Bible in 90 Days
22 Say not thou, (A)I will recompense evil, but wait upon the Lord, and he shall save thee.
23 (B)Diverse weights are an abomination unto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
24 (C)The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a destruction for a man to [a]devour that which is sanctified, and after the vows to inquire.
26 A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the [b]wheel to turn over them.
27 The [c]light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
28 (D)Mercy and truth preserve the king: for his throne shall be established with mercy.
29 The beauty of young men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
30 [d]The blueness of the wound serveth to purge the evil, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
21 1 The [e]King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of waters: he turneth it whithersoever it pleaseth him.
2 Every (E)way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 (F)To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, and a proud heart which is the [f][g]light of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent do surely bring abundance; but [h]whosoever is hasty, cometh surely to poverty.
6 (G)The gathering of treasures by a deceitful tongue, is vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The [i]robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; for they have refused to execute judgment.
8 The way of some is perverted and strange, but of the pure man, his work is right.
9 (H)It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a contentious woman in a [j]wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked wisheth evil, and his neighbor hath no favor in his eyes.
11 [k]When the scorner is punished, the foolish is wise, and when one instructeth the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The righteous [l]teacheth the house of the wicked; but God overthroweth the wicked for their evil.
13 He that stoppeth his ear at the crying of the poor, he shall also cry and not be heard.
14 A [m]gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a gift in the bosom, great wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment; but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom, shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pastime, shall be a poor man; and he that loveth wine and oil, shall not be rich.
18 The [n]wicked shall be a ransom for the just, and the transgressor for the righteous.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 In the house of the wise is a pleasant treasure and [o]oil; but a foolish man devoureth it.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy, shall find life, righteousness and glory.
22 A [p]wise man goeth up into the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from afflictions.
24 Proud, haughty, and scornful is his name that worketh in his arrogancy wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful [q]slayeth him; for his hands refuse to work.
26 He coveteth evermore greedily: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The (I)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 (J)A false witness shall perish: but he that heareth, [r]speaketh continually.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but the just, he will direct his way.
30 There is no wisdom, neither understanding, nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but salvation is of the Lord.
22 1 (K)A good name is to be chosen above great riches, and [s]loving favor is above silver and above gold.
2 (L)The rich and poor [t]meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 (M)A prudent man [u]seeth the plague, and hideth himself: but the foolish go on still, and are punished.
4 The reward of humility, and the fear of God is riches, and glory, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: but he that regardeth his soul, will depart far from them.
6 Teach a child [v]in the trade of his way, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth the poor, and the borrower is servant to the man that lendeth.
8 He that soweth iniquity, shall reap affliction, and the [w]rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He that hath a good [x]eye, he shall be blessed: for he giveth of his bread unto the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and strife shall go out: so contention and reproach shall cease.
11 He that loveth pureness of heart for the grace of his lips, the [y]king shall be his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve [z]knowledge: but he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man saith, [aa]A lion is without, I shall be slain in the street.
14 The mouth of strange women is as a deep pit: he with whom the Lord is angry, [ab]shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound [ac]in the heart of a child: but the rod of correction shall drive it away from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase himself, and giveth unto the rich, shall surely come to poverty.
17 ¶ Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it shall be pleasant, if thou keep them in thy belly, and if they be directed together in thy lips.
19 That thy confidence may be in [ad]the Lord, I have showed thee this day: thou therefore take heed.
20 Have not I written unto thee [ae]three times in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might show thee the assurance of the words of truth, to answer the words of truth to them that send to thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted [af]in judgment.
23 For the Lord (N)will defend their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoil them.
24 Make [ag]no friendship with an angry man, neither go with the furious man,
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and receive destruction to thy soul.
26 Be not thou of them that [ah]tough the hand, nor among them that are surety for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why causest thou that he should take thy bed from under thee?
28 Thou shalt not (O)remove the ancient bounds which thy fathers have made.
29 Thou seest that a diligent man in his business standeth before Kings, and standeth not before the base sort.
23 1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, [ai]consider diligently what is before thee,
2 [aj]And put thy knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to the appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainty meats: [ak]for it is a deceivable meat.
4 Travail not too much to be rich: but cease from thy [al]wisdom.
5 Wilt thou cast thine eyes upon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh her to her wings, as an Eagle, and flieth into the heaven.
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an [am]evil eye, neither desire his dainty meats.
