gold. 
 15  She [is] more precious than rubies: and all
the things thou canst desire are not to be com-
pared unto her. 
 16  Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and]
in her left hand riches and honour.
 17  Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all
her paths [are] peace.
 18  She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold
upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth
her.
 19  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by
understanding hath he established the heavens. 
 20  By his knowledge the depths are broken up,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
 21  My son, let not them depart from thine eyes:
keep sound wisdom and discretion:
 22  So shall they be life unto thy soul, and
grace to thy neck.
 23  Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and
thy foot shall not stumble.
 24  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be
afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep
shall be sweet. 
 25  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the
desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
 26  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and
shall keep thy foot from being taken.
 27  Withhold not good from them to whom it is
due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do
[it].
 28  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come
again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast
it by thee. 
 29  Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing
he dwelleth securely by thee.
 30  Strive not with a man without cause, if he
have done thee no harm.
 31  Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none
of his ways.
 32  For the froward [is] abomination to the LORD:
but his secret [is] with the righteous.
 33  The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of
the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the
just.
 34  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he
giveth grace unto the lowly.
 35  The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall
be the promotion of fools.
 1  Hear, ye children, the instruction of a fa-
ther, and attend to know understanding.
 2  For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not
my law. 
 3  For I was my father's son, tender and only
[beloved] in the sight of my mother.
 4  He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine
heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and
live. 
 5  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it]
not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
 6  Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee:
love her, and she shall keep thee.
 7  Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore]
get wisdom: and with all thy getting get under-
standing.
 8  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she
shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace
her.
 9  She shall give to thine head an ornament of
grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
 10  Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and
the years of thy life shall be many.
 11  I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I
have led thee in right paths.
 12  When thou goest, thy steps shall not be
straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not
stumble.
 13  Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not
go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.
 14  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go
not in the way of evil [men].
 15  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and
pass away. 
 16  For they sleep not, except they have done
mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless
they cause [some] to fall. 
 17  For they eat the bread of wickedness, and
drink the wine of violence.
 18  But the path of the just [is] as the shining
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect
day.
 19  The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they
know not at what they stumble.
 20  My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear
unto my sayings.
 21  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep
them in the midst of thine heart.
 22  For they [are] life unto those that find
them, and health to all their flesh.
 23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of
it [are] the issues of life.
 24  Put away from thee a froward mouth, and
perverse lips put far from thee.
 25  Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine
eyelids look straight before thee.
 26  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy
ways be established.
 27  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
remove thy foot from evil.
 1  My son, attend unto my wisdom, [and] bow thine
ear to my understanding:
 2  That thou mayest regard discretion, and [that]
thy lips may keep knowledge.
 3  For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an
honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil:
 4  But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a
twoedged sword.
 5  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold
on hell. 
 6  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life,
her ways are moveable, [that] thou canst not know
[them].
 7  Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and
depart not from the words of my mouth.
 8  Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh
the door of her house:
 9  Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and
thy years unto the cruel:
 10  Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and
thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger;
 11  And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh
and thy body are consumed,
 12  And say, How have I hated instruction, and my
heart despised reproof;
 13  And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
 14  I was almost in all evil in the midst of the
congregation and assembly.
 15  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and
running waters out of thine own well.
 16  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, [and]
rivers of waters in the streets.
 17  Let them be only thine own, and not stran-
gers' with thee.
 18  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with
the wife of thy youth.
 19  [Let her be as] the loving hind and pleasant
roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;
and be thou ravished always with her love.
 20  And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a
strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a strang-
er?
 21  For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of
the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
 22  His own iniquities shall take the wicked
himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of
his sins.
 23  He shall die without instruction; and in the
greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
 1  My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, [if]
thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
 2  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth,
thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
 3  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when
thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go,
humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
 4  Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to
thine eyelids.
 5  Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand [of the
hunter], and as a bird from the hand of the fowl-
er.
 6  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her
ways, and be wise:
 7  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 
 8  Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] 
gathereth her food in the harvest.
 9  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when
wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
 10  [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a
little folding of the hands to sleep:
 11  So shall thy poverty come as one that travel-
leth, and thy want as an armed man.
 12  A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with
a froward mouth.
 13  He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with
his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
 14  Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth
mischief continually; he soweth discord.
 15  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly;
suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
 16  These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea,
seven [are] an abomination unto him:
 17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that
shed innocent blood,
 18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
 19  A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he
that soweth discord among brethren.
 20  My son, keep thy father's commandment, and
forsake not the law of thy mother:
 21  Bind them continually upon thine heart, [and]
tie them about thy neck.
 22  When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when
thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and [when] thou
awakest, it shall talk with thee.
 23  For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law
[is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the
way of life: 
 24  To keep thee from the evil woman, from the
flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
 25  Lust not after her beauty in thine heart;
neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
 26  For by means of a whorish woman [a man is
brought] to a piece of bread: and the adulteress
will hunt for the precious life.
 27  Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his
clothes not be burned?
 28  Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not
be burned? 
 29  So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife;
whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
 30  [Men] do not despise a thief, if he steal to
satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
 31  But [if] he be found, he shall restore seven-
fold; he shall give all the substance of his
house.
 32  [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman
lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroy-
eth his own soul. 
 33  A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his
reproach shall not be wiped away.
 34  For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: there-
fore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
 35  He will not regard any ransom; neither will
he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
 1  My son, keep my words, and lay up my command-
ments with thee.
 2  Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as
the apple of thine eye.
 3  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon
the table of thine heart.
