18:1He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom. 18:2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself. 18:3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 18:4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook. 18:5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment. 18:6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes. 18:7A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 18:8The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 18:9He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer. 18:10The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 18:11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination. 18:12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility. 18:13He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him. 18:14The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear? 18:15The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 18:16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 18:17He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18:18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 18:19A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace. 18:20A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied. 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 18:22Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah. 18:23He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly. 18:24A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
19:1Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 19:2Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps. 19:3The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah. 19:4Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend. 19:5A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape. 19:6Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth. 19:7All the brethren of a poor [man] hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth [them] with words, they are not [to be found]. 19:8He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good. 19:9A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish. 19:10Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 19:11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. 19:12The king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 19:13A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 19:14House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah. 19:15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger. 19:16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die. 19:17He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him. 19:18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him. 19:19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again. 19:20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 19:21Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand. 19:22The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a liar. 19:23The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life, and he [that hath it] shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil. 19:24A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again. 19:25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge. 19:26He that ruineth [his] father and chaseth away [his] mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach. 19:27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge. 19:28A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity. 19:29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.
20:1Wine is a scorner, strong drink is raging; and whoso erreth thereby is not wise. 20:2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 20:3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it. 20:4The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. 20:5Counsel in the heart of man is deep water, and a man of understanding draweth it out. 20:6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; but a faithful man who shall find? 20:7The righteous walketh in his integrity: blessed are his children after him! 20:8A king sitting on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. 20:9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? 20:10Divers weights, divers measures, even both of them are abomination to Jehovah. 20:11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 20:12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them. 20:13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 20:14Bad! bad! saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 20:15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious Jewel. 20:16Take his garment that is become surety [for] another, and hold him in pledge for strangers. 20:17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 20:18Plans are established by counsel; and with good advice make war. 20:19He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth his lips. 20:20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness. 20:21An inheritance obtained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 20:22Say not, I will recompense evil: wait on Jehovah, and he shall save thee. 20:23Divers weights are an abomination unto Jehovah; and a false balance is not good. 20:24The steps of a man are from Jehovah; and how can a man understand his own way? 20:25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is hallowed, and after vows to make inquiry. 20:26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. 20:27Man's spirit is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the belly. 20:28Mercy and truth preserve the king; and he upholdeth his throne by mercy. 20:29The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the grey head. 20:30Wounding stripes purge away evil, and strokes [purge] the inner parts of the belly.
21:1The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 21:2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts. 21:3To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice. 21:4Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin. 21:5The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want. 21:6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death. 21:7The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right. 21:8Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright. 21:9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common. 21:10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. 21:11When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. 21:12One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin. 21:13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard. 21:14A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury. 21:15It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity. 21:16The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead. 21:17He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. 21:18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright. 21:19It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman. 21:20There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up. 21:21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 21:22A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 21:23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 21:24Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath. 21:25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work: 21:26He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not. 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose! 21:28A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly. 21:29A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way. 21:30There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah. 21:31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
22:1A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches; loving favour rather than silver and gold. 22:2The rich and poor meet together; Jehovah is the maker of them all. 22:3A prudent [man] seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. 22:4The reward of humility [and] the fear of Jehovah is riches, and honour, and life. 22:5Thorns [and] snares are in the way of the perverse: he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them. 22:6Train up the child according to the tenor of his way, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 22:7The rich ruleth over the poor; and the borrower is servant to the lender. 22:8He that soweth unrighteousness shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his wrath shall have an end. 22:9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor. 22:10Cast out the scorner, and contention will depart, and strife and ignominy shall cease. 22:11He that loveth pureness of heart, upon whose lips is grace, the king is his friend. 22:12The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge; but he overthroweth the words of the unfaithful. 22:13The sluggard saith, There is a lion without, I shall be killed in the streets! 22:14The mouth of strange women is a deep ditch: he with whom Jehovah is displeased shall fall therein. 22:15Folly is bound in the heart of a child; the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 22:16He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, [bringeth] only to want. 22:17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge. 22:18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee: they shall be together fitted on thy lips. 22:19That thy confidence may be in Jehovah, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee. 22:20Have not I written to thee excellent things, in counsels and knowledge, 22:21that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest carry back words of truth to them that send thee? 22:22Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate; 22:23for Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil the soul of those that despoil them. 22:24Make no friendship with an angry man, and go not with a furious man; 22:25lest thou learn his paths, and get a snare to thy soul. 22:26Be not of them that strike hands, of them that are sureties for debts: 22:27if thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 22:28Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set. 22:29Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the mean.
