Bible in 90 Days
22 ¶ Say not thou, I will take vengeance, but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23 ¶ Double weights are an abomination unto the LORD, and a false balance is not good.
24 ¶ Man’s steps are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 ¶ It is a snare unto man to devour that which is holy and afterward to reconsider his vows.
26 ¶ A wise king scatters the wicked and brings the wheel over them.
27 ¶ The spirit of man is the fire of the LORD, which searches the secrets of the inward parts.
28 ¶ Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by mercy.
29 ¶ The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30 ¶ The scars of past wounds are medicine for evil, and living reproof reaches the most secret places in the inward parts.
21 ¶ The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water, he turns it wherever he will.
2 ¶ Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 ¶ To do righteousness and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 ¶ A high look and a proud heart, which is the fire of the wicked, is sin.
5 ¶ The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, but of every one that is too hasty, only to want.
6 ¶ The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of those that seek death.
7 ¶ The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them because they refuse to do judgment.
8 ¶ The way of the perverse man is crooked and strange, but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 ¶ It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 ¶ The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.
11 ¶ When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise, and by instructing the wise, he receives wisdom.
12 ¶ The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked, how God overthrows the wicked for their evil.
13 ¶ Whosoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard.
14 ¶ A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the bosom strong wrath.
15 ¶ It is joy to the just to do judgment, but it shall be destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 ¶ The man that wanders out of the way of wisdom shall end up in the congregation of the dead.
17 ¶ He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 ¶ The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 ¶ It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 ¶ There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
21 ¶ He that follows after righteousness and mercy shall find life, righteousness, and honour.
22 ¶ The wise man took the city of the mighty and cast down its strength in which it trusted.
23 ¶ Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 ¶ Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.
25 ¶ The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 There is one who covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and keeps on giving.
27 ¶ The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination; how much more, when he brings it with lewdness?
28 ¶ The false witness shall perish, but the man that hears shall stand fast in his word.
29 ¶ The wicked man hardens his face, but as for the upright, he orders his ways.
30 ¶ There is no wisdom nor intelligence nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but salvation is of the LORD.
22 ¶ A good reputation is rather to be chosen than great riches and good grace rather than silver and gold.
2 ¶ The rich and poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 ¶ A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and receive hurt.
4 ¶ Riches and honour and life are the remuneration of humility and of the fear of the LORD.
5 ¶ Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he that keeps his soul shall be far from them.
6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 ¶ The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 ¶ He that sows iniquity shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 ¶ He that has a merciful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the destitute.
10 ¶ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; strife and reproach shall cease.
11 ¶ He that loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 ¶ The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13 ¶ The slothful man says, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 ¶ The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 ¶ Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 ¶ He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches and who gives to the rich shall surely come to want.
17 ¶ Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my wisdom.
18 For it is a delightful thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall be ordered together in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have I not written unto thee three times in counsels and knowledge,
21 that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee?
22 ¶ Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither destroy the destitute in judgment:
23 For the LORD will judge their cause and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 ¶ Do not meddle with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul.
26 ¶ Be not thou one of them that strike hands or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should they take away thy bed from under thee?
28 ¶ Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 ¶ Seest thou a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before obscure men.
23 ¶ When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee;
2 and put a knife to thy throat if thou art a man given to appetite.
3 Do not be desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful food.
4 ¶ Do not labour to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon riches which are not? For they shall certainly make themselves wings; they shall fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 ¶ Do not eat the bread of anyone who has an evil eye, neither desire his dainty foods;
7 for as he thinks in his soul, so is he; Eat and drink, he shall say unto thee, but his heart is not with thee.
8 Didst thou eat thy part? Thou shalt vomit it up and lose thy sweet words.
9 ¶ Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the prudence of thy words.
10 ¶ Do not remove the old landmark, and do not enter into the inheritance of the fatherless:
11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall judge their cause against thee.
