1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

² To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

³ To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

⁴ To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

⁵ A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

⁶ To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

⁸ My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

⁹ For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

¹¹ If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

¹² Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

¹³ We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

¹⁴ Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

¹⁵ My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

¹⁶ For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

¹⁷ Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

¹⁸ And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

¹⁹ So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

²⁰ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

²¹ She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

²² How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

²³ Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

²⁴ Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

²⁵ But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

²⁷ When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

²⁸ Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

²⁹ For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

³⁰ They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

³¹ Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

³² For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

³³ But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

14 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

² He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

³ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

⁴ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

⁵ A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

⁶ A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

⁷ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

⁹ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

¹⁰ The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

¹² There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

¹³ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

¹⁴ The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

¹⁵ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

¹⁶ A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

¹⁷ He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

¹⁸ The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

²¹ He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

²² Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

²³ In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

²⁵ A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

²⁶ In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

²⁸ In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

²⁹ He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

³⁰ A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

³¹ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

³² The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

³³ Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

³⁴ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

³⁵ The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

16 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

² All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

³ Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

⁴ The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

⁵ Every one that is proud in heart is an 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 judgment.

¹¹ A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

¹² It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

¹⁴ The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

¹⁵ In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

¹⁶ How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

¹⁷ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

¹⁸ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

²¹ The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

²² Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise 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 seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

²⁶ He that laboureth laboureth 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 froward 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 shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

³¹ The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

³² He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

28 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.

29 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.

30 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.

31 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.