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thing is sweet. 9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend

oy hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend and thy father's friend forsake not; neither go into thy prother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near, than a brother far off.

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11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

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. 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 goat's milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household.

CHAP. XXVIII. Integrity.

THE 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 that 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. 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. 23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. 24 Who. so 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.

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HE 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. 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.

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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. 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.

CHAP. XXX. Agur's Prayer.

THE words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy. 3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. 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? 5 Every word of God is pure; he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 7 Two things have I required of thee: deny me them not before I die. 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty, nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 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. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. 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.

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CHAP. XXXI. A virtuous Woman. THE words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 10 Who can find a vir tuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 15 She riseth also

while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her: 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

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