Proverbs Chapter 31

{31:1} The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

{31:2} What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

{31:3} Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

{31:4} [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

{31:5} Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

{31:6} Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

{31:7} Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

{31:8} Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

{31:9} Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

{31:10} Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.

{31:11} The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

{31:12} She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

{31:13} She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

{31:14} She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

{31:15} She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

{31:16} She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

{31:17} She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

{31:18} She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.

{31:19} She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

{31:20} She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

{31:21} She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.

{31:22} She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.

{31:23} Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

{31:24} She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it;] and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

{31:25} Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

{31:26} She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

{31:27} She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

{31:28} Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also,] and he praiseth her.

{31:29} Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

{31:30} Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

{31:31} Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs Chapter 30

{30:1} The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

{30:2} Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man.

{30:3} I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

{30:4} Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?

{30:5} Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

{30:6} Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

{30:7} Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me [them] not before I die:

{30:8} Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

{30:9} Lest I be full, and deny [thee,] and say, Who [is] the LORD?or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain.]

{30:10} Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

{30:11} [There is] a generation [that] curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

{30:12} [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.

{30:13} [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

{30:14} [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.

{30:15} The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying,] Give, give. There are three [things that are] never satisfied, [yea,] four [things] say not, [It is] enough:

{30:16} The grave; and the barren womb; the earth [that] is not filled with water; and the fire [that] saith not, [It is] enough.

{30:17} The eye [that] mocketh at [his] father, and despiseth to obey [his] mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

{30:18} There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

{30:19} The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

{30:20} Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

{30:21} For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:

{30:22} For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

{30:23} For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

{30:24} There be four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise:

{30:25} The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

{30:26} The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

{30:27} The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

{30:28} The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

{30:29} There be three [things] which go well, yea, four are comely in going:

{30:30} A lion [which is] strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

{30:31} A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom [there is] no rising up.

{30:32} If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine hand upon thy mouth.

{30:33} Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Proverbs Chapter 29

{29:1} He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

{29:2} When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

{29:3} Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.

{29:4} The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

{29:5} A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

{29:6} In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

{29:7} The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it. ]

{29:8} Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath.

{29:9} [If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest.

{29:10} The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

{29:11} A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards.

{29:12} If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.

{29:13} The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

{29:14} The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

{29:15} The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.

{29:16} When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

{29:17} Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

{29:18} Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.

{29:19} A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

{29:20} Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.

{29:21} He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become [his] son at the length.

{29:22} An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

{29:23} A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

{29:24} Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.

{29:25} The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

{29:26} Many seek the ruler's favour; but [every] man's judgment [cometh] from the LORD.

{29:27} An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.

Proverbs Chapter 28

{28:1} The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

{28:2} For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

{28:3} A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

{28:4} They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

{28:5} Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things. ]

{28:6} Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich.

{28:7} Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.

{28:8} He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

{28:9} He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

{28:10} Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.

{28:11} The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

{28:12} When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

{28:13} He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

{28:14} Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

{28:15} [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.

{28:16} The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.

{28:17} A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

{28:18} Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once.

{28:19} He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.

{28:20} A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

{28:21} To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.

{28:22} He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

{28:23} He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

{28:24} Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.

{28:25} He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

{28:26} He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

{28:27} He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

{28:28} When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs Chapter 27

{27:1} Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

{27:2} Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

{27:3} A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath [is] heavier than them both.

{27:4} Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?

{27:5} Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.

{27:6} Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.

{27:7} The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

{27:8} As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that wandereth from his place.

{27:9} Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

{27:10} Thine 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.

{27:11} My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

{27:12} A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [but] the simple pass on, [and] are punished.

{27:13} Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

{27:14} He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

{27:15} A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

{27:16} Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, [which] bewrayeth [itself. ]

{27:17} Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

{27:18} Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

{27:19} As in water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man.

{27:20} Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

{27:21} [As] the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his praise.

{27:22} Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him.

{27:23} Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.

{27:24} For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation?

