Page images
PDF
EPUB

Before

18 But the path of the just is as the CHRIST, shining light, that shineth more and more to the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thy ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thy eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart. 22 For they are life to those that find them, and 2 health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy hearts with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee 4 a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thy eyes look right on, and let thy eye-lids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. CHAP. V.

1 Solomon exhorteth to the study of wisdom: 3 He showeth the mischief of lewdness and riot: 15 He exhorteth to contentedness, liberality, and chastity. 22 The wicked are overtaken with their own sins.

son, attend to my wisdom, and

3

1000.

2 Heb. medicine. Heb. above all keep. ing. Heb. fro wardness

of mouth,
and per-
verseness
of lips.

5 or, all thy
ways shall
be ordered
aright.

f Deut. 5. 32.

[ocr errors]

c. 2.16. & 6.

24.

1or, foreign. 2 Heb. pal

ate.

b c. 7. 27.

3 or, the lower region,

or, grave.

4 Heb. thy strength.

5 or, and not

Mbow thy ear to my understanding: belong to.

2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

3 For the lips of a 1 strange woman drop as a honey-comb, and her 2 mouth

is smoother than oil:

pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and 7 be thou ravished always with her love.

20 And why wilt thou, my son, be rav ished with as strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

22 T His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with

the cords of his sins.

23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

CHAP. VI.

1 Against suretiship, & idleness, 12 and mischievousness. 16 Seven things hateful to God. 20 The blessings of obedience. 25 The mischiefs of lewdness.

M

Y son, if thou art surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, 1 and make sure thy friend.

4 Give not sleep to thy eyes, nor slumber to thy eyelids.

5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; con

4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, Heb. water sider her ways, and be wise: sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on 3 hell.

6 Lest thou shouldst ponder the path of life, her ways are movable, that thou canst not know them.

7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: 9 Lest thou give thy honor to others, and thy years to the cruel:

10 Lest strangers be filled with 4 thy wealth; and thy labors be in the house of a stranger;

11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to them that instructed me!

14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

thee.

[blocks in formation]

15 Drink waters out of thy own cis-eth forth. tern, and running waters out of thy own well.

16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the

streets.

17 Let them be only thy own, and not for 5 strangers with thee.

18 Let thy fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

19 Let her be as the loving hind and

3 Heb. of his soul.

Heb. haughty eyes. Rom. 3. 15.

dc. 1. 8.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

hand.

1 Solomon persuadeth to a sincere and kind familiarity with wisdom. 6 In an example 6 Heb. in his of his own experience, he showeth 10 the cunning of a lewd woman, 22 and the desperate simplicity of a young wanton: 24 He dehorteth from such wickedness.

MY son, keep my words, and lay up

my commandments with thee. 2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thy eye. 3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thy heart.

4 Say to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5 That they may keep thee from the 1 strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

6 ¶ For at the window of my house 1 looked through my casement,

7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among 2 the youths, a young man void of understanding,

8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house.

7 or, the new

moon.

Heb. suddenly.

or, against his life.

c. 2. 18. &

5.

[blocks in formation]

12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and 4 with an impudent face said to him, 14 5 I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.

15 Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19 For the good-man is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

20 He hath taken a bag of money 6 with him, and will come home at 7 the day appointed.

21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she impelled him.

22 He goeth after her 8 quickly, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23 Till a dart striketh through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is 9 for his life.

24 ¶ Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

25 Let not thy heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yes, many strong men have been slain by her.

27 d Her house is the way to 10 hell, going down to the chambers of death.

CHAP. VIII.

1 The fame, 6 and evidence of wisdom. 10 The excellence, 12 the nature, 15 the power, 18 the riches, 22 and the eternity of wisdom. 32 Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it bringeth.

DOTH not wisdom cry? and under

standing put forth her voice? 2 She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors. 4 To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding

5.
10 or, grave. heart.

a c. 1. 20.

Heb. the

abomina.

6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent
things; and the opening of my lips shall
be right things.

7 For my mouth shall speak truth;
and wickedness is 1 an abomination to
tion of my
lips.
my lips.

2 Heb.

9 In the twilight, 3 in the evening, in wreathed. the black and dark night:

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing 2 froward or perverse in them.

9 They are all plain to him that under

*

standeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Before CHRIST, 1000.

b Job 28. 15. Ps. 19. 10.

c. 3. 15. &

16. 16.

12 I wisdom dwell with 3 prudence, 3or,subtilty. and find out knowledge of ingenious inventions.

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me; durable riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

cc. 3. 16.

dc. 3. 14.

4 or,

walk.

5 or, open
places.
6 or, the

chief part.

7 or, a circle.
Gen. 1.9.10.
Ps. 104. 9.

Job 38. 10.11.

f Ps. 119.1.2. & 128. 2.

36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

CHAP. IX.

