[16] Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee. [17] Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel. [18] Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth. [19] Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.
Chapter 9
[1] Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not an evil lesson against thyself. [2] Give not thy soul unto a woman to set her foot upon thy substance. [3] Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares. [4] Use not much the company of a woman that is a singer, lest thou be taken with her attempts. [5] Gaze not on a maid, that thou fall not by those things that are precious in her. [6] Give not thy soul unto harlots, that thou lose not thine inheritance. [7] Look not round about thee in the streets of the city, neither wander thou in the solitary place thereof. [8] Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and look not upon another’s beauty; for many have been deceived by the beauty of a woman; for herewith love is kindled as a fire.
[9] Sit not at all with another man’s wife, nor sit down with her in thine arms, and spend not thy money with her at the wine; lest thine heart incline unto her, and so through thy desire thou fall into destruction. [10] Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure. [11] Envy not the glory of a sinner: for thou knowest not what shall be his end. [12] Delight not in the thing that the ungodly have pleasure in; but remember they shall not go unpunished unto their grave. [13] Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill; so shalt thou not doubt the fear of death: and if thou come unto him, make no fault, lest he take away thy life presently: remember that thou goest in the midst of snares, and that thou walkest upon the battlements of the city.
[14] As near as thou canst, guess at thy neighbour, and consult with the wise. [15] Let thy talk be with the wise, and all thy communication in the law of the most High. [16] And let just men eat and drink with thee; and let thy glorying be in the fear of the Lord. [17] For the hand of the artificer the work shall be commended: and the wise ruler of the people for his speech. [18] A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city; and he that is rash in his talk shall be hated.
Chapter 10
[1] A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered. [2] As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein. [3] An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited. [4] The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable. [5] In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.
[6] Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices. [7] Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity. [8] Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.
[9] Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels. [10] The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to day a king to morrow shall die. [11] For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms. [12] The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker. [13] For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly.
[14] The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead. [15] The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place. [16] The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth. [17] He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and hath made their memorial to cease from the earth. [18] Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman. [19] They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed. [20] Among brethren he that is chief is honourably; so are they that fear the Lord in his eyes. [21] The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride is the losing thereof. [22] Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the Lord.
[23] It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man. [24] Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that feareth the Lord. [25] Unto the servant that is wise shall they that are free do service: and he that hath knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed. [26] Be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast not thyself in the time of thy distress. [27] Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread.
[28] My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof. [29] Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own life? [30] The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches. [31] He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?
Chapter 11
[1] Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him to sit among great men. [2] Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward appearance. [3] The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things. [4] Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in the day of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden. [5] Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown. [6] Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men’s hands. [7] Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke. [8] Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk. [9] Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgment with sinners.
[10] My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing. [11] There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind. [12] Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate, [13] And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw from him is peace over all the
[14] Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord. [15] Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from him. [16] Error and darkness had their beginning together with sinners: and evil shall wax old with them that glory therein. [17] The gift of the Lord remaineth with the ungodly, and his favour bringeth prosperity for ever. [18] There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this his the portion of his reward: [19] Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die. [20] Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work. [21] Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich.
[22] The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing flourish. [23] Sa
y not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter? [24] Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil shall I have hereafter? [25] In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity. [26] For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways. [27] The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered. [28] Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children.
[29] Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath many trains. [30] Like as a partridge taken and kept in a cage, so is the heart of the proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall: [31] For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee. [32] Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth wait for blood. [33] Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness; lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot. [34] Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.
Chapter 12
[1] When thou wilt do good know to whom thou doest it; so shalt thou be thanked for thy benefits. [2] Do good to the godly man, and thou shalt find a recompence; and if not from him, yet from the most High. [3] There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor to him that giveth no alms. [4] Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner. [5] Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby: for else thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him. [6] For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.
[7] Give unto the good, and help not the sinner. [8] A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. [9] In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity even a friend will depart. [10] Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. [11] Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away. [12] Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith.
[13] Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come nigh wild beasts? [14] So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins, who will pity? [15] For a while he will abide with thee, but if thou begin to fall, he will not tarry. [16] An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he imagineth how to throw thee into a pit: he will weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood. [17] If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first; and though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he undermine thee. [18] He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.
Chapter 13
[1] He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith; and he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall be like unto him. [2] Burden not thyself above thy power while thou livest; and have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself: for how agree the kettle and the earthen pot together? for if the one be smitten against the other, it shall be broken.
[3] The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he must intreat also. [4] If thou be for his profit, he will use thee: but if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee. [5] If thou have any thing, he will live with thee: yea, he will make thee bare, and will not be sorry for it. [6] If he have need of thee, he will deceive thee, and smile upon thee, and put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and say, What wantest thou? [7] And he will shame thee by his meats, until he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh thee to scorn afterward, when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee. [8] Beware that thou be not deceived and brought down in thy jollity.
[9] If thou be invited of a mighty man, withdraw thyself, and so much the more will he invite thee. [10] Press thou not upon him, lest thou be put back; stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten. [11] Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy secrets: [12] But cruelly he will lay up thy words, and will not spare to do thee hurt, and to put thee in prison. [13] Observe, and take good heed, for thou walkest in peril of thy overthrowing: when thou hearest these things, awake in thy sleep. [14] Love the Lord all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.
[15] Every beast loveth his like, and every man loveth his neighbour. [16] All flesh consorteth according to kind, and a man will cleave to his like. [17] What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb? so the sinner with the godly. [18] What agreement is there between the hyena and a dog? and what peace between the rich and the poor? [19] As the wild ass is the lion’s prey in the wilderness: so the rich eat up the poor. [20] As the proud hate humility: so doth the rich abhor the poor.
[21] A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends: but a poor man being down is thrust away by his friends. [22] When a rich man is fallen, he hath many helpers: he speaketh things not to be spoken, and yet men justify him: the poor man slipped, and yet they rebuked him too; he spake wisely, and could have no place. [23] When a rich man speaketh, every man holdeth his tongue, and, look, what he saith, they extol it to the clouds: but if the poor man speak, they say, What fellow is this? and if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him. [24] Riches are good unto him that hath no sin, and poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.
[25] The heart of a man changeth his countenance, whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. [26] A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a wearisome labour of the mind.
Chapter 14
[1] Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of sins. [2] Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the Lord.
[3] Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an envious man do with money? [4] He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul gathereth for others, that shall spend his goods riotously. [5] He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? he shall not take pleasure in his goods. [6] There is none worse than he that envieth himself; and this is a recompence of his wickedness. [7] And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and at the last he will declare his wickedness. [8] The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and despiseth men. [9] A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul. [10] A wicked eye envieth his bread, and he is a niggard at his table.
[11] My son, according to thy ability do good to thyself, and give the Lord his due offering. [12] Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee. [13] Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability stretch out thy hand and give to him. [14] Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good desire overpass thee. [15] Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours to be divided by lot? [16] Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave. [17] All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death. [18] As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born. [19] Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal.
[20] Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in w
isdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding. [21] He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have understanding in her secrets. [22] Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways. [23] He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors. [24] He that doth lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her walls. [25] He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things are. [26] He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches. [27] By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.
Chapter 15
[1] He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that hath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her. [2] And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married of a virgin. [3] With the bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink. [4] He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded. [5] She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth. [6] He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name. [7] But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinners shall not see her. [8] For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her.
[9] Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him of the Lord. [10] For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it. [11] Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth. [12] Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man.
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