19" For the master is not at home, He is gone a long journey; 20" He hath taken a purse of money with him, "And will come home at the time appointed.” 21 She allured him with her much-persuasive speech, With the flattery of her lips she seduced him. 22 He follows her immediately, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, 24 And now, O youths, hearken unto me, 26 For she hath cast down many wounded, And very many are all those that have been slain by her. 27 Her house is the way to Hades, Going down to the chambers of death. CHAPTER VIII. 1 DOTH not wisdom make proclamation? And my voice is addressed to the sons of men. 5 "O ye simple, exercise prudence; "And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart. 6" Hear, for I will speak excellent things, "And the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7" For my mouth shall speak truth; 8 " "And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. Righteous are all the words of my mouth; "There is nothing in them crooked or perverse. 9" They are all plain to him that understandeth, "And right to them that find knowledge. 10"Receive my instruction, and not silver, "And knowledge rather than fine gold: 11" For wisdom is better than gems, "And all the things that can be desired are not to be compared to it. 12 "I Wisdom dwell with prudence; "I present the knowledge of discreet things. 13"The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, "And the perverse mouth do I hate. 14" Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom, "I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, 15" "And princes decree justice. 16" By me princes rule, “ And all the judges of the earth are illustrious. 17" I love them that love me, "And those that seek me diligently shall find me. 18" Riches and honour are with me; "Even durable riches, and righteousness. D 19" My fruit is better than gold, even solid gold; “And my produce than choice silver. 20"I march in the way of righteousness, "In the midst of the paths of justice; 21 "That I may cause those that love me to inherit /true riches; "And that I may make their treasures full. 22" Jehovah possessed me, the Beginning of his way, "Before his works of old. / 23" I was anointed from everlasting, "From the beginning, before the world was. 24" When there were no depths I was born; "When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25" Before the mountains were settled, "Before the hills were, I was born. 26" While he had not yet made the earth, nor the plains, Nor the summits of the dust of the world. 27" When he prepared the heavens, I was there; 28 When he traced out the circle above the face of the deep; When he established the clouds above; "When he strengthened the fountains of the deep; 29" When he gave to the sea its bounds, 66 That the waters should not pass its limits; "When he traced out the foundations of the earth; 30" Then I, the Fabricator, was by him; / "And I was his daily delight, Rejoicing always in his sight; 31" Rejoicing in his whole creation; "But my delight is with the sons of men. 32 "And now, O children, hearken unto me, "For happy are they that keep my ways. 33." Hear instruction, and be wise, "And reject it not. 34." Happy is the man that heareth me, "Watching daily at my gates, "Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35"For he that findeth me findeth life, "And shall obtain favour from Jehovah ; 36" But he that wanders from me injures his own soul; "And all they that hate me love death." CHAPTER IX. 1 WISDOM hath built her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She hath killed her fatlings; She hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table; 3 She hath sent forth her maidens; She proclaimeth upon the highest places of the city 4 "Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither;" To him that wanteth understanding, she saith, 5 " Come, eat of my bread, "And drink of the wine which I have mingled; 6" Forsake the foolish, and live; "And go in the way of understanding. 7" He that reproveth a scorner getteth disgrace, "And he that showeth the wicked his faults. 8" Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 "Give reproof to a wise man, and he will become still wiser, "Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in true knowledge, 10" The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; "And the knowledge of the Holy-One is under standing. 11" For by me thy days shall be multiplied, "And the years of thy life shall be increased. 12" If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; "But if thou be a scorner, thou alone shall bear the punishment." 13 A foolish woman is clamorous, ! She is simple, and regardeth nothing; 14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, On a lofty seat, in the high places of the city, 15 Inviting the passengers, Who are proceeding on their ways; saying, 16 "Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither;" And to him that wanteth understanding, she saith, "6 Stolen waters are sweet, 17 "And the bread of concealment is pleasant." 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Hades, / CHAPTER X. 1 THE Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; |