23:1When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider well who is before thee; 23:2and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 23:3Be not desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful food. 23:4Weary not thyself to become rich; cease from thine own intelligence: 23:5wilt thou set thine eyes upon it, it is gone; for indeed it maketh itself wings and it flieth away as an eagle towards the heavens. 23:6Eat thou not the food of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainties. 23:7For as he thinketh in his soul, so is he. Eat and drink! will he say unto thee; but his heart is not with thee. 23:8Thy morsel which thou hast eaten must thou vomit up, and thou wilt have wasted thy sweet words. 23:9Speak not in the ears of a foolish [man], for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 23:10Remove not the ancient landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 23:11for their redeemer is mighty; he will plead their cause against thee. 23:12Apply thy heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. 23:13Withhold not correction from the child; for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die: 23:14thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol. 23:15My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine; 23:16and my reins shall exult, when thy lips speak right things. 23:17Let not thy heart envy sinners, but [be thou] in the fear of Jehovah all the day; 23:18for surely there is a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off. 23:19Thou, my son, hear and be wise, and direct thy heart in the way. 23:20Be not among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh. 23:21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness clotheth with rags. 23:22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 23:23Buy the truth, and sell it not; wisdom, and instruction, and intelligence. 23:24The father of a righteous [man] shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise [son] shall have joy of him: 23:25let thy father and thy mother have joy, and let her that bore thee rejoice. 23:26My son, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. 23:27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. 23:28She also lieth in wait as a robber, and increaseth the treacherous among men. 23:29Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who contentions? Who complaining? Who wounds without cause? Who redness of eyes? 23:30They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to try mixed wine. 23:31Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkleth in the cup, and goeth down smoothly: 23:32at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 23:33Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thy heart shall speak froward things; 23:34and thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, and as he that lieth down upon the top of a mast: 23:35''They have smitten me, [and] I am not sore; they have beaten me, [and] I knew it not. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.''
24:1Be not thou envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them; 24:2for their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 24:3Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established; 24:4and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant substance. 24:5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 24:6For with good advice shalt thou make thy war; and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 24:7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he will not open his mouth in the gate. 24:8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a master of intrigues. 24:9The purpose of folly is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men. 24:10[If] thou losest courage in the day of trouble, thy strength is small. 24:11Deliver them that are taken forth unto death, and withdraw not from them that stagger to slaughter. 24:12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not, will not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that preserveth thy soul, he knoweth it; and he rendereth to man according to his work. 24:13Eat honey, my son, for it is good; and a honeycomb is sweet to thy taste: 24:14so consider wisdom for thy soul; if thou hast found it, there shall be a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off. 24:15Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; lay not waste his resting-place. 24:16For the righteous falleth seven times, and riseth up again; but the wicked stumble into disaster. 24:17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth; 24:18lest Jehovah see it, and it be evil in his sight, and he turn away his anger from him. 24:19Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, [and] be not envious of the wicked: 24:20for there shall be no future to the evil [man]; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 24:21My son, fear Jehovah and the king: meddle not with them that are given to change. 24:22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 24:23These things also come from the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24:24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him; 24:25but to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing cometh upon them. 24:26He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer. 24:27Prepare thy work without, and put thy field in order, and afterwards build thy house. 24:28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and wouldest thou deceive with thy lips? 24:29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me, I will render to the man according to his work. 24:30I went by the field of a sluggard, and by the vineyard of a man void of understanding; 24:31and lo, it was all grown over with thistles, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and its stone wall was broken down. 24:32Then I looked, I took it to heart; I saw, I received instruction: 24:33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest! 24:34So shall thy poverty come [as] a roving plunderer, and thy penury as an armed man.