 4  Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and
call understanding [thy] kinswoman:
 5  That they may keep thee from the strange
woman, from the stranger [which] flattereth with
her words.
 6  For at the window of my house I looked through
my casement,
 7  And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned
among the youths, a young man void of understand-
ing,
 8  Passing through the street near her corner;
and he went the way to her house,
 9  In the twilight, in the evening, in the black
and dark night:
 10  And, behold, there met him a woman [with] the
attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.
 11  (She [is] loud and stubborn; her feet abide
not in her house:
 12  Now [is she] without, now in the streets, and
lieth in wait at every corner.)
 13  So she caught him, and kissed him, [and] with
an impudent face said unto him,
 14  [I have] peace offerings with me; this day
have I payed my vows.
 15  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, dili-
gently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
 16  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapes-
try, with carved [works], with fine linen of
Egypt.
 17  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and
cinnamon. 
 18  Come, let us take our fill of love until the
morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
 19  For the goodman [is] not at home, he is gone
a long journey:
 20  He hath taken a bag of money with him, [and]
will come home at the day appointed.
 21  With her much fair speech she caused him to
yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced
him.
 22  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox
goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the cor-
rection of the stocks; 
 23  Till a dart strike through his liver; as a
bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it
[is] for his life. 
 24  Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children,
and attend to the words of my mouth.
 25  Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go
not astray in her paths.
 26  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea,
many strong [men] have been slain by her.
 27  Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to
the chambers of death.
 1  Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put
forth her voice?
 2  She standeth in the top of high places, by the
way in the places of the paths.
 3  She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the
city, at the coming in at the doors.
 4  Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to
the sons of man.
 5  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools,
be ye of an understanding heart.
 6  Hear; for I will speak of excellent things;
and the opening of my lips [shall be] right
things.
 7  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness
[is] an abomination to my lips.
 8  All the words of my mouth [are] in righteous-
ness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in
them.
 9  They [are] all plain to him that understand-
eth, and right to them that find knowledge.
 10  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and
knowledge rather than choice gold.
 11  For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all
the things that may be desired are not to be
compared to it. 
 12  I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out
knowledge of witty inventions.
 13  The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil:
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the
froward mouth, do I hate. 
 14  Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am]
understanding; I have strength.
 15  By me kings reign, and princes decree jus-
tice. 
 16  By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all
the judges of the earth.
 17  I love them that love me; and those that seek
me early shall find me.
 18  Riches and honour [are] with me; [yea],
durable riches and righteousness.
 19  My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than
fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
 20  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the
midst of the paths of judgment:
 21  That I may cause those that love me to inher-
it substance; and I will fill their treasures.
 22  The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his
way, before his works of old.
 23  I was set up from everlasting, from the
beginning, or ever the earth was.
 24  When [there were] no depths, I was brought
forth; when [there were] no fountains abounding
with water. 
 25  Before the mountains were settled, before the
hills was I brought forth:
 26  While as yet he had not made the earth, nor
the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of
the world. 
 27  When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there:
when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
 28  When he established the clouds above: when he
strengthened the fountains of the deep:
 29  When he gave to the sea his decree, that the
waters should not pass his commandment: when he
appointed the foundations of the earth:
 30  Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with
him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing
always before him; 
 31  Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth;
and my delights [were] with the sons of men.
 32  Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children:
for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.
 33  Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it
not. 
 34  Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watch-
ing daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my
doors.
 35  For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall
obtain favour of the LORD.
 36  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his
own soul: all they that hate me love death.
 1  Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn
out her seven pillars:
 2  She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled
her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
 3  She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth
upon the highest places of the city,
 4  Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as
for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to
him, 
 5  Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine
[which] I have mingled.
 6  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the
way of understanding.
 7  He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself
shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth]
himself a blot. 
 8  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
 9  Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he
will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will
increase in learning. 
 10  The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of
wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] under-
standing. 
 11  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and
the years of thy life shall be increased.
 12  If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for
thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt
bear [it]. 
 13  A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is]
simple, and knoweth nothing.
 14  For she sitteth at the door of her house, on
a seat in the high places of the city,
 15  To call passengers who go right on their
ways: 
 16  Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither:
and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she
saith to him, 
 17  Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in
secret is pleasant.
 18  But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there;
[and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.
 1  The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a
glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness
of his mother. 
 2  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but
righteousness delivereth from death.
 3  The LORD will not suffer the soul of the
righteous to famish: but he casteth away the
substance of the wicked. 
 4  He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack
hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
 5  He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise son:
[but] he that sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that
causeth shame. 
 6  Blessings [are] upon the head of the just: but
violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
 7  The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the
name of the wicked shall rot.
 8  The wise in heart will receive commandments:
but a prating fool shall fall.
 9  He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but
he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
 10  He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow:
but a prating fool shall fall.
 11  The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of
life: but violence covereth the mouth of the
wicked.
 12  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth
all sins. 
 13  In the lips of him that hath understanding
wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of
him that is void of understanding.
 14  Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of
the foolish [is] near destruction.
 15  The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city:
the destruction of the poor [is] their poverty.
 16  The labour of the righteous [tendeth] to
life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
 17  He [is in] the way of life that keepeth
instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
 18  He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and
he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.
 19  In the multitude of words there wanteth not
sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.
 20  The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver:
the heart of the wicked [is] little worth.
 21  The lips of the righteous feed many: but
fools die for want of wisdom.
 22  The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and
he addeth no sorrow with it.
