This Book is so called, because it consists of wise and
weighty sentences: regulating the morals of men: and
directing them to wisdom and virtue. And these sentences
are also called PARABLES, because great truths are often
couched in them under certain figures and similitudes.
Proverbs Chapter 1
The use and end of the proverbs. An exhortation to flee the
company of the wicked: and to hearken to the voice of
wisdom.
1:1. The parables of Solomon, the son of David, king of
Israel,
1:2. To know wisdom, and instruction:
1:3. To understand the words of prudence: and to receive
the instruction of doctrine, justice, and judgment, and
equity:
1:4. To give subtilty to little ones, to the young man
knowledge and understanding.
1:5. A wise man shall hear, and shall be wiser: and he that
understandeth shall possess governments.
1:6. He shall understand a parable and the interpretation,
the words of the wise, and their mysterious sayings.
1:7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1:8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and
forsake not the law of thy mother:
1:9. That grace may be added to thy head, and a chain of
gold to thy neck.
1:10. My son, if sinners shall entice thee, consent not to
them.
1:11. If they shall say: Come with us, let us lie in wait
for blood, let us hide snares for the innocent without
cause:
1:12. Let us swallow him up alive like hell, and whole as
one that goeth down into the pit.
1:13. We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill
our houses with spoils.
1:14. Cast in thy lot with us, let us all have one purse.
1:15. My son, walk not thou with them, restrain thy foot
from their paths.
1:16. For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed
blood.
1:17. But a net is spread in vain before the eyes of them
that have wings.
1:18. And they themselves lie in wait for their own blood,
and practise deceits against their own souls.
1:19. So the ways of every covetous man destroy the souls
of the possessors.
1:20. Wisdom preacheth abroad, she uttereth her voice in
the streets:
1:21. At the head of multitudes she crieth out, in the
entrance of the gates of the city she uttereth her words,
saying:
1:22. O children, how long will you love childishness, and
fools covet those things which are hurtful to themselves,
and the unwise hate knowledge?
1:23. Turn ye at my reproof: behold I will utter my spirit
to you, and will shew you my words.
1:24. Because I called, and you refused: I stretched out my
hand, and there was none that regarded.
1:25. You have despised all my counsel, and have neglected
my reprehensions.
1:26. I also will laugh in your destruction, and will mock
when that shall come to you which you feared.
1:27. When sudden calamity shall fall on you, and
destruction, as a tempest, shall be at hand: when
tribulation and distress shall come upon you:
1:28. Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear:
they shall rise in the morning, and shall not find me:
1:29. Because they have hated instruction, and received not
the fear of the Lord,
1:30. Nor consented to my counsel, but despised all my
reproof.
1:31. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
and shall be filled with their own devices.
1:32. The turning away of little ones shall kill them, and
the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
1:33. But he that shall hear me, shall rest without terror,
and shall enjoy abundance, without fear of evils.
Proverbs Chapter 2
The advantages of wisdom: and the evils from which it
delivers.
2:1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and wilt hide
my commandments with thee,
2:2. That thy ear may hearken to wisdom: incline thy heart
to know prudence.
2:3. For if thou shalt call for wisdom, and incline thy
heart to prudence:
2:4. If thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her
as for a treasure:
2:5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and
shalt find the knowledge of God:
2:6. Because the Lord giveth wisdom: and out of his mouth
cometh prudence and knowledge.
2:7. He wilt keep the salvation of the righteous, and
protect them that walk in simplicity,
2:8. Keeping the paths of justice, and guarding the ways of
saints.
2:9. Then shalt thou understand justice, and judgment, and
equity, and every good path.
2:10. If wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge
please thy soul:
2:11. Counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preserve
thee,
2:12. That thou mayst be delivered from the evil way, and
from the man that speaketh perverse things:
2:13. Who leave the right way, and walk by dark ways:
2:14. Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in
the most wicked things:
2:15. Whose ways are perverse, and their steps infamous.
2:16. That thou mayst be delivered from the strange woman,
and from the stranger, who softeneth her words;
2:17. And forsaketh the guide of her youth,
2:18. And hath forgotten the covenant of her God: for her
house inclineth unto death, and her paths to hell.
2:19. None that go in unto her, shall return again, neither
shall they take hold of the paths of life.
2:20. That thou mayst walk in a good way: and mayst keep
the paths of the just.
2:21. For they that are upright, shall dwell in the earth;
and the simple shall continue in it.
2:22. But the wicked shall be destroyed from the earth: and
they that do unjustly, shall be taken away from it.
Proverbs Chapter 3
An exhortation to the practice of virtue.
3:1. My son, forget not my law, and let thy heart keep my
commandments.
3:2. For they shall add to thee length of days, and years
of life, and peace.
3:3. Let not mercy aud truth leave thee, put them about thy
neck, and write them in the tables of thy heart.
3:4. And thou shalt find grace, and good understanding
before God and men.
3:5. Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and
lean not upon thy own prudence.
3:6. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy
steps.
3:7. Be not wise in thy own conceit: fear God, and depart
from evil:
3:8. For it shall be health to thy navel, and moistening to
thy bones.
3:9. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give him of
the first of all thy fruits;
3:10. And thy barns shall be filled with abundance, and thy
presses shall run over with wine.
3:11. My son, reject not the correction of the Lord: and do
not faint when thou art chastised by him:
3:12. For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth: and as a
father in the son he pleaseth himself.
3:13. Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and is rich
in prudence:
3:14. The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise
of silver, and her fruit than the chief and purest gold:
3:15. She is more precious than all riches: and all the
things that are desired, are not to be compared to her.
3:16. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left
hand riches and glory.
3:17. Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are
peaceable.
3:18. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her:
and he that shall retain her is blessed.
3:19. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath
established the heavens by prudence.
3:20. By his wisdom the depths have broken out, and the
clouds grow thick with dew.
3:21. My son, let not these things depart from thy eyes:
keep the law and counsel:
3:22. And there shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy
mouth.
3:23. Then shalt thou walk confidently in thy way, and thy
foot shall not stumble:
3:24. If thou sleep, thou shalt not fear: thou shalt rest,
and thy sleep shall be sweet.
3:25. Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the power of the
wicked falling upon thee.
3:26. For the Lord will be at thy side, and will keep thy
foot that thou be not taken.
3:27. Do not withhold him from doing good, who is able: if
thou art able, do good thyself also.
3:28. Say not to thy friend: Go, and come again: and to
morrow I will give to thee: when thou canst give at
present.
3:29. Practise not evil against thy friend, when he hath
confidence in thee.
3:30. Strive not against a man without cause, when he hath
done thee no evil.
3:31. Envy not the unjust man, and do not follow his ways.
3:32. For every mocker is an abomination to the Lord, and
his communication is with the simple.
3:33. Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but
the habitations of the just shall be blessed.
3:34. He shall scorn the scorners, and to the meek he will
give grace.
3:35. The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools
is disgrace.
Proverbs Chapter 4
A further exhortation to seek after wisdom.
4:1. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and
attend, that you may know prudence.
4:2. I will give you a good gift, forsake not my law.
4:3. For I also was my father's son, tender, and as an only
son in the sight of my mother:
4:4. And he taught me, and said: Let thy heart receive my
words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live.
4:5. Get wisdom, get prudence: forget not, neither decline
from the words of my mouth.
4:6. Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her,
and she shall preserve thee.
4:7. The beginning of wisdom, get wisdom, and with all thy
possession purchase prudence.
4:8. Take hold on her, and she shall exalt thee: thou shalt
be glorified by her, when thou shalt embrace her.
4:9. She shall give to thy head increase of graces, and
protect thee with a noble crown.
4:10. Hear, O my son, and receive my words, that years of
life may be multiplied to thee.
4:11. I will shew thee the way of wisdom, I will lead thee
by the paths of equity:
4:12. Which when thou shalt have entered, thy steps shall
not be straitened, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not
meet a stumblingblock.
