Om oversættelsen: King James Authorized Version er fra 1611, men teksten er moderniseret i 1769. Mange engelsktalende fundamentalister regner stadig denne oversættelse for den bedste (om ikke eneste!) oversættelse nogensinde.
Kapitler:
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
10 11 12
13 14 15
16 17 18
19 20 21
22 23 24
25 26 27
28 29 30
31
Kapitel 1
1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24Because
I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man
regarded;
25But
ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26I
also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27When
your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28Then
shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early,
but they shall not find me:
29For
that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30They
would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31Therefore
shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their
own devices.
32For
the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools
shall destroy them.
33But
whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear
of evil.
Kapitel 2
1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10When
wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11Discretion
shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12To
deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh
froward things;
13Who
leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14Who
rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15Whose
ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16To
deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which
flattereth with her words;
17Which
forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18For
her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19None
that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20That
thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the
righteous.
21For
the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22But
the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall
be rooted out of it.
Kapitel 3
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33The
curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth
the habitation of the just.
34Surely
he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35The
wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Kapitel 4
1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. 11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. 12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23Keep
thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24Put
away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25Let
thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26Ponder
the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27Turn
not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Kapitel 5
1My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: 2That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: 4But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. 6Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. 7Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. 8Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: 9Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: 10Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; 11And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! 14I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. 16Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. 17Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. 18Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 20And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? 21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
22His
own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with
the cords of his sins.
23He
shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall
go astray.
Kapitel 6
1My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3Do this now, my son, deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
20My
son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21Bind
them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22When
thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee;
and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23For
the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs
of instruction are the way of life:
24To
keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange
woman.
25Lust
not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her
eyelids.
26For
by means of a whorish woman
a man is brought to a piece of bread:
and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27Can
a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28Can
one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29So
he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall
not be innocent.
30Men
do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31But
if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the
substance of his house.
32But
whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that
doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33A
wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34For
jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the
day of vengeance.
35He
will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest
many gifts.
Kapitel 7
1My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 3Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 21With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24Hearken
unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25Let
not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26For
she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been
slain by her.
27Her
house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Kapitel 8
1Doth
not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2She
standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3She
crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the
doors.
4Unto
you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5O
ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding
heart.
6Hear;
for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall
be right things.
7For
my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to
my lips.
8All
the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing
froward or perverse in them.
9They
are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that
find knowledge.
10Receive
my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11For
wisdom
is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired
are not to be compared to it.
12I
wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13The
fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the
evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14Counsel
is
mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15By
me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16By
me princes rule, and nobles,
even all the judges of the earth.
17I
love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18Riches
and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19My
fruit
is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than
choice silver.
20I
lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21That
I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their
treasures.
22The
LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23I
was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24When
there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were
no fountains abounding with water.
25Before
the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26While
as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part
of the dust of the world.
27When
he prepared the heavens, I
was there: when he set a compass upon
the face of the depth:
28When
he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of
the deep:
29When
he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment:
when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30Then
I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily
his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31Rejoicing
in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the
sons of men.
32Now
therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that
keep my ways.
33Hear
instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34Blessed
is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting
at the posts of my doors.
35For
whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36But
he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me
love death.
Kapitel 9
1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13A
foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14For
she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the
city,
15To
call passengers who go right on their ways:
16Whoso
is
simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding,
she saith to him,
17Stolen
waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18But
he knoweth not that the dead
are there; and that her guests
are in the depths of hell.
Kapitel 10
1The
proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son
is the heaviness of his mother.
2Treasures
of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3The
LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth
away the substance of the wicked.
4He
becometh poor that dealeth
with a slack hand: but the hand of the
diligent maketh rich.
5He
that gathereth in summer
is a wise son: but he that sleepeth
in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6Blessings
are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of
the wicked.
7The
memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8The
wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9He
that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways
shall be known.
10He
that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11The
mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth
the mouth of the wicked.
12Hatred
stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
13In
the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is
for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14Wise
men
lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15The
rich man's wealth
is his strong city: the destruction of the poor
is their poverty.
16The
labour of the righteous
tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked
to sin.
17He
is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth
reproof erreth.
18He
that hideth hatred
with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander,
is a fool.
19In
the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his
lips is wise.
20The
tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked
is little worth.
21The
lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22The
blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23It
is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath
wisdom.
24The
fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous
shall be granted.
25As
the whirlwind passeth, so
is the wicked no more: but the
righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26As
vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard
to them that send him.