 23  [It is] as sport to a fool to do mischief:
but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
 24  The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon
him: but the desire of the righteous shall be
granted.
 25  As the whirlwind passeth, so [is] the wicked
no [more]: but the righteous [is] an everlasting
foundation. 
 26  As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the
eyes, so [is] the sluggard to them that send him.
 27  The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the
years of the wicked shall be shortened.
 28  The hope of the righteous [shall be] glad-
ness: but the expectation of the wicked shall
perish.
 29  The way of the LORD [is] strength to the
upright: but destruction [shall be] to the workers
of iniquity. 
 30  The righteous shall never be removed: but the
wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
 31  The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom:
but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
 32  The lips of the righteous know what is ac-
ceptable: but the mouth of the wicked [speaketh]
frowardness.
 1  A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD:
but a just weight [is] his delight.
 2  [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but
with the lowly [is] wisdom.
 3  The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
but the perverseness of transgressors shall de-
stroy them. 
 4  Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but
righteousness delivereth from death.
 5  The righteousness of the perfect shall direct
his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own
wickedness. 
 6  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver
them: but transgressors shall be taken in [their
own] naughtiness. 
 7  When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation
shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men]
perisheth.
 8  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and
the wicked cometh in his stead.
 9  An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his
neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be
delivered. 
 10  When it goeth well with the righteous, the
city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there
is] shouting. 
 11  By the blessing of the upright the city is
exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the
wicked.
 12  He that is void of wisdom despiseth his
neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his
peace.
 13  A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that
is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
 14  Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but
in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.
 15  He that is surety for a stranger shall smart
[for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
 16  A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong
[men] retain riches.
 17  The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:
but [he that is] cruel troubleth his own flesh.
 18  The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to
him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure
reward. 
 19  As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he
that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death.
 20  They that are of a froward heart [are] abomi-
nation to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in
[their] way [are] his delight.
 21  [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked
shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the
righteous shall be delivered. 
 22  [As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, [so
is] a fair woman which is without discretion.
 23  The desire of the righteous [is] only good:
[but] the expectation of the wicked [is] wrath.
 24  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;
and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet,
but [it tendeth] to poverty.
 25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he
that watereth shall be watered also himself.
 26  He that withholdeth corn, the people shall
curse him: but blessing [shall be] upon the head
of him that selleth [it]. 
 27  He that diligently seeketh good procureth
favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall
come unto him. 
 28  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:
but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
 29  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit
the wind: and the fool [shall be] servant to the
wise of heart. 
 30  The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of
life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.
 31  Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in
the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
 1  Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but
he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
 2  A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but
a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
 3  A man shall not be established by wickedness:
but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
 4  A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband:
but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in
his bones. 
 5  The thoughts of the righteous [are] right:
[but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.
 6  The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait
for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall
deliver them. 
 7  The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but
the house of the righteous shall stand.
 8  A man shall be commended according to his
wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall
be despised. 
 9  [He that is] despised, and hath a servant,
[is] better than he that honoureth himself, and
lacketh bread. 
 10  A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his
beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are]
cruel. 
 11  He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied
with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons
is] void of understanding. 
 12  The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]:
but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
 13  The wicked is snared by the transgression of
[his] lips: but the just shall come out of trou-
ble. 
 14  A man shall be satisfied with good by the
fruit of [his] mouth: and the recompense of a
man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
 15  The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes:
but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.
 16  A fool's wrath is presently known: but a
prudent [man] covereth shame.
 17  [He that] speaketh truth showeth forth righ-
teousness: but a false witness deceit.
 18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of
a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.
 19  The lip of truth shall be established for
ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.
 20  Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine
evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.
 21  There shall no evil happen to the just: but
the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
 22  Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but
they that deal truly [are] his delight.
 23  A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the
heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
 24  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but
the slothful shall be under tribute.
 25  Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it
stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
 26  The righteous [is] more excellent than his
neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth
them.
 27  The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he
took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent
man [is] precious. 
 28  In the way of righteousness [is] life; and
[in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.
 1  A wise son [heareth] his father's instruction:
but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
 2  A man shall eat good by the fruit of [his]
mouth: but the soul of the transgressors [shall
eat] violence. 
 3  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:
[but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have
destruction. 
 4  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath]
nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be
made fat. 
 5  A righteous [man] hateth lying: but a wicked
[man] is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
 6  Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright in
the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
 7  There is that maketh himself rich, yet [hath]
nothing: [there is] that maketh himself poor, yet
[hath] great riches. 
 8  The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches:
but the poor heareth not rebuke.
 9  The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the
lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
 10  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the
well advised [is] wisdom.
 11  Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be dimin-
ished: but he that gathereth by labour shall
increase.
 12  Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but
[when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.
 13  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed:
but he that feareth the commandment shall be
rewarded. 
 14  The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life,
to depart from the snares of death.
 15  Good understanding giveth favour: but the way
of transgressors [is] hard.
 16  Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge:
but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
 17  A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but
a faithful ambassador [is] health.
 18  Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that
refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth re-
proof shall be honoured. 
 19  The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:
but [it is] abomination to fools to depart from
evil. 
 20  He that walketh with wise [men] shall be
wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
 21  Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous
good shall be repayed.
 22  A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his
children's children: and the wealth of the sinner
[is] laid up for the just.
 23  Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor:
but there is [that is] destroyed for want of
judgment.
 24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but
he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
 25  The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his
soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
 1  Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the
foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
 2  He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the
LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways
despiseth him. 
 3  In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of
pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve
them.
