The Old Testament Book of Proverbs
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not
before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give
me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food
convenient for me: 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.
Proverbss 30:7-9 KJV
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* CHAP * COMMENTS
* 1 * The proverbs of Solomon - The son of David - King of Israel; to know
wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding; to
receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, & judgement, & equity;
to give subtily to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young
man. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. My son, if
sinnners entice thee, consent thou not. Wisdom crieth without;
Because I have called and ye refused, I will laugh at your calamity.
* 2 * My son, if you will recieve my words then you will understand the fear
of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. When wisdom enters into
your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul; discretion will
preserve thee, understanding will keep thee: To deliver you from the
way of the evil man, and from the strange woman. The upright shall
dwell in the land, But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth.
* 3 * My son, forget not my law; for length of days, long life, and peace
shall they add to thee. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and
lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear
the Lord and depart from evil. My son, despise not the chastening of
the Lord; Happy is the man that finds wisdom and gets understanding.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the
power of thine hand to do. Strive not with a man without cause. Envy
not the oppressor. The Lord's curse is in the house of the wicked.
* 4 * Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know
understanding. Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not; Enter
not into the path of the wicked. Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward
mouth and perverse lips. Ponder the path of thy feet. Let all thy
ways be established. Remove thy foot from evil.
* 5 * My son attend unto my wisdom. The mouth of a strange woman is
smoother than oil; but her end is bitter as wormwood. Drink waters
out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Rejoice with the wife of thy youth. The wicked shall be taken with
his own iniquities, and he shall be held with the cords of his sins.
* 6 * If you are surety for a friend, or make a deal with a stranger, you
are snared with the the words of your mouth. Go to the ant, consider
her ways and be wise. A wicked man walks with a froward mouth. There
are seven things that are an abomination to the Lord: A proud look,
a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth
wicked imaginations, feet swift to mischief, a false witness, & he
that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep your father's
commandment, and forsake not the law of your mother. Can one go on
hot coals and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his
neighbor's wife; He that toucheth her shall not be innocent.
* 7 * My son, keep my words. Call wisdom your sister, and understanding your
kinswoman: that they may keep thee from the strange woman, which
flattereth with her lips. Her house is the way to hell, going down
to the chambers of death.
* 8 * Doesn't wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? Receive my
instruction and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired
are not to be compared to it. The Lord possessed wisdom in the
beginning of his way, before his works of old. Wisdom was set up from
everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
* 9 * Wisdom has built her house. She says, Forsake the foolish and live!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge
of the holy is understanding. A foolish woman is clamourous.
* 10 * The Proverbs of Solomon. [Condensation is not possible. Included
here are a collection of some of my favorite Proverbs. Study the
book, and select your own favorites.
* * A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is
the heaviness
of his mother. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous
to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. Hatred
stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. He that hideth
hatred with lying lips and he that uttereth a slander is a fool. In
the midst of words there wanteth not sin. As vinegar to the teeth
and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
* 11 * When pride cometh-then cometh shame. The integrity of the upright
guide them. The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. When it
goes will with the the righteous-the city rejoiceth. A tale bearer
revealeth secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the
matter. Where no counsel is-the people fall:but in the multitude of
counsellors there is safety. The merciful man does good to his own
soul. He that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that wins
souls is wise.
* 12 * Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge. A virtuous woman is a crown
to her husband, but she that maketh ashamed is as a rottenness in his
bones. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast, but the tender
mercies of the wicked are cruel. The wicked is snared by the
transgression of his lips. The way of a fool is right in his own
eyes. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. Heaviness in the
heart of man maketh it stoop, but a good word maketh it glad.
* 13 * A wise son hears his father's instruction. Only by pride comes
contention. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. He that walks with
wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him
chasteneth him betimes.
* 14 * The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of
fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin. The heart knoweth his own
bitterness. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the
end thereof are the ways of death. The simple believe every word,
but the prudent looketh well to his going.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many
friends. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
* 15 * A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the
good. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regards
reproof is prudent. Better is little with the fear of the Lord than
great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs
where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. A wise son
makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother. He that
is greedy of gain troubles his own house: but he that hates gifts
shall life. He that refuses instruction despises his own soul. The
fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom.
* 16 * All of a man's ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth
the spirits. The LORD hath made all for himself: even the wicked for
the day of evil. Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination
to the LORD. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Better is
a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Pride
goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. There
is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereo are the *
ways of death. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.
