The Valley of Slaughter

30 “‘The people of Judah have done evil(A) in my eyes, declares the Lord. They have set up their detestable idols(B) in the house that bears my Name and have defiled(C) it. 31 They have built the high places of Topheth(D) in the Valley of Ben Hinnom(E) to burn their sons and daughters(F) in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.(G) 32 So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call it Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter,(H) for they will bury(I) the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. 33 Then the carcasses(J) of this people will become food(K) for the birds and the wild animals, and there will be no one to frighten them away.(L) 34 I will bring an end to the sounds(M) of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom(N) in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem,(O) for the land will become desolate.(P)

“‘At that time, declares the Lord, the bones of the kings and officials of Judah, the bones of the priests and prophets, and the bones(Q) of the people of Jerusalem will be removed(R) from their graves. They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens, which they have loved and served(S) and which they have followed and consulted and worshiped.(T) They will not be gathered up or buried,(U) but will be like dung lying on the ground.(V) Wherever I banish them,(W) all the survivors of this evil nation will prefer death to life,(X) declares the Lord Almighty.’

Sin and Punishment

“Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says:

“‘When people fall down, do they not get up?(Y)
    When someone turns away,(Z) do they not return?
Why then have these people turned away?
    Why does Jerusalem always turn away?
They cling to deceit;(AA)
    they refuse to return.(AB)
I have listened(AC) attentively,
    but they do not say what is right.
None of them repent(AD) of their wickedness,
    saying, “What have I done?”
Each pursues their own course(AE)
    like a horse charging into battle.
Even the stork in the sky
    knows her appointed seasons,
and the dove, the swift and the thrush
    observe the time of their migration.
But my people do not know(AF)
    the requirements of the Lord.

“‘How can you say, “We are wise,
    for we have the law(AG) of the Lord,”
when actually the lying pen of the scribes
    has handled it falsely?
The wise(AH) will be put to shame;
    they will be dismayed(AI) and trapped.(AJ)
Since they have rejected the word(AK) of the Lord,
    what kind of wisdom(AL) do they have?
10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men
    and their fields to new owners.(AM)
From the least to the greatest,
    all are greedy for gain;(AN)
prophets(AO) and priests alike,
    all practice deceit.(AP)
11 They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
“Peace, peace,” they say,
    when there is no peace.(AQ)
12 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
    No, they have no shame(AR) at all;
    they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
    they will be brought down when they are punished,(AS)
says the Lord.(AT)

13 “‘I will take away their harvest,
declares the Lord.
    There will be no grapes on the vine.(AU)
There will be no figs(AV) on the tree,
    and their leaves will wither.(AW)
What I have given them
    will be taken(AX) from them.[a]’”

14 Why are we sitting here?
    Gather together!
Let us flee to the fortified cities(AY)
    and perish there!
For the Lord our God has doomed us to perish
    and given us poisoned water(AZ) to drink,
    because we have sinned(BA) against him.
15 We hoped for peace(BB)
    but no good has come,
for a time of healing
    but there is only terror.(BC)
16 The snorting of the enemy’s horses(BD)
    is heard from Dan;(BE)
at the neighing of their stallions
    the whole land trembles.(BF)
They have come to devour(BG)
    the land and everything in it,
    the city and all who live there.

17 “See, I will send venomous snakes(BH) among you,
    vipers that cannot be charmed,(BI)
    and they will bite you,”
declares the Lord.

18 You who are my Comforter[b] in sorrow,
    my heart is faint(BJ) within me.
19 Listen to the cry of my people
    from a land far away:(BK)
“Is the Lord not in Zion?
    Is her King(BL) no longer there?”

“Why have they aroused(BM) my anger with their images,
    with their worthless(BN) foreign idols?”(BO)

20 “The harvest is past,
    the summer has ended,
    and we are not saved.”

21 Since my people are crushed,(BP) I am crushed;
    I mourn,(BQ) and horror grips me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead?(BR)
    Is there no physician(BS) there?
Why then is there no healing(BT)
    for the wound of my people?

[c]Oh, that my head were a spring of water
    and my eyes a fountain of tears!(BU)
I would weep(BV) day and night
    for the slain of my people.(BW)
Oh, that I had in the desert(BX)
    a lodging place for travelers,
so that I might leave my people
    and go away from them;
for they are all adulterers,(BY)
    a crowd of unfaithful(BZ) people.

“They make ready their tongue
    like a bow, to shoot lies;(CA)
it is not by truth
    that they triumph[d] in the land.
They go from one sin to another;
    they do not acknowledge(CB) me,”
declares the Lord.
“Beware of your friends;(CC)
    do not trust anyone in your clan.(CD)
For every one of them is a deceiver,[e](CE)
    and every friend a slanderer.(CF)
Friend deceives friend,(CG)
    and no one speaks the truth.(CH)
They have taught their tongues to lie;(CI)
    they weary themselves with sinning.
You[f] live in the midst of deception;(CJ)
    in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,”
declares the Lord.