27The
fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be
shortened.
28The
hope of the righteous
shall be gladness: but the expectation of
the wicked shall perish.
29The
way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall
be to the workers of iniquity.
30The
righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the
earth.
31The
mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be
cut out.
32The
lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked
speaketh frowardness.
Kapitel 11
1A
false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is
his delight.
2When
pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3The
integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors
shall destroy them.
4Riches
profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5The
righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall
fall by his own wickedness.
6The
righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall
be taken in their own naughtiness.
7When
a wicked man dieth,
his expectation shall perish: and the hope of
unjust men perisheth.
8The
righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9An
hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge
shall the just be delivered.
10When
it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked
perish, there is shouting.
11By
the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by
the mouth of the wicked.
12He
that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding
holdeth his peace.
13A
talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth
the matter.
14Where
no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors
there is safety.
15He
that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth
suretiship is sure.
16A
gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17The
merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth
his own flesh.
18The
wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall
be a sure reward.
19As
righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth
it to his own death.
20They
that are of a froward heart
are abomination to the LORD: but such
as are upright in
their way are his delight.
21Though
hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed
of the righteous shall be delivered.
22As
a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is
without discretion.
23The
desire of the righteous
is only good: but the expectation
of the wicked is wrath.
24There
is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth
more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25The
liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also
himself.
26He
that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall
be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27He
that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief,
it shall come unto him.
28He
that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish
as a branch.
29He
that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall
be servant to the wise of heart.
30The
fruit of the righteous
is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls
is wise.
31Behold,
the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and
the sinner.
Kapitel 12
1Whoso
loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is
brutish.
2A
good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices
will he condemn.
3A
man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous
shall not be moved.
4A
virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed
is as rottenness in his bones.
5The
thoughts of the righteous
are right: but the counsels of
the wicked are deceit.
6The
words of the wicked
are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth
of the upright shall deliver them.
7The
wicked are overthrown, and
are not: but the house of the righteous
shall stand.
8A
man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse
heart shall be despised.
9He
that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that
honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10A
righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies
of the wicked are cruel.
11He
that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth
vain persons is void of understanding.
12The
wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous
yieldeth fruit.
13The
wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just
shall come out of trouble.
14A
man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and
the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15The
way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto
counsel is wise.
16A
fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17He
that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness
deceit.
18There
is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise
is health.
19The
lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is
but for a moment.
20Deceit
is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors
of peace is joy.
21There
shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22Lying
lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are
his delight.
23A
prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24The
hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25Heaviness
in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26The
righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the
wicked seduceth them.
27The
slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the
substance of a diligent man
is precious.
28In
the way of righteousness
is life; and in the pathway thereof
there is no death.
Kapitel 13
1A
wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth
not rebuke.
2A
man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the
transgressors shall eat violence.
3He
that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide
his lips shall have destruction.
4The
soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of
the diligent shall be made fat.
5A
righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome,
and cometh to shame.
6Righteousness
keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth
the sinner.
7There
is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that
maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8The
ransom of a man's life
are his riches: but the poor heareth not
rebuke.
9The
light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put
out.
10Only
by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11Wealth
gotten
by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12Hope
deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it
is a tree of life.
13Whoso
despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment
shall be rewarded.
14The
law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares
of death.
15Good
understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16Every
prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his
folly.
17A
wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is
health.
18Poverty
and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that
regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19The
desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination
to fools to depart from evil.
20He
that walketh with wise
men shall be wise: but a companion of fools
shall be destroyed.
21Evil
pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
22A
good
man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and
the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23Much
food
is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is
destroyed for want of judgment.
24He
that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth
him betimes.
25The
righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked
shall want.
Kapitel 14
1Every
wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her
hands.
2He
that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is
perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3In
the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall
preserve them.
4Where
no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is
by the strength of the ox.
5A
faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6A
scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is
easy unto him that understandeth.
7Go
from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him
the lips of knowledge.
8The
wisdom of the prudent
is to understand his way: but the folly of
fools is deceit.
9Fools
make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10The
heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with
his joy.
11The
house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright
shall flourish.
12There
is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.
13Even
in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is
heaviness.
14The
backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall
be satisfied from himself.
15The
simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to
his going.
16A
wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth,
and is confident.
17He
that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is
hated.
