ch25 ¹These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. ² It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter. ³ The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable. ⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. ⁵ Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. ⁶ Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men]: 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. 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. ⁹ Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another: ¹⁰ Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. ¹¹ A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver. ¹² As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 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. ¹⁴ Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain. ¹⁵ By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. ¹⁶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. ¹⁷ Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee. ¹⁸ A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. ¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 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. ²¹ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²² For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. ²³ The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. ²⁴ It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. ²⁵ As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country. ²⁶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. ²⁷ It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory. ²⁸ He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

ch26 ¹As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. ² As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. ³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. ⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. ⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage. ⁷ The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. ⁸ As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool. ⁹ As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. ¹⁰ The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. ¹¹ As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly. ¹² Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him. ¹³ The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets. ¹⁴ As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed. ¹⁵ The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. ¹⁶ The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. ¹⁷ He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears. ¹⁸ As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, ¹⁹ So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? ²⁰ Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. ²¹ As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife. ²² The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ²³ Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross. ²⁴ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; ²⁵ When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart. ²⁶ [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation. ²⁷ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. ²⁸ A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

ch27 ¹Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. ² Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. ³ A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath [is] heavier than them both. ⁴ Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy? ⁵ Open rebuke [is] better than secret love. ⁶ Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful. ⁷ The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. ⁸ As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that wandereth from his place. ⁹ Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 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. ¹¹ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. ¹² A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [but] the simple pass on, [and] are punished. ¹³ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. ¹⁴ He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. ¹⁵ A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. ¹⁶ Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, [which] bewrayeth [itself]. ¹⁷ Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. ¹⁸ Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. ¹⁹ As in water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man. ²⁰ Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. ²¹ As] the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his praise. ²² Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him. ²³ Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds. ²⁴ For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation? ²⁵ The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. ²⁶ The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and the goats [are] the price of the field. ²⁷ And [thou shalt have] goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for] the maintenance for thy maidens.

ch28 ¹The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. ² For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged. ³ A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. ⁴ They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. ⁵ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things]. ⁶ Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich. ⁷ Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father. ⁸ He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. ⁹ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination. ¹⁰ Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession. ¹¹ The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. ¹² When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. ¹³ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy. ¹⁴ Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. ¹⁵ As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people. ¹⁶ The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days. ¹⁷ A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. ¹⁸ Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once. ¹⁹ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough. ²⁰ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. ²¹ To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress. ²² He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. ²³ He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. ²⁴ Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer. ²⁵ He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. ²⁶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. ²⁷ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. ²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

ch29 ¹He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. ² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. ³ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance. ⁴ The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. ⁵ A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. ⁶ In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. ⁷ The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it]. ⁸ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath. ⁹ If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest. ¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. ¹¹ A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards. ¹² If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked. ¹³ The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. ¹⁴ The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. ¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame. ¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. ¹⁷ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. ¹⁸ Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he. ¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. ²⁰ Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him. ²¹ He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become [his] son at the length. ²² An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. ²³ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. ²⁴ Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not. ²⁵ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. ²⁶ Many seek the ruler's favour; but [every] man's judgment [cometh] from the LORD. ²⁷ An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.