The Old Testament - The Middle Books - The New Testament with the Prophets

The 1527 Original Word of God In English


God's Truth To Us

 

 

The Proverbs of Solomon

Chapters 1-15 | 16-24 | 25-end | Next Book


 

Chapter 16

      The fear of the Lord is the right science of wisdom, and lowliness goeth before honor.
      * A man may well purpose a thing in his heart, but the answer of the tongue cometh from the Lord.
      A man thinketh all his ways to be clean, but it is the Lord that fashioneth minds.
      Commit thy works unto the Lord, and look what thou devisest, it shall prosper.
       The Lord doeth all things for his own sake, yee and when he keepeth the ungodly for the day of wrath.
      The Lord abhorreth all presumptuous and proud hearts, there may neither strength ner power escape.
      With loving mercy and faithfulness sins be forgiven, and who so searcheth the Lord eschueth evil.
      When a mans ways please the Lord, he maketh his very enemies to be his friends.
      Better is it to have a little thing with righteousness, than great rents wrongfully gotten.
      A man deviseth a way in his heart, but it is the Lord that ordereth his goings.
      When the prophecy is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not go wrong in judgement.
      A true measure and a true balance are the Lords, he maketh all weights.
      It is an great abomination when kings are wicked, for a kings seat should be holden up with righteousness.
      Righteous lips are pleasant unto kings, and they love him that speaketh the truth.
      The king displeasure is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify him.
      The cheerful countenance of the king is life, and his loving favor is as the evening dew.
      To have wisdom in possession is better than gold, and to get understanding is more worth than silver.
      The path for the righteous eschueth evil, and who so looketh well to his ways keepeth his own soul.
      Presumptuousness goeth before destruction, and after a proud stomach there followeth a fall.
      Better it is to be of humble mind with the lowly, than to divide the spoils with the proud.
      He that handleth a matter wisely, obtaineth good: and blessed is he , that putteth his trust in the Lord.
      Who so hath a wise understanding is called to counsel: but he that can speak fair getteth more riches.
      Understanding is a well of life unto him that hath it, as for the chastening of fools, it is but foolishness.
      The heart of the wise enformeth his mouth, and amendeth the doctrine in his lips.
      Fair words are an honeycomb, a refreshing of the mind, and health of the bones.
      There is a way that men think to be right, but the end thereof leadeth unto death.
      A troublous soul disquieteth herself, for her own mouth hath brought her thereto.
      An ungodly person stirreth up evil, and in his lips he is as an hot burning fire.
      A froward body causeth strife, and he that is a babble of his tongue, maketh division among Princes.
      A wicked man beguileth his neighbor, and leadeth him the way that is not good.
      He that winketh with his eyes, imagineth mischief: and he that biteth his lips, will do some harm.
      Age is a crown of worship, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
      A patient man is better than one strong: and he that can rule himself, is more worth than he that winneth a city.
      The lots are cast into the lap, but their fall standeth before the Lord.

 

* That is, no will of man can come to good purpose, without the help of God. MN

 

 

 

Chapter 17

      Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a full house and many fat cattle with strife.
      A discreet servant shall have more rule than the sons that have no wisdom, and shall have like heritage with the brethren.
      Like as silver is tried in the fire and gold in the furnace, even so doth the Lord prove the hearts.
      A wicked body holdeth much of false lips, and a disassembling person giveth ear to a disceitful tongue.
      Whoso laugheth the poor to scorn, blasphemeth his maker: and he that is glad of another mans hurt, shall not be unpunished.
      Childrens children are a worship unto the elders, and the fathers are the honor of the children.
      An eloquent speech becometh not a fool, a disassembling mouth also becometh not a Prince.
      Liberality is as a precious stone unto him that hath it, for wheresoever he becometh, he prospereth.
      Who so covereth another mans offense, seeketh love: but he that discloseth the fault, setteth friends at variance.
      One reproof only doeth more good to that hath understanding, than an hundred stripes into a fool.
      A *sedicious person seeketh mischief, but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
      It were better to come against a she bear robbed of her whelps, then against a fool in his foolishness.
      Whoso rewardeth evil for good, the plague shall not depart from his house.
      He that soweth discord and strife, is like one that diggeth up a water brook: but an open enemy is like the water that breaketh out and runneth abroad.
      The Lord hateth as well him that justifieth the ungodly, as him that condemeth the innocent.
      What helpeth it to give a fool money in his hand, where as he hath no mind to buy wisdom?
      He is a friend that always loveth, and in adversity a man shall know who is his brother.
      Whom so promiseth by the hand, and is surety for another, he is a fool.
       He that loveth strife, delighteth in sin: and he that setteth his door to high, seeketh after a fall.
      Who so hath a froward heart obtaineth no good: and he that hath an *overthwart tongue, shall fall into mischief.
       An unwise body bringeth himself in to sorrow, and the father of a fool can have no joy.
      A merry heart maketh a lusty age, but a sorrowful mind drieth up the bones.
      The ungodly taketh gifts out of the bosom, to *wreste the ways of judgment.
       Wisdom shineth in the face of him that hath understanding, but the eyes of fools wander throughout all lands.
      An undiscreet son is a grief unto his father, and an heaviness unto his mother that bare him.
      To punish the innocent, an to smite the Princes that give true judgement, are both evil.
      He is wise and discreet that tempereth his words: and he is a man of understanding, that maketh much of his spirit.
      Yee a very fool ( when he holdeth his tongue ) is counted wise, and to have understanding, when he shutteth his lips.