4:13. Take hold on instruction, leave it not: keep it,
because it is thy life.
4:14. Be not delighted in the paths of the wicked, neither
let the way of evil men please thee.
4:15. Flee from it, pass not by it: go aside, and forsake
it.
4:16. For they sleep not, except they have done evil: and
their sleep is taken away unless they have made some to
fall.
4:17. They eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine
of iniquity.
4:18. But the path of the just, as a shining light, goeth
forwards, and increaseth even to perfect day.
4:19. The way of the wicked is darksome: they know not
where they fall.
4:20. My son, hearken to my words, and incline thy ear to
my sayings.
4:21. Let them not depart from thy eyes, keep them in the
midst of thy heart:
4:22. For they are life to those that find them, and health
to all flesh.
4:23. With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life
issueth out from it.
4:24. Remove from thee a froward mouth, and let detracting
lips be far from thee.
4:25. Let thy eyes look straight on, and let thy eyelids go
before thy steps.
4:26. Make straight the path for thy feet, and all thy ways
shall be established.
4:27. Decline not to the right hand, nor to the left: turn
away thy foot from evil. For the Lord knoweth the ways that
are on the right hand: but those are perverse which are on
the left hand. But he will make thy courses straight, he
will bring forward thy ways in peace.
Proverbs Chapter 5
An exhortation to fly unlawful lust, and the occasions of
it.
5:1. My son, attend to my wisdom, and incline thy ear to my
prudence,
5:2. That thou mayst keep thoughts, and thy lips may
preserve instruction. Mind not the deceit of a woman.
5:3. For the lips of a harlot are like a honeycomb
dropping, and her throat is smoother than oil.
5:4. But her end is bitter as wormwood, and sharp as a
two-edged sword.
5:5. Her feet go down into death, and her steps go in as
far as hell.
5:6. They walk not by the path of life, her steps are
wandering, and unaccountable.
5:7. Now, therefore, my son, hear me, and depart not from
the words of my mouth.
5:8. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the
doors of her house.
5:9. Give not thy honour to strangers, and thy years to the
cruel.
5:10. Lest strangers be filled with thy strength, and thy
labours be in another man's house,
5:11. And thou mourn at the last, when thou shalt have
spent thy flesh and thy body, and say;
5:12. Why have I hated instruction, and my heart consented
not to reproof,
5:13. And have not heard the voice of them that taught me,
and have not inclined my ear to masters?
5:14. I have almost been in all evil, in the midst of the
church and of the congregation.
5:15. Drink water out of thy own cistern, and the streams
of thy own well:
5:16. Let thy fountains be conveyed abroad, and in the
streets divide thy waters.
5:17. Keep them to thyself alone, neither let strangers be
partakers with thee.
5:18. Let thy vein be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of
thy youth:
5:19. Let her be thy dearest hind, and most agreeable fawn:
let her breasts inebriate thee at all times: be thou
delighted continually with her love.
5:20. Why art thou seduced, my son, by a strange woman, and
art cherished in the bosom of another?
5:21. The Lord beholdeth the ways of man, and considereth
all his steps.
5:22. His own iniquities catch the wicked, and he is fast
bound with the ropes of his own sins.
5:23. He shall die, because he hath not received
instruction, and in the multitude of his folly he shall be
deceived.
Proverbs Chapter 6
Documents on several heads.
6:1. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, thou hast
engaged fast thy hand to a stranger,
6:2. Thou art ensnared with the words of thy mouth, and
caught with thy own words.
6:3. Do, therefore, my son, what I say, and deliver
thyself: because thou art fallen into the hand of thy
neighbour. Run about, make haste, stir up thy friend:
6:4. Give not sleep to thy eyes, neither let thy eyelids
slumber.
6:5. Deliver thyself as a doe from the hand, and as a bird
from the hand of the fowler.
6:6. Go to the ant, O sluggard, and consider her ways, and
learn wisdom:
6:7. Which, although she hath no guide, nor master, nor
captain,
6:8. Provideth her meat for herself in the summer, and
gathereth her food in the harvest.
6:9. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou
arise out of thy sleep?
6:10. Thou wilt sleep a little, thou wilt slumber a little,
thou wilt fold thy hands a little to sleep:
6:11. And want shall come upon thee, as a traveller, and
poverty as a man armed. But if thou be diligent, thy
harvest shall come as a fountain, and want shall flee far
from thee.
6:12. A man that is an apostate, an unprofitable man,
walketh with a perverse mouth,
6:13. He winketh with the eyes, presseth with the foot,
speaketh with the finger.
6:14. With a wicked heart he deviseth evil, and at all
times he soweth discord.
6:15. To such a one his destruction shall presently come,
and he shall suddenly be destroyed, and shall no longer
have any remedy.
6:16. Six things there are, which the Lord hateth, and the
seventh his soul detesteth:
6:17. Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed
innocent blood,
6:18. A heart that deviseth wicked plots, feet that are
swift to run into mischief,
6:19. A deceitful witness that uttereth lies, and him that
soweth discord among brethren.
6:20. My son, keep the commandments of thy father, and
forsake not the law of thy mother.
6:21. Bind them in thy heart continually, and put them
about thy neck.
6:22. When thou walkest, let them go with thee: when thou
sleepest, let them keep thee, and when thou awakest, talk
with them.
6:23. Because the commandment is a lamp, and the law a
light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
6:24. That they may keep thee from the evil woman, and from
the flattering tongue of the stranger.
6:25. Let not thy heart covet her beauty, be not caught
with her winks:
6:26. For the price of a harlot is scarce one loaf: but the
woman catcheth the precious soul of a man.
6:27. Can a man hide fire in his bosom, and his garments
not burn?
6:28. Or can he walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be
burnt?
6:29. So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife, shall
not be clean when he shall touch her.
6:30. The fault is not so great when a man hath stolen: for
he stealeth to fill his hungry soul:
The fault is not so great, etc... The sin of theft is not
so great, as to be compared with adultery: especially when
a person pressed with hunger (which is the case here spoken
of) steals to satisfy nature. Moreover the damage done by
theft may much more easily be repaired, than the wrong done
by adultery. But this does not hinder, but that theft also
is a mortal sin, forbidden by one of the ten commandments.
6:31. And if he be taken, he shall restore sevenfold, and
shall give up all the substance of his house.
6:32. But he that is an adulterer, for the folly of his
heart shall destroy his own soul:
6:33. He gathereth to himself shame and dishonour, and his
reproach shall not be blotted out:
6:34. Because the jealousy and rage of the husband will not
spare in the day of revenge,
6:35. Nor will he yield to any man's prayers, nor will he
accept for satisfaction ever so many gifts.
Proverbs Chapter 7
The love of wisdom is the best preservative from being led
astray by temptation.
7:1. My son, keep my words, and lay up my precepts with
thee. Son,
7:2. Keep my commandments, and thou shalt live: and my law
as the apple of thy eye:
7:3. Bind it upon thy fingers, write it upon the tables of
thy heart.
7:4. Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence
thy friend,
7:5. That she may keep thee from the woman that is not
thine, and from the stranger who sweeteneth her words.
7:6. For I looked out of the window of my house through the
lattice,
7:7. And I see little ones, I behold a foolish young man,
7:8. Who passeth through the street by the corner, and
goeth nigh the way of her house,
7:9. In the dark when it grows late, in the darkness and
obscurity of the night.
7:10. And behold a woman meeteth him in harlot's attire,
prepared to deceive souls: talkative and wandering,
7:11. Not bearing to be quiet, not able to abide still at
home,
7:12. Now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait
near the corners.
7:13. And catching the young man, she kisseth him, and with
an impudent face, flattereth, saying:
7:14. I vowed victims for prosperity, this day I have paid
my vows.
7:15. Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see
thee, and I have found thee.
7:16. I have woven my bed with cords, I have covered it
with painted tapestry, brought from Egypt.
