CHAPTER XIV.

1 EVERY wise woman (wife) buildeth her house; But the foolish pulleth it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are the crib is clean;

But much produce is by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie;

But a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; But knowledge is easy to him that hath understanding.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,

When thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way;

But the folly of fools is deceitful.

9 Fools make a mock at sin;

But among the upright there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness;

And a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; But the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

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12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man ; But the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even by laughter the heart is made sorrowful; And the end of mirth is sadness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his

own ways;

And a good man shall be filled with his.

15 The simple believeth every word;

But a prudent man considereth his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool transgresseth, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry acteth foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly;

But the prudent shall be crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good;

And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even by his own neighbour; XBut the rich have many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth;

But he that hath mercy on the poor-happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil?

But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise
good.

23 In all labour there is profit;

But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches; But the opulence of fools is folly.

25 A faithful witness delivereth souls;

But a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence;
And his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life,
To avoid the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour; But in the want of people is the destruction of the

prince.

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh;

But envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker;

But he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness; But the righteous hath hope in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding;

But that which is in the midst of fools is known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation;

But sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant;

But his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

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CHAPTER XV.

1 A SOFT answer turneth away wrath;

But grievous words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge agreeable;

But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,

Beholding the evil and the good.

4 The healing medicine of the tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein afflicteth the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction;

But he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge; But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah ;

But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah ;

But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way; And he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Hades and the seats of destruction are open to Jehovah ;

How much more the hearts of the children of men?

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him, Neither will he go unto the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge;

But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil;

But he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure, and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a repast of herbs where love is, Than a stalled ox, and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up

strife;

But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the slothful man is like an hedge of thorns;

But the way of the righteous is made plain.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father;

But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom; But a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.