1 The discipline; 4 and doctrine of wisdom. 13 The custom, 16 and error of folly.

WISDO

ISDOM hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

4 Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

7 He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

a

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and

20 I lead in the way of righteous- Luke 11. 28. he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, ness, in the midst of the paths of judg

ment.

21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

8 Heb. bring forth.

1 Heb. her killing.

25 Before the mountains were settled,b before the hills was I brought forth. 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the 5 fields, nor 6 the highest part of the dust of the world.

Mat. 7. 6.

Job 28. 28.

Ps. 111. 10. c. 1. 7.

cc. 10. 27.

27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set 7 a compass upon c. 7. 11. the face of the depth :

28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

2 Heb. of secrecies.

29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his 3 or, the commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

grave.

30 Then I was by him, as one brought c. 15. 20. up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

32 Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

bc. 11. 4.

and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

13 Td A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

16 Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread 2 eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of 3 hell.

CHAP. X.

From this chapter to the five and twentieth, are sundry observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices.

THE of glad father: but a

HE proverbs of Solomon. a A wise

foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 2 Treasures of wickedness profit Ps. 37. 25. nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

1 or, the

[ocr errors]

3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and wicked for away 1 the substance of the wicked.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall per- ver. 11. ish.

8 The wise in heart will receive com

f Ps. 112. 6.

forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh 9 frowardness.

CHAP. XI.

a 1 FALSE balance is abomination

mandments: but 2 a prating fool 3 shall 2 Heb. a foot to the LORD: but 2a just weight is

fall.

9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool 4 shall fall.

11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

3

of lips.
or, shall be
beaten.

Ps. 23. 4.

h c. 6. 13.

4 or, shall be
beaten.

i c. 13. 14.

k 1 Cor. 13.4.

1 Pet. 4. 8.

5 Heb. heart.
1 c. 18. 11.
6 or, causeth
to err.

13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is 7 Heb. of for the back of him that is void of 5 understanding.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labor of the righteous tendeth to life the fruit of the wicked to sin.

17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof 6 erreth.

18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that restraineth his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little! worth.

21 The lips of the righteous feed ma-2 ny: but fools die for want 7 of wisdom. 22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. 23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

heart.

m c. 14. 9.
" c. 9. 11.

8 Heb. add-
eth.
Job 8. 13.
Ps. 112. 10.
P Ps. 37. 22.

& 11. 20.

& 125. 1.

9 Heb. fro-
ward.

nesses,

Lev. 19. 36.
Deut. 25.15.

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 3 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.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When the righteous prosper, 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.

12 He that is 4 void of wisdom despic. 16. 11. &seth his neighbor: but a man of under20. 10. 23. standing holdeth his peace.

1 Heb. bal
ances of
deceit.

13 5 A tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealHeb. a per-eth the matter. fect stone. c. 15. 33. & 16. 18. & 18. c. 13. 6. c. 10. 2. Ezek. 7. 19. Heb. rectiZeph. 1. 18.

14 & Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

12.

3

fy.

c. 5. 22.
c. 21. 18.
Job 8. 13.

4 Heb. desti-
tute of
heart.

5 Heb. He
that walk-

6

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth 7 suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honor and strong 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 worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so

own death.

27 » The fear of the LORD 8 prolongetheth, being a he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

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.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman who s is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only

486 good: is wrath.

but the expectation of the wicked

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 9 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 favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him.

[blocks in formation]

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish asm 1 Pet. 4.18. 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 10 winneth souls is wise.

a c. 10. 25.

d

31 22 Behold, the righteous shall be re-2 compensed upon the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

CHAP. XII.

1 Cor. 11.7.

c. 1. 11. 18.
Ps. 37. 36.

c. 11. 21.

1 Heb. per.
verse of

heart.

or, bowels.

e c. 28. 19.
3 or, the
fortress.
4 Heb. The
snare of
the wicked

HOEVER loveth instruction lov- is in the

reproof is brutish.

[blocks in formation]

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

:

22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 m The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the 6 slothful shall be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man depresseth it: but a good word maketh it

ubat glad.

2 A good man obtaineth favor from the LORD: but a man of wicked devices he will condemn.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

sion of lips.
c. 18.7.
c. 3. 7.

5 c. 13. 2.

4. A virtuous woman is a crown to 5 Heb. in that day. her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

i c. 14. 5.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked arek Ps. 57. 4. &

deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie

[ocr errors]

59.7.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the path of it there is no death.

[blocks in formation]

2. A man shall eat good by the fruit in wait for blood: but the mouth of the c. 13. 16. & of his mouth: but the soul of the transupright shall deliver them.

[blocks in formation]

gressors shall eat violence.

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is lothsome, and cometh to shame.

6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way but wickednesss overthroweth 1 the sinner.

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the 2 lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished.

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 d Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth 3 by labor shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart

« PreviousContinue »