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and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

CHAP. XI. Integrity and its Reward.

A FALSE balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 14 Where no council is, the people fall but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are of a froward heart, are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him : but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27 He that diligently seeketh good, procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life: and he that winneth souls is wise. 31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth much more the wicked and the sinner.

CHAP. XIII. Instruction and Discipline.

A WISE son heareth his father's instruction but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 10 Only by pride cometh contention; but with the well advised is wisdom. 11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 12 Hope deferred maketh

the heart sick: but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life. 13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed but he that feareth the commandment shall be 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 transgressors is hard. 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid. 23 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

CHAP. XV. Mutual Kindness.

A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life : but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord : but he loveth him that followeth after righteous. ness. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful coun tenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

16 Better is little with the

fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox, and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth : and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24 The way of life. is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

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THROUGH desire a man having separated himself seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neigbour cometh and searcheth him. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

CHAP. XX. Temperance.

and

WINE is a mocker, strong drink is raging whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. 13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 19 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. 20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

CHAP. XXII. Prudence and Uprightness.

A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the - simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility

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