18The
simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19The
evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20The
poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many
friends.
21He
that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor,
happy is he.
22Do
they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them
that devise good.
23In
all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only
to penury.
24The
crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools
is folly.
25A
true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh
lies.
26In
the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall
have a place of refuge.
27The
fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares
of death.
28In
the multitude of people
is the king's honour: but in the want of
people is the destruction of the prince.
29He
that is slow to wrath
is of great understanding: but he that
is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30A
sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of
the bones.
31He
that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him
hath mercy on the poor.
32The
wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in
his death.
33Wisdom
resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which
is in the midst of fools is made known.
34Righteousness
exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35The
king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is
against
him that causeth shame.
Kapitel 15
1A
soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2The
tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth
out foolishness.
3The
eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the
good.
4A
wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is
a breach in the spirit.
5A
fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof
is prudent.
6In
the house of the righteous
is much treasure: but in the revenues
of the wicked is trouble.
7The
lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth
not so.
8The
sacrifice of the wicked
is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer
of the upright
is his delight.
9The
way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth
him that followeth after righteousness.
10Correction
is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that
hateth reproof shall die.
11Hell
and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts
of the children of men?
12A
scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the
wise.
13A
merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the
spirit is broken.
14The
heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of
fools feedeth on foolishness.
15All
the days of the afflicted
are evil: but he that is of a merry heart
hath a continual feast.
16Better
is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble
therewith.
17Better
is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred
therewith.
18A
wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth
strife.
19The
way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of
the righteous is made plain.
20A
wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly
is
joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding
walketh uprightly.
22Without
counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors
they are established.
23A
man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due
season, how good is it!
24The
way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25The
LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border
of the widow.
26The
thoughts of the wicked
are an abomination to the LORD: but the
words of the pure
are pleasant words.
27He
that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts
shall live.
28The
heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked
poureth out evil things.
29The
LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30The
light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh
the bones fat.
31The
ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32He
that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof
getteth understanding.
33The
fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour
is humility.
Kapitel 16
1The
preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is
from the LORD.
2All
the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth
the spirits.
3Commit
thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4The
LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for
the day of evil.
5Every
one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD:
though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6By
mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men
depart from evil.
7When
a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace
with him.
8Better
is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9A
man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10A
divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth
not in judgment.
11A
just weight and balance
are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag
are his work.
12It
is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is
established by righteousness.
13Righteous
lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14The
wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify
it.
15In
the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour
is
as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How
much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding
rather to be chosen than silver!
17The
highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his
way preserveth his soul.
18Pride
goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better
it
is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil
with the proud.
20He
that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the
LORD, happy is he.
21The
wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth
learning.
22Understanding
is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction
of fools
is folly.
23The
heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant
words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the
bones.
25There
is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.
26He
that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27An
ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning
fire.
28A
froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29A
violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that
is not good.
30He
shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth
evil to pass.
31The
hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way
of righteousness.
32He
that is slow to anger
is better than the mighty; and he that
ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33The
lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of
the LORD.
Kapitel 17
1Better
is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of
sacrifices with strife.
2A
wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have
part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3The
fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD
trieth the hearts.
4A
wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to
a naughty tongue.
5Whoso
mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities
shall not be unpunished.
6Children's
children
are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are
their fathers.
7Excellent
speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8A
gift
is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever
it turneth, it prospereth.
9He
that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter
separateth very friends.
10A
reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11An
evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall
be sent against him.
12Let
a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoso
rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14The
beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore
leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15He
that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they
both are abomination to the LORD.
16Wherefore
is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he
hath no heart
to it?
17A
friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18A
man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in
the presence of his friend.
19He
loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his
gate seeketh destruction.
20He
that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse
tongue falleth into mischief.
21He
that begetteth a fool
doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of
a fool hath no joy.
22A
merry heart doeth good
like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth
the bones.
23A
wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of
judgment.
24Wisdom
is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are
in the ends of the earth.
25A
foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that
bare him.
26Also
to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for
equity.
27He
that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding
is of an excellent spirit.
28Even
a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that
shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Kapitel 18
1Through
desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth
with all wisdom.
2A
fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover
itself.
3When
the wicked cometh,
then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy
reproach.
4The
words of a man's mouth
are as deep waters, and the wellspring
of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5It
is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous
in judgment.
6A
fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7A
fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare
of his soul.
8The
words of a talebearer
are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost
parts of the belly.