25:1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed. 25:2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing. 25:3The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 25:4Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: 25:5take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. 25:6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great; 25:7for 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 see. 25:8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 25:9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another; 25:10lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away. 25:11[As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season. 25:12An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear. 25:13As 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. 25:14Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift. 25:15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 25:16Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it. 25:17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee. 25:18A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour. 25:19A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful [man] in the day of trouble. 25:20[As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart. 25:21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 25:22for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee. 25:23The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 25:24It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common. 25:25[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 25:26A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth way before the wicked. 25:27It is not good to eat much honey; and to search into weighty matters is [itself] a weight. 25:28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is [as] a city broken down, without walls.
26:1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool. 26:2As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come. 26:3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools. 26:4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 26:5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 26:6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage. 26:7The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 26:8As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 26:9[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 26:10A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by. 26:11As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly. 26:12Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 26:13The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets! 26:14[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed. 26:15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. 26:16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly. 26:17He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears. 26:18As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 26:19so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport? 26:20Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth. 26:21[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. 26:22The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 26:23Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 26:24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him: 26:25when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26:26Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation. 26:27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. 26:28A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
27:1Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day will bring forth. 27:2Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 27:3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's vexation is heavier than them both. 27:4Fury is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before jealousy? 27:5Open rebuke is better than hidden love. 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse. 27:7The full soul trampleth on a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 27:8As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. 27:9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; and the sweetness of one's friend is [the fruit] of hearty counsel. 27:10Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; and go not into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. 27:11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me. 27:12A prudent [man] seeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; the simple pass on, [and] are punished. 27:13Take his garment that is become surety [for] another, and hold him in pledge for a strange woman. 27:14He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be reckoned a curse to him. 27:15A continual dropping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike: 27:16whosoever will restrain her restraineth the wind, and his right hand encountereth oil. 27:17Iron is sharpened by iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 27:18Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; and he that guardeth his master shall be honoured. 27:19As [in] water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man. 27:20Sheol and destruction are insatiable; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. 27:21The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; so let a man be to the mouth that praiseth him. 27:22If thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his folly depart from him. 27:23Be well acquainted with the appearance of thy flocks; look well to thy herds: 27:24for wealth is not for ever; and doth the crown [endure] from generation to generation? 27:25The hay is removed, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered in. 27:26The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of a field; 27:27and there is goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and sustenance for thy maidens.
28:1The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion. 28:2By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged. 28:3A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 28:4They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them. 28:5Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything. 28:6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich. 28:7Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father. 28:8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor. 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. 28:10Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall into his own pit; but the perfect shall inherit good. 28:11A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 28:12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men conceal themselves. 28:13He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall obtain mercy. 28:14Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil. 28:15A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 28:16The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days. 28:17A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him. 28:18Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them]. 28:19He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough. 28:20A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 28:21To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress. 28:22He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him. 28:23He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. 28:24Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer. 28:25He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat. 28:26He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 28:27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth his eyes shall have many a curse. 28:28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29:1He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and without remedy. 29:2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 29:3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that is a companion of harlots destroyeth [his] substance. 29:4A king by just judgment establisheth the land; but he that taketh gifts overthroweth it. 29:5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps. 29:6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous shall sing and rejoice. 29:7The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; the wicked understandeth not knowledge. 29:8Scornful men set the city in a flame; but the wise turn away anger. 29:9If a wise man contendeth with a fool, whether he rage or laugh, [he] hath no rest. 29:10The bloodthirsty hate the perfect, but the upright care for his soul. 29:11A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise [man] keepeth it back. 29:12If a ruler hearken to lying words, all his servants are wicked. 29:13The indigent and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both. 29:14A king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. 29:15The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame. 29:16When the wicked increase, transgression increaseth; but the righteous shall see their fall. 29:17Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest, and shall give delight unto thy soul. 29:18Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint; but happy is he that keepeth the law. 29:19A servant is not corrected by words: he understandeth indeed, but he will not answer. 29:20Hast thou seen a man hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 29:21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child, shall in the end have him as a son. 29:22An angry man exciteth contention; and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. 29:23A man's pride bringeth him low; but the humble in spirit shall obtain honour. 29:24Whoso shareth with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth the adjuration, and declareth not. 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his confidence in Jehovah is protected. 29:26Many seek the ruler's face; but a man's right judgment is from Jehovah. 29:27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; and he that is of upright way is an abomination to the wicked [man].