12 ¶ Apply thine heart unto chastening and thine ears to the words of wisdom.
13 Do not withhold correction from the child; for if thou shall beat him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if thy heart is wise, my heart shall also rejoice;
16 my kidneys shall also rejoice when thy lips speak right things.
17 ¶ Let not thy heart envy sinners, but persevere in the fear of the LORD all day long.
18 For surely there is an end, and thy hope shall not be cut off.
19 ¶ Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and straighten thy heart in the way.
20 Do not be among those who are drunk with wine; nor among gluttonous eaters of food;
21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall cause them to wear rags.
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and sell it not, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice, and he that begets a wise child shall have joy with him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bore thee shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27 For a whore is a deep ditch and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28 She also lies in wait as for a prey and increases the transgressors among men.
29 ¶ For who shall be the woe? for who shall be the woe? for who contention? for who quarrels? for who the wounds without cause? who shall have redness of eyes?
30 For those that tarry long at the wine; those that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Do not look upon the wine when it is red, when it gives its colour in the cup, it goes down smoothly.
32 At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lies down in the midst of the sea or as he that sleeps at the rudder.
35 They have stricken me, thou shalt say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not; when I shall awake, I will seek it yet again.
24 ¶ Do not be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studies robbery, and their lips speak evil.
3 ¶ Through wisdom the house shall be built, and with intelligence it shall be established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and beautiful riches.
5 The wise man is strong; and the man of understanding is a mighty man of valour.
6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war, and in the multitude of counsellors there is saving health.
7 ¶ Wisdom, is too high for a fool; he shall not open his mouth in the gate.
8 He that devises to do evil shall be called a man of evil designs.
9 The thought of the foolish is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 ¶ If thou art slack in the day of tribulation, thy strength shall be reduced.
11 ¶ If thou forbear to deliver those that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain,
12 if thou should say, Behold, we knew it not; shall not he that weighs the hearts understand it? and he that keeps thy soul, does he not know it? and shall he not render to every man according to his works?
13 ¶ My son, eat of the honey, because it is good, and of the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: if thou shalt find it, and in the end thy hope shall not be cut off.
15 ¶ Do not lay in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not spoil his resting place.
16 For a just man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked shall fall into evil.
17 ¶ Do not rejoice when thy enemy falls, and do not let thy heart be glad when he stumbles
18 lest the LORD see it and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 ¶ Do not meddle with those who are evil, neither be envious of the wicked;
20 for the evil man shall not come to a good end; the fire of the wicked shall be put out.
21 ¶ My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not meddle with those that are given to change,
22 for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and the ruin of them both, who shall know it?
23 ¶ These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the peoples curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But unto those that rebuke him shall be delight, and a blessing of good shall come upon them.
26 The lips of the one that gives a right answer shall be kissed.
27 ¶ Prepare thy work without and make it fit for thyself in thine inheritance, and afterwards thou shalt build thine house.
28 ¶ Do not be a false witness against thy neighbour, and do not flatter with thy lips.
29 Do not say, I will do unto him as he has done unto me; I will render to the man according to his work.
30 ¶ I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding,
31 and, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered its face, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received chastening.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travels and thy want as an armed man.
25 ¶ These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal the word, but the honour of kings is to search out the word.
3 For the height of the heavens and depth of the earth and for the heart of kings, there is no investigation.
4 ¶ Take away the dross from the silver, and a vessel shall come forth for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 ¶ Do not praise thyself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 for it is better that it be said unto thee, Come up here than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 ¶ Do not go forth hastily to strive lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself and do not uncover the secret to another
10 lest he that hears it put thee to shame and thine infamy not turn away.
11 ¶ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold inscribed with silver.
12 As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is he who reproves a wise man who has a docile ear.
13 ¶ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those that send him, for he refreshes the soul of his master.
14 ¶ Whosoever boasts in a gift of falsehood is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 ¶ By long forbearing a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
16 ¶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 ¶ Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house lest he be weary of thee and so hate thee.