9He
also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10The
name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it,
and is safe.
11The
rich man's wealth
is his strong city, and as an high wall in his
own conceit.
12Before
destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13He
that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly
and shame unto him.
14The
spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can
bear?
15The
heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh
knowledge.
16A
man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17He
that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour
cometh and searcheth him.
18The
lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19A
brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their
contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20A
man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
and
with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21Death
and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall
eat the fruit thereof.
22Whoso
findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the
LORD.
23The
poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24A
man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a
friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Kapitel 19
1Better
is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is
perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2Also,
that the soul
be without knowledge, it is not good;
and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3The
foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the
LORD.
4Wealth
maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5A
false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies
shall not escape.
6Many
will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend
to him that giveth gifts.
7All
the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far
from him? he pursueth
them with words, yet they are
wanting to him.
8He
that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding
shall find good.
9A
false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall
perish.
10Delight
is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The
discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to
pass over a transgression.
12The
king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is
as dew upon the grass.
13A
foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of
a wife are a continual dropping.
14House
and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is
from the LORD.
15Slothfulness
casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He
that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth
his ways shall die.
17He
that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath
given will he pay him again.
18Chasten
thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19A
man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him,
yet thou must do it again.
20Hear
counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter
end.
21There
are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the
LORD, that shall stand.
22The
desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better
than a liar.
23The
fear of the LORD
tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall
abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24A
slothful
man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so
much as bring it to his mouth again.
25Smite
a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding,
and he will understand knowledge.
26He
that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother,
is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27Cease,
my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words
of knowledge.
28An
ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth
iniquity.
29Judgments
are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Kapitel 20
1Wine
is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived
thereby is not wise.
2The
fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh
him to anger sinneth
against his own soul.
3It
is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be
meddling.
4The
sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he
beg in harvest, and
have nothing.
5Counsel
in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding
will draw it out.
6Most
men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can
find?
7The
just
man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed
after him.
8A
king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with
his eyes.
9Who
can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10Divers
weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination
to the LORD.
11Even
a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether
it be right.
12The
hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13Love
not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou
shalt be satisfied with bread.
14It
is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone
his way, then he boasteth.
15There
is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are
a precious jewel.
16Take
his garment that is surety
for a stranger: and take a pledge of
him for a strange woman.
17Bread
of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled
with gravel.
18Every
purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19He
that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle
not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20Whoso
curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure
darkness.
21An
inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end
thereof shall not be blessed.
22Say
not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall
save thee.
23Divers
weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is
not good.
24Man's
goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25It
is a snare to the man
who devoureth that which is holy,
and after vows to make enquiry.
26A
wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27The
spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward
parts of the belly.
28Mercy
and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29The
glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men
is the grey head.
30The
blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward
parts of the belly.
Kapitel 21
1The
king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of
water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2Every
way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the
hearts.
3To
do justice and judgment
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4An
high look, and a proud heart,
and the plowing of the wicked, is
sin.
5The
thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every
one that is hasty only to want.
6The
getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and
fro of them that seek death.
7The
robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8The
way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his
work
is right.
9It
is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling
woman in a wide house.
10The
soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his
eyes.
11When
the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is
instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The
righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but
God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13Whoso
stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but
shall not be heard.
14A
gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15It
is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be
to the workers of iniquity.
16The
man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the
congregation of the dead.
17He
that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and
oil shall not be rich.
18The
wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor
for the upright.
19It
is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an
angry woman.
20There
is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but
a foolish man spendeth it up.
21He
that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness,
and honour.
22A
wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength
of the confidence thereof.
23Whoso
keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24Proud
and
haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25The
desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26He
coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth
not.
27The
sacrifice of the wicked
is abomination: how much more, when
he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28A
false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29A
wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth
his way.
30There
is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31The
horse
is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is
of the LORD.
Kapitel 22
1A
good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and
loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2The
rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3A
prudent
man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple
pass on, and are punished.
4By
humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour,
and life.
5Thorns
and
snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul
shall be far from them.
6Train
up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart
from it.
7The
rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He
that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall
fail.
9He
that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread
to the poor.
10Cast
out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach
shall cease.
11He
that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king
shall be his friend.
12The
eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the
transgressor.
13The
slothful man saith,
There is a lion without, I shall be slain
in the streets.
14The
mouth of strange women
is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the
LORD shall fall therein.
