abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. It He that is greedy of gain troubled his own house; but he that hatcth gifts /hall live. 18 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The Lord is far from the wicked? but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wife. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth bis own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. CHAP. xvr. TH E preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. I All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts (hall be established. + The Lo R D hath made all things for himself: vea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and. by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. 10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgement. II A just weight and balance are the Lor D's: all the weights of the bag are his work. it It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. ljRighteofls lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. HThe wrath of a kingij as messengers of death: but a wife man will pacify it. 15 In the light of the king's counter nance /'/ life; and his favour is as » cloud of the latter rain. 16 How much better /'/ it to get wisdom than gold? and to get understand-, ing rather to be chosen than silver? 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth hi* way preserveth his soul. 18 Pridegoeth hefore destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handletli a matter wisely (hall find good: and whoso trusteth ia the Lor D, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart sliall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22 Understanding :'/ a wellspring of life unto him that bath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wife teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25 There is a way that scemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 26 He that labourethlaboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27 An ungodly man diggeth up:evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28 A frownrd man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He (hutteth his eyes to devise frowaid things: mSving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. 31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, ;/it be found in the way of righteousness. 32 He that is (low to anger is better than the mighty; and'hethatruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 33 The lot is cast intb the lap; but the whole disposing thereof" of the Lord, CHAP. XVII. BETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. 2 A wise servant (hall have rule over a son that causeth (hame, and (hall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. 3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: hut the Lord trieth the heart. + A Osivislom and folly. PROV 4 A wicked doer givetli heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. 5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities (hall not be unpunished. 6 Children's Children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers. 7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. 8 A giftis as a precious ltone in the eyes ofhim that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it profpereth. 9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. 10 A reproof entererh more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. ii An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger mall be sent against him. i a Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil (hall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. 15 He that justisieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. 19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. so He that bath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. 11 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. 21 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. 23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgement. 24 Wisdom // before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 15 A fooliih son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. »6 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. ERBS The use and abuse os the tonpu. 27 He that hath knowledge fpareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wile: and he that ssiutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. CHAP. XVIII. THROUGH desire a man having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, thin cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as_ deep waters, and the welllpring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgement. 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his foul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He allo that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waiter. 10 The name of the Lor D is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. _ 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answ ereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded ipirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wife seeketh knowledge. 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour coineth and scarcheth him. 18 The lot caufeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be <won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bai% of a castle. 20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips sli all he be filled. 11 Death and life arc in the power of Os false witness, Cliap the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. js Whs findeth a wife findeth a good *A»;,andobtaineth favour of the Lou D. 13 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich auiwereth roughly. i+ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that fticketh closer than a brother. Chap. xrx. BETTER h the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse iji his lips, and is a fool. z Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hafteth with his feet sinneth. j The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lo R D . 4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. 6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he purfuctli them ivith words,yet they are wanting to him. S He that getteth wisdom loveth his own foul: he that kcepeth understanding sha.ll find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies (hall perish. 10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less, for a servant to have rule over princes. j 1 The discretion of a man deferreth hii anger: and it is his glory to pass over a transgreflion. 11 The king's wrath is as the roaring »f a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 1? A foolish (on is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of' a wife are 3 continual dropping. 1+ House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife /'/ tVom the Lou D. 15 Slothfulnels casteth into a deep fltep; and an idle soul (hall fufferhunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepetli his own foul; but he that despifeth his ways 1l1a.ll die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor iendeth unto the Lord ; and that which lie hath given will he pay him ag^tin. 1 % Cliasttn thy son while tlitre Is hope, and let not thy soul spire for his crying. 19 A man of great wiath shall suffer XX. flothsulness, &c. punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 2oHear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayelt be wise in the latter end. zi There are many devices in a man's heart: nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that (hall stand. « The desire of man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it (hall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A ilotliful man hidetli his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will under, stand knowledge. 