 4  Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but
much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.
 5  A faithful witness will not lie: but a false
witness will utter lies.
 6  A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it]
not: but knowledge [is] easy unto him that
understandeth. 
 7  Go from the presence of a foolish man, when
thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowl-
edge. 
 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 righ-
teous [there is] favour.
 10  The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a
stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
 11  The house of the wicked shall be overthrown:
but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
 12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a
man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
 13  Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and
the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.
 14  The backslider in heart shall be filled with
his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied]
from himself. 
 15  The simple believeth every word: but the
prudent [man] looketh well to his going.
 16  A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from
evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
 17  [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly:
and a man of wicked devices is hated.
 18  The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are
crowned with knowledge.
 19  The evil bow before the good; and the wicked
at the gates of the righteous.
 20  The poor is hated even of his own neighbour:
but the rich [hath] many friends.
 21  He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but
he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
 22  Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy
and truth [shall be] to them that devise good.
 23  In all labour there is profit: but the talk
of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
 24  The crown of the wise [is] their riches:
[but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly.
 25  A true witness delivereth souls: but a de-
ceitful [witness] speaketh lies.
 26  In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confi-
dence: and his children shall have a place of
refuge.
 27  The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life,
to depart from the snares of death.
 28  In the multitude of people [is] the king's
honour: but in the want of people [is] the de-
struction of the prince. 
 29  [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great
understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit
exalteth folly. 
 30  A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but
envy the rottenness of the bones.
 31  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his
Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the
poor. 
 32  The wicked is driven away in his wickedness:
but the righteous hath hope in his death.
 33  Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath
understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of
fools is made known.
 34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is]
a reproach to any people.
 35  The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant:
but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
 1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous
words stir up anger.
 2  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright:
but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
 3  The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
 4  A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but
perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.
 5  A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but
he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
 6  In the house of the righteous [is] much trea-
sure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trou-
ble.
 7  The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but
the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
 8  The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomina-
tion to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright
[is] his delight. 
 9  The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto
the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after
righteousness. 
 10  Correction [is] grievous unto him that
forsaketh the way: [and] he that hateth reproof
shall die.
 11  Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD:
how much more then the hearts of the children of
men?
 12  A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him:
neither will he go unto the wise.
 13  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:
but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
 14  The heart of him that hath understanding
seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth
on foolishness. 
 15  All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but
he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual
feast. 
 16  Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure and trouble therewith.
 17  Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is,
than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
 18  A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he
that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.
 19  The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge
of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made
plain. 
 20  A wise son maketh a glad father: but a fool-
ish man despiseth his mother.
 21  Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of
wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh up-
rightly. 
 22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed:
but in the multitude of counsellors they are
established. 
 23  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:
and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is
it]!
 24  The way of life [is] above to the wise, that
he may depart from hell beneath.
 25  The LORD will destroy the house of the proud:
but he will establish the border of the widow.
 26  The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomina-
tion to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure
[are] pleasant words. 
 27  He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own
house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
 28  The heart of the righteous studieth to an-
swer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil
things.
 29  The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he
heareth the prayer of the righteous.
 30  The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart:
[and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
 31  The ear that heareth the reproof of life
abideth among the wise.
 32  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his
own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth
understanding. 
 33  The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of
wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.
 1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the
answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD.
 2  All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own
eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
 3  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy
thoughts shall be established.
 4  The LORD hath made all [things] for himself:
yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
 5  Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an
abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in
hand, he shall not be unpunished.
 6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by
the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.
 7  When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh
even his enemies to be at peace with him.
 8  Better [is] a little with righteousness than
great revenues without right.
 9  A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD
directeth his steps.
 10  A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the
king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
 11  A just weight and balance [are] the LORD's:
all the weights of the bag [are] his work.
 12  [It is] an abomination to kings to commit
wickedness: for the throne is established by
righteousness. 
 13  Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings;
and they love him that speaketh right.
 14  The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of
death: but a wise man will pacify it.
 15  In the light of the king's countenance [is]
life; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter
rain. 
 16  How much better [is it] to get wisdom than
gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen
than silver! 
 17  The highway of the upright [is] to depart
from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his
soul.
 18  Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an
haughty spirit before a fall.
 19  Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with
the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the
proud. 
 20  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find
good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is]
he.
 21  The wise in heart shall be called prudent:
and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
 22  Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto
him that hath it: but the instruction of fools
[is] folly. 
 23  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and
addeth learning to his lips.
 24  Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet
to the soul, and health to the bones.
 25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
 26  He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for
his mouth craveth it of him.
 27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his
lips [there is] as a burning fire.
 28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer
separateth chief friends.
 29  A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and
leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.
 30  He shutteth his eyes to devise froward
things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
 31  The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it
be found in the way of righteousness.
 32  [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than
the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he
that taketh a city. 
 33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole
disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
 1  Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness there-
with, than an house full of sacrifices [with]
strife.
 2  A wise servant shall have rule over a son that
causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheri-
tance among the brethren.
 3  The fining pot [is] for silver, and the fur-
nace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
 4  A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and]
a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
 5  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker:
[and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be
unpunished. 
 6  Children's children [are] the crown of old
men; and the glory of children [are] their fa-
thers.
 7  Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much
less do lying lips a prince.
 8  A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of
him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it
prospereth. 
 9  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;
but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very]
friends. 
 10  A reproof entereth more into a wise man than
an hundred stripes into a fool.
 11  An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: there-
fore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
 12  Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,
rather than a fool in his folly.