7 For as though he thought it in his heart: so will he say unto thee, Eat and drink: but his heart is not with thee.
8 Thou shalt vomit thy [an]morsel that thou hast eaten, and thou shalt lose thy sweet words.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10 (P)Remove not the ancient bounds, and enter not into the fields of the fatherless.
11 For he that redeemeth them, is mighty: he will (Q)defend their cause against thee.
12 Apply thine heart to instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13 (R)Withhold not correction from the child: if thou smite him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt smite him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from [ao]hell.
15 My son, if thine heart be wise, mine heart shall rejoice, and I also,
16 And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak righteous things.
17 (S)Let not thine heart be envious against sinners: but let it be in the fear of the Lord continually.
18 For surely there is an end, [ap]and thy hope shall not be cut off.
19 O thou my son, hear, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the [aq]way.
20 Keep not company with [ar]drunkards, nor with [as]gluttons.
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall be poor, and the sleeper shall be clothed with rags.
22 Obey thy father that hath begotten thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23 Buy [at]the truth, but sell it not: likewise wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise child, shall have joy of him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me [au]thine heart, and let thine eyes delight in my ways.
27 (T)For a whore is as a deep ditch, and a strange woman is as a narrow pit.
28 (U)Also she lieth in wait as for a prey, [av]and she increaseth the transgressors among men.
29 To whom is woe? to whom is sorrow? to whom is strife? to whom is murmuring? to whom are wounds without cause? and to whom is the redness of the eyes?
30 Even to them that tarry long at the wine, to them that go, [aw]and seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine, when it is red, and when it showeth his color in the cup, or goeth down pleasantly.
32 In the end thereof it will bite like a serpent, and hurt like a cockatrice.
33 Thine [ax]eyes shall look upon strange women, and thine heart shall speak lewd things.
34 And thou shalt be as one that sleepeth in the midst of the [ay]sea, and as he that sleepeth in the top of the mast.
35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, but I was not sick: they have beaten me, but I knew not, when I awoke: therefore will I [az]seek it yet still.
24 1 (V)Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart imagineth destruction, and their lips speak mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house built, and with understanding it is established.
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong: for a man of understanding increaseth his strength.
6 (W)For with counsel thou shalt enterprise thy war, and in the multitude of them that can give counsel, is health.
7 Wisdom is high to a fool: therefore he cannot open his mouth in the [ba]gate.
8 He that imagineth to do evil, men shall call him an author of wickedness.
9 The wicked thought of a fool is sin, and the scorner is an abomination unto men.
10 If thou be [bb]faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11 Deliver them that are drawn [bc]to death, and wilt thou not preserve them that are led to be slain?
12 If thou say, Behold, we knew not of it: he that pondereth the hearts, doth not he understand it? and he that keepeth thy soul, knoweth he it not? will he not also recompense every man according to his works?
13 My son, eat [bd]honey, for it is good, and the honey comb, for it is sweet unto thy mouth.
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul if thou find it, and there shall be an [be]end, and thine hope shall not be cut off.
15 Lay no wait, O wicked man, against the house of the righteous, and spoil not his resting place.
16 For a just man [bf]falleth seven times, and riseth again: but the wicked fall into mischief.
17 Be thou not glad when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart rejoice when he stumbleth,
18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn his wrath [bg]from him.
19 (X)Fret not thyself because of the malicious, neither be envious at the wicked.
20 For there shall be none end of plagues to the evil man, (Y)the light of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear the Lord, and the King and meddle not with them that are seditious.
22 For their destruction shall rise suddenly, and who knoweth the ruin of them [bh]both?
23 Also these things pertain to the wise, It is not good [bi]to have respect of any person in judgment.
24 He that saith to the wicked, (Z)Thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, and the multitude shall abhor him.
25 But to them that rebuke him, shall be pleasure, and upon them shall come the blessing of goodness.
26 They shall kiss the lips of him that answereth upright words.
27 Prepare thy work without, and make ready thy things in the field, [bj]and after, build thine house.
28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause: for wilt thou deceive with thy lips?
29 (AA)Say not, I will do to him as he hath done to me, I [bk]will recompense every man according to his work.
30 I passed by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man destitute of understanding.
31 And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I beheld, and I considered it well: I looked upon it, and received [bl]instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, [bm]a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.