* 17 * Better is a dry morsel, and quietness, than a house full of sacrifices
with strive. He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Children's children are the crown of old men. He that covereth a
transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth
friends. A reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred
stripes into a fool. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not
depart from his house. A friend loveth at all times and a brother is
born for adversity. Tlhe father of a fool has no joy. He that has
knowledge spares his words. Even a food, when he holdeth his peace,
is counted wise:
* 18 * It is not good to accept the person of the wicked. The words of a
talebearer are as wounds. He that is slothful in his work is brother
to him that is a great waster. He that answers a matter before he
hears it, it is folly and shame unto him. The spirit of a man will
sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? Dealth and
life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat
the fruit thereof. Who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and obtains
favor of the LORD. A man that has friends must show himself friendly:
and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
* 19 * Wealth makes many friends. House and riches are the inheritance of
fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. He that has pity on
the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he has given will he
pay him again. Chasten thy son while there is hope. Hear counsel,
receive instruction that you may be wise in your latter end.The fear
of the LORD tends to life.
* 20 * Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived
thereby is not wise. Most men will proclaim his own goodness: but
who can find a faithful man? Who can say I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin. Even a child is known by his doings, whether
his work be pure and whether it be right. Love not sleep, lest you
come to poverty. Don't say I will recompense evil; but wait on the
LORD, and he shall save you.The glory of young men is their strength:
and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
* 21 * Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the
heart. To do justice and judgement is more acceptable to the LORD
than sacrifice. Whoso stops his ears at the cry of the poor, shall
cry himself, but shall not be heard. It is joy to the just to do
judgment. He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loves
wine and oil will not be rich. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
keepeth his soul from troubles. There is no wisdom nor understanding,
nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day
of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
* 22 * A good name is to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour than
silver and gold. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hides himself:
but the simple pass on , and are punished. By humilit and the fear of
the LORD are riches, honour, and life. Train up a child in the way he
should go: when he is old, he will not depart from it. The borrower
is servant to the lender. Foolishness is bound in a child's heart,
but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. He that
oppresses the poor to increase his riches and he that gives to the
rich shall surely come to want. Rob not the poor, because he is poor:
neither oppress the afflicted in the gate. For the LORD will plead
their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. Make no
friendship with an angry man; with a furious man thou shalt not go:
* 23 * Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom. As he thinketh in
his heart, so is he. Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into
the fields of the fatherless: Apply thy heart unto instruction and
your ears to the words of knowledge. Withhold not correction from the
child: for if yhou beat him with the rod, he shall not die. Let not
thy heart envy sinners: but be in the fear of the LORD all day long.
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh. The drunkard
and the glutton shall come to poverty. Buy the truth and sell it not:
also wisdome, instruction, and understanding. Who has woe? sorrow?
contentions? babbling? wounds without cause? redness of eyes? They
that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.Look not
upon the wine when it is red. At the last it bites like a serpent and
stings like an adder.
* 24 * Don't envy the evil men, nor desire to be with them. A house is built
through wisdom. It is established by understanding. The thought of
foolishness is sin.If you faint in the day of adversity, thy strength
is small. Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and don't be glad when
he stumbles. Fret not because of evil men, nor be envious at the
wicked. Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause; and
deceive not with your lips.
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which Hezekiah's men copied out.
Hezekiah was king of Judah.
* 25 * Put not forth thyself in the presence of the King, and stand not in
the place of great men. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in
pictures of silver. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house;
lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. If your enemy be hungry,
give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
for you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall
reward thee.He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city
that is broken down, and without walls.
* 26 * As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. Seest
thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool
than of him. He that passeth by, and meddles with strive belonging
not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears. He that hates
dissembles with his libs, and lays up deceit within him.
* 27 * Boast not of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Wrath
is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who can stand before envy.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are
deceitful.Forsake not your friend nor your father's friend. A prudent
man foresees the evil and hides himself; but the simple pass on and
are punished. Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance
of his friend. As in water face answers to face, so the heart of man
to man. Hell and destrudction are never full; so the eyes of man are
never satisfied.
* 28 * The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a
lion. He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but who confesseth
and forsakes them shall have mercy. He that makes haste to be rich
shall not be innocent. To have respect of persons is not good: For a
piece of bread that man will transgress. He that trusteth in his own
heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. He
that gives to the poor shal not lack.
* 29 * The righteous considers the cause of the poor: The
wicked have no such
concern. If a ruler listens to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the
law is happy. A man's pride will bring him low: but honor will uphold
the humble in spirit. Who is partner with a thief hates his own
soul.
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh
* 30 * Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? Every word of God is
pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou
not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two
things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove
far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed
me with food convenient for me: 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. There is a generation that curseth their father, that
are pure in their own eyes and is not washed from their filthiness,
whose teeth are as swords to devour the poor from the earth. Four
things say it is not enough. Four things that are too wonder for me.
Four things the earth cannot bear. There are four things that are
wise. There are four things that are stately in their stride.
* * The words of king Lemuel - the prophecy that his mother taught him.
* 31 * Give not your strength unto women nor your ways to that which
destroys kings. It is not for kings to drink wine. Give strong drink
to those ready to perish, and wine to those of heavy heart. Who can
find a virtuous woman? her price is far above rubies. Favor is
deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD shall
be praised.
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