 

* sedition = disloyalty, treachery,       labored strife, promotes rebellion (against godly ways) RN *overthwart = to impede, obstruct, prevent, frustrate. *wreste = from wrest meaning; to distort or twist the nature or meaning of .

 

 

 

Chapter 18

      Who so hath pleasure to sow discord, speaketh a quarrel in every thing.
      A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only in those things that his heart rejoiceth.
      Where ungodliness is, there is also disdain: and so there followeth shame and dishonor.
      The words of a mans mouth are like deep waters, and the well of wisdom is like a full stream.
      It is not good to regard the person of the ungodly, or to put back the righteous in judgment.
      A fools lips are ever brawling, and his mouth provoketh unto battle.
      A fools mouth is his own destruction, and his lips are the snare for his own soul.
      The words of a sclanderer are very wounds, and go through unto the innermost parts of the body.
      Who so is slothful and slack in his labor, is the brother of him that is a waster.
      The name of the Lord is a strong castle, the righteous flyeth unto it, and shall be saved.
      But the rich mans goods are his stronghold, yee he taketh them for an high wall around about him.
      After pride cometh destruction, and honor after lowliness.
      He that giveth sentence in a matter before he hear it, is a fool, and worthy to be confounded.
      A good stomach driveth away a mans disease, but when the spirit is vexed, who may abide it.
      A wise heart laboreth for knowledge, and a prudent ear seeketh understanding.
      Liberality bringeth a man to honor and worship, and setteth him among great men.
      The righteous accuseth himself first of all, if his neighbor come, he shall find him.
      The lot pacifieth the variance, and parteth the mighty asunder.
      The unity of brethren is stronger than a castle, and they that hold together are like the bar of a palace.
      A mans belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his own mouth, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
      Death and life stand in the power of the tongue, he that loveth, it shall enjoy the fruit thereof.
      Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and receiveth an wholesome benefit of the Lord.
      The poor maketh supplication and prayeth meekly, but the rich giveth a rough answer.
      A friend that delighteth in love, doth a man more friendship, and sticketh faster unto him than a brother.

 

 

 