34 So thy poverty cometh as one that traveleth by the way, and thy necessity like an armed man.
25 1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the [bn]men of Hezekiah King of Judah [bo]copied out.
2 The glory of God is to [bp]conceal a thing secret: but the [bq]King’s honor is to search out a thing.
3 The heavens in height, and the earth in deepness: and the [br]king’s heart can no man search out.
4 Take the [bs]dross from the silver, and there shall proceed a vessel for the finer.
5 Take [bt]away the wicked from the King, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Boast not thyself before the King, and stand not in the place of great men.
7 (AB)For it is better, that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than thou to be put lower in the presence of the Prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strife, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy matter with thy neighbor, and discover not the secret to another,
10 Lest he that heareth it, put thee to shame, and thine infamy do not [bu]cease.
11 A word spoken in his place, is like apples of gold with pictures of silver.
12 He that reproveth the wise and the obedient ear, is as a golden earring, and an ornament of fine gold.
13 As the cold of the snow [bv]in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 A man that boasteth of false liberality, is like [bw]clouds and wind without rain.
15 A Prince is pacified by staying of [bx]anger, and a soft tongue breaketh the [by]bones.
16 If thou have found honey, eat that is [bz]sufficient for thee, lest thou be overfull, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor, is like an hammer and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a sliding foot.
20 He that taketh away the garment in the cold season, is like vinegar poured upon [ca][cb]nitre, or like him that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 (AC)If he that hateth thee be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt lay [cc]coals upon his head, and the Lord shall recompense thee.
23 As the Northwind driveth away the rain, so doth an angry countenance the slandering tongue.
24 (AD)It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
25 As are the cold waters to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked, is like a troubled well and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so to search their own glory, is not glory.
28 A man that refraineth not his appetite, is like a city which is [cd]broken down and without walls.
26 1 As the snow in the Summer, and as the rain in the Harvest are not meet, so is honor unseemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeless, shall not come.
3 Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the ass a bridle, and a rod to the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool [ce]according to his foolishness, lest thou also be like him.
5 Answer a fool [cf]according to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own [cg]conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool, is as he that cutteth off [ch]the feet, [ci]and drinketh iniquity.
7 As they that lift up the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fool’s mouth.
8 As the closing up of a precious stone in an heap of stones, so is he that giveth glory to a fool.
9 As a thorn standing [cj]up in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 [ck]The Excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth the transgressors.
11 (AE)As a dog turneth again to his own vomit, so a fool turneth to his foolishness.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [cl]more hope is of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man saith, [cm]A lion is in the way: a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful man upon his bed.
15 (AF)The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom, and it grieveth him to put it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not unto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As he that feigneth himself mad, casteth firebrands, arrows, and mortal things,
19 So dealeth the deceitful man with [cn]his friend, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
21 As the coal maketh burning coals, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
22 (AG)The words of a talebearer are as flatterings, and they go down into the bowels of the belly.
23 As silver dross overlaid upon a potsherd, so are burning lips, and [co]an evil heart.
24 He that hateth, will counterfeit with his lips, but in his heart he layeth up deceit.
25 Though he speak favorably, believe him not: for there are [cp]seven abominations in his heart.
26 Hatred may be covered by deceit: but the malice thereof shall be discovered in the [cq]congregation.
27 (AH)He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return unto him.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruin.
27 1 Boast not thyself of [cr]tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth: a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty: but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.
4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is raging: but who can stand before [cs]envy?
5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6 The wounds of a lover are faithful, and the kisses of an enemy are [ct]pleasant.
7 (AI)The person that is full, despiseth an honeycomb: but unto the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his own place.
9 As ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
10 Thine own friend and thy father’s friend forsake thou not: neither enter into thy brother’s [cu]house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near, than a brother far off.
11 My son, be wise, and rejoice mine heart, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
12 [cv]A prudent man seeth the plague, and hideth himself: but the foolish go on still, and are punished.
13 (AJ)Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
14 He that [cw]praiseth his friend with a loud voice, rising [cx]early in the morning, it shall be counted to him as a curse.
15 A (AK)continual dropping in the day of rain, and a contentious woman are alike.
16 He that hideth her, hideth the wind, and she is as the oil in his right hand that uttereth itself.
17 Iron sharpeneth iron, so doth [cy]man sharpen the face of his friend.
18 He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth upon his master, shall come to honor.
19 As in water face answereth to face, [cz]so the heart of man to man.
20 The grave and destruction can never be full, so the eyes of man can never be satisfied.
21 (AL)As is the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so is every man according to his [da]dignity.