 13  Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not
depart from his house.
 14  The beginning of strife [is as] when one
letteth out water: therefore leave off contention,
before it be meddled with.
 15  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that
condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomina-
tion to the LORD.  
 16  Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a
fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to
it]? 
 17  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother
is born for adversity.
 18  A man void of understanding striketh hands,
[and] becometh surety in the presence of his
friend. 
 19  He loveth transgression that loveth strife:
[and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruc-
tion.
 20  He that hath a froward heart findeth no good:
and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into
mischief. 
 21  He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his
sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
 22  A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
 23  A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom
to pervert the ways of judgment.
 24  Wisdom [is] before him that hath understand-
ing; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of
the earth. 
 25  A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and
bitterness to her that bare him.
 26  Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor]
to strike princes for equity.
 27  He that hath knowledge spareth his words:
[and] a man of understanding is of an excellent
spirit.
 28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is
counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is
esteemed] a man of understanding.
 1  Through desire a man, having separated him-
self, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
 2  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but
that his heart may discover itself.
 3  When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also
contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
 4  The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep
waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a
flowing brook. 
 5  [It is] not good to accept the person of the
wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
 6  A fool's lips enter into contention, and his
mouth calleth for strokes.
 7  A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his
lips [are] the snare of his soul.
 8  The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and
they go down into the innermost parts of the
belly.
 9  He also that is slothful in his work is broth-
er to him that is a great waster.
 10  The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the
righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
 11  The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city,
and as an high wall in his own conceit.
 12  Before destruction the heart of man is haugh-
ty, and before honour [is] humility.
 13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth
[it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
 14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmi-
ty; 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 bring-
eth him before great men.
 17  [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth]
just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
 18  The lot causeth contentions to cease, and
parteth between the mighty.
 19  A brother offended [is harder to be won] than
a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like
the bars of a castle. 
 20  A man's belly shall be satisfied with the
fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his
lips shall he be filled. 
 21  Death and life [are] in the power of the
tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit
thereof. 
 22  [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good
[thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
 23  The poor useth entreaties; but the rich
answereth roughly.
 24  A man [that hath] friends must show himself
friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh
closer than a brother.
 1  Better [is] the poor that walketh in his
integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips,
and is a fool. 
 2  Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge,
[it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his]
feet sinneth. 
 3  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and
his heart fretteth against the LORD.
 4  Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is
separated from his neighbour.
 5  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and
[he that] speaketh lies shall not escape.
 6  Many will entreat the favour of the prince:
and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth
gifts.
 7  All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how
much more do his friends go far from him? he
pursueth [them with] words, [yet] they [are]
wanting [to him].
 8  He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he
that keepeth understanding shall find good.
 9  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and
[he that] speaketh lies shall perish.
 10  Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less
for a servant to have rule over princes.
 11  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger;
and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgres-
sion.
 12  The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a
lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.
 13  A foolish son [is] the calamity of his fa-
ther: and the contentions of a wife [are] a con-
tinual dropping. 
 14  House and riches [are] the inheritance of
fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.
 15  Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and
an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
 16  He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his
own soul; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall
die.
 17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto
the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay
him again. 
 18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let
not thy soul spare for his crying.
 19  A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment:
for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it
again. 
 20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that
thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
 21  [There are] many devices in a man's heart;
nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall
stand.
 22  The desire of a man [is] his kindness: and a
poor man [is] better than a liar.
 23  The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and
[he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall
not be visited with evil.
 24  A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his]
bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his
mouth again. 
 25  Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware:
and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he
will understand knowledge.
 26  He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth
away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame,
and bringeth reproach. 
 27  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that
causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.
 28  An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the
mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
 29  Judgments are prepared for scorners, and
stripes for the back of fools.
 1  Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging:
and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
 2  The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a
lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth
[against] his own soul. 
 3  [It is] an honour for a man to cease from
strife: but every fool will be meddling.
 4  The sluggard will not plow by reason of the
cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and
[have] nothing. 
 5  Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep
water; but a man of understanding will draw it
out.
 6  Most men will proclaim every one his own
goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
 7  The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his
children [are] blessed after him.
 8  A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment
scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
 9  Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am
pure from my sin?
 10  Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both
of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.
 11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether
his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right.
 12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD
hath made even both of them.
 13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty;
open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied
with bread. 
 14  [It is] naught, [it is] naught, saith the
buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he
boasteth.
 15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but
the lips of knowledge [are] a precious jewel.
 16  Take his garment that is surety [for] a
stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange
woman.
 17  Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man; but
afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
 18  [Every] purpose is established by counsel:
and with good advice make war.
 19  He that goeth about [as] a talebearer
revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him
that flattereth with his lips.
 20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his
lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
 21  An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the
beginning; but the end thereof shall not be bless-
ed. 
 22  Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but]
wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
 23  Divers weights [are] an abomination unto the
LORD; and a false balance [is] not good.
 24  Man's goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man
then understand his own way?
 25  [It is] a snare to the man [who] devoureth
[that which is] holy, and after vows to make
inquiry.
 26  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bring-
eth the wheel over them.
 27  The spirit of man [is] the candle of the
LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
 28  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his
throne is upholden by mercy.
 29  The glory of young men [is] their strength:
and the beauty of old men [is] the grey head.
 30  The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil:
so [do] stripes the inward parts of the belly.
 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 accept-
able to the LORD than sacrifice.
 4  An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the
plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
 5  The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to
plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty
only to want. 