26 He that wasteth his father, and chasoth away his mother, ;'/ a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that cnitseth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgement: and the mouth of the wicketh devoureth iniquity. ^9 Judgements are prepared forfeorners, and (tripes for the back of fools. CHAP. XX. WINE is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wife. 2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: ivhoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3 // is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4. The sluggard will not plow by rea'son of the cold; therefore (hall he beg in harvest, ar.d ha-ve nothing. 5 Counsel in the heart of man is Hie deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6 Most men will proclaim, every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find' 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 8 A king that (itteth in the throne of judgement scattereth away all evil with" his eyes. 9 Who can fay, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? 10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to tho Lord. Ii Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. N a' 12 The 6/ deceits in traffick. i z The hearingear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even hoth of them. j 3 Love not steep, lest thou come to Coverty; open thine eyes, *z»</thou (halt e satisfied with bread. 14 // it nought, it it nought, faith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 15 There it gold, and a multitude of lubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 17 Bread of deceit it sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18 Every purpose is establfhed by counsel: and with good advice make war. 19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that fiattereth with his lips. 10 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp (hall be put out in obscure darkness. 2i An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. ■ 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; iarwaiton the Loud, and he (hall save thee. 13 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LoR D; and a false balance it not good. 14. Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way? 15 // is a snare to the man iuho devoureth that which is holy, and after rows to make enquiry. 26 A wife king icattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. 27 The spirit of man is the candle of thel-OR D, searching all the inward parts of the belly. 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king ■. and iiis throne is upholden by mercy. 29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. 30 The-bluenesi of a wound cleanse th away evil: lo do stripes the inward parts of the belly. C H A P. XXI. THE king's henrl is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he tunit-th it whithersoever lie will. i Eveiy way of a man is right in hi» own eyes . but the Loft o ponderetU the hearts. 3' To do iustice and judgement is more acceptable to the Loud than, sacrifice. PROVERBS A contentious ivoman. 4- An high look, and a proud heart, and the ploughing of the wicked, is sm. 5 The thoughts of the diligent ttni only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. 6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7 The robbery of the wicked (hall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgement. 8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for die pure, his work is right. 9 It it better to dwell in a comer of tlie housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. 10 The soul of the wicked dtfireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. 11 When the fcorner is punished, the simple is made wife: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. 1* The righteous man wisely conftdereth the house of the wicked: but CoJ overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. 13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also (hall cry himself, but (hall not be heard. 1+A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. 15 // is joy to the just to do judgement: but destruction /hall be to the workers of iniquity. 16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding (hall remain in the congregation of the dead. 17 He that loveth pleasure Jhall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil mail not be rich. 18 The wicked Jhall be a ransom far the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than wiih a contentious and an angry woman. 20 There is treasure to be de€red, and oil in the dwelling os the wise; but a foolifli man spendeth it up. 21 He that solloweth aster righteousnels and mercy findeLh life, righteouinesi, and honour. »: A wise mats scaleth the city of the mighty, and ostetu down the strength os the confidence thereof. ^3 Whoso keepeth his mouth and Iiis tongue, keepeth Iiis foul from trouble*. i+ Proud and haughty ('corner it bis name, who dealeth in proud wrath. *5 The desire of the (lothful killetli, him; for hi, hands r.'solc to labour. OfifprtJ/kn. Chap. 16 He covetetb greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth, and lpareth not. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination i how much more, when lie bringeth it with a wicked mind? 28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that hearetb speaketh constantly. 19 A wicked man lurdeneth his face: but ai./«r the upright, he directeth his way. %oThereis no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lor. D. 31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety ir of the Lo ft D. CHAP. XXII. A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich anil poor meet together: the Lor D U the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foresceth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the . fear of the Lord are riches, honour, aud life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his. soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his angerstiall fail. S He that hath a bountiful eye sliall be blessed { for he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, fy the grace of his lips, the kingJJiallbe his friend. xiii. The uncertainty of riches. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. ioThatthy trust maybe in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Io Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 11 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth: that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that fend unto thee? 2 2 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the sprite: 23 For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul ot those that spoiled them. 24 Make no friendship with an anp;ry man; and with a furious man thou shaft not go: 15 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy foul. 26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why mould he take away thy bed from under thee? 28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. 29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he fliall stand before kings y he shall not stand before mean men. CHAP. XXIII. WHEN thou fittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what it before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. 4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as a:t eagle toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that 11 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. 13 The slothful man faith, There is a li- j hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his on without, I (hall be slain in the streets, dainty meats: 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness /'/ bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. iG He that oppresseth the poor to increase bis riches, and he that giveth to 'ik rich, Jhall surely come to want. 17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the «ords of the wile, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. , inty i 7 for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he : Eat and drink, faith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. 9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless; 11 For their redeemer is mighty; he (hall plead their cause with thee. N n 2 11 Apply |