34. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in
the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and
I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall
I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Proverbs - Chapter 24
1. Be not thou envious against evil men, neither
desire to be with them.
2. For their heart studieth destruction, and their
lips talk of mischief.
3. Through wisdom is an house builded; and by
understanding it is established:
4. And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
5. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge
increaseth strength.
6. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war:
and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.
7. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not
his mouth in the gate.
8. He that deviseth to do evil shall be called
a mischievous person.
9. The thought of foolishness is sin: and the
scorner is an abomination to men.
10. If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy
strength is small.
11. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn
unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12. If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth
not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth
thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every
man according to his works?
13. My son, eat thou honey, because it is good;
and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14. So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy
soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and
thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15. Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling
of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16. For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth
up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and
let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18. Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him,
and he turn away his wrath from him.
19. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither
be thou envious at the wicked;
20. For there shall be no reward to the evil man;
the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21. My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and
meddle not with them that are given to change:
22. For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and
who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23. These things also belong to the wise. It
is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous;
him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25. But to them that rebuke him shall be delight,
and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth
a right answer.
27. Prepare thy work without, and make it fit
for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without
cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
29. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done
to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
30. I went by the field of the slothful, and by
the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns,
and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof
was broken down.
32. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked
upon it, and received instruction.
33. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little
folding of the hands to sleep:
34. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth;
and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs - Chapter 25
1. These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the
men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4. Take away the dross from the silver, and there
shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5. Take away the wicked from before the king,
and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the
king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7. For better it is that it be said unto thee,
Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence
of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know
not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put
thee to shame.
9. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself;
and discover not a secret to another:
10. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame,
and thine infamy turn not away.
11. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in pictures of silver.
12. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of
fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth
the soul of his masters.
14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is
like clouds and wind without rain.
15. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,
and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is
sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit
it.
17. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house;
lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18. A man that beareth false witness against his
neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of
trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather,
and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy
heart.
21. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to
eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his
head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth
an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24. It is better to dwell in the corner of the
housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good
news from a far country.
26. A righteous man falling down before the wicked
is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men
to search their own glory is not glory.
28. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is
like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs - Chapter 26
1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by
flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
and a rod for the fool's back.
4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest
thou also be like unto him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest
he be wise in his own conceit.
6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a
fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a
parable in the mouth of fools.
8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is
he that giveth honour to a fool.
9. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10. The great God that formed all things both
rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool
returneth to his folly.
12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in
the way; a lion is in the streets.
14. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth
the slothful upon his bed.
15. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom;
it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than
seven men that can render a reason.
17. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife
belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows,
and death,
19. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,
and saith, Am not I in sport?
20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:
so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to
fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and
they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a
potsherd covered with silver dross.
24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,
and layeth up deceit within him;
25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for
there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness
shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and
he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted
by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Proverbs - Chapter 27
1. Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest
not what a day may bring forth.
2. Let another man praise thee, and not thine
own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3. A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but
a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
4. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but
who is able to stand before envy?
5. Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the
kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7. The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to
the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8. As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so
is a man that wandereth from his place.
9. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so
doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
10. Thine own friend, and thy father's friend,
forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of
thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother
far off.
11. My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that
I may answer him that reproacheth me.
12. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth
himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
13. Take his garment that is surety for a stranger,
and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
14. He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15. A continual dropping in a very rainy day and
a contentious woman are alike.
16. Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and
the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
17. Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth
the countenance of his friend.
18. Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit
thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
19. As in water face answereth to face, so the
heart of man to man.
20. Hell and destruction are never full; so the
eyes of man are never satisfied.
21. As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace
for gold; so is a man to his praise.
22. Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar
among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart
from him.
23. Be thou diligent to know the state of thy
flocks, and look well to thy herds.
24. For riches are not for ever: and doth the
crown endure to every generation?
25. The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth
itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26. The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats
are the price of the field.
27. And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for
thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance
for thy maidens.
Proverbs - Chapter 28
1. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the
righteous are bold as a lion.