18 ¶ A man that bears false witness against his neighbour is a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 ¶ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 ¶ As he that takes away a garment in cold weather and as vinegar upon soap, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 ¶ If thy enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 ¶ The north wind drives away rain, so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 ¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 ¶ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 ¶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.
27 ¶ It is not good to eat much honey, so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 ¶ The man whose spirit has no restraint is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
26 ¶ As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suited for a fool.
2 ¶ As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never come.
3 ¶ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 ¶ Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer the fool showing him his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 ¶ He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out is like him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.
7 Like unto the way that the one who is lame walks, so is a proverb in the mouth of the fool.
8 As he that binds the stone in the sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.
9 As thorns sunk into the hand of one who is drunk, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 ¶ The great God that formed all things rewards both the fool and transgressors.
11 ¶ As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly.
12 ¶ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 ¶ The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 ¶ As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
15 ¶ The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 ¶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give him counsel.
17 ¶ He that passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 ¶ As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so is the man that destroys his friend and says, Am I not in sport?
20 ¶ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 Charcoal for burning coals and wood for fire, and a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 ¶ Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 ¶ He that hates dissembles with his lips and lays up deceit within him;
25 when he speaks fair, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Even though his hatred is covered up in the desert, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 ¶ Whosoever digs a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 ¶ A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
27 ¶ Boast not thyself of 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 Wrath is cruel, and anger is impetuous, but who is able to stand before envy?
5 ¶ Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 ¶ The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 ¶ As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man that wanders from his place.
9 ¶ Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so does the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
10 Do not forsake thine own friend and thy father’s friend, neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity, for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
11 ¶ My son, be wise and make my heart glad that I may answer him that reproaches me.
12 ¶ A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are hurt by it.
13 ¶ Take his garment that is surety for a stranger and take a pledge of him that is surety for a strange woman.
14 ¶ He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15 ¶ A continual dripping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16 Whosoever hides her hides the wind, because the oil in his right hand cries out.
17 ¶ Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18 ¶ Whosoever keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof, so he that waits on his master shall be honoured.
19 ¶ As in water face corresponds to face, so the heart of man to man.
20 ¶ Sheol and hell are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21 ¶ As the fining pot tries the silver and the furnace the gold; so the man is tried by the mouth of whoever praises him.
22 ¶ Though thou should bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
23 ¶ Be thou diligent to know the countenance of thy sheep, and put thy heart into thy herds.
24 For riches are not for ever, and does the crown endure to every generation?
25 The tender grass shows itself, and the hay appears, and the herbs of the mountains are reaped.
26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are for the price of the field.
27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maidens.
28 ¶ The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a young lion.
2 ¶ By the rebellion of the land, many are its princes, but by the man of understanding and wisdom the land shall remain stable.
3 ¶ A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
4 ¶ Those that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 ¶ Evil men do not understand judgment, but those that seek the LORD understand all things.
6 ¶ Better is the poor that walks in his perfection than he that is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.
7 ¶ Whosoever keeps the law is a wise son, but he that is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 ¶ He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 ¶ He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 ¶ Whosoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit, but the perfect shall inherit every good thing.
11 ¶ The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but the poor that has understanding is wiser than he.
12 ¶ When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, the sane man hides himself.
13 ¶ He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes them shall attain mercy.
14 ¶ Blessed is the man that fears God always, but he that hardens his heart shall fall into evil.
15 ¶ As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 ¶ The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor, but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 ¶ A man that does violence to the blood of any person shall flee all the way to the grave, and no one shall sustain him.
18 ¶ Whosoever walks in integrity shall be saved, but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall into one of them.
19 ¶ He that tills his land shall be filled with bread, but he that follows after vain persons shall be filled with poverty.
20 ¶ The man of truth shall abound with blessings, but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be absolved.