Chapter 19

      Better is the poor that liveth godly, than is the blasphemer that is but a fool.
      Where no discretion is, there the soul is not well: and who so is swift of foot, stumbleth hastily.
      Foolishness maketh a man to go out of his way, and then is his heart unpatient against the Lord.
      Riches make many friends, but the poor is forsaken of his own friends.
      A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
      The multitude hangeth upon great men, and every man favoreth him that giveth rewards.
      As for the poor, he is hated among all his brethren: yee his own friends forsake him, and he that giveth credence unto words, getteth nothing.
      He that is wise loveth his own soul: and who so hath understanding, shall prosper.
      A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
      Delicate ease becometh not a fool, much more unseemly is it, a bond man to have rule of princes.
      A wise man putteth off displeasure, and it is his honor to let some faults pass.
      The kings dishonor is like the roaring of a Lion, but his friendship is like the dew upon the grass.
      An undiscreet son is the heaviness of his father, and a *brauling wife is like the top of an house, where through it is ever dropping.
      House and riches may a man have by the heritage of his elders, but a discreet woman is a gift of the Lord.
      Slothfulness bringeth sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
      Who so keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own soul: but he that regardeth not his way, shall die.
      He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord: and look what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again.
      Chasten thy son while there is hope, but let not thy soul be moved to slay him.
      For great wrath bringeth harm, therefore let him go, and so mayest thou teach him more nurture.
      O' give ear unto good counsel, and be content to be reformed, that thou mayest be wise here after.
      There are many devices in a mans heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord shall stand.
      It is a mans worship to do good, and better is it to be a poor man, than a dissembler.
      The fear of the Lord preserveth life, yee it giveth plenteousness, without the visitation of any plague.
      A slothful body shooteth his hand into his bosom, so that he can not put it to his mouth.
      If thou smitest a scornful person, the ignorant shall take better heed: and if thou reproveth one that hath understanding, he will be the wiser.
      He that hurteth his father or shuteth out his mother, is a shameful and unworthy son.
      My son heareth no more the doctrine that leadeth thee away from the words of understanding.
      A false witness laugheth judgement to scorn, and the mouth of the ungodly eateth up wickedness.
      Punishments are ordered for the scornful, and stripes for the fools back.

 

*from brawling, loud, quarrelsome

 

 

 

Chapter 20

     Wine is a *voluptuous thing, and drunkenness causes *sedition: whoso delighteth therin, shall never be wise.
      The king ought to be feared as the roaring of a lion, whoso provoketh him unto anger, offendeth against his own soul.
      It is a mans honor to keep himself from strife, but they that have pleasure in brawling are fools every one.
      A slothful body will not go to plow for cold, therefore shall he go a begging in the Summer and have nothing.
      Wise counsel in the heart of man is like a water in the deep of the earth, but he that hath understanding bringeth it forth.
      Many there be that are called good doers, but where shall one find a true and faithful man?
      Who so leadeth a godly and innocent life, happy shall his children be whom he leaveth behind him.
      A king that sitteth in judgment, and looketh well about him, driveth away all evil.
       Who can say: my heart is clean, I am innocent from sin?
      To use two manners of weights, or two manners of measures, both these are abominable unto the Lord.
      A child is known by his conversation, whether his works be pure and right.
      As for the hearing of the ear and the sight of the eye, the Lord hath made them both.
      Delight not thou in sleep, lest thou come to poverty: but open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread enough.
      It is naught, It is naught, ( say men ) when they have it, but when it is gone, they give it a good word.
      A mouth of understanding is more worth than gold, many precious stones, and costly Jewels.
      Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for the unknown mans sake.
      Every man liketh the bread that is gotten in deceit, but at the last his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
      Through counsel the things that men devise go forward: and with discretion ought wars to be taken in hand.
      Meddle not with him that *bewrayeth secretes, and is a sclanderer, and deceiveth with his lips.
      Who so curseth his father and mother, his light shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
      The heritage that cometh to hasty at first, shall not be praised in the end.
      Say not thou: I will recompense evil, but put thy trust in the Lord, and he shall defend thee.
      The Lord abhoreth two manner of weights, and an false balance is an evil thing.
      For the Lord ordereth every mans goings, for what is he, that understandeth his own way?
      It is a snare for a man to blaspheme that which is holy, and then to go about with vows.
      A wise king destroyeth the ungodly, and bringeth the wheel over them.
      The lantern of the Lord is the breath of man, and goeth through all the inward parts of the body.
      Mercy and faithfulness preserve the king, and with loving kindness his seat is holden up.
      The strength of young men is their worship, and a grey head, is an honor unto the aged.
      Wounds drive away evil, and so do stripes the inward parts of the body.

 

*voluptuous = provocative. sedition = disloyalty, treachery, labored strife. * bewray = to disclose, betray, or accuse.

