THE PROVERBS Use of the Proverbs. Caution against being enticed by Sinners son of David, king of Israel: 5 And whole, as those that go down into the pit; 2 To know wisdom and instruc- 13 We shall find all 6 To understand a proverb, and 1a figure, The words of the wise, and their 2dark sayings. 7 The fear of Jehovah is the 3 beginning of knowledge; substance; precious We shall fill our houses with But the foolish despise wisdom 20 Wisdom crieth aloud in the Wisdom's Warnings to those who despise her. I will make known my words And search for her as for hid treasures: 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding: 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; 3 He is a shield to them that walk in integrity; 8 4That he may guard the paths of justice, 5 Ånd preserve the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, yea, every good path. 10 For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul; And did not choose the fear of 11 Discretion shall watch over Exhortations to fear, trust, and obey Jehovah. The Rewards of Wisdom 19 None that go unto her return again, Neither do they attain unto the paths of life: 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, And keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land. And the perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, 3 And the treacherous shall be rooted out of it. My son, forget not my 2 law; But let thy heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to thee. 3 Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart: 4 So shalt thou find favor and 3 good understanding In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 8 It will be health to thy navel, 9 Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah ; Neither be weary of his reproof: 12 For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth, 13 14 Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that 7getteth un- For the gaining of it is better 15 She is more precious than rubies: Sundry Precepts. Paternal Exhortation to walk in Life-giving Ways of Wisdom Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth; 6 Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee. 7 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; 10 9 A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my 3 But he giveth grace unto the lowly. 14 Keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, 15 35 The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools. Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding: 2 For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my 5 law. 3 For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 And he taught me, and said unto And walk not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on. 16 For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wicked The Peril of unchaste Love 20 My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 2 Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on Sheol; 64So that she findeth not the level path of life: 15 In the midst of the assembly and congregation. Drink waters out of thine own cistern, And running waters out of thine own well. 16 Should thy springs be dispersed abroad, 17 And streams of water in the streets? Let them be for thyself alone, And not for strangers with thee. 18 Let thy fountain be blessed; And rejoice in the wife of thy youth. 19 As a loving hind and a pleasant doe, Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; And be thou ravished always with her love. Her ways are unstable, and 5 she 20 For why shouldest thou, my son, knoweth it not. 7 Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me, 1 Or, above all that thou guardest 2 Or, Weigh carefully 3 Or, ordered aright 4 Or, Lest thou find the level &c. Or, Lest thon weigh carefully the path of life "thou canst not know them 9 be ravished with a strange |