7:17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and
cinnamon.
7:18. Come, let us be inebriated with the breasts, and let
us enjoy the desired embraces, till the day appear.
7:19. For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long
journey.
7:20. He took with him a bag of money: he will return home
the day of the full moon.
7:21. She entangled him with many words, and drew him away
with the flattery of her lips.
7:22. Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a
victim, and as a lamb playing the wanton, and not knowing
that he is drawn like a fool to bonds,
7:23. Till the arrow pierce his liver: as if a bird should
make haste to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is
in danger.
7:24. Now, therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the
words of my mouth.
7:25. Let not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither
be thou deceived with her paths.
7:26. For she hath cast down many wounded, and the
strongest have been slain by her.
7:27. Her house is the way to hell, reaching even to the
inner chambers of death.
Proverbs Chapter 8
The preaching of wisdom. Her excellence.
8:1. Doth not wisdom cry aloud, and prudence put forth her
voice?
8:2. Standing in the top of the highest places by the way,
in the midst of the paths,
8:3. Beside the gates of the city, in the very doors she
speaketh, saying:
8:4. O ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons
of men.
8:5. O little ones understand subtlety, and ye unwise, take
notice.
8:6. Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips
shall be opened to preach right things.
8:7. My mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall hate
wickedness.
8:8. All my words are just, there is nothing wicked, nor
perverse in them.
8:9. They are right to them that understand, and just to
them that find knowledge.
8:10. Receive my instruction, and not money: choose
knowledge rather than gold.
8:11. For wisdom is better than all the most precious
things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to
it.
8:12. I, wisdom, dwell in counsel, and am present in
learned thoughts.
8:13. The fear of the Lord hateth evil; I hate arrogance,
and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double
tongue.
8:14. Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine,
strength is mine.
8:I5. By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things.
8:16. By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.
8:17. I love them that love me: and they that in the
morning early watch for me, shall find me.
8:18. With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and
justice.
8:19. For my fruit is better than gold and the precious
stone, and my blossoms than choice silver.
8:20. I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the
paths of judgment,
8:21. That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill
their treasures.
8:22. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways,
before he made any thing from the beginning.
8:23. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the
earth was made.
8:24. The depths were not as yet, and I was already
conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet
sprung out.
8:25. The mountains, with their huge bulk, had not as yet
been established: before the hills, I was brought forth:
8:26. He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor
the poles of the world.
8:27. When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when
with a certain law, and compass, he enclosed the depths:
8:28. When he established the sky above, and poised the
fountains of waters:
8:29. When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a
law to the waters that they should not pass their limits:
when he balanced the foundations of the earth;
8:30. I was with him forming all things: and was delighted
every day, playing before him at all times;
8:31. Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with
the children of men.
8:32. Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are
they that keep my ways.
8:33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
8:34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth
daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors.
8:35. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall
have salvation from the Lord.
8:36. But he that shall sin against me shall hurt his own
soul. All that hate me love death.
Proverbs Chapter 9
Wisdom invites all to her feast. Folly calls another way.
9:1. Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her
out seven pillars.
9:2. She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set
forth her table.
9:3. She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to
the walls of the city:
9:4. Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to
the unwise she said:
9:5. Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have
mingled for you.
9:6. Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways
of prudence.
9:7. He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself;
and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
9:8. Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise
man, and he will love thee.
9:9. Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be
added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to
receive it.
9:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and
the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
9:11. For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of
life shall be added to thee.
9:12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if
a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
9:13. A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of
allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
9:14. Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high
place of the city,
9:15. To call them that pass by the way, and go on their
journey:
9:16. He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to
the fool she said:
9:17. Stolen waters are sweeter, and hidden bread is more
pleasant.
9:18. And he did not know that giants are there, and that
her guests are in the depths of hell.
Proverbs Chapter 10
In the twenty following chapters are contained many wise
sayings and axioms, relating to wisdom and folly, virtue
and vice.
10:1. A wise son maketh the father glad: but a foolish son
is the sorrow of his mother.
10:2. Treasures of wickedness shall profit nothing: but
justice shall deliver from death.
10:3. The Lord will not afflict the soul of the just with
famine, and he will disappoint the deceitful practices of
the wicked.
10:4. The slothful hand hath wrought poverty: but the hand
of the industrious getteth riches. He that trusteth to
lies feedeth the winds: and the same runneth after birds,
that fly away.
10:5. He that gathereth in the harvest, is a wise son: but
he that snorteth in the summer, is the son of confusion.
10:6. The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the
just: but iniquity covereth the mouth of the wicked.
10:7. The memory of the just is with praises: and the name
of the wicked shall rot.
10:8. The wise of heart receiveth precepts: a fool is
beaten with lips.
10:9. He that walketh sincerely, walketh confidently: but
he that perverteth his ways, shall be manifest.
10:10. He that winketh with the eye, shall cause sorrow:
and the foolish in lips shall be beaten.
10:11. The mouth of the just is a vein of life: and the
mouth of the wicked covereth iniquity.
10:12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: and charity covereth all
sins.
10:13. In the lips of the wise is wisdom found: and a rod
on the back of him that wanteth sense.
10:14. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the fool
is next to confusion.
10:15. The substance of a rich man is the city of his
strength: the fear of the poor is their poverty.
10:16. The work of the just is unto life: but the fruit of
the wicked unto sin.
10:17. The way of life, to him that observeth correction:
but he that forsaketh reproofs, goeth astray.
10:18. Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach,
is foolish.
10:19. In the multitude of words there shall not want sin:
but he that refraineth his lips, is most wise.
10:20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: but the
heart of the wicked is nothing worth.
10:21. The lips of the just teach many: but they that are
ignorant, shall die in the want of understanding.
10:22. The blessing of the Lord maketh men rich: neither
shall affliction be joined to them.
10:23. A fool worketh mischief as it were for sport: but
wisdom is prudence to a man.
10:24. That which the wicked feareth, shall come upon him:
to the just their desire shall be given.
10:25. As a tempest that passeth, so the wicked shall be no
more: but the just is as an everlasting foundation.
10:26. As vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so
is the sluggard to them that sent him.
10:27. The fear of the Lord shall prolong days: and the
years of the wicked shall be shortened.
10:28. The expectation of the just is joy: but the hope of
the wicked shall perish.
10:29. The strength of the upright is the way of the Lord:
and fear to them that work evil.
10:30. The just shall never be moved: but the wicked shall
not dwell on the earth.
10:31. The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom: the
tongue of the perverse shall perish.
10:32. The lips of the just consider what is acceptable:
and the mouth of the wicked uttereth perverse things.
Proverbs Chapter 11
11:1. A deceitful balance is an abomination before the
Lord: and a just weight is his will.
11:2. Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but
where humility is, there also is wisdom.
11:3. The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the
deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.
11:4. Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but
justice shall deliver from death.
11:5. The justice of the upright shall make his way
prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own
wickedness.
11:6. The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and
the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.
11:7. When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope
any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall
perish.
11:8. The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked
shall be given up for him.
11:9. The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend:
but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.
11:10. When it goeth well with the just, the city shall
rejoice: and when the wicked perish, there shall be praise.
11:11. By the blessing of the just the city shall be
exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be
overthrown.
11:12. He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but
the wise man will hold his peace.
11:13. He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but
he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him
by his friend.
11:14. Where there is no governor, the people shall fall:
but there is safety where there is much counsel.
11:15. He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for
a stranger: but he that is aware of snares, shall be
secure.
11:16. A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong
shall have riches.
11:17. A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he
that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.
11:18. The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that
soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.
11:19. Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil
things, death.
11:20. A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his
will is in them that walk sincerely.
11:21. Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but
the seed of the just shall be saved.
11:22. A golden ring in a swine's snout, a woman fair and
foolish.
11:23. The desire of the just is all good, the expectation
of the wicked is indignation.