15Foolishness
is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction
shall drive it far from him.
16He
that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth
to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17Bow
down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto
my knowledge.
18For
it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall
withal be fitted in thy lips.
19That
thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even
to thee.
20Have
not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21That
I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest
answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22Rob
not the poor, because he
is poor: neither oppress the afflicted
in the gate:
23For
the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled
them.
24Make
no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not
go:
25Lest
thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26Be
not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are
sureties for debts.
27If
thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove
not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29Seest
thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall
not stand before mean men.
Kapitel 23
1When
thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before
thee:
2And
put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3Be
not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4Labour
not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5Wilt
thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly
make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6Eat
thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire
thou his dainty meats:
7For
as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to
thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8The
morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet
words.
9Speak
not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10Remove
not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11For
their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12Apply
thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13Withhold
not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the
rod, he shall not die.
14Thou
shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
15My
son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16Yea,
my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
17Let
not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD
all the day long.
18For
surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19Hear
thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
20Be
not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21For
the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall
clothe a man with rags.
22Hearken
unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is
old.
23Buy
the truth, and sell
it not; also wisdom, and instruction,
and understanding.
24The
father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a
wise child shall have joy of him.
25Thy
father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26My
son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27For
a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow
pit.
28She
also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors
among men.
29Who
hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who
hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30They
that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31Look
not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the
cup,
when it moveth itself aright.
32At
the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33Thine
eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34Yea,
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.
35They
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.
Kapitel 24
1Be
not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2For
their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3Through
wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4And
by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant
riches.
5A
wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6For
by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors
there is safety.
7Wisdom
is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8He
that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9The
thought of foolishness
is sin: and the scorner is an abomination
to men.
10If
thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11If
thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those
that are ready to be slain;
12If
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?
13My
son, eat thou honey, because
it is good; and the honeycomb, which
is sweet to thy taste:
14So
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.
15Lay
not wait, O wicked
man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil
not his resting place:
16For
a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked
shall fall into mischief.
17Rejoice
not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18Lest
the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath
from him.
19Fret
not thyself because of evil
men, neither be thou envious at the
wicked;
20For
there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked
shall be put out.
21My
son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that
are given to change:
22For
their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23These
things
also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of
persons in judgment.
24He
that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people
curse, nations shall abhor him:
25But
to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall
come upon them.
26Every
man shall kiss
his lips that giveth a right answer.
27Prepare
thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards
build thine house.
28Be
not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not
with thy lips.
29Say
not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man
according to his work.
30I
went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void
of understanding;
31And,
lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the
face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32Then
I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and
received instruction.
33Yet
a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34So
shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed
man.
Kapitel 25
1These
are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of
Judah copied out.
2It
is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is
to search out a matter.
3The
heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is
unsearchable.
4Take
away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for
the finer.
5Take
away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established
in righteousness.
6Put
not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place
of great men:
7For
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.
8Go
not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the
end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9Debate
thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret
to another:
10Lest
he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not
away.
11A
word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12As
an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover
upon an obedient ear.
13As
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.
14Whoso
boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without
rain.
15By
long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16Hast
thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled
therewith, and vomit it.
17Withdraw
thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so
hate thee.
18A
man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul,
and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence
in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth,
and a foot out of joint.
20As
he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon
nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21If
thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give
him water to drink:
22For
thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward
thee.
23The
north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting
tongue.
24It
is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling
woman and in a wide house.
25As
cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26A
righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain,
and a corrupt spring.
27It
is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own
glory is not
glory.
28He
that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that
is broken down,
and without walls.
Kapitel 26
1As
snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2As
the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless
shall not come.
3A
whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4Answer
not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer
a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He
that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and
drinketh damage.
7The
legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of
fools.
8As
he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour
to a fool.
9As
a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in
the mouth of fools.
10The
great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool,
and rewardeth transgressors.
11As
a dog returneth to his vomit,
so a fool returneth to his folly.
12Seest
thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool
than of him.
13The
slothful man saith,
There is a lion in the way; a lion is
in the streets.
14As
the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his
bed.
15The
slothful hideth his hand in
his bosom; it grieveth him to bring
it again to his mouth.
16The
sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render
a reason.
17He
that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to
him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As
a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So
is
the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where
no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no
talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21As
coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious
man to kindle strife.
22The
words of a talebearer
are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost
parts of the belly.