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says:

“See, I will refine(CK) and test(CL) them,
    for what else can I do
    because of the sin of my people?
Their tongue(CM) is a deadly arrow;
    it speaks deceitfully.
With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors,(CN)
    but in their hearts they set traps(CO) for them.(CP)
Should I not punish them for this?”
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge(CQ) myself
    on such a nation as this?”

10 I will weep and wail for the mountains
    and take up a lament concerning the wilderness grasslands.(CR)
They are desolate and untraveled,
    and the lowing of cattle is not heard.
The birds(CS) have all fled
    and the animals are gone.

11 “I will make Jerusalem a heap(CT) of ruins,
    a haunt of jackals;(CU)
and I will lay waste the towns of Judah(CV)
    so no one can live there.”(CW)

12 Who is wise(CX) enough to understand this? Who has been instructed by the Lord and can explain it? Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert that no one can cross?

13 The Lord said, “It is because they have forsaken my law, which I set before them; they have not obeyed me or followed my law.(CY) 14 Instead, they have followed(CZ) the stubbornness of their hearts;(DA) they have followed the Baals, as their ancestors taught them.” 15 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “See, I will make this people eat bitter food(DB) and drink poisoned water.(DC) 16 I will scatter them among nations(DD) that neither they nor their ancestors have known,(DE) and I will pursue them with the sword(DF) until I have made an end of them.”(DG)

17 This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“Consider now! Call for the wailing women(DH) to come;
    send for the most skillful of them.
18 Let them come quickly
    and wail over us
till our eyes overflow with tears
    and water streams from our eyelids.(DI)
19 The sound of wailing is heard from Zion:
    ‘How ruined(DJ) we are!
    How great is our shame!
We must leave our land
    because our houses are in ruins.’”

20 Now, you women, hear the word of the Lord;
    open your ears to the words of his mouth.(DK)
Teach your daughters how to wail;
    teach one another a lament.(DL)
21 Death has climbed in through our windows(DM)
    and has entered our fortresses;
it has removed the children from the streets
    and the young men(DN) from the public squares.

22 Say, “This is what the Lord declares:

“‘Dead bodies will lie
    like dung(DO) on the open field,
like cut grain behind the reaper,
    with no one to gather them.’”

23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom(DP)
    or the strong boast of their strength(DQ)
    or the rich boast of their riches,(DR)
24 but let the one who boasts boast(DS) about this:
    that they have the understanding to know(DT) me,
that I am the Lord,(DU) who exercises kindness,(DV)
    justice and righteousness(DW) on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

25 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh(DX) 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the wilderness in distant places.[g](DY) For all these nations are really uncircumcised,(DZ) and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.(EA)

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 8:13 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
  2. Jeremiah 8:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  3. Jeremiah 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1 is numbered 8:23, and 9:2-26 is numbered 9:1-25.
  4. Jeremiah 9:3 Or lies; / they are not valiant for truth
  5. Jeremiah 9:4 Or a deceiving Jacob
  6. Jeremiah 9:6 That is, Jeremiah (the Hebrew is singular)
  7. Jeremiah 9:26 Or wilderness and who clip the hair by their foreheads

30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.

31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.

32 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.

34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

At that time, saith the Lord, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the Lord of hosts.

Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord.

How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?

10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.

13 I will surely consume them, saith the Lord: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.

14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord.

15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!

16 The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord.

18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.

19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the Lord in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?

20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.

22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.

Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

12 Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?

13 And the Lord saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;

14 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:

15 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

16 I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.

17 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:

18 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.

20 Yet hear the word of the Lord, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.

21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.

22 Speak, Thus saith the Lord, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.

23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

25 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;

26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

Instructions for Christian Households(A)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(B) as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers,[a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance(C) from the Lord as a reward.(D) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(E)

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(F) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

Devote yourselves to prayer,(G) being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(H) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(I) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(J) Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise(K) in the way you act toward outsiders;(L) make the most of every opportunity.(M) Let your conversation be always full of grace,(N) seasoned with salt,(O) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(P)

Final Greetings

Tychicus(Q) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[b](R) in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[c] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(S) He is coming with Onesimus,(T) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(U) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(V) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(W) the cousin of Barnabas.(X) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[d] among my co-workers(Y) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(Z) who is one of you(AA) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(AB) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(AC) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(AD) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(AE) the doctor, and Demas(AF) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(AG) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(AH)

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(AI) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus:(AJ) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(AK)

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AL) Remember(AM) my chains.(AN) Grace be with you.(AO)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
  2. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
  3. Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
  4. Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(B)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(C) preserve their lives,(D)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(E)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(F)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(G)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(H)

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(I)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(J)

A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(K)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(L)

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(M)

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(N)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(O)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(P)
    but whoever respects(Q) a command is rewarded.(R)

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(S)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(T)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose(U) their folly.(V)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(W)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(X)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(Y)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(Z)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(AA)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(AB)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(AC)
    but the righteous(AD) are rewarded with good things.(AE)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(AF)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(AG) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(AH) them.(AI)

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(AJ)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  2. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through

13 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

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