21 ¶ To have respect of persons in judgment is not good; even for a piece of bread, man will transgress.
22 ¶ He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye and does not consider that poverty shall come upon him.
23 ¶ He that rebukes a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24 ¶ Whosoever robs his father or his mother and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of the destroyer.
25 ¶ He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 ¶ He that trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whosoever walks in wisdom, he shall be saved.
27 ¶ He that gives unto the poor shall never lack, but he that hides his eyes from the poor shall have many a curse.
28 ¶ When the wicked rise, sane men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous multiply.
29 ¶ He that being often reproved hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.
2 ¶ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn.
3 ¶ Whosoever loves wisdom causes his father to rejoice, but he that maintains harlots shall lose his inheritance.
4 ¶ The king by judgment establishes the land, but he that receives gifts shall overthrow it.
5 ¶ The man that flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.
6 ¶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but the righteous shall sing and rejoice.
7 ¶ The righteous considers the cause of the poor, but the wicked does not understand wisdom.
8 ¶ Scornful men bring a city into a snare, but wise men turn away wrath.
9 ¶ If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no rest.
10 ¶ The bloodthirsty hate the perfect, but the just seek his soul.
11 ¶ The fool gives full rein to his spirit, but the wise man in the end will bring it into rest.
12 ¶ Of the ruler who hearkens unto the lying word, all his ministers are evil.
13 ¶ The poor and the usurer meet together; the LORD lightens both their eyes.
14 ¶ The king that judges the poor with truth, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 ¶ The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself shall bring his mother to shame.
16 ¶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases, but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 ¶ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 ¶ Without prophetic vision, the people shall perish, but he that keeps the law is blessed.
19 ¶ A slave will not be corrected by words, for though he understands he will not obey.
20 ¶ Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 ¶ He that gives freely unto his slave from a child shall have him become his son in the end.
22 ¶ The angry man stirs up strife, and the furious man abounds in transgression.
23 ¶ A man’s pride shall bring him low, but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 ¶ Whosoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul; he hears cursing, and does not disclose it.
25 ¶ The fear of man brings a snare, but whosoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be lifted up.
26 ¶ Many seek the ruler’s favour, but each man’s judgment comes from the LORD.
27 ¶ An unjust man is an abomination to the just, and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
30 ¶ The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2 Surely I am more carnal than any man and have not the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4 Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto those that put their trust in him.
6 Do not add unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 ¶ Two things have I required of thee; do not deny me them before I die:
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread of my judgment:
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and blaspheme the name of my God.
10 ¶ Do not accuse a slave in the presence of his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11 There is a generation that curses their father, and does not bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their molars as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the destitute from among men.
15 ¶ The horseleach has two daughters, which are called, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
16 Sheol; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that never says, It is enough.
17 The eye that mocks at his father, and despises the teaching of his mother, the ravens shall pluck it out of the river, and the young eagles shall eat it.
18 ¶ There are three things which are hidden from me, yea, four which I know not:
19 The track of the eagle in the air; the track of the serpent upon the rock; the track of the ship in the midst of the sea; and the track of the man in the maid.
20 Such is the track of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness.
21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and the fourth it cannot bear:
22 For a slave when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with bread;
23 for a rejected woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 ¶ There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are wiser than the wise men:
25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26 the conies are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them go forth by bands;
28 the spider takes hold with her hands and is in kings’ palaces.
29 ¶ There are three things which have a magnificent walk; yea, the fourth is stately in going:
30 The lion which is strongest among beasts and does not turn away for any;
31 the greyhound who is girded up of loins; a he goat also, and the king, against whom no one rises up.
32 If thou hast fallen, it is because thou hast lifted thyself up; and if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
33 Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.
31 ¶ The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Do not give thy strength nor thy ways unto the women who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor is beer for princes
5 lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give beer unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that have heavy hearts.
7 They drink and forget their need and remember their misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for those who cannot speak in the judgment of all the sons of death.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and destitute.