 6  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
[is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek
death.
 7  The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them;
because they refuse to do judgment.
 8  The way of man [is] froward and strange: but
[as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
 9  [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the
housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide
house.
 10  The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his
neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
 11  When the scorner is punished, the simple is
made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he
receiveth knowledge. 
 12  The righteous [man] wisely considereth the
house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the
wicked for [their] wickedness.
 13  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the
poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be
heard.
 14  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a
reward in the bosom strong wrath.
 15  [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but
destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
 16  The man that wandereth out of the way of
understanding shall remain in the congregation of
the dead. 
 17  He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor
man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be
rich.
 18  The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righ-
teous, and the transgressor for the upright.
 19  [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness,
than with a contentious and an angry woman.
 20  [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in
the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man
spendeth it up. 
 21  He that followeth after righteousness and
mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
 22  A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty,
and casteth down the strength of the confidence
thereof. 
 23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
keepeth his soul from troubles.
 24  Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name,
who dealeth in proud wrath.
 25  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for
his hands refuse to labour.
 26  He coveteth greedily all the day long: but
the righteous giveth and spareth not.
 27  The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination:
how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked
mind? 
 28  A false witness shall perish: but the man
that heareth speaketh constantly.
 29  A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for]
the upright, he directeth his way.
 30  [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor
counsel against the LORD.
 31  The horse [is] prepared against the day of
battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.
 1  A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than
great riches, [and] loving favour rather than
silver and gold. 
 2  The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is]
the maker of them all.
 3  A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth
himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
 4  By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are]
riches, and honour, and life.
 5  Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the
froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far
from them. 
 6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it.
 7  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrow-
er [is] servant to the lender.
 8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and
the rod of his anger shall fail.
 9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;
for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
 10  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go
out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
 11  He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the
grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.
 12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and
he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
 13  The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion
without, I shall be slain in the streets.
 14  The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit:
he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall there-
in.
 15  Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a
child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it
far from him. 
 16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his
[riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall]
surely [come] to want. 
 17  Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the
wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
 18  For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep
them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in
thy lips. 
 19  That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have
made known to thee this day, even to thee.
 20  Have not I written to thee excellent things
in counsels and knowledge,
 21  That I might make thee know the certainty of
the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the
words of truth to them that send unto thee?
 22  Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor:
neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
 23  For the LORD will plead their cause, and
spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
 24  Make no friendship with an angry man; and
with a furious man thou shalt not go:
 25  Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to
thy soul. 
 26  Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands,
[or] of them that are sureties for debts.
 27  If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he
take away thy bed from under thee?
 28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy
fathers have set.
 29  Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he
shall stand before kings; he shall not stand
before mean [men].
 1  When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consid-
er diligently what [is] before thee:
 2  And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a
man given to appetite.
 3  Be not desirous of his dainties: for they
[are] deceitful meat.
 4  Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own
wisdom. 
 5  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is
not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings;
they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
 6  Eat thou not the bread of [him that hath] an
evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
 7  For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he:
Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart
[is] not with thee. 
 8  The morsel [which] thou hast eaten shalt thou
vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
 9  Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will
despise the wisdom of thy words.
 10  Remove not the old landmark; and enter not
into the fields of the fatherless:
 11  For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall
plead their cause with thee.
 12  Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine
ears to the words of knowledge.
 13  Withhold not correction from the child: for
[if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not
die.
 14  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt
deliver his soul from hell.
 15  My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart
shall rejoice, even mine.
 16  Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips
speak right things.
 17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be
thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
 18  For surely there is an end; and thine expec-
tation shall not be cut off.
 19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide
thine heart in the way.
 20  Be not among winebibbers; among riotous
eaters of flesh:
 21  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come
to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man]
with rags. 
 22  Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and
despise not thy mother when she is old.
 23  Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also]
wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
 24  The father of the righteous shall greatly
rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child]
shall have joy of him. 
 25  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and
she that bare thee shall rejoice.
 26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine
eyes observe my ways.
 27  For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a strange
woman [is] a narrow pit.
 28  She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey, and
increaseth the transgressors among men.
 29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath
contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds
without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
 30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that
go to seek mixed wine.
 31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,
when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it
moveth itself aright. 
 32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and
stingeth like an adder.
 33  Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and
thine heart shall utter perverse things.
 34  Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in
the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the
top of a mast. 
 35  They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and]
I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt
[it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet
again.
 1  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither
desire to be with them.
 2  For their heart studieth destruction, and
their lips talk of mischief.
 3  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by
understanding it is established:
 4  And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
 5  A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowl-
edge increaseth strength.
 6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war:
and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.
 7  Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth
not his mouth in the gate.
 8  He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a
mischievous person.
 9  The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the
scorner [is] an abomination to men.
 10  [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy
strength [is] small.
 11  If thou forbear to deliver [them that are]
drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be
slain; 
 12  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth
not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and
he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]?
and shall [not] he render to [every] man according
to his works?
 13  My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good;
and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste:
 14  So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto
thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there
shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not
be cut off.
 15  Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the
dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting
place:
 16  For a just [man] falleth seven times, and
riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into
mischief. 
 17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let
not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
 18  Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him,
and he turn away his wrath from him.
 19  Fret not thyself because of evil [men],
neither be thou envious at the wicked;
 20  For there shall be no reward to the evil
[man]; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
 21  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king:
[and] meddle not with them that are given to
change:
 22  For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and
who knoweth the ruin of them both?
