23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; And a word spoken in season, how good is it! 24 The way of life above is for the prudent man, That he may avoid Hades beneath.

25 Jehovah will destroy the house of the proud;

But he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to Jehovah ;

But the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that desireth unjust gain troubleth his own house;

But he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth that it may

answer;

But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 Jehovah is far from the wicked;

But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 As the light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; So an honest fame is cheering to a man.

31 The ear that regardeth the reproof of life, Abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul;

But he that regardeth reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honour is humility.

CHAPTER XVI.

1 THE deliberations of the heart in man,

And the utterance of the tongue, are from Jehovah. / 2 All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

3 Commit thy works unto Jehovah,

And thy designs shall be established.

4 Jehovah hath made all things for himself; Yea, even the wicked he daily sustains.

5 Every one that is proud of heart is an abomination to Jehovah ;

Though hand join in hand he shall not be unpunished.

6 Through mercy and truth iniquity is expiated; And through the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please Jehovah,

He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with
him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness,
Than great revenues without right.

9 A man's heart deviseth his way;
But Jehovah directeth his steps.

10 Divination is upon the lips of the king;
His mouth will not transgress in judgment.

11 A just weight and balance are Jehovah's; All the weights of the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wicked

ness;

For the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will appease it:

15 In the light of the king's countenance is life;

And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold? And to get understanding rather to be chosen than

silver?

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; And he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18 Pride precedeth destruction;

And a haughty spirit precedeth a downfall:

19 It is better to be of an humble spirit with the lowly,

Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He that understandeth the word shall find good; And he that trusteth in Jehovah-happy is he.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent;

And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to him that hath it; But the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth; And addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul, and a healing medicine to the bones.

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

26 The body of the labourer laboureth for himself; For his mouth layeth this burthen upon him.

27 An ungodly man deviseth evil;

And on his lips there is a burning fire.

28 A perverse man soweth strife;

And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29 A malicious man enticeth his neighbour, And leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things; Moving his lips he perfecteth evil.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory,

When it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap;

But the whole disposing thereof is from Jehovah.

CHAPTER XVII.

1 BETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of sacrificial-banquets with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,

And shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;

But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; And a liar giveth ear to a wicked tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men ; And the glory of children are their fathers.

7 The lip of excellency becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of him who hath it;

Whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.

9 He that concealeth a transgression procureth love; But he that repeateth a matter separateth friends.

10 Reproof hath more effect upon a man of understanding,

Than to strike a fool an hundred times.