But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that despiseth his neighbour is void of 1wisdom:

But a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth

secrets:

But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the

matter.

14 Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth : But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15

1 Heb. heart.

He that is surety for a stranger 'shall smart for it: 2 Heb. shall But he that hateth 'suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour:

And violent men retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages:

But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

19 'He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life:

And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.

20 They that are perverse in heart are an abomina

5

tion to the LORD:

But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall

not be unpunished:

But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,

So is a fair woman which 'is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good:
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet

more;

be sore broken. 3 Heb. those that strike hands.

Or, So righteousness tendeth to life,

and he &c.

Or, My hand

upon it! Heb. Hand

to hand.

6 Or, ring
Heb. turneth
aside from.

8 Or,

arrogance

1 Or, what is justly due

2 Or, instruction

And there is that withholdeth 'more than is

meet, but it tendeth only to want.
The liberal soul shall be made fat:

And he that watereth shall be watered also
himself.

25

He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse 26
him:

But blessing shall be upon the head of him that
selleth it.

He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour: 27
But he that searcheth after mischief, it shall

come unto him.

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:

But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

28

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit 29
the wind:

And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of
heart.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;

And he that is wise winneth souls.

30

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in 31

the earth:

How much more the wicked and the sinner!
Whoso loveth 'correction loveth knowledge:
But he that hateth reproof is brutish.

I 12

A good man shall obtain favour of the LORD:
But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
A man shall not be established by wickedness: 3
But the root of the righteous shall never be
moved.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness
in his bones.

4

The thoughts of the righteous are 'just:
But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

5

The words of the wicked are of lying in wait 6 for blood:

But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 'The wicked are overthrown, and are not: But the house of the righteous shall stand.

1 Or, Overthrow the wicked, and

8 A man shall be commended according to his they are not

wisdom:

But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,

Than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of

bread:

But he that followeth after 'vain persons is void 2 Or, vain of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men:

But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

things

3 Or, the prey

13 In the transgression of the lips is 'a snare to the Or, an evil

evil man:

But the righteous shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit

of his mouth :

And the doings of a man's hands shall be

rendered unto him.

15 The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes: But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

16 A fool's vexation is 'presently known: But a prudent man concealeth shame.

snare

Or, openly Heb. in the day.

6

17 He that uttereth truth sheweth forth right- Heb.

eousness,

But a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings

of a sword:

But the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil :

breatheth out.

1 Heb. slothfulness. 2 Or, Care

3 Or, catcheth not his prey

4 Or, is to be diligent

5 Or, correction

6 Or, from
7 Or, the
desire of the
treacherous is
for violence

8 Or, causeth shame and bringeth reproach

9 Heb. uprightness of

way.

10 Heb. sin.

But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
There shall no mischief happen to the right-

eous:

21

22

23

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD:
But they that deal truly are his delight.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge:
But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule:
But 'the slothful shall be put under taskwork.
"Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it 25
stoop;

But a good word maketh it glad.

The righteous is a guide to his neighbour :

1

24

26

But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
The slothful man roasteth not that which he 27
took in hunting:

But the precious substance of men is to the
diligent.

In the way of righteousness is life;

And in the pathway thereof there is no death.
A wise son heareth his father's 'instruction:
But a scorner heareth not rebuke.

28

I 13

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: 2
But the soul of the treacherous shall eat vio-
lence.

He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life:
But he that openeth wide his lips shall have
destruction.

3

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath 4
nothing:

But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
A righteous man hateth lying:

But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to
shame.

5

Righteousness guardeth 'him that is upright 6
in the way:

But wickedness overthroweth "the sinner.

1

7 There is that 'maketh himself rich, yet hath 1Or, feigneth

nothing:

There is that 'maketh himself poor, yet hath

great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches:

But the poor heareth no 'threatening.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth :

But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 By pride cometh only contention :

But with the well advised is wisdom.

II Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished:

2 Or, rebuke

3 The Sept.

and Vulg.

But he that gathereth 'by labour shall have have, in haste.

increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:

But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

4 Heb. with the hand.

13 Whoso despiseth 'the word "bringeth destruc- 5 See ch. xvi. tion on himself:

20.

6 Or, maketh

But he that feareth the commandment shall be himself a rewarded.

14 The 'law of the wise is a fountain of life, To depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding 'giveth favour:

But the way of the treacherous is rugged.

16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge: But a fool spreadeth out folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil : But a faithful ambassador is health.

13 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth "correction:

But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 10 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise: But the companion of fools shall "smart for it. 21 Evil pursueth sinners:

But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

debtor thereto

7 Or, teaching

8 Or, getteth

9 Or,

instruction

10 According to another reading, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.

11 Heb. be broken.