271 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 vexation is heavier than they both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

7 The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to 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 place.

9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man's friend [that cometh] of hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me.

12 A prudent man seeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [But] the simple pass on, [and] suffer for it.

13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for a foreign woman.

14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It shall be counted a curse to him.

15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike: 16 He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil.

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored.

19 As in water face [answereth] to face, So the heart of man to man.

20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is [tried] by his praise.

22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [And] look well to thy herds: 24 For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations? 25 The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field; 27 And [there will be] goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And maintenance for thy maidens.

The Wicked and the Righteous

281 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is [like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in [his] ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.

8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, [So is] a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; [But] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; Let no man stay him.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in [his] ways shall fall at once.

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

21 To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

22 he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

291 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth [his] substance.

4 The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.

5 A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps.

6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7 The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know [it].

8 Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.

10 The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life.

11 A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.

12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.

14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall.

17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words; For though he understand, he will not give heed.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.

23 A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.

26 Many seek the ruler's favor; But a man's judgment [cometh] from Jehovah.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.