Verse 1
Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him to sit among great men.
Verse 2
Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward appearance.
Verse 3
The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things.
Verse 4
Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in the day of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden.
Verse 5
Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown.
Verse 6
Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men's hands.
Verse 7
Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke.
Verse 8
Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk.
Verse 9
Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgment with sinners.
Verse 10
My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing.
Verse 11
There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind.
Verse 12
Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate,
Verse 13
And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw from him is peace over all the
Verse 14
Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord.
Verse 15
Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from him.
Verse 16
Error and darkness had their beginning together with sinners: and evil shall wax old with them that glory therein.
Verse 17
The gift of the Lord remaineth with the ungodly, and his favour bringeth prosperity for ever.
Verse 18
There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this his the portion of his reward:
Verse 19
Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die.
Verse 20
Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work.
Verse 21
Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich.
Verse 22
The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing flourish.
Verse 23
Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter?
Verse 24
Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil shall I have hereafter?
Verse 25
In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.
Verse 26
For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways.
Verse 27
The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered.
Verse 28
Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children.
Verse 29
Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath many trains.
Verse 30
Like as a partridge taken [and kept] in a cage, so is the heart of the proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall:
Verse 31
For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee.
Verse 32
Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth wait for blood.
Verse 33
Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness; lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot.
Verse 34
Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.