 23  These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It
is] not good to have respect of persons in judg-
ment.
 24  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art]
righteous; him shall the people curse, nations
shall abhor him: 
 25  But to them that rebuke [him] shall be de-
light, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
 26  [Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth
a right answer.
 27  Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for
thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine
house. 
 28  Be not a witness against thy neighbour with-
out cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.
 29  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done
to me: I will render to the man according to his
work. 
 30  I went by the field of the slothful, and by
the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
 31  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns,
[and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and
the stone wall thereof was broken down.
 32  Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I
looked upon [it, and] received instruction.
 33  [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a
little folding of the hands to sleep:
 34  So shall thy poverty come [as] one that
travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
 1  These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which
the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
 2  [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing:
but the honour of kings [is] to search out a
matter.
 3  The heaven for height, and the earth for
depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable.
 4  Take away the dross from the silver, and there
shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
 5  Take away the wicked [from] before the king,
and his throne shall be established in righteous-
ness. 
 6  Put not forth thyself in the presence of the
king, and stand not in the place of great [men]:
 7  For better [it is] that it be said unto thee,
Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put
lower in the presence of the prince whom thine
eyes have seen.
 8  Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou
know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy
neighbour hath put thee to shame.
 9  Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself];
and discover not a secret to another:
 10  Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame,
and thine infamy turn not away.
 11  A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold
in pictures of silver.
 12  [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of
fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedi-
ent ear. 
 13  As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
[so is] a faithful messenger to them that send
him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
 14  Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is
like] clouds and wind without rain.
 15  By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and
a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
 16  Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is
sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled there-
with, and vomit it. 
 17  Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house;
lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.
 18  A man that beareth false witness against his
neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp
arrow.
 19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of
trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out
of joint. 
 20  [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold
weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he
that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
 21  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to
eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to
drink:
 22  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his
head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
 23  The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth]
an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
 24  [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the
housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide
house. 
 25  [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is]
good news from a far country.
 26  A righteous man falling down before the
wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt
spring.
 27  [It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for
men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.
 28  He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit
[is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and]
without walls.
 1  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so
honour is not seemly for a fool.
 2  As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by
flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
 3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
and a rod for the fool's back.
 4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest
thou also be like unto him.
 5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he
be wise in his own conceit.
 6  He that sendeth a message by the hand of a
fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
 7  The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a
parable in the mouth of fools.
 8  As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is]
he that giveth honour to a fool.
 9  [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a
drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
 10  The great [God] that formed all [things] both
rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
 11  As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool
returneth to his folly.
 12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
[there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
 13  The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion
in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
 14  [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so
[doth] the slothful upon his bed.
 15  The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom;
it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
 16  The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit
than seven men that can render a reason.
 17  He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with
strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that
taketh a dog by the ears.
 18  As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, ar-
rows, and death,
 19  So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his
neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
 20  Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out:
so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife
ceaseth. 
 21  [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood
to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle
strife.
 22  The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds,
and they go down into the innermost parts of the
belly.
 23  Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a
potsherd covered with silver dross.
 24  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and
layeth up deceit within him;
 25  When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for
[there are] seven abominations in his heart.
 26  [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his
wickedness shall be showed before the [whole]
congregation. 
 27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and
he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
 28  A lying tongue hateth [those that are] af-
flicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh
ruin.
 1  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou
knowest not what a day may bring forth.
 2  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own
mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
 3  A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but
a fool's wrath [is] heavier than them both.
 4  Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous;
but who [is] able to stand before envy?
 5  Open rebuke [is] better than secret love. 
 6  Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the
kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.
 7  The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to
the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
 8  As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so
[is] a man that wandereth from his place.
 9  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so
[doth] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty
counsel. 
 10  Thine own friend, and thy father's friend,
forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house
in the day of thy calamity: [for] better [is] a
neighbour [that is] near than a brother far off.
 11  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that
I may answer him that reproacheth me.
 12  A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and]
hideth himself; [but] the simple pass on, [and]
are punished. 
 13  Take his garment that is surety for a strang-
er, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
 14  He that blesseth his friend with a loud
voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be
counted a curse to him. 
 15  A continual dropping in a very rainy day and
a contentious woman are alike.
 16  Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the
ointment of his right hand, [which] bewrayeth
[itself]. 
 17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the
countenance of his friend.
 18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the
fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master
shall be honoured. 
 19  As in water face [answereth] to face, so the
heart of man to man.
 20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the
eyes of man are never satisfied.
 21  [As] the fining pot for silver, and the
furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his praise.
 22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar
among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his
foolishness depart from him.
 23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy
flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.
 24  For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the
crown [endure] to every generation?
 25  The hay appeareth, and the tender grass
showeth itself, and herbs of the mountains are
gathered.
 26  The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and the
goats [are] the price of the field.
 27  And [thou shalt have] goats' milk enough for
thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for]
the maintenance for thy maidens.
 1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the
righteous are bold as a lion.
 2  For the transgression of a land many [are] the
princes thereof: but by a man of understanding
[and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be
prolonged.
 3  A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like]
a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
 4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked:
but such as keep the law contend with them.
 5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they
that seek the LORD understand all [things].
 6  Better [is] the poor that walketh in his
uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his]
ways, though he [be] rich. 
 7  Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he
that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his
father. 
 8  He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth
his substance, he shall gather it for him that
will pity the poor. 
 9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.
 10  Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in
an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own
pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in
possession.
 11  The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit;
but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him
out.
 12  When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is]
great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is
hidden. 
