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Of sundry moral virtues,

PROVERBS.

and their contrary vices.

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, than with a contentious and an angry wo and bringeth the wheel over them.

man.

27 The spirit of man is the candle of 20 There is treasure to be desired, the LORD, searching all the inward parts and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a of the belly. foolish man spendeth it up.

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. CHAP. XXI.

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 ploughing 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.

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: butas 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

CHAP. XXII.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall de-day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. stroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

GOOD name rather to be chosen

The way of man is froward and A than great riches, and loving favour

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.

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.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD 11 When the scorner is punished, the are riches, and honour, and life. simple is made wise: and when the wise 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. the froward: he that doth keep his soul 12 The righteous man wisely consider-shall be far from them.

eth the house of the wicked; but God 6 Train up a child in the way he should overthroweth the wicked for their wicked-go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

ness.

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 reward in the bosom, strong wrath.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. 9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of poor. iniquity.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention 16 The man that wandereth out of the shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall way of understanding shall remain in the cease. congregation of the dead.

11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for 17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a the grace of his lips the king shall be his poor man: he that loveth wine and oil friend.

shall not be rich.

12 The eyes of the LORD preserve 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for knowledge, and he overthroweth the words the righteous, and the transgressor for the of the transgressor. upright. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Of sundry moral virtues,

CHAP. XXIII.

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy 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 snare to thy soul.

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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. CHAP. XXIII.

WHEN

HEN thou sittest to eat with a ru-
ler, consider diligently what is be-

fore 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.

and their contrary vices.

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 thy 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 thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

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17 Let not thy heart envy sinners. I but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.

20 Be not among wine-bibbers; 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 thy 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 wo? 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.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an and stingeth like an adder. eagle toward heaven.

32 At the last it biteth like a serpent,

33 Thine eyes shall behold strange wo

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that men, and thy heart shall utter perverse hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his things.

dainty meats:

34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is down in the midst of the sea, or as he that he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt say, and I was not sick; they have beaten

his heart is not with thee.

Of sundry moral virtues,

PROVERBS.

and their contrary vices.

me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? art righteous; him shall the people curse, I will seek it yet again. nations shall abhor him :

CHAP. XXIV.

25 But to them that rebuke him shall

BE not thou envious against evil men, be delight, and a good blessing shall come

neither desire to be

them:

2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3 Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart

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 thy house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

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32 Then I saw, and considered it well: 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. CHAP. XXV.

consider it? and be that keepeth thy soul,HES THESE are also proverbs of Solomon,

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 honey-comb, which is sweet to thy taste:

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.

14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom 3 The heaven for height, and the earth be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, for depth, and the heart of kings is unthen there shall be a reward, and thy ex-searchable. pectation shall not be cut off.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, 15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against and there shall come forth a vessel for the the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting-place:

finer.

5 Take away the wicked from before 16 For a just man falleth seven times, the king, and his throne shall be establishand riseth up again: but the wicked shall ed in righteousness. fall into mischief.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou

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 Á 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.

Observations about fools. CHAP. XXVI, XXVII. Of sluggards and busybodies.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them, fools.

that send him: for he refresheth the soul 10 The great God that ormed all things of his masters. both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth

14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift transgressors.

is like clouds and wind without rain.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a

15 By long forbearing is a prince per- fool returneth to his folly. suaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much conceit? there is more hope of a fool than as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled of him.

therewith, and vomit it.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neigh-lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. bour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and 14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

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 a 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 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 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.

A

CHAP. XXVI.

S 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.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a

reason.

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? 20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no 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 shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

CHAP. XXVII. 4 Answer not a fool according to his BOAST knowest not what a day may not thyself of to-morrow; for

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

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thou 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.

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Of care to avoid offences.

PROVERBS.

Observations on impie.'y.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; understanding and knowledge the state but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. thereof shall be prolonged.

7 The full soul loatheth a honey-comb; 3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

sweet.

8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near, than a brother far off.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for strange woman.

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14 He that blesseth his friend with 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 bideth her, hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand which bewrayeth itself.

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 As the fining-pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. 22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds:

24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and the maintenance for thy maidens. CHAP. XXVIII. ·

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law coutend 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 mar 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 always: 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 as not good: for, for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an HE wicked flee when no man pur- evil eye, and considereth not that poverty sueth: but the righteous are bold as shall come upon him.

THE

a lion.

23 He that rebuketh a man, afterwards 2 For the transgression of a land many shall find more favour than he that flatter. are the princes thereof: but by a man of eth with the tongue.

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