The doctrine of wisdom. The blefings of the juff. 17 Stolen waters are fweet, and bread eaten in fecret is pleasant. Chap. ix, x. 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the higheft part of the duft of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he fet a compafs upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he ftrengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the fea his decree, that the waters should not pafs 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 bis delight, rejoicin. always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the fons of men. 1 The difcipline, 4 and doctrine of wisdom. 13 The cufom, 16 and error of folly. WISDOM hath builded her house, the hath hewn out her feven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beafts; the hath mingled her wine; the hath alfo furnished her table. 3 She hath fent forth her maidens: the crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whofo is fimple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, the faith to him, 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guefts are in the depths of hell. СНАР. Х. 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forfake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a fcorner getteth to himself thame; and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a fcorner, left he hate thee: rebuke a wife man, and he will love thee. 9 Give inftruction to a wife man, and he will be yet wifer: teach a juft man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wifdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. From this chapter to the five and twentieth, are fundry obfervations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices. THE Proverbs of Solomonut a fifth fon maketh a glad father: but a foolish fon is the heaviness of his mother. 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. 3 The LORD will not fuffer the foul of the righteous to famith: but he cafteth away the fubftance of the wicked. 4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a flack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. 5 He that gathereth in fummer is a wife fon: but he that fleepeth in harveft is a son that caufeth shame. 6 Blethings are upon the head of the juft: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the juft is blessed: but the name of the wicked fhall rot. 8 The wife in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool thali fall. 9 He that walketh uprightly walketh furcly: but he that perverteth his ways thali be known. 11 For by me thy days fhall be multiplied, and the years of thy life thall be in creased. 12 If thou be wife thou shalt be wife for thyfelf: but if thou fcorneft, thou alone fhalt bear it. 13A foolish woman is clamorous; he is fimple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For the fitteth at the door of her houfe, on a feat in the high places of the city, 15 To call paffengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whofo is fimple, let him turn in hither and as for him that wanteth under. Banding, the faith to him, 10 He that winketh with the eye caufeth forrow but a prating fool fhall fail. 11 The mouth of a righteous man is a wề'l of life: but violence covereth the mouth o the wicked. 12 Hatred flirreth up ftrifes: but love Covereth all fins. 13 In the lips of him that hath under. ftanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. 14 Wife men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near deftruction. 15 The rich man's wealth is his ftrong city: the deftruction of the poor is their poverty. 16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to fin. 17 He is in the way of life that keepeth inftruction: but he that refufeth reproof erreth. 18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a flander, is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not fin: but he that refraineth his lips is wife. 20 The tongue of the juft is as choice filver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous teed many? but fools die for want of wisdom. 22 The bletting of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no forrow with it. 23 It is as fport to a fool to do mifchief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. 24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him but the defire of the righteous fhall be granted. 25 As the whirlwind paffeth, fo is the wicked no more: but the righteous it an everlasting foundation. 26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as fmoke to the eyes, fo is the fluggard to them that fend him. The different way and end PROVERBS. 6 The righteoufnefs of the upright fhall deliver them: but tranfgreffors thall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation hall perish and the hope of unjust perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, nd the wicked cometh in his tead. 9 An hypocrite with his mouth deftroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge hall the just be delivered. to When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perith, there is shouting. 11 By the bleifing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthro.vn by the mouth of the wicked. 12 He that is void of wifdom defpifeth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 A talebearer revealeth fecrets: but he that is of a faithful fpirit concealeth the of the righteous and wicked. 22 As a jewel of gold in a fwine's fnout, fa is a fair woman which is without difcretion. 23 The defire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaf. eth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal foul shall be made fat: and he that watereth fhall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people thall curfe him: but bleiling fall be upon the head of him that felleth it. 27 He that diligently feketh good pro cureth favour: but he that ceketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28 He that trufteth in his riches thall fall: but the righteous thall flourish as a branch. 29 He that troubleth his own noufe thall inherit the wind: and the fool all be for. vant to the wife of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth fouls is wife. 31 Behold, the righteous thall be recom penfed in the earth: much more the wicked and the finner. brutish. 2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. equefs: but the root of the righteous thall 3 A man thall not be established by wicknot be moved. 4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her hutband: but the that maketh ashamed is as rottenefs in his bones, 5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counfels of the wicked are deceit. 6 The words of the wicked are to lie ia wait for blood: but the mouth of the up. right thall deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous fhall stand. 8 A man fhall be commended according to his wifdom: but he that is of a perverte heart shall be defpifed. 