7 Whoso keepeth the law isa wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous menshameth 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 beabomination.
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 thingsin possession.
11 The rich man iswise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him
out.
12 When righteous mendo rejoice, there isgreat glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is
hidden.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh themshall
have mercy.
14 Happy isthe man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 Asa roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so isa wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding isalso a great oppressor: buthe that hateth
covetousness shall prolong hisdays.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of anyperson shall flee to the pit; let no man stay
him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that isperverse in hisways shall fall at
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
innocent.
21 To have respect of persons isnot good: for for a piece of bread thatman will transgress.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hathan evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon
him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the
tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It isno transgression; the same isthe
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.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth hisneck, 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
hissubstance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there isa snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: butthe wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise menturn away wrath.

9 Ifa wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there isno rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise mankeepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants arewicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The 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 himselfbringeth 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 isno vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy ishe.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man that ishasty in his words? there ismore hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become hisson 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 itnot.
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 everyman's judgment comethfrom the LORD.
27 An unjust man isan abomination to the just: and he that isupright in the way is
abomination to the wicked.
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, eventhe prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto
Ithiel and Ucal,
2 Surely I ammore brutish than anyman, and have not the understanding of a man.
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
ishis name, and what ishis son's name, if thou canst tell?
5 Every word of God ispure: he isa shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 Two thingshave I required of thee; deny me themnot 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 isthe LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take
the name of my God in vain.
10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11 There isa generation thatcurseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12 There isa generation that arepure in their own eyes, and yetis not washed from their
filthiness.
13 There isa generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There isa generation, whose teeth are asswords, and their jaw teeth asknives, to devour
the poor from off the earth, and the needy from amongmen.
15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things thatare never
satisfied, yea, four thingssay not, It isenough:
16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth thatis not filled with water; and the fire that
saith not, It isenough.
17 The eye thatmocketh at hisfather, and despiseth to obey hismother, the ravens of the
valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

18 There be three things whichare too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
19 The 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 maid.
20 Such isthe way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have
done no wickedness.
21 For three thingsthe earth is disquieted, and for four whichit cannot bear:
22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23 For an odious womanwhen she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 There be four things which arelittle upon the earth, but they areexceeding wise:
25 The ants area people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
26 The conies are buta feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29 There be three thingswhich go well, yea, four are comely in going:
30 A lion which isstrongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there isno rising up.
32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, laythine hand
upon thy mouth.
33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth
forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It isnot for kings, O Lemuel, it isnot for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy
hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price isfar 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.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
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.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise isgood: her candle goeth not out by night.
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 areclothed with
scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing issilk 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 areher clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue isthe law of kindness.