Aleph
10 ¶ Who can find a valiant woman? for her price is far above precious stones.
Beth
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Gimel
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Daleth
13 She sought wool and flax and worked willingly with her hands.
He
14 She was like the merchants’ ships; she brings her food from afar.
Vau
15 She rose up even at night and gave food to her family and a portion to her maidens.
Zain
16 She considered the inheritance and bought it; with the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.
Cheth
17 She girded her loins with strength and strengthened her arms.
Teth
18 She perceived that her merchandise was good; her fire did not go out by night.
Jod
19 She laid her hands to the spindle, and her hands held the distaff.
Caph
20 She stretched out her hand to the poor; yea, she reached forth her hands to the destitute.
Lamed
21 She shall not be afraid of the snow for her family, for all her family is clothed with double garments.
Mem
22 She makes herself tapestries; her clothing is of fine linen and purple.
Nun
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
Samech
24 She made fine linen and sold it and delivered girdles unto the merchant.
Ain
25 Strength and glory is her clothing, and she shall laugh in the last day.
Pe
26 She opened her mouth with wisdom, and the law of mercy is upon her tongue.
Tzaddi
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat bread in idleness.
Koph
28 Her sons rose up and called her blessed; her husband also, and he praised her.
Resh
29 Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou dost excel them all.
Schin
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but the woman that fears the LORD shall be praised.
Tau
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
1 ¶ The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 What profit does a man have of all his labour which he takes under the sun?
4 ¶ One generation passes away, and another generation comes, but the earth abides for ever.
5 The sun arises, and the sun goes down, and with desire returns to his place from which he arises again.
6 The wind goes toward the south and turns about unto the north; it whirls about continually, and the wind returns again according to its circuits.
7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again.
8 All things are full of labour; more than man can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 ¶ The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time which was before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
12 ¶ I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven (this sore travail God has given to the sons of man that they be occupied in it).
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with my own heart, saying, Behold, I am come to great estate and have gotten more wisdom than all those that have been before me in Jerusalem; and my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom and knowledge and to know folly and those who are mad; I learned in the end that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief, and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.
2 ¶ I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy good things; and, behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, It is mad, and of mirth, What does it do?
3 I proposed in my heart to regale my flesh with wine and that my heart would walk in wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
4 I made myself great works; I built myself houses; I planted myself vineyards;
5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits;
6 I made myself pools of water, to water with them the forest that brings forth trees;
7 I got myself slaves and maidens and had sons born in my house; also I had great possessions of cattle and sheep above all that were in Jerusalem before me;
8 I gathered unto myself also silver and gold and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces; I obtained men singers and women singers and all the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and those of all sorts.
9 So I was great and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem, and more than that, my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour, and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 At last I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
12 ¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom and those who are mad, and folly; for what can the man do that comes after the king? even that which has already been done.
13 And I have seen that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels darkness.
14 The wise man has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness: And I myself also understood that one event happens to the one and to the other.
15 Then I said in my heart, As it shall happen to the fool, so it shall happen even to me. Why have I worked until now to make myself wiser? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.
16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever, seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And also the wise man shall die the same as the fool.
17 ¶ Therefore I hated life because every work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all was vanity and vexation of spirit.
18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun, which I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19 And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool, he who shall have rule over all my labour in which I have laboured and in which I have showed myself wise under the sun? This is also vanity.
20 Therefore my heart began to despair again regarding all the labour which I took under the sun.
21 That the man who worked with wisdom and with knowledge and with uprightness would have to leave his portion to a man that has not laboured therein. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22 For what does man have of all his labour and of the vexation of his heart in which he has laboured under the sun?
23 For all his days are only sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart does not take rest in the night. This is also vanity.
24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. I also have seen that this is from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat, or who can care for himself better than I?
26 For God gives to the man that is good in his sight wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to the one that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
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