11:24. Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer:
others take away what is not their own, and are always in
want.
11:25. The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he
that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.
11:26. He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the
people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.
11:27. Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but
he that seeketh after evil things, shall be oppressed by
them.
11:28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the
just shall spring up as a green leaf.
11:29. He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the
winds: and the fool shall serve the wise.
11:30. The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he
that gaineth souls is wise.
11:31. If the just man receive in the earth, how much more
the wicked and the sinner.
Proverbs Chapter 12
12:1. He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he
that hateth reproof, is foolish.
12:2. He that is good, shall draw grace from the Lord: but
he that trusteth in his own devices, doth wickedly.
12:3. Man shall not be strengthened by wickedness: and the
root of the just shall not be moved.
12:4. A diligent woman is a crown to her husband: and she
that doth things worthy of confusion, is as rottenness in
his bones.
12:5. The thoughts of the just are judgments: and the
counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
12:6. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood: the
mouth of the just shall deliver them.
12:7. Turn the wicked, and they shall not be: but the house
of the just shall stand firm.
12:8. A man shall be known by his learning: but he that is
vain and foolish, shall be exposed to contempt.
12:9. Better is the poor man that provideth for himself,
than he that is glorious and wanteth bread.
12:10. The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the
bowels of the wicked are cruel.
12:11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with
bread: but he that pursueth idleness is very foolish.
12:12. He that is delighted in passing his time over wine,
leaveth a reproach in his strong holds.
12:12. The desire of the wicked is the fortification of
evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper.
12:13. For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the
evil man: but the just shall escape out of distress.
12:14. By the fruit of his own mouth shall a man be filled
wlth good things, and according to the works of his hands
it shall be repaid him.
12:15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he
that is wise hearkeneth unto counsels.
12:16. A fool immediately sheweth his anger: but he that
dissembleth injuries is wise.
12:17. He that speaketh that which he knoweth, sheweth
forth justice: but he that lieth, is a deceitful witness.
12:18. There is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were
with a sword of conscience: but the tongue of the wise is
health.
12:19. The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he
that is a hasty witness, frameth a lying tongue.
12:20. Deceit is in the heart of them that think evil
things: but joy followeth them that take counsels of peace.
12:21. Whatsoever shall befall the just man, shall not make
him sad: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
12:22. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they
that deal faithfully, please him.
12:23. A cautious man concealeth knowledge: and the heart
of fools publisheth folly.
12:24. The hand of the valiant shall bear rule: but that
which is slothful shall be under tribute.
12:25. Grief in the heart of a man shall bring him low, but
with a good word he shall be made glad.
12:26. He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend,
is just: but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.
12:27. The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the
substance of a just man shall be precious gold.
12:28. In the path of justice is life: but the bye-way
leadeth to death.
Proverbs Chapter 13
13:1. A wise son heareth the doctrine of his father: but he
that is a scorner, heareth not when he is reproved.
13:2. Of the fruit of his own month shall a man be filled
with good things: but the soul of transgressors is wicked.
13:3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul: but he
that hath no guard on his speech shall meet with evils.
13:4. The sluggard willeth, and willeth not: but the soul
of them that work, shall be made fat.
13:5. The just shall hate a lying word: but the wicked
confoundeth, and shall be confounded.
13:6. Justice keepeth the way of the innocent: but
wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
13:7. One is as it were rich, when he hath nothing and
another is as it were poor, when he hath great riches.
13:8. The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but he
that is poor, beareth not reprehension.
13:9. The light of the just giveth joy: but the lamp of the
wicked shall be put out.
13:10. Among the proud there are always contentions: but
they that do all things with counsel, are ruled by wisdom.
13:11. Substance got in haste shall be diminished: but that
which by little and little is gathered with the hand, shall
increase.
13:12. Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul: desire
when it cometh, is a tree of life.
13:13. Whosoever speaketh ill of any thing, bindeth himself
for the time to come: but he that feareth the commandment,
shall dwell in peace. Deceitful souls go astray in sins:
the just are merciful, and shew mercy.
13:14. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, that he
may decline from the ruin of death.
13:15. Good instruction shall give grace: in the way of
scorners is a deep pit.
13:16. The prudent man doth all things with counsel: but he
that is a fool, layeth open his folly.
13:17. The messenger of the wicked shall fall into
mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
13:18. Poverty and shame to him that refuseth instruction:
but he that yieldeth to reproof shall be glorified.
13:19. The desire that is accomplished, delighteth the
soul: fools hate them that flee from evil things.
13:20. He that walketh with the wise, shall be wise: a
friend of fools shall become like to them.
13:21. Evil pursueth sinners: and to the just good shall be
repaid.
13:22. The good man leaveth heirs, sons, and grandsons: and
the substance of the sinner is kept for the just.
13:23. Much food is in the tillage of fathers: but for
others it is gathered without judgment.
13:24. He that spareth the rod, hateth his son: but he that
loveth him, correcteth him betimes.
13:25. The just eateth and filleth his soul: but the belly
of the wicked is never to be filled.
Proverbs Chapter 14
14:1. A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will
pull down with her hands that also which is built.
14:2. He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God, is
despised by him that goeth by an infamous way.
14:3. In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride: but the
lips of the wise preserve them.
14:4. Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where
there is much corn, there the strength of the ox is
manifest.
14:5. A faithful witness will not lie: but a deceitful
witness uttereth a lie.
14:6. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the
learning of the wise is easy.
14:7. Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips
of prudence.
14:8. The wisdom of a discreet man is to understand his
way: and the imprudence of fools erreth.
14:9. A fool will laugh at sin, but among the just grace
shall abide.
14:10. The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own
soul, in his joy the stranger shall not intermeddle.
14:11. The house of the wicked shall be destroyed: but the
tabernacles of the just shall flourish.
14:12. There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the
ends thereof lead to death.
14:13. Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning
taketh hold of the ends of joy.
14:14. A fool shall be filled with his own ways, and the
good man shall be above him.
14:15. The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man
considereth his steps. No good shall come to the deceitfnl
son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his dealings,
and his way shall be made straight.
14:16. A wise man feareth, and declineth from evil: the
fool leapeth over, and is confident.
14:17. The impatient man shall work folly: and the crafty
man is hateful.
14:18. The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent
shall look for knowledge.
14:19. The evil shall fall down before the good: and the
wicked before the gates of the just.
14:20. The poor man shall be hateful even to his own
neighbour: but the friends of the rich are many.
14:21. He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he
that sheweth mercy to the poor, shall be blessed. He that
believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.
14:22. They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare
good things.
14:23. In much work there shall be abundance: but where
there are many words, there is oftentimes want.
14:24. The crown of the wise, is their riches: the folly of
fools, imprudence.
14:25. A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double
dealer uttereth lies.
14:26. In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength,
and there shall be hope for his children.
14:27. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to
decline from the ruin of death.
14:28. In the multitude of people is the dignity of the
king: and in the small number of the people the dishonour
of the prince.
14:29. He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom:
but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.
14:30. Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh: but
envy is the rottenness of the bones.
14:31. He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his maker:
but he that hath pity on the poor, honoureth him.
14:32. The wicked man shall be driven out in his
wickedness: but the just hath hope in his death.
14:33. In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it
shall instruct all the ignorant.
14:34. Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations
miserable.
14:35. A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is
good for nothing shall feel his anger.
Proverbs Chapter 15
15:1. A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word
stirreth up fury.
15:2. The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the
mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
15:3. The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good
and the evil.
15:4. A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which
is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
15:5. A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but
he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In
abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the
devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.
15:6. The house of the just is very much strength: and in
the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
15:7. The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the
heart of fools shall be unlike.
15:8. The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord:
the vows of the just are acceptable.
15:9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord:
he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
15:10. Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the
way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
15:11. Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much
more the hearts of the children of men?
15:12. A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor
will he go to the wise.