30:1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the prophecy uttered by the man unto Ithiel, [even] unto Ithiel and Ucal: 30:2Truly *I* am more stupid than any one; and I have not a man's intelligence. 30:3I have neither learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy. 30:4Who hath ascended up into the heavens, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a mantle? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest? 30:5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 30:6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 30:7Two things do I ask of thee; deny me [them] not before I die: 30:8Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread of my daily need: 30:9lest I be full and deny [thee], and say, Who is Jehovah? or lest I be poor and steal, and outrage the name of my God. 30:10Speak not too much about a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty. 30:11There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother; 30:12there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness; 30:13there is a generation, how lofty are their eyes, how their eyelids are lifted up! 30:14a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw-teeth knives, to devour the afflicted from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men. 30:15The leech hath two daughters: Give, give. There are three [things] never satisfied; four which say not, It is enough: 30:16Sheol, and the barren womb; the earth which is not filled with water, and the fire which saith not, It is enough. 30:17The eye that mocketh at a father, and despiseth to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. 30:18There are three [things] too wonderful for me, and four that I know not: 30:19The way of an eagle in the heavens, 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. 30:20Such is the way of an adulterous woman: she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. 30:21Under three [things] the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up: 30:22Under a servant when he reigneth, and a churl when he is filled with meat; 30:23under an odious [woman] when she is married, and a handmaid when she is heir to her mistress. 30:24There are four [things] little upon the earth, and they are exceeding wise: 30:25The ants, a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; 30:26the rock-badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their house in the cliff; 30:27the locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands; 30:28thou takest hold of the lizard with the hands, yet is she in kings' palaces. 30:29There are three [things] which have a stately step, and four are comely in going: 30:30The lion, mighty among beasts, which turneth not away for any; 30:31a [horse] girt in the loins; or the he-goat; and a king, against whom none can rise up. 30:32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] the hand upon thy mouth. 30:33For the pressing of milk bringeth forth butter, and the pressing of the nose bringeth forth blood; and the pressing of anger bringeth forth strife.
31:1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him: 31:2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows? 31:3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings. 31:4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink? 31:5lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction. 31:6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul: 31:7let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 31:8Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate. 31:9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy. 31:10Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies. 31:11The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil. 31:12She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 31:13She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 31:14She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar; 31:15And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens. 31:16She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 31:17She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms. 31:18She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night. 31:19She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 31:20She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 31:21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 31:22She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple. 31:23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 31:24She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 31:25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day. 31:26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness. 31:27She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 31:28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her: 31:29Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. 31:30Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31:31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Ecclesiastes
1:1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 1:2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities! all is vanity. 1:3What profit hath man of all his labour wherewith he laboureth under the sun? 1:4[One] generation passeth away, and [another] generation cometh, but the earth standeth for ever. 1:5The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth. 1:6The wind goeth towards the south, and turneth about towards the north: it turneth about continually, and the wind returneth again to its circuits. 1:7All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full: unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again. 1:8All things are full of toil; none can express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 1:9That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which will be done: and there is nothing new under the sun. 1:10Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already in the ages which were before us. 1:11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be remembrance of things that are to come with those who shall live afterwards. 1:12I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 1:13And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to weary themselves therewith. 1:14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind. 1:15That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 1:16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have acquired wisdom more than all they that have been before me over Jerusalem; and my heart hath seen much of wisdom and knowledge. 1:17And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind. 1:18For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