22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat brayed with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
23 Be diligent to know the state of thy flock, and take heed to the herds.
24 For riches remain not always, nor the crown from generation to generation.
25 The hay discovereth itself, and the grass appeareth, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26 The [db]lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
27 And let the milk of the goats be sufficient for thy food, for the food of thy family, and for the sustenance of thy maids.
28 1 The wicked [dc]flee when none pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 For the transgression of the land [dd]there are many princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge a realm likewise endureth long.
3 A poor man, if he oppress the poor, is like a raging rain that leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the Law, praise the wicked: but they that keep the Law, set themselves against them.
5 Wicked men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord, understand all things.
6 (AM)Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that perverteth his ways, though he be rich.
7 He that keepeth the Law, is a child of understanding: but he that feedeth the gluttons, shameth his father.
8 He that increaseth his riches by usury and interest, gathereth [de]them for him that will be merciful unto the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be [df]abominable.
10 He that causeth the righteous to go astray by an evil way, shall fall into his own pit, and the upright shall inherit good things.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit: but the poor that hath understanding, can try [dg]him.
12 (AN)When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked come up, the man [dh]is tried.
13 He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that confesseth, and forsaketh them, shall have mercy.
14 Blessed is the man that [di]feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into evil.
15 As a roaring lion, and an hungry bear, so is [dj]a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 A prince destitute of understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence against the blood of a person, shall flee unto the grave, and they shall not [dk]stay him.
18 He that walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is froward in his ways, shall once fall.
19 (AO)He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread, but he that followeth the idle, shall be filled with poverty.
20 A faithful man shall abound in blessings, and (AP)he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for that man will transgress for a piece of [dl]bread.
22 A man with a wicked [dm]eye hasteth to riches, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man, shall find more favor at the length, than he that flattereth with his tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father and mother, and saith, It is no transgression, is the companion of a man that destroyeth.
25 He that is of a proud heart, stirreth up strife: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be [dn]fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh in wisdom, shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor, shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes, shall have many curses.
28 (AQ)When the wicked rise up, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29 1 A man that hardeneth his neck when he is rebuked, shall suddenly be destroyed, and cannot be cured.
2 (AR)When the righteous [do]are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh.
3 A man that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but (AS)he that feedeth harlots wasteth his substance.
4 A king by judgment maintaineth the country: but a man receiving gifts, destroyeth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbor, [dp]spreadeth a net for his steps.
6 In the transgression of an evil man is his [dq]snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous knoweth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not knowledge.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contend with [dr]a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there is no rest.
10 Bloody men hate him that is upright: but the just have care of his soul.
11 A fool poureth out all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward.
12 Of a prince that hearkeneth to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 (AT)The poor and the usurer meet together, and the Lord lightened both their eyes.
14 A (AU)King that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be established forever.
15 The rod and correction give wisdom, but a child set at liberty, maketh his mother ashamed.
16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest, and will give pleasures to thy soul.
18 [ds]Where there is no vision, the people decay: but he that keepeth the law is blessed.
19 A [dt]servant will not be chastised with words: though he understand, yet he will not [du]answer.
20 Seest thou a man hasty in his matters? there is more hope of a fool, than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from youth, at length he will be even as his son.
22 (AV)An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 (AW)The pride of a man shall bring him low: but the humble in spirit shall enjoy glory.
24 He that is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing and declareth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a [dv]snare: but he that trusteth in the Lord shall be exalted.
26 Many do seek the face of the ruler: but every man’s [dw]judgment cometh from the Lord.
27 A wicked man is abomination to the just, and he that is upright in his way, is abomination to the wicked.
30 2 To humble ourselves in consideration of God’s works. 5 The word of God is perfect. 11 Of the wicked and hypocrites. 15 Of things that are never satiate. 18 Of others that are wonderful.
THE WORDS OF [dx]AGUR THE SON OF JAKEH.
1 The prophecy which the man spake unto Ithiel, even to [dy]Ithiel, and Ucal.
2 Surely I am more [dz]foolish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man in me.
3 For I have not learned wisdom, nor attained to the knowledge of holy things.
4 Who hath ascended up to [ea]heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fist? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the world? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
5 (AX)Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to those that trust in him.