2. For the transgression of a land many are the
princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the
state thereof shall be prolonged.
3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like
a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked:
but such as keep the law contend with them.
5. Evil men understand not judgment: but they
that seek the LORD understand all things.
6. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness,
than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he
that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth
his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in
an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright
shall have good things in possession.
11. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but
the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great
glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he
that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so
is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16. The prince that wanteth understanding is also
a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong
his days.
17. A man that doeth violence to the blood of
any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but
he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty
of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have
poverty enough.
20. A faithful man shall abound with blessings:
but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21. To have respect of persons is not good: for
for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye,
and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23. He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find
more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and
saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a
destroyer.
25. He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:
but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs - Chapter 29
1. He, that being often reproved hardeneth his
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2. When the righteous are in authority, the people
rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but
he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4. The king by judgment establisheth the land:
but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5. A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth
a net for his feet.
6. In the transgression of an evil man there is
a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7. The righteous considereth the cause of the
poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8. Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but
wise men turn away wrath.
9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man,
whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the
just seek his soul.
11. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man
keepeth it in till afterwards.
12. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants
are wicked.
13. The poor and the deceitful man meet together:
the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
his throne shall be established for ever.
15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child
left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16. When the wicked are multiplied, transgression
increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest;
yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18. Where there is no vision, the people perish:
but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19. A servant will not be corrected by words:
for though he understand he will not answer.
20. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words?
there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21. He that delicately bringeth up his servant
from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious
man aboundeth in transgression.
23. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour
shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own
soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso
putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's
judgment cometh from the LORD.
27. An unjust man is an abomination to the just:
and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs - Chapter 30
1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the
prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2. Surely I am more brutish than any man, and
have not the understanding of a man.
3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge
of the holy.
4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?
who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the
waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the
earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou
canst tell?
5. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto
them that put their trust in him.
6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove
thee, and thou be found a liar.
7. Two things have I required of thee; deny me
them not before I die:
8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me
neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who
is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name
of my God in vain.
10. Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest
he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11. There is a generation that curseth their father,
and doth not bless their mother.
12. There is a generation that are pure in their
own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
13. There is a generation, O how lofty are their
eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14. There is a generation, whose teeth are as
swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from
off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15. The horseleach hath two daughters, crying,
Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied,
yea, four things say not, It is enough:
16. The grave; and the barren womb; the earth
that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It
is enough.
17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth
to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out,
and the young eagles shall eat it.
18. There be three things which are too wonderful
for me, yea, four which I know not:
19. The way of an eagle in the air; the way of
a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea;
and the way of a man with a maid.
20. Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she
eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21. For three things the earth is disquieted,
and for four which it cannot bear:
22. For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool
when he is filled with meat;
23. For an odious woman when she is married; and
an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24. There be four things which are little upon
the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
25. The ants are a people not strong, yet they
prepare their meat in the summer;
26. The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make
they their houses in the rocks;
27. The locusts have no king, yet go they forth
all of them by bands;
28. The spider taketh hold with her hands, and
is in kings' palaces.
29. There be three things which go well, yea,
four are comely in going:
30. A lion which is strongest among beasts, and
turneth not away for any;
31. A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king,
against whom there is no rising up.
32. If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up
thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy
mouth.
33. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth
butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so
the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Proverbs - Chapter 31
1. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that
his mother taught him.
2. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb?
and what, the son of my vows?
3. Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways
to that which destroyeth kings.
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for
kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert
the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to
perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and
remember his misery no more.
8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of
all such as are appointed to destruction.
9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead
the cause of the poor and needy.
10. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price
is far above rubies.
11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust
in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12. She will do him good and not evil all the
days of her life.
13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly
with her hands.
14. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth
her food from afar.
15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with
the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth
her arms.
18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
hands hold the distaff.
20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he
sitteth among the elders of the land.
24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and
delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and
she shall rejoice in time to come.
26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in
her tongue is the law of kindness.
27. She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all.
30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but
a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let
her own works praise her in the gates.