9 He that is defpifed, and hath a fervant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beat: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He that tilleth his land thall be fatif fied with bread: but he that followeth vain perfons is void of understanding. 12 The wicked defireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 13 The wicked is fnared by the tranfgref fion of his lips: but the just thall come out of trouble. 14 A man thall be fatisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth and the recompence of a man's hands thall be rendered unto him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wife. 16 A fool's wrath is prefently known: but a prudent man covereth shame, 17 He that fpeaketh truth sheweth forth righteoufnefs: but a falfe witnefs deceit. 18 There is that fpeaketh like the pier. Of righteousness, &c. Chap. xiil, xiv. cings of a fword: but the tongue of the wife 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 juft: but the wicked thall be filled with mischief. 22 1.ying 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 foolish nefs. 24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the flothful thall be under tribute. 25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it floop: but a good word maketh it glad. Of wisdom, folly, Ge. 20 He that walketh with wife men thall be wife: but a companion of tools thall be destroyed. 21 Evil pursueth finners: but to the righteous good thall be repayed. 22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the finner is laid up for the jurt. 23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is dentroyed for want of judgment. 24 He that fpareth his rod hateth his fon : but he that loveth him chasteneth him be. times. 25 The righteous eateth to the fatisfying of his foul: but the belly of the wicked thail want. CHA P. XIV. 26 The righteous is more excellent than EVERY wife woman buildeth her house: his neighbour: but the way of the wicked feduceth them. 27 The flothful man roafteth not that which he took in hunting: but the fubitance of a diligent man is precious. 28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." CHAP. XIII. A Wife fon heareth his father's inftruction: but a fcorner heareth not rebuke. 2 A man fhall eat good by the fruit of bis mouth but the foul of the tranfgreffors fall eat violence. 3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips thall have deftruction. 4 The foul of the duggard defreth, and bath nothing but the foul of the diligent thall be made fat. 5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathfome, and cometh to shame. 6 Righteoufnefs keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness over. throweth the finner. 7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet bath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 8 The ransom of a man's life are lis riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 2 He that walketh in his uprightness fear. eth the LORD: but be that is perverse in his ways defpifeth him. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wife thail preferve them. The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. to Only by pride cometh contention: but. with the well advised is wisdom. 11 Wealth gotten by vanity fhall be diminished but he that gathereth by labour fhall increase. 12 Hope deferred maketh the heart fick: but when the defire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13 Whofo defpifeth the word thall be deAroyed but he that feareth the command. ment fhall be rewarded. 14 The law of the wife is a fountain of life, to depart from the fnares of death. 15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of tranfgreffors is hard. 16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. 17 A wicked meffenger falleth into mifchief: but a faithful ambalador is health. 18 Poverty and fhame shall be to him that refufet inftruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19 The defire accomplished is fweet to the foul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the ftrength of the ox. 5 A faithful witnefs will not lie: but a falfe witnefs thall utter lies. 6 A fcorner feeketh wifdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is eafy unto him that underftandeth. 7 Go from the prefence of a foolish man, when tho perceivert not in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wildom of the prudent is to understand his way but the folly of fools is deceit. 9 Fools make a mock at fin: but among the righteous there is favour. 10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a firanger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 11 The houfe of the wicked fhall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright fhall flourish. 12 There is a way which feemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is forrow. ful; and the end of that mirth is heavinefs. 14 The backflider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be fatisfied from himself. 15 The fimple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16 A wife man teareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17 He that is foon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. 18 The fimple inherit folly but the pru dent 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 bath many friends. 21 He that defpifeth his neighbour finneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22 Do they not err that devife evil? but mercy and truth all be to them that devife good. 23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 24 The crown of the wife is their riches; bur the foolishness of tools is folly. Of wrath, oppreffion, &c. PROVERBS. 25 A true witnefs delivereth fouls: but a deceitful witnefs fpeaketh lies. 26 In the fear of the LORD is ftrong confidence; and his children hall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the fnares of death. 28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the deftruction of the prince. 29 He that is flow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hafty of spirit exalteth folly. 30 A found heart is the life of the fleft: but envy the rottennefs of the bones. 31 He that oppreffeth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 32 The wicked is driven away in his wickednefs: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33 Wifdom refteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 34 Righteoufnefs exalteth a nation: but fi is a reproach to any people. 35 The king's favour is toward a wife fervant: but his wrath is against him that caufeth shame. CHAP. XV. Of cheerfulness, love, &c. 18 A wrathful man ftirreth up ftrife: but be that is flow to anger appeafeth ftrife. 19 The way of the nothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righ teous is made plain. 20 A wife fon maketh a glad father: but a foolish man defpifeth his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is deftitute of wisdom; but a man of understanding walk. eth uprightly. 22 Without counfel purposes are difappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are eftablished. 