6 (AY)Put nothing unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 Two [eb]things have I required of thee: deny me them not before I die.
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me not poverty, nor riches: feed me with food convenient for me,
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, [ec]Who is the 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, [ed]when thou hast offended.
11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their own conceit, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
13 There is a generation whose eyes are haughty, and their eye lids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their chaws as knives to eat up the afflicted out of the earth, and the poor from among men.
15 The horseleech hath two [ee]daughters which cry, Give, give. There be three things that will not be satisfied: yea, four that say not, It is enough.
16 The grave, and the barren womb, the earth, that cannot be satisfied with water, and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
17 The eye that mocketh his father and despiseth the instruction of his mother, let the ravens [ef]of the valley pick it out, and the young eagles eat it.
18 There be three things hid from me: yea, four that I know not:
19 The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a stone, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.
20 Such is the way also of an adulterous woman: she eateth and [eg]wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have not committed iniquity.
21 For three things the earth is moved: yea, for four it cannot sustain itself.
22 For [eh]a servant when he reigneth, and a fool when he is filled with meat,
23 For the hateful woman, when she is married, and for a handmaid that is [ei]heir to her mistress.
24 These be four small things in the earth, yet they are [ej]wise, and full of wisdom.
25 The pismires a people not strong, yet prepare they their meat in summer:
26 The conies a people not mighty, yet make they their houses in the rock:
27 The grasshopper hath no king, yet go they forth all by bands:
28 The spider taketh hold [ek]with her hands, and is in king’s palaces.
29 There be three things that order well their going: yea, four are comely in going:
30 A lion which is strong among beasts, and turneth not at the sight of any:
31 A lusty greyhound, and a goat, and a king against whom there is no rising up.
32 If thou hast been foolish in lifting thyself up, and if thou hast thought wickedly, lay thine hand [el]upon thy mouth.
33 When one churneth milk, he bringeth forth butter: and he that wringeth his nose, causeth blood to come out, so he that forceth wrath, bringeth forth strife.
31 2 He exhorteth to chastity and justice, 10 and showeth the conditions of a wise and worthy woman.
1 THE WORDS OF KING [em]LEMUEL: The [en]prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 What my son! and what the son of [eo]my womb! and what, O son of my desires!
3 Give not thy strength unto women, [ep]nor thy ways which is to destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes [eq]strong drink,
5 Lest he drink and forget the decree, and change the judgment of all the children of affliction.
6 Give ye strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto them that have grief of heart.
7 Let him drink, that he may forget [er]his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the [es]dumb in the cause of all the children of destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and judge the afflicted, and the poor.
10 ¶ Who shall find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above the pearls.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of [et]spoil.
12 She will do him good, and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and laboreth cheerfully with her hands.
14 She is like the ships of merchants: she bringeth her food from afar.
15 And she ariseth, while it is yet night: and giveth [eu]the portion to her household, and the [ev]ordinary to her maids.
16 She considereth a field, and [ew]getteth it: and with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She feeleth that her merchandise is good: her candle is not put out by night.
19 She putteth her hands to the wheel, and her hands handle the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, and putteth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She feareth not the snow for her family: for all her family is clothed with [ex]scarlet.
22 She maketh herself carpets: fine linen and purple is her garment.
23 Her husband is known in the [ey]gates, when he sitteth with the Elders of the land.
24 She maketh [ez]sheets, and selleth them, and giveth girdles unto the merchant.
25 [fa]Strength and honor is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall rejoice.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the [fb]law of grace is in her tongue.
27 She overseeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and [fc]call her blessed: her husband also shall praise her, saying,
29 Many daughters have done virtuously: but thou surmountest them all.
30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vanity: but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised.
31 Give [fd]her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the [fe]gates.
Ecclesiastes, or The Preacher
1 2 All things in this world are full of vanity, and of none endurance. 13 All man’s wisdom is but folly and grief.
1 The words of the [ff]Preacher, the son of David king in Jerusalem.
2 [fg]Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher: vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
3 What remaineth unto man in all his [fh]travail, which he suffereth under the sun?
4 One generation passeth, and another generation succeedeth: but the earth remaineth [fi]forever.
5 The sun riseth, and the sun goeth down, and draweth to his place where he riseth.
6 The [fj]wind goeth toward the South, and compasseth toward the North: the wind goeth round about, and returneth by his circuits.