15:13. A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by
grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
15:14. The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the
mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15:15. All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is
like a continual feast.
15:16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than
great treasures without content.
15:17. It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than
to a fatted calf with hatred.
15:18. A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is
patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
15:19. The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the
way of the just is without offence.
15:20. A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish
man despiseth his mother.
15:21. Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh
straight his steps.
15:22. Designs are brought to nothing where there is no
counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are
established.
15:23. A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a
word in due time is best.
15:24. The path of life is above for the wise, that he may
decline from the lowest hell.
15:25. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and
will strengthen the borders of the widow.
15:26. Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and
pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
15:27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house:
but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith
sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one
declineth from evil.
15:28. The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth
of the wicked overfloweth with evils.
15:29. The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear
the prayers of the just.
15:30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good
name maketh the bones fat.
15:31. The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall
abide in the midst of the wise.
15:32. He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own
soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth
understanding.
15:33. The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and
humility goeth before glory.
Proverbs Chapter 16
16:1. It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the
Lord to govern the tongue.
It is the part of man, etc... That is, a man should prepare
in his heart and soul what he is to say: but after all, it
must be the Lord that must govern his tongue, to speak to
the purpose. Not that we can think any thing of good
without God's grace; but that after we have (with God's
grace) thought and prepared within our souls what we would
speak, if God does not govern our tongue, we shall not
succeed in what we speak.
16:2. All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord
is the weigher of spirits.
16:3. Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts
shall be directed.
16:4. The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked
also for the evil day.
16:5. Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though
hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The
beginning of a good way is to do justice: and this is more
acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
16:6. By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the
fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
16:7. When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will
convert even his enemies to peace.
16:8. Better is a little with justice, than great revenues
with iniquity.
16:9. The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must
direct his steps.
16:10. Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth
shall not err in judgment.
16:11. Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and
his work all the weights of the bag.
16:12. They that act wickedly are abominable to the king:
for the throne is established by justice.
16:13. Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh
right things shall be loved.
16:14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and
the wise man will pacify it.
16:15. In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is
life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
16:16. Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and
purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
16:17. The path of the just departeth from evils: he that
keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
16:18. Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is
lifted up before a fall.
16:19. It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to
divide spoils with the proud.
16:20. The learned in word shall find good things: and he
that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
16:21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he
that is sweet in words, shall attain to greater things.
16:22. Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that
possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
16:23. The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and
shall add grace to his lips.
16:24. Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the
soul, and health to the bones.
16:25. There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the
ends thereof lead to death.
16:26. The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for
himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
16:27. The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a
burning fire.
16:28. A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of
words separateth princes.
16:29. An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him
into a way that is not good.
16:30. He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things,
biting his lips, bringeth evil to pass.
16:31. Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in
the ways of justice.
16:32. The patient man is better than the valiant: and he
that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.
16:33. Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of
by the Lord.
Proverbs Chapter 17
17:1. Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of
victims with strife.
17:2. A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and
shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
17:3. As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace:
so the Lord trieth the hearts.
17:4. The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the
deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
17:5. He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his maker:
and he that rejoiceth at another man's ruin, shall not be
unpunished.
17:6. Children's children are the crown of old men: and the
glory of children are their fathers.
17:7. Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a
prince.
17:8. The expectation of him that expecteth is a most
acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he
understandeth wisely.
17:9. He that concealeth a transgression, seeketh
friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth
friends.
17:10. A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a
hundred stripes with a fool.
17:11. An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel
angel shall be sent against him.
17:12. It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps,
than a fool trusting in his own folly.
17:13. He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not
depart from his house.
17:14. The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out
water: and before he suffereth reproach, he forsaketh
judgment.
17:15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that
condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
17:16. What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he
cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh
a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into
evils.
17:17. He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a
brother is proved in distress.
17:18. A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for
his friend.
17:19. He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he
that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
17:20. He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good:
and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
17:21. A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his
father shall not rejoice in a fool.
17:22. A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful
spirit drieth up the bones.
17:23. The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that
he may pervert the paths of judgment.
17:24. Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of
fools are in the ends of the earth.
17:25. A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the
sorrow of the mother that bore him.
17:26. It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to
strike the prince, who judgeth right.
17:27. He that setteth bounds to his words, is knowing and
wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
17:28. Even a fool, if he will hold his peace, shall be
counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of
understanding.
Proverbs Chapter 18
18:1. He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh
occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
18:2. A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless
thou say those things which are in his heart.
18:3. The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of
sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
18:4. Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and
the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
18:5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to
decline from the truth of judgment.
18:6. The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his
mouth provoketh quarrels.
18:7. The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips
are the ruin of his soul.
18:8. The words of the double tongued are as if they were
harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the
bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of
the effeminate shall be hungry.
18:9. He that is loose and slack in his work, is the
brother of him that wasteth his own works.
18:10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just
runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
18:11. The substance of the rich man is the city of his
strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
18:12. Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted:
and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
18:13. He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself
to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
18:14. The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a
spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
18:15. A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of
the wise seeketh instruction.
18:16. A man's gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room
before princes.
18:17. The just is first accuser of himself: his friend
cometh, and shall search him.
18:18. The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth
even between the mighty.
18:19. A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a
strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
18:20. Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be
satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
18:21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they
that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
18:22. He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good
thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that
driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he
that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
18:23. The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich
will speak roughly.
18:24. A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly
than a brother.
Proverbs Chapter 19
19:1. Better is the poor man, that walketh in his
simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips
and unwise.
19:2. Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no
good: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble.
19:3. The folly of a man supplanteth his steps: and he
fretteth in his mind against God.
19:4. Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even
they whom he had, depart.
19:5. A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that
speaketh lies, shall not escape.
19:6. Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are
friends of him that giveth gifts.
19:7. The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also
his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth
after words only, shall have nothing.
19:8. But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul,
and he that keepeth prudence, shall find good things.
19:9. A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that
speaketh lies, shall perish.
19:10. Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a
servant to have rule over princes.
19:11. The learning of a man is known by patience: and his
glory is to pass over wrongs.
19:12. As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a
king: and his cheerfulness as the dew upon the grass.
19:13. A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a
wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through.
19:14. House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent
wife is properly from the Lord.
19:15. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle
soul shall suffer hunger.
19:16. He that keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own
soul: but he that neglecteth his own way, shall die.
19:17. He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord:
and he will repay him.
19:18. Chastise thy son, despair not: but to the killing of
him set not thy soul.
19:19. He that is impatient, shall suffer damage: and when
he shall take away, he shall add another thing.
19:20. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou
mayst be wise in thy latter end.
19:21. There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but
the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
19:22. A needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than
the lying man.
19:23. The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall
abide in the fulness without being visited with evil.
19:24. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and
will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
19:25. The wicked man being scourged, the fool shall be
wiser: but if thou rebuke a wise man, he will understand
discipline.
19:26. He that afflicteth his father, and chaseth away his
mother, is infamous and unhappy.
19:27. Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not
ignorant of the words of knowledge.
19:28. An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth
of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
19:29. Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking
hammers for the bodies of fools.
Proverbs Chapter 20
20:1. Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous:
whosoever is delighted therewith, shall not be wise.
20:2. As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a
king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
20:3. It is an honour for a man to separate himself from
quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
20:4. Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he
shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be
given him.
20:5. Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but
a wise man will draw it out.
20:6. Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a
faithful man?
20:7. The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave
behind him blessed children.
20:8. The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment,
scattereth away all evil with his look.
20:9. Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
20:10. Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are
abominable before God.
20:11. By his inclinations a child is known, if his works
be clean and right.
20:12. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath
made them both.
20:13. Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy
eyes, and be filled with bread.
20:14. It is naught, it is naught, saith every buyer: and
when he is gone away, then he will boast.
20:15. There is gold and a multitude of jewels: but the
lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
20:16. Take away the garment of him that is surety for a
stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
20:17. The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards
his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
20:18. Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are
to be managed by governments.