 13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall
have mercy. 
 14  Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he
that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 
 15  [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so
is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.
 16  The prince that wanteth understanding [is]
also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth
covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
 17  A man that doeth violence to the blood of
[any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man
stay him.
 18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but
[he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at
once. 
 19  He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of
bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons]
shall have poverty enough.
 20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings:
but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be
innocent. 
 21  To have respect of persons [is] not good: for
for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.
 22  He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil
eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come
upon him. 
 23  He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find
more favour than he that flattereth with the
tongue. 
 24  Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and
saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the
companion of a destroyer.
 25  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up
strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD
shall be made fat. 
 26  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
 27  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a
curse. 
 28  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
 1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his]
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that with-
out remedy. 
 2  When the righteous are in authority, the
people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule,
the people mourn. 
 3  Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but
he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth
[his] substance. 
 4  The king by judgment establisheth the land:
but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
 5  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth
a net for his feet.
 6  In the transgression of an evil man [there is]
a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
 7  The righteous considereth the cause of the
poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it].
 8  Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but
wise [men] turn away wrath.
 9  [If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man,
whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest.
 10  The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the
just seek his soul.
 11  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise
[man] keepeth it in till afterwards.
 12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants
[are] wicked.
 13  The poor and the deceitful man meet together:
the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
 14  The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
his throne shall be established for ever.
 15  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child
left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.
 16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression
increaseth: but the righteous shall see their
fall. 
 17  Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest;
yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
 18  Where [there is] no vision, the people per-
ish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.
 19  A servant will not be corrected by words: for
though he understand he will not answer.
 20  Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his
words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
 21  He that delicately bringeth up his servant
from a child shall have him become [his] son at
the length. 
 22  An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furi-
ous man aboundeth in transgression.
 23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour
shall uphold the humble in spirit.
 24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own
soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.
 25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso
putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
 26  Many seek the ruler's favour; but [every]
man's judgment [cometh] from the LORD.
 27  An unjust man [is] an abomination to the
just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is]
abomination to the wicked.
 1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the
prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto
Ithiel and Ucal, 
 2  Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and
have not the understanding of a man.
 3  I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowl-
edge of the holy.
 4  Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descend-
ed? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who
hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath
established all the ends of the earth? what [is]
his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou
canst tell?
 5  Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield
unto them that put their trust in him.
 6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove
thee, and thou be found a liar.
 7  Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me
[them] not before I die:
 8  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me
neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food
convenient for me: 
 9  Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who
[is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and
take the name of my God [in vain].
 10  Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he
curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
 11  [There is] a generation [that] curseth their
father, and doth not bless their mother.
 12  [There is] a generation [that are] pure in
their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their
filthiness. 
 13  [There is] a generation, O how lofty are
their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
 14  [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as]
swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour
the poor from off the earth, and the needy from
[among] men.
 15  The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying],
Give, give. There are three [things that] are
never satisfied, [yea], four [things] say not, [It
is] enough:
 16  The grave; and the barren womb; the earth
[that] is not filled with water; and the fire
[that] saith not, [It is] enough.
 17  The eye [that] mocketh at [his] father, and
despiseth to obey [his] mother, the ravens of the
valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles
shall eat it.
 18  There be three [things which] are too wonder-
ful for me, yea, four which I know not:
 19  The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a
serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the
midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a
maid.
 20  Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she
eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have
done no wickedness. 
 21  For three [things] the earth is disquieted,
and for four [which] it cannot bear:
 22  For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool
when he is filled with meat;
 23  For an odious [woman] when she is married;
and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
 24  There be four [things which are] little upon
the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise:
 25  The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they
prepare their meat in the summer;
 26  The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet make
they their houses in the rocks;
 27  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth
all of them by bands;
 28  The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is
in kings' palaces.
 29  There be three [things] which go well, yea,
four are comely in going:
 30  A lion [which is] strongest among beasts, and
turneth not away for any;
 31  A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king,
against whom [there is] no rising up.
 32  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up
thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine
hand upon thy mouth. 
 33  Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth
butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth
forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth
forth strife.
 1  The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that
his mother taught him.
 2  What, my son? and what, the son of my womb?
and what, the son of my vows?
 3  Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways
to that which destroyeth kings.
 4  [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not
for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong
drink:
 5  Lest they drink, and forget the law, and
pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
 6  Give strong drink unto him that is ready to
perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy
hearts.
 7  Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and
remember his misery no more.
 8  Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of
all such as are appointed to destruction.
 9  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead
the cause of the poor and needy.
 10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price
[is] far above rubies.
 11  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in
her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
 12  She will do him good and not evil all the
days of her life.
 13  She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh
willingly with her hands.
 14  She is like the merchants' ships; she bring-
eth her food from afar.
 15  She riseth also while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her
maidens. 
 16  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with
the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
 17  She girdeth her loins with strength, and
strengtheneth her arms.
 18  She perceiveth that her merchandise [is]
good: her candle goeth not out by night.
 19  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
hands hold the distaff.
 20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
 21  She is not afraid of the snow for her house-
hold: for all her household [are] clothed with
scarlet. 
 22  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her
clothing [is] silk and purple.
 23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he
sitteth among the elders of the land.
 24  She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and
delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
 25  Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and
she shall rejoice in time to come.
 26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her
tongue [is] the law of kindness.
 27  She looketh well to the ways of her house-
hold, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
 28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
 29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all.
 30  Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain:
[but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall
be praised. 
 31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let
her own works praise her in the gates.
