1 Heb. perverse Than he that is 'perverse in his ways, though

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son:

But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.

7

He that augmenteth his substance by usury and 8 increase,

Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the 9 law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an 10 evil way,

He shall fall himself into his own pit:

But the perfect shall inherit good.

2 Heb. his own The rich man is wise in 'his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

eyes.

3 Heb. must be searched for.

4 Or, calamity

Or, O prince

that lackest understanding and art a great

oppressor, he &c.

I I

When the righteous triumph, there is great 12 glory :

But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

He that covereth his transgressions shall not 13 prosper:

But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall

obtain mercy.

Happy is the man that feareth alway:

But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into 'mischief.

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;

5

So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

14

15

The prince that lacketh understanding is also 16 a great oppressor:

But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

A man that is laden with the blood of any 17 person

Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered : But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at 1Or, he that

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 unpunished.

21 To have respect of persons is not good:
Neither that a man should transgress for a
piece of bread.

22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward 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 greedy spirit 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. 29 He that being often reproved hardeneth his

neck

Shall suddenly be broken, and that without
remedy.

walketh perversely in

two ways

2 See ch. xii.

II.

3 Or, For for a piece of bread a man will transgress

2 When the righteous ‘are increased, the people Or, are in

4

authority

rejoice:

1 Or, he that imposeth tribute

Heb. a man of offerings.

2 Or, under

standeth not knowledge

But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father:

But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

3

The king by judgement establisheth the land: 4
But 'he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
A man that flattereth his neighbour

Spreadeth a net for his steps.

5

In the transgression of an evil man there is a 6

snare:

But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause 7
of the poor:

The wicked 'hath not understanding to know it.
Scornful men set a city in a flame:

But wise men turn away wrath.

8

If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish 9 man,

3

3 Or, Herageth Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be and laugheth, no rest.

and there is no

4

The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect:
And as for the upright, they seek his life.
A fool uttereth all his 'anger:

But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood,

All his servants are wicked.

The poor man and the oppressor meet together: 13
The LORD lighteneth the eyes of them both.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
His throne shall be established for ever.

The rod and reproof give wisdom:

But a child left to himself causeth shame to his

mother.

14

15

When the wicked are increased, transgression 16

increaseth :

But the righteous shall look upon their fall.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest;

17

Yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint:

But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words:

answer.

For though he understand he will not 'give heed. 1 Heb. 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 a son at the last.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife,

And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression. 23 A man's pride shall bring him low:

But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain

honour.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own

soul:

2

Or, business

8 The meaning of the word is doubtful. The

Vulgate

renders it, refractory.

'He heareth the adjuration and uttereth See Lev. v. I. nothing.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare:

5

But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD 'shall Heb. shall be be safe.

26 Many seek the ruler's favour :

But a man's judgement cometh from the LORD. 27 An unjust man is an abomination to the

30 I

righteous:

And he that is upright in the way is an
omination to the wicked.

ab

set on high.

• Or, Jakeh, of Massa

See Gen. xxv.

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the 14: 'oracle.

7 Or, burden

8 Or, as otherwise read, I

The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and have wearied

Ucal:

2 Surely I am more brutish than any man,
And have not the understanding of a man:

3 And I have not learned wisdom,

myself, O God,
I have wearied
myself, O
God, and am
consumed: for
I am &c.

should have the knowledge &c.

Neither have I the knowledge of the Holy
One.

Who hath ascended up into heaven, and de- 4
scended?

Who hath gathered the wind in his fists?

Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?

2See Ps. xii. 6, 2Every word of God is 'tried:

xviii. 30.

3 Heb.

purified.

5

He is a shield unto them that trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words,

6

Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

4 Heb. the bread of my portion.

Feed me with the food that is needful for me:

Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is 9 the LORD?

Or lest I be poor, and steal,

Heb. handle And 'use profanely the name of my God.

the name.

Slander not a servant unto his master,

Lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty.

There is a generation that curseth their father, II
And doth not bless their mother.

There is a generation that are pure in their 12
own eyes,

And yet are not washed from their filthiness.

There is a generation, Oh how lofty are their 13 eyes!

And their eyelids are lifted up.

There is a generation whose teeth are as 14 swords, and their jaw teeth as knives,