20:19. Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and
walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20:20. He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp
shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
20:21. The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in
the end shall be without a blessing.
20:22. Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and
he will deliver thee.
20:23. Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord:
a deceitful balance is not good.
20:24. The steps of men are guided by the Lord: but who is
the man that can understand his own way?
20:25. It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after
vows to retract.
20:26. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over
them the wheel.
20:27. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which
searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
20:28. Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is
strengthened by clemency.
20:29. The joy of young men is their strength: and the
dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
20:30. The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and
stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs Chapter 21
21:1. As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king
is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall
turn it.
21:2. Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the
Lord weigheth the hearts.
21:3. To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than
victims.
21:4. Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the
heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
21:5. The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth
abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
21:6. He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is
vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of
death.
21:7. The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall,
because they would not do judgment.
21:8. The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him
that is pure, his work is right.
21:9. It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than
with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
21:10. The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not
have pity on his neighbour.
21:11. When a pestilent man is punished, the little one
will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive
knowledge.
21:12. The just considereth seriously the house of the
wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
21:13. He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the
poor, shall also cry himself, and shall not be heard.
21:14. A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the
bosom, the greatest wrath.
21:15. It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to
them that work iniquity.
21:16. A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine,
shall abide in the company of the giants.
21:17. He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that
loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
21:18. The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the
unjust for the righteous.
21:19. It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a
quarrelsome and passionate woman.
21:20. There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the
dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21:21. He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find
life, justice, and glory.
21:22. The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and
hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
21:23. He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth
his soul from distress.
21:24. The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who
in anger worketh pride.
21:25. Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have
refused to work at all.
21:26. He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is
just, will give, and will not cease.
21:27. The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because
they are offered of wickedness.
21:28. A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall
speak of victory.
21:29. The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he
that is righteous, correcteth his way.
21:30. There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is
no counsel against the Lord.
21:31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the
Lord giveth safety.
Proverbs Chapter 22
22:1. A good name is better than great riches: and good
favour is above silver and gold.
22:2. The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is
the maker of them both.
22:3. The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the
simple passed on, and suffered loss.
22:4. The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches
and glory and life.
22:5. Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but
he that keepeth his own soul, departeth far from them.
22:6. It is a proverb: A young man according to his way,
even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
22:7. The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is
servant to him that lendeth.
22:8. He that soweth iniquity, shall reap evils, and with
the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
22:9. He that is inclined to mercy, shall be blessed: for
of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh
presents, shall purchase victory and honour: but he
carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
22:10. Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out
with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
22:11. He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of
his lips shall have the king for his friend.
22:12. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the
words of the unjust are overthrown.
22:13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I
shall be slain in the midst of the streets.
22:14. The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom
the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.
22:15. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the
rod of correction shall drive it away.
22:16. He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own
riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall
be in need.
22:17. Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and
apply thy heart to my doctrine:
22:18. Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it
in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
22:19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have
also shewn it to thee this day.
22:20. Behold I have described it to thee three manner of
ways, in thoughts and knowledge:
22:21. That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words
of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.
22:22. Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and
do not oppress the needy in the gate:
22:23. Because the Lord will judge his cause: and will
afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
22:24. Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk
with a furious man:
22:25. Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal
to thy soul.
22:26. Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and
that offer themselves sureties for debts:
22:27. For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what
cause is there that he should take the covering from thy
bed?
22:28. Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers
have set.
22:29. Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall
stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are
obscure.
Proverbs Chapter 23
23:1. When thou shalt sit to eat with a prince, consider
diligently what is set before thy face:
23:2. And put a knife to thy throat, if it be so that thou
have thy soul in thy own power.
23:3. Be not desirous of his meats, in which is the bread
of deceit.
23:4. Labour not to be rich: but set bounds to thy
prudence.
23:5. Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not
have: because they shall make themselves wings like those
of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.
23:6. Eat not with an envious man, and desire not his
meats:
23:7. Because, like a soothsayer, and diviner, he thinketh
that which he knoweth not. Eat and drink, will he say to
thee: and his mind is not with thee.
23:8. The meats which thou hadst eaten, thou shalt vomit
up: and shalt lose thy beantiful words.
23:9. Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will
despise the instruction of thy speech.
23:10. Touch not the bounds of little ones: and enter not
into the field of the fatherless:
23:11. For their near kinsman is strong: and he will judge
their cause against thee.
23:12. Let thy heart apply itself to instruction and thy
ears to words of knowledge.
23:13. Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou
strike him with the rod, he shall not die.
23:14. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his
soul from hell.
23:15. My son, if thy mind be wise, my heart shall rejoice
with thee:
23:16. And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips shall
speak what is right.
23:17. Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the
fear of the Lord all the day long:
23:18. Because thou shalt have hope in the latter end, and
thy expectation shall not be taken away.
23:19. Hear thou, my son, and be wise: and guide thy mind
in the way.
23:20. Be not in the feasts of great drinkers, nor in their
revellings, who contribute flesh to eat:
23:21. Because they that give themselves to drinking, and
that club together, shall be consumed: and drowsiness shall
be clothed with rags.
23:22. Hearken to thy father, that begot thee: and despise
not thy mother when she is old.
23:23. Buy truth, and do not sell wisdom, and instruction,
and understanding.
23:24. The father of the just rejoiceth greatly: he that
hath begotten a wise son, shall have joy in him.
23:25. Let thy father and thy mother be joyful, and let her
rejoice that bore thee.
23:26. My son, give me thy heart: and let thy eyes keep my
ways.
23:27. For a harlot is a deep ditch: and a strange woman is
a narrow pit.
23:28. She lieth in wait in the way as a robber, and him
whom she shall see unwary, she will kill.
23:29. Who hath woe? whose father hath woe? who hath
contentions? who falls into pits? who hath wounds without
cause? who hath redness of eyes?
23:30. Surely they that pass their time in wine, and study
to drink off their cups.
23:31. Look not upon the wine when it is yellow, when the
colour thereof shineth in the glass: it goeth in
pleasantly,
23:32. But in the end, it will bite like a snake, and will
spread abroad poison like a basilisk.
23:34. And thou shalt be as one sleeping in the midst of
the sea, and as a pilot fast asleep when the stern is lost.
23:35. And thou shalt say: They have beaten me, but I was
not sensible of pain: they drew me, and I felt not: when
shall I awake and find wine again?
Proverbs Chapter 24
24:1. Seek not to be like evil men, neither desire to be
with them:
24:2. Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips
speak deceits.
24:3. By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence
it shall be strengthened.
24:4. By instruction the storerooms shall be filled with
all precious and most beautiful wealth.
24:5. A wise man is strong: and a knowing man, stout and
valiant.
24:6. Because war is managed by due ordering: and there
shall be safety where there are many counsels.
24:7. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he shall
not open his mouth.
24:8. He that deviseth to do evils, shall be called a fool.
24:9. The thought of a fool is sin: and the detractor is
the abomination of men.
24:10. If thou lose hope, being weary in the day of
distress, thy strength shall be diminished.
24:11. Deliver them that are led to death: and those that
are drawn to death, forbear not to deliver.
24:12. If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that
seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing
deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, and he shall render to a
man according to his works.
24:13. Eat honey, my son, because it is good, and the
honeycomb most sweet to thy throat.
24:14. So also is the doctrine of wisdom to thy soul: which
when thou hast found, thou shalt have hope in the end, and
thy hope shall not perish.
24:15. Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the
house of the just, nor spoil his rest.
24:16. For a just man shall fall seven times, and shall
rise again: but the wicked shall fall down into evil.
24:17. When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his
ruin let not thy heart rejoice:
24:18. Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn
away his wrath from him.
24:19. Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the
ungodly.
24:20. For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the
lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
24:21. My son, fear the Lord, and the king: and have
nothing to do with detractors.
24:22. For their destruction shall rise suddenly: and who
knoweth the ruin of both?