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 wife, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25 The LORD will deftroy the houfe of the proud: but he will eftablish the border of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abo. mination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own houfe; but he that hateth gifts thall live. 28 The heart of the righteous ftudieth to anfwer: bat the mouth of the wicked pour. eth out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but A Soft answer turneth away wrath: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. grievous words ftir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wife ufeth knowledge Eright: 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 wholefome tongue is a tree of life: but perverfenefs therein is a breach in the fpirit. A fool defpifeth his father's inftruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wife difperfe knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not fo. 8 The facrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous unto him that forfaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof thall die. 11 Hell and deftruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A fcorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wife. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by forrow of the heart the fpirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath underftanding feeketh 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 bath a continual feaft. 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 ftalled ox and hatred therewith. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproot of life abideth among the wife. 32 He that refufeth inftruction_defpifeth his own foul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the inftruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. CHAP. XVI. 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 fhall 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 a bomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand he fhall 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 enenfes to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right. 9 A man's heart devifeth his way but the LORD directeth his steps. TO A divine fentence is in the lips of the king his mouth tranfgreffeth not in judg. ment. 11 A juft weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. 12 It is an abomination to kings to commi: wickednefs: for the throne is eftablished by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. God trieth the heart. Chap. xvil, xvill. 14 The wrath of a king is as meffengers of death: but a wife 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 chofen than filver? 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preferveth his foul. 18 Pride goeth before deftruétion, and an haughty fpirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble fpirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handleth a matter wifely fhall find good; and whofo trufteth in the LORD, happy is he. 21 The wife in heart shall be called prudent and the fweetness of the lips increaf eth learning. 22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the inftruction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wife teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleafant words are as an honeycomb, fweet to the foul, and health to the bones. 25 There is a way thafeemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 26 He that labourein, laboureth for him felf; 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 foweth ftrife: and a whisperer feparateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He hutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pafs. 31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. 32 He that is flow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his fpirit than he that taketh a city. 33 The lot is caft into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. CHA P. XVII. B therewith, than an houfe full of facri- fices with itrife. 2 A wife fervant fhall have rule over a fon that caufeth fhame, and hall have part of the inheritance among the brethren, 3 The fining pot is for filver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. 4 A wicked doer giveth heed to falfe lips; anda liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue." 5 Whofo mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities fhall not be unpunished. 6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. 7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much lefs do lying lips a sa prince. 8 A gift is as a precious ftone in the eyes of him that hath it: whitherfoever it turneth, it profpereth. 9 He that covereth a tranfgreffion fecketh love; but he that repeateth a matter feparateth very friends. Of righteousness, juftice, &c. 10 A reproof entereth more into a wife man than an hundred ftripes into a fool. 11 An evil man feeketh only rebellion : therefore a cruel meifenger shall be fent against him. 12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool.in his folly. 13 Whofo rewardeth evil for good, evil fhall not depart from his houfe. 14 The beginning of ftrife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. 15 He that juftifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the jut, even they both are abomination to the LORD. 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wifdom, fecing he hath no heart to it? 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adverfity. 18 A man void of understanding Ariketh hands, and becometh furety in the prefence of his friend. 19 He loveth tranfgreffion that loveth ftrife: and he that exalteth his gate feeketh deftruction. 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 forrow; and the father of a fool hath no joy. 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medi cine; but a broken fpirit drieth the bones. 23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bofom to pervert the ways ofj udgment. 24 Wifdom is before him that hath underftanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish fon is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. 26 Alfo to punish the juft is not good, nos to ftrike princes for equity. 27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words and a man of understanding is of an excellent fpirit. 28 Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, is counted wife and he that hutteth his lips is effeemed a man of auderstanding. CHAP. XVIII. ΤΗ 2 A fool hath no delight in understand, 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 ftrokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his deftruction, and his lips are the fnare of his foul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly: 9 He alfo that is flothful in his work is brother to him that is a great watter 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runaeth into it, and is fafe. |