23Burning
lips and a wicked heart
are like a potsherd covered with silver
dross.
24He
that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25When
he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations
in his heart.
26Whose
hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the
whole congregation.
27Whoso
diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will
return upon him.
28A
lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering
mouth worketh ruin.
Kapitel 27
1Boast
not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2Let
another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine
own lips.
3A
stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is
heavier than them both.
4Wrath
is cruel, and anger
is outrageous; but who is able
to stand before envy?
5Open
rebuke is better than secret love.
6Faithful
are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are
deceitful.
7The
full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing
is sweet.
8As
a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth
from his place.
9Ointment
and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's
friend by hearty counsel.
10Thine
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.
11My
son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth
me.
12A
prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but
the simple pass on,
and are punished.
13Take
his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for
a strange woman.
14He
that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
it shall be counted a curse to him.
15A
continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16Whosoever
hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand,
which
bewrayeth itself.
17Iron
sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
18Whoso
keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on
his master shall be honoured.
19As
in water face
answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
20Hell
and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21As
the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man
to his praise.
22Though
thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet
will not his foolishness depart from him.
23Be
thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to
thy herds.
24For
riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every
generation?
25The
hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains
are gathered.
26The
lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of
the field.
27And
thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of
thy household, and
for the maintenance for thy maidens.
Kapitel 28
1The
wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2For
the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by
a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall
be prolonged.
3A
poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which
leaveth no food.
4They
that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend
with them.
5Evil
men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all
things.
6Better
is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is
perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7Whoso
keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous
men shameth his father.
8He
that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather
it for him that will pity the poor.
9He
that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall
be abomination.
10Whoso
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.
11The
rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding
searcheth him out.
12When
righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when
the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13He
that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh
them shall have mercy.
14Happy
is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall
fall into mischief.
15As
a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the
poor people.
16The
prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but
he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A
man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to
the pit; let no man stay him.
18Whoso
walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in
his ways shall fall at once.
19He
that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth
after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20A
faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be
rich shall not be innocent.
21To
have respect of persons
is not good: for for a piece of bread that
man will transgress.
22He
that hasteth to be rich
hath an evil eye, and considereth not that
poverty shall come upon him.
23He
that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth
with the tongue.
24Whoso
robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression;
the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25He
that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust
in the LORD shall be made fat.
26He
that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he
shall be delivered.
27He
that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall
have many a curse.
28When
the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous
increase.
Kapitel 29
1He,
that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be
destroyed, and that without remedy.
2When
the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked
beareth rule, the people mourn.
3Whoso
loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots
spendeth his substance.
4The
king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth
it.
5A
man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6In
the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous
doth sing and rejoice.
7The
righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth
not to know it.
8Scornful
men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9If
a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there
is no rest.
10The
bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11A
fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12If
a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13The
poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their
eyes.
14The
king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established
for ever.
15The
rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth
his mother to shame.
16When
the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous
shall see their fall.
17Correct
thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy
soul.
18Where
there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law,
happy is he.
19A
servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will
not answer.
20Seest
thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope
of a fool than of him.
21He
that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become
his son at the length.
22An
angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23A
man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in
spirit.
24Whoso
is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth
it not.
25The
fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall
be safe.
26Many
seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh
from the LORD.
27An
unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is
upright in the way
is abomination to the wicked.
Kapitel 30
1The
words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake
unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2Surely
I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding
of a man.
3I
neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4Who
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?
5Every
word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their
trust in him.
6Add
thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7Two
things
have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
8Remove
far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me
with food convenient for me:
9Lest
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.
10Accuse
not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11There
is a generation
that curseth their father, and doth not bless
their mother.
12There
is a generation
that are pure in their own eyes, and yet
is not washed from their filthiness.
13There
is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are
lifted up.
14There
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.
15The
horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three
things that are never satisfied, yea, four things
say not, It is enough:
16The
grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water;
and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
17The
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.
18There
be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which
I know not:
19The
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.
20Such
is
the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith,
I have done no wickedness.
21For
three
things the earth is disquieted, and for four which
it cannot bear:
22For
a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23For
an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir
to her mistress.
24There
be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are
exceeding wise:
25The
ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the
summer;
26The
conies
are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the
rocks;
27The
locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28The
spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29There
be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
30A
lion
which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31A
greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no
rising up.
32If
thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought
evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
33Surely
the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose
bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Kapitel 31
1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.