24:23. These things also to the wise: It is not good to
have respect to persons in judgment.
24:24. They that say to the wicked man: Thou art just:
shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall abhor
them.
24:25. They that rebuke him shall be praised: and a
blessing shall come upon them.
24:26. He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.
24:27. Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy
ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house.
24:28. Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour:
and deceive not any man with thy lips.
24:29. Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I
will render to every one according to his work.
24:30. I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by
the vineyard of the foolish man:
24:31. And behold it was all filled with nettles, and
thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was
broken down.
24:32. Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and
by the example I received instruction.
24:33. Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber
a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to rest.
24:34. And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and
beggary as an armed man.
Proverbs Chapter 25
25:1. These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of
Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.
25:2. It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the
glory of kings to search out the speech.
25:3. The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart
of kings is unsearchable.
25:4. Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come
forth a most pure vessel:
25:5. Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and
his throne shall be established with justice.
25:6. Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in
the place of great men.
25:7. For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come
up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the
prince.
25:8. The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not
hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able
to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
25:9. Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the
secret to a stranger:
25:10. Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and
cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a
man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
25:11. To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold
on beds of silver.
25:12. As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he
that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.
25:13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a
faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth
his soul.
25:14. As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is
the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.
25:15. By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft
tongue shall break hardness.
25:16. Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for
thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
25:17. Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour,
lest having his fill he hate thee.
25:18. A man that beareth false witness against his
neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
25:19. To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of
trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
25:20. And one that looseth his garment in cold weather.
As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a
very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by
the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
25:21. If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he
thirst, give him water to drink:
25:22. For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the
Lord will reward thee.
25:23. The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad
countenance a backbiting tongue.
25:24. It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop:
than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
25:25. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so are good tidings
from a far country.
25:26. A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a
fountain troubled with the foot and a corrupted spring.
25:27. As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he
that is a searcher of majesty shall be overwhelmed by
glory.
Majesty... Viz., of God. For to search into that
incomprehensible Majesty, and to pretend to sound the
depths of the wisdom of God, is exposing our weak
understanding to be blinded with an excess of light and
glory, which it cannot comprehend.
25:28. As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with
walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in
speaking.
Proverbs Chapter 26
26:1. As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is
not seemly for a fool.
26:2. As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going
here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come
upon a man.
As a bird, etc... The meaning is, that a curse uttered
without cause shall do no harm to the person that is
cursed, but will return upon him that curseth, as
whithersoever a bird flies, it returns to its own nest.
26:3. A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a
rod for the back of fools.
26:4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou
be made like him.
Answer not a fool, etc... Viz., so as to imitate him but
only so as to reprove his folly.
26:5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine
himself to be wise.
26:6. He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame
of feet and drinketh iniquity.
26:7. As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is
unseemly in the mouth of fools.
26:8. As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury:
so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
26:9. As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard:
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:10. Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a
fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
26:11. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool
that repeateth his folly.
26:12. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there
shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
26:13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way,
and a lioness in the roads.
26:14. As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the
slothful upon his bed.
26:15. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and
it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
26:16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven
men that speak sentences.
26:17. As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that
passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's
quarrel.
26:18. As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances
unto death.
26:19. So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully:
and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
26:20. When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and
when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
26:21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so
an angry man stirreth up strife.
26:22. The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but
they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
26:23. Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like
an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross.
26:24. An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he
entertaineth deceit.
26:25. When he shall speak low, trust him not: because
there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26:26. He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice
shall be laid open in the public assembly.
26:27. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he
that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
26:28. A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery
mouth worketh ruin.
Proverbs Chapter 27
27:1. Boast not for to morrow, for thou knowest not what
the day to come may bring forth.
27:2. Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth: a
stranger, and not thy own lips.
27:3. A stone is heavy, and sand weighty: but the anger of
a fool is heavier than them both.
27:4. Anger hath no mercy: nor fury, when it breaketh
forth: and who can bear the violence of one provoked?
27:5. Open rebuke is better than hidden love.
27:6. Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful
kisses of an enemy.
27:7. A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb:
and a soul that is hungry shall take even bitter for sweet.
27:8. As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man
that leaveth his place.
27:9. Ointment and perfumes rejoice the heart: and the good
counsels of a friend are sweet to the soul.
27:10. Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake
not: and go not into thy brother's house in the day of thy
affliction. Better is a neighbour that is near than a
brother afar off.
27:11. Study wisdom, my son, and make my heart joyful, that
thou mayst give an answer to him that reproacheth.
27:12. The prudent man seeing evil hideth himself: little
ones passing on have suffered losses.
27:13. Take away his garment that hath been surety for a
stranger: and take from him a pledge for strangers.
27:14. He that blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice,
rising in the night, shall be like to him that curseth.
27:15. Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a
contentious woman are alike.
27:16. He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the
wind, and shall call the oil of his right hand.
27:17. Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the
countenance of his friend.
27:18. He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit
thereof: and he that is the keeper of his master, shall be
glorified.
27:19. As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the
water, so the hearts of men are laid open to the wise.
27:20. Hell and destruction are never filled: so the eyes
of men are never satisfied.
27:21. As silver is tried in the fining-pot, and gold in
the furnace: so a man is tried by the mouth of him that
praiseth. The heart of the wicked seeketh after evils, but
the righteous heart seeketh after knowledge.
27:22. Though thou shouldst bray a fool in the mortar, as
when a pestle striketh upon sodden barley, his folly would
not be taken from him.
27:23. Be diligent to know the countenance of thy cattle,
and consider thy own flocks:
27:24. For thou shalt not always have power: but a crown
shall be given to generation and generation.
27:25. The meadows are open, and the green herbs have
appeared, and the hay is gathered out of the mountains.
27:26. Lambs are for thy clothing: and kids for the price
of the field.
27:27. Let the milk of the goats be enough for thy food,
and for the necessities of thy house, and for maintenance
for thy handmaids.
Proverbs Chapter 28
28:1. The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the
just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
28:2. For the sins of the land many are the princes
thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of
those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be
prolonged.
28:3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a
violent shower, which bringeth a famine.
28:4. They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man:
they that keep it, are incensed against him.
28:5. Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek
after the Lord, take notice of all things.
28:6. Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity,
than the rich in crooked ways.
28:7. He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that
feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.
28:8. He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan,
gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
28:9. He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law,
his prayer shall be an abomination.
28:10. He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall
fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess
his goods.
28:11. The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor
man that is prudent shall search him out.
28:12. In the joy of the just there is great glory: when
the wicked reign, men are ruined.
28:13. He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he
that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
28:14. Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he
that is hardened in mind shall fall into evil.
28:15. As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked
prince over the poor people.
28:16. A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by
calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his
days.
28:17. A man that doth violence to the blood of a person,
if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.
28:18. He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that
is perverse in his ways, shall fall at once.
28:19. He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with
bread: but he that followeth idleness, shall be filled with
poverty.
28:20. A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that
maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
28:21. He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth
not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh
the truth.
28:22. A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth
others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
28:23. He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour
with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue
deceiveth him.
28:24. He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from
his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a
murderer.
28:26. He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up
quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be
healed.
28:26. He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he
that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.
28:27. He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that
despiseth his intreaty, shall suffer indigence.
28:28. When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves:
when they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
Proverbs Chapter 29
29:1. The man that with a stiff neck despiseth him that
reproveth him, shall suddenly be destroyed: and health
shall not follow him.
29:2. When just men increase, the people shall rejoice:
when the wicked shall bear rule, the people shall mourn.
29:3. A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but
he that maintaineth harlots, shall squander away his
substance.
29:4. A just king setteth up the land: a covetous man shall
destroy it.
29:5. A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and
dissembling words, spreadeth a net for his feet.
29:6. A snare shall entangle the wicked man when he
sinneth: and the just shall praise and rejoice.
