Proverbs 26 – Proverbs 30
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31 – Chapter 31
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool. 2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage. 7The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool. 9[As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by. 11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly. 12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. 14[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed. 15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. 16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. 17He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears. 18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, 19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport? 20For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. 21[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts. 23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him: 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: 26Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly. 27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. 28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
1Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips. 3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool’s vexation is heavier than they both. 4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy? 5Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden. 6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse. 7The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 8As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place. 9Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man’s friend [that cometh] of hearty counsel. 10Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. 11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me. 12A prudent man seeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [But] the simple pass on, [and] suffer for it. 13Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for a foreign woman. 14He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It shall be counted a curse to him. 15A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike: 16He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil. 17Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 18Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored. 19As in water face [answereth] to face, So the heart of man to man. 20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied. 21The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is [tried] by his praise. 22Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
23Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [And] look well to thy herds: 24For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations? 25The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. 26The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field; 27And [there will be] goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And maintenance for thy maidens.
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged. 3A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is [like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 4They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. 5Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. 6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in [his] ways, though he be rich. 7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father. 8He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor. 9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 10Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. 11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. 14Happy 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 a poor people. 16The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; [But] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. 17A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him. 18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in [his] ways shall fall at once. 19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough. 20A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished. 21To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread. 22he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him. 23He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue. 24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer. 25He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat. 26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. 28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
1He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 2When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh. 3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth [his] substance. 4The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it. 5A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps. 6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice. 7The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know [it]. 8Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath. 9If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest. 10The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life. 11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it. 12If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked. 13The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both. 14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever. 15The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother. 16When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall. 17Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul. 18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 19A servant will not be corrected by words; For though he understand, he will not give heed. 20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. 22An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression. 23A man’s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor. 24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing. 25The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe. 26Many seek the ruler’s favor; But a man’s judgment [cometh] from Jehovah. 27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; The oracle.
The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal: 2Surely I am more brutish than any man, And have not the understanding of a man; 3And I have not learned wisdom, Neither have I the knowledge of the Holy One. 4Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? 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?
5Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him. 6Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7Two things have I asked of thee; Deny me [them] not before I die: 8Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me: 9Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And use profanely the name of my God.
10Slander not a servant unto his master, Lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty. 11There is a generation that curse their father, And bless not their mother. 12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, And [yet] are not washed from their filthiness. 13There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. 14There is a generation whose teeth are [as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, [Yea], four that say not, Enough: 16Sheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough. 17The 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.
18There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not: 19The way of an eagle in the air; The way of a serpent upon a rock; The way of a ship in the midst of the sea; And the way of a man with a maiden. 20So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.
21For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, [which] it cannot bear: 22For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with food; 23For an odious woman when she is married; And a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24There are four things which are little upon the earth, But they are exceeding wise: 25The ants are a people not strong, Yet they provide their food in the summer; 26The conies are but a feeble folk, Yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27The locusts have no king, Yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28The lizard taketh hold with her hands, Yet is she in kings’ palaces.
29There are three things which are stately in their march, Yea, four which are stately in going: 30The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, And turneth not away for any; 31The greyhound; the he-goat also; And the king against whom there is no rising up. 32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast thought evil, [Lay] thy hand upon thy mouth. 33For the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Leave a Reply