7 All the rivers go into the sea, yet the sea is not full: for the rivers go unto the place [fk]whence they return, and go.
8 All things are full of labor: man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 [fl]What is it that hath been? that that shall be: and what is it that hath been done? that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there anything, whereof one may say, Behold this, it is new? it hath been already in the old time that was before us.
11 There is no memory of the former, neither shalt there be a remembrance of the latter that shall be, with them that shall come after.
12 ¶ [fm]I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem:
13 And I have given mine heart to search and find out wisdom by all things that are done under the heaven: (this sore travail hath God given to the sons of men, [fn]to humble them thereby.)
14 I have considered all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, and vexation of the spirit.
15 That which is [fo]crooked, can none make straight: and that which faileth, cannot be numbered.
16 I thought in mine heart, and said, Behold, I am become great, and excel in wisdom all them that have been before me in Jerusalem: and mine heart hath seen much wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave mine heart to know wisdom and knowledge, [fp]madness and foolishness: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit.
18 For in the multitude of wisdom is much [fq]grief: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.
2 Pleasures, sumptuous buildings, riches and possessions are but vanity. 14 The wise and the fool have both one end touching the bodily death.
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove [fr]thee with joy: therefore take thou pleasure in pleasant things: and behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, Thou art mad: and of joy, What is this that thou doest?
3 I sought in mine heart [fs]to give myself to wine, and to lead mine heart in [ft]wisdom, and to take hold of folly, till I might see where is that goodness of the children of men, which they [fu]enjoy under the Sun, the whole number of the days of their life.
4 I have made my great works: I have built me houses: I have planted me vineyards.
5 I have made me gardens and [fv]orchards, and planted in them trees of all fruit.
6 I have made me cisterns of water, to water therewith the woods that grow with trees.
7 I have gotten servants and maids, and had children born in the [fw]house: also I had great Possession of beeves and sheep above all that were before me in Jerusalem.
8 I have gathered unto me also silver and gold, and the chief treasures of Kings and provinces: I have provided me men singers, and women singers, and the [fx]delights of the sons of men, as a woman [fy]taken captive, and women taken captives.
9 And I was great, and increased above all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom [fz]remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired, I withheld it not from them: I withdrew not mine heart from any joy: for mine heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my [ga]portion of all my travail.
11 Then I looked on all my works that mine hands had wrought, and on the travail that I had labored to do: and behold, all is vanity and vexation of the spirit: and there is no profit under the Sun.
12 ¶ And I turned to behold [gb]wisdom, and madness, and folly: (for who is the man that [gc]will come after the King in things, which men now have done?)
13 Then I saw that there is profit in wisdom more than in folly: as the light is more excellent than darkness.
14 (AZ)For the wise man’s [gd]eyes are in his head, but the fool walketh in darkness: yet I know also that the same [ge]condition falleth to them all.
15 Then I thought in mine heart, It befalleth unto me, as it befalleth to the fool. Why therefore do I then labor to be more wise? And I said in mine heart, that this also is vanity.
16 For there shall be no remembrance of the wise, nor of the fool [gf]forever: for that that now is, in the days to come, shall all be forgotten. And [gg]how dieth the wise man, as doth the fool?
17 Therefore I hated life: for the work that is wrought under the Sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity, and vexation of the spirit.
18 I hated also all my labor, wherein I had travailed under the Sun, which I shall leave to the man that shall be after me.
19 And who knoweth whether he shall be wise or foolish? yet shall he have rule over all my labor, wherein I have travailed, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the Sun. This is also vanity.
20 Therefore I went about to make mine heart [gh]abhor all the labor, wherein I had travailed under the Sun.
21 For there is a man whose travail is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity: yet to a man that hath not travailed herein, shall he [gi]give his portion: this also is vanity, and a great grief.
22 For what hath man of all his travail and grief of his heart, wherein he hath travailed under the Sun?
23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief: his heart also taketh not rest in the night: which also is vanity.
24 There is no profit to man, but that he eat and drink, and [gj]delight his soul with the profit of his labor: I saw also this, that it was of the hand of God.
25 For who could eat, and who could haste to [gk]outward things more than I?
26 Surely to a man that is good in his sight, God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth pain to gather, and to heap to give to him that is good before God: this also is vanity, and vexation of the spirit.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.