29:7. The just taketh notice of the cause of the poor: the
wicked is void of knowledge.
29:8. Corrupt men bring a city to ruin: but wise men turn
away wrath.
29:9. If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be
angry, or laugh, he shall find no rest.
29:10. Bloodthirsty men hate the upright: but just men seek
his soul.
29:11. A fool uttereth all his mind: a wise man deferreth,
and keepeth it till afterwards.
29:12. A prince that gladly heareth lying words, hath all
his servants wicked.
29:13. The poor man and the creditor have met one another:
the Lord is the enlightener of them both.
29:14. The king that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne
shall be established for ever.
29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but the child that
is left to his own will, bringeth his mother to shame.
29:16. When the wicked are multiplied, crimes shall be
multiplied: but the just shall see their downfall.
29:17. Instruct thy son and he shall refresh thee, and
shall give delight to thy soul.
29:18. When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be
scattered abroad: but he that keepeth the law, is blessed.
29:19. A slave will not be corrected by words: because he
understandeth what thou sayest, and will not answer.
29:20. Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather
to be looked for, than his amendment.
29:21. He that nourisheth his servant delicately from his
childhood, afterwards shall find him stubborn.
29:22. A passionate man provoketh quarrels: and he that is
easily stirred up to wrath, shall be more prone to sin.
29:23. Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall
uphold the humble of spirit.
29:24. He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own
soul: he heareth one putting him to his oath, and
discovereth not.
29:25. He that feareth man shall quickly fall: he that
trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high.
29:26. Many seek the face of the prince: but the judgment
of every one cometh forth from the Lord.
29:27. The just abhor a wicked man: and the wicked loathe
them that are in the right way. The son that keepeth the
word, shall be free from destruction.
Proverbs Chapter 30
The wise man thinketh humbly of himself. His prayer and
sentiments upon certain virtues and vices.
30:1. The words of Gatherer the son of Vomiter. The vision
which the man spoke, with whom God is, and who being
strengthened by God, abiding with him, said:
Gatherer, etc... Or, as it is in the Latin, Congregans the
son of Vomens. The Latin interpreter has given us in this
place the signification of the Hebrew names, instead of the
names themselves, which are in the Hebrew, Agur the son of
Jakeh. But whether this Agur be the same person as Solomon,
as many think, or a different person, whose doctrine was
adopted by Solomon, and inserted among his parables or
proverbs, is uncertain.
30:2. I am the most foolish of men, and the wisdom of men
is not with me.
30:3. I have not learned wisdom, and have not known the
science of saints.
30:4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? who
hath held the wind in his hands? who hath bound up the
waters together as in a garment? who hath raised up all the
borders of the earth? what is his name, and what is the
name of his son, if thou knowest?
30:5. Every word of God is fire tried: he is a buckler to
them that hope in him.
Is fire tried... That is, most pure, like gold purified by
fire.
30:6. Add not any thing to his words, lest thou be reproved
and found a liar:
30:7. Two things I have asked of thee, deny them not to me
before I die.
30:8. Remove far from me vanity, and lying words. Give me
neither beggary, nor riches: give me only the necessaries
of life:
30:9. Lest perhaps being filled, I should be tempted to
deny, and say: Who is the Lord? or being compelled by
poverty, I should steal, and forswear the name of my God.
30:10. Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse
thee, and thou fall.
30:11. There is a generation that curseth their father, and
doth not bless their mother.
30:12. A generation that are pure in their own eyes, and
yet are not washed from their filthiness.
30:13. A generation, whose eyes are lofty, and their
eyelids lifted up on high.
30:14. A generation that for teeth hath swords, and
grindeth with their jaw teeth, to devour the needy from off
the earth, and the poor from among men.
30:15. The horseleech hath two daughters that say: Bring,
bring. There are three things that never are satisfied,
and the fourth never saith: It is enough.
The horseleech... Concupiscence, which hath two daughters
that are never satisfied, viz., lust and avarice.
30:16. Hell and the mouth of the womb, and the earth which
is not satisfied with water: and the fire never saith: It
is enough.
30:17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and that
despiseth the labour of his mother in bearing him, let the
ravens of the brooks pick it out, and the young eagles eat
it.
30:18. Three things are hard to me, and the fourth I am
utterly ignorant of.
30:19. 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 in youth.
30:20. Such also is the way of an adulterous woman, who
eateth and wipeth her mouth, and saith: I have done no
evil.
30:21. By three things the earth is disturbed, and the
fourth it cannot bear.
30:22. By a slave when he reigneth: by a fool when be is
filled with meat:
30:23. By an odious woman when she is married: and by a
bondwoman when she is heir to her mistress.
30:24. There are four very little things of the earth, and
they are wiser than the wise.
30:25. The ants, a feeble people, which provide themselves
food in the harvest:
30:26. The rabbit, a weak people, which maketh its bed in
the rock:
30:27. The locust hath no king, yet they all go out by
their bands:
30:28. The stellio supporteth itself on hands, and dwelleth
in kings' houses.
The stellio... A kind of house lizard marked with spots
like stars, from whence it has its name.
30:19. There are three things, which go well, and the
fourth that walketh happily:
30:30. A lion, the strongest of beasts, who hath no fear of
any thing he meeteth:
30:31. A cock girded about the loins: and a ram: and a
king, whom none can resist.
30:32. There is that hath appeared a fool after he was
lifted up on high: for if he had understood, he would have
laid his hand upon his mouth.
30:33. And he that strongly squeezeth the paps to bring out
milk, straineth out butter: and he that violently bloweth
his nose, bringeth out blood: and he that provoketh wrath,
bringeth forth strife.
Proverbs Chapter 31
An exhortation to chastity, temperance, and works of mercy;
with the praise of a wise woman.
31:1. The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his
mother instructed him.
Lamuel... This name signifies God with him, and is supposed
to have been one of the names of Solomon.
31:2. What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb,
what, O the beloved of my vows?
31:3. Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to
destroy kings.
31:4. Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings:
because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
31:5. And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert
the cause of the children of the poor.
31:6. Give strong drink to them that are sad; and wine to
them that are grieved in mind:
31:7. Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember
their sorrow no more.
31:8. Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of
all the children that pass.
31:9. Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do
justice to the needy and poor.
31:10. Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the
uttermost coasts is the price of her.
31:11. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he
shall have no need of spoils.
31:12. She will render him good, and not evil all the days
of her life.
31:13. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by
the counsel of her hands.
31:14. She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her
bread from afar.
31:15. And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to
her household, and victuals to her maidens.
31:16. She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the
fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
31:17. She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath
strengthened her arm.
31:18. She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good:
her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
31:19. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her
fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
31:20. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched
out her hands to the poor.
31:21. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of
snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double
garments.
31:22. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine
linen, and purple, is her covering.
31:23. Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he
sitteth among the senators of the land.
31:24. She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a
girdle to the Chanaanite.
The Chanaanite... The merchant, for Chanaanite, in Hebrew,
signifies a merchant.
31:25. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall
laugh in the latter day.
31:26. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of
clemency is on her tongue.
31:27. She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and
hath not eaten her bread idle.
31:28. Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her
husband, and he praised her.
31:29. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou
hast surpassed them all.
31:30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman
that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31:31. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her
works praise her in the gates.
The text in this file was taken with permission from Catholic Software's Douay Bible program, a complete multimedia Bible for the PC. The complete product description follows:
Douay Bible ME: A multimedia Bible. Text and footnotes are from the 1899 version of the Douay-Rheims Bible. Supports unlimited cut and paste as well as searches. It also has a concordance, topical index, and maps. These features make it powerful and easy to use. Music and color photography make it a visual and auditory feast. However, if your computer doesn't support multimedia, you can suppress these features at installation time. Available for DOS, Windows, or Windows 95. $85.00. Order from: Catholic Software, P.O. Box 1914, Murray, KY 42071. Phone: 1-502-753-8198.