2:1I said in my heart, Come now, I will try thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure. But behold, this also is vanity. 2:2I said of laughter, Madness! and of mirth, What availeth it? 2:3I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life. 2:4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; 2:5I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of every kind of fruit; 2:6I made me ponds of water, to water therewith the wood, where the trees are reared. 2:7I acquired servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that had been in Jerusalem before me. 2:8I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces; I got me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the children of men, a wife and concubines. 2:9And I became great, and increased more than all that had been before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 2:10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them: I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour, and this was my portion from all my labour. 2:11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that it had cost me to do [them]; and behold, all was vanity and pursuit of the wind, and there was no profit under the sun. 2:12And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man [do] that cometh after the king? that which hath already been done. 2:13And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as light excelleth darkness. 2:14The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness; but I myself also perceived that one event happeneth to them all. 2:15And I said in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool so will it happen even to me; and why was I then so wise? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 2:16For there shall be no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; because everything is already forgotten in the days which come. And how dieth the wise even as the fool? 2:17And I hated life; for the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and pursuit of the wind. 2:18And I hated all my labour wherewith I had been toiling under the sun, because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 2:19And who knoweth whether he will be a wise [man] or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour at which I have laboured, and wherein I have been wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 2:20Then I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour wherewith I had laboured under the sun. 2:21For there is a man whose labour hath been with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill, and who leaveth it to a man that hath not laboured therein, to be his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 2:22For what will man have of all his labour and of the striving of his heart, wherewith he hath wearied himself under the sun? 2:23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail vexation: even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity. 2:24There is nothing good for man, but that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 2:25For who can eat, or who be eager, more than I? 2:26For he giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good in God's sight. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
3:1To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens: 3:2A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3:3A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; 3:4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; 3:5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 3:6A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away; 3:7A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 3:8A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace. 3:9What profit hath he that worketh from that wherein he laboureth? 3:10I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of men to toil in. 3:11He hath made everything beautiful in its time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that man findeth not out from the beginning to the end the work that God doeth. 3:12I know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life; 3:13yea also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, it is the gift of God. 3:14I know that whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever; there is nothing to be added to it, nor anything to be taken from it; and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him. 3:15That which is was long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God bringeth back again that which is past. 3:16And moreover I saw under the sun, that in the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, wickedness was there. 3:17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 3:18I said in my heart, It is thus with the children of men, that God may prove them, and that they should see that they themselves are but beasts. 3:19For what befalleth the children of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other, and they have all one breath; and man hath no pre-eminence above the beast: for all is vanity. 3:20All go unto one place: all are of the dust, and all return to dust. 3:21Who knoweth the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards? and the spirit of the beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth? 3:22And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
4:1And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter. 4:2Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive; 4:3and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4:4And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind. 4:5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 4:6Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind. 4:7And I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 4:8There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation. 4:9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 4:10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up! 4:11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm? 4:12And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 4:13Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished. 4:14For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom. 4:15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead. 4:16[There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.
5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and draw near to hear, rather than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil. 5:2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in the heavens, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. 5:3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business, and a fool's voice through a multitude of words. 5:4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5:5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 5:6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an inadvertence. Wherefore should God be wroth at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? 5:7For in the multitude of dreams are vanities; so with many words: but fear God. 5:8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter; for a higher than the high is watching, and there are higher than they. 5:9Moreover the earth is every way profitable: the king [himself] is dependent upon the field. 5:10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. This also is vanity. 5:11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what profit is there to the owner thereof, except the beholding [of them] with his eyes? 5:12The sleep of the labourer is sweet, whether he have eaten little or much; but the fulness of the rich doth not suffer him to sleep. 5:13There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt; 5:14or those riches perish by some evil circumstance, and if he have begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand. 5:15As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go away again as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 5:16And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came so doth he go away, and what profit hath he, in having laboured for the wind? 5:17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and hath much vexation, and sickness, and irritation. 5:18Behold what I have seen good and comely: [it is] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour wherewith [man] laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for that is his portion. 5:19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and power to eat thereof, and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labour: that is a gift of God. 5:20For he will not much remember the days of his life, because God answereth [him] with the joy of his heart.