{27:25} The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

{27:26} The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and the goats [are] the price of the field.

{27:27} And [thou shalt have] goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for] the maintenance for thy maidens.

Proverbs Chapter 26

{26:1} As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

{26:2} As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

{26:3} A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

{26:4} Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

{26:5} Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

{26:6} He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.

{26:7} The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

{26:8} As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, 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 parable in the mouth of fools.

{26:10} The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

{26:11} As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

{26:12} Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.

{26:13} The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.

{26:14} [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.

{26:15} The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

{26:16} The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

{26:17} He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

{26:18} As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

{26:19} So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

{26:20} Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

{26:21} [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.

{26:22} The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

{26:23} Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.

{26:24} He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

{26:25} When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

{26:26} [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.

{26:27} Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

{26:28} A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs Chapter 25

{25:1} These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

{25:2} [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.

{25:3} The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable.

{25:4} Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

{25:5} Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

{25:6} Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men: ]

{25:7} For 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.

{25:8} Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

{25:9} Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself;] and discover not a secret to another:

{25:10} Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

{25:11} A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.

{25:12} [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

{25:13} As 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.

{25:14} Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.

{25:15} By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

{25:16} Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

{25:17} Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.

{25:18} A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

{25:19} Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

{25:20} [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

{25:21} If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

{25:22} For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

{25:23} The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

{25:24} [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

{25:25} [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.

{25:26} A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

{25:27} [It is ]not good to eat much honey: so [for men ]to search their own glory [is not ]glory.

{25:28} He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

Proverbs 24

{24:1} Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

{24:2} For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

{24:3} Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

{24:4} And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

{24:5} A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

{24:6} For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

{24:7} Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

{24:8} He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

{24:9} The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the scorner [is] an abomination to men.

{24:10} [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small.

{24:11} If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain;

{24:12} If 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?

{24:13} My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste:

{24:14} So [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.

{24:15} Lay not wait, O wicked [man,] against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

{24:16} For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

{24:17} Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

{24:18} Lest the LORD see [it,] and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

{24:19} Fret not thyself because of evil [men,] neither be thou envious at the wicked;

{24:20} For there shall be no reward to the evil [man;] the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

{24:21} My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change:

{24:22} For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

{24:23} These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

{24:24} He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

{24:25} But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

{24:26} [Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.

{24:27} Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

{24:28} Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.

{24:29} Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

{24:30} I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

{24:31} And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

{24:32} Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction.

{24:33} [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

{24:34} So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Proverbs Chapter 23

{23:1} When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee:

{23:2} And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite.

{23:3} Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] deceitful meat.

{23:4} Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

{23:5} Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

{23:6} Eat thou not the bread of [him that hath] an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

{23:7} For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.

{23:8} The morsel [which] thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

{23:9} Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

{23:10} Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

{23:11} For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

{23:12} Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

{23:13} Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

{23:14} Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

{23:15} My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

{23:16} Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

{23:17} Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

{23:18} For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

{23:19} Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

{23:20} Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

{23:21} For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.

{23:22} Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

{23:23} Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also] wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

{23:24} The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.

{23:25} Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

{23:26} My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

{23:27} For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a strange woman [is] a narrow pit.

{23:28} She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

{23:29} Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

{23:30} They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

{23:31} Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright.

{23:32} At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

{23:33} Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

{23:34} Yea, 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.

{23:35} They 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.

Proverbs Chapter 22

{22:1} A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.

{22:2} The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.

{22:3} A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

{22:4} By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.

{22:5} Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

{22:6} Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

{22:7} The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.

{22:8} He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

{22:9} He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

{22:10} Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

{22:11} He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.

{22:12} The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

{22:13} The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

{22:14} The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

{22:15} Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

{22:16} He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

{22:17} Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

{22:18} For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

{22:19} That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

{22:20} Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

{22:21} That 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?

{22:22} Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

{22:23} For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

{22:24} Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

{22:25} Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

{22:26} Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

{22:27} If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

{22:28} Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

{22:29} Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men.]