 

 

 

Chapter 21

      The kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, like as are the rivers of water: he may turneth it whither soever he will.
      Every man thinketh his own way to be right, but the Lord judgeth the hearts.
            To do righteousness and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
      An presumptuous look, and a proud stomach, and the lantern of the ungodly, is sin. See previous lantern of the Lord
            The devices of one that is diligent, bring plenteousness: but he that is unadvised, cometh to poverty.
            Who so hordeth up treasures with the deceitfulness of his tongue, is a fool, and like unto them that seek their own death.
            The robberies of the ungodly shall be their own destruction, for they would not do the thing that was right.
            The ways of the froward is strange, but the works of him that is clean, are right.
            It is better to dwell in a corner under the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
            The soul of the ungodly wisheth evil, and hath no pity upon his neighbor.
      When the scornful is punished, the ignorant take the better heed: and when a wise man is warned, he will receive the more understanding.
            The righteous enformeth the house of the ungodly, but the ungodly go on still after their own wickedness.
            Whoso stoppeth his ear at the crying of the poor, he shall cry himself and not be heard.
            A privy reward pacifieth displeasure, and a gift in the bosom stilleth furriousness.
      The just delighteth in doing the thing that is right, but the workers of wickedness abhor the same.
            The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom, shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
            He that hath pleasure in *bankettes, shall be a poor man: Who so delighteth in wine and delicates, shall not be rich.
            The ungodly shall be given for the righteous, and the wicked for the just.
            It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a chiding and an angry woman.
      In a wise mans house there is great treasure and plenteousness, but a foolish body spendeth up all.
            Who so followeth righteousness and mercy, findeth both life, righteousness, and honor.
            A wise man winneth the city of the mighty, and as for the strength that they trust in, he bringeth it down.
            Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, the same keepeth his soul from troubles.
            He that is proud and presumptuous, is called a scornful man, which in wrath dare work maliciously.
            The voluptuousness of the slothful is his own death, for his hands will not labor.
      He coveteth and desireth all the day long, but the righteous is always giving and keepeth nothing back.
            The sacrifice of the ungodly is abomination, for they offer the thing that is gotten in wickedness.
            A false witness shall perish, but he that will be content to hear, shall always have power to speak himself.
            A ungodly man goeth forth rashly, but the just reformeth his own way.
            There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, there is no counsel against the Lord.
      The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but the Lord giveth victory.

 

*bankettes (banquets), bankettes = this is most likely banquets. RN

 

 

 

Chapter 22

      A good name is more worth than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
            Whether riches or poverty do meet us, it cometh all of God.
            A wise man seeth the plague and hideth himself, but the foolish go on still and are punished.
            The end of lowliness and the fear of God, is riches honor, prosperity and health.
            Spears and snares are in the way of the froward, but he that will keep his soul, let him flee from such.
      If thou teacheth a child in his youth what way he should go, he shall not leave it when he is old.
            The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
            He that soweth wickedness shall reap sorrow, and the rod of his plague shall destroy him.
            A loving eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread unto the poor.
            Cast out the scornful man, and so shall strife go out with him, yee variance and sclander shall cease.
            Who so delighteth to be of a clean heart and of gracious lips, the king shall be his friend.
            The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, but as for the words of the despiteful, he bringeth them to naught.
            The slothful body sayeth: There is a lion without, I might be slain in the street.
            The mouth of an harlot is a open pit, wherein he falleth that the Lord is angry withal.
            Foolishness sticketh in the heart of the lad, but the rod of correction driveth it away.
            Who so doeth a poor man wrong to increase his own riches, giveth (commonly) unto the rich, and at the last cometh to poverty himself.
            My son bow down thine ear, and harken unto the words of wisdom, apply thine mind unto my doctrine: for it is a pleasant thing if thou keep it in thine heart, and practice it in thy mouth: that thou mayest always put thy trust in the Lord.
      Have not I warned thee very often with the counsel of learning?
      That I might show thee the truth and that thou with verity mightest answer them that lay anything against thee?
            See that thou rob not the poor because he is weak, and oppress not the simple in judgement: for the Lord himself will defend their cause, and do violence unto them that have used violence.
            Make no friendship with an angry willful man, and keep no company with the furious: lest thou learn his ways, and receive hurt unto thy soul.
            Be not thou one of them that bind their hand upon promise, and are surety for debt: for if thou hast nothing to pay, they shall take away thy bed from under thee.
            Thou shalt not remove the landmark, which thy fore elders have set.
            Seest thou not, that they which be diligent in their business stand before kings, and not among the simple folk?

 

 

 

Chapter 23

      When thou sittest at the table to eat with a Lord, order thyself mannerly with the things that are set before thee.
      Measure thine appetite: and if thou wilt rule thy own self, be not over greedy with his meat, for meat beguileth and decieveth.
      Take not over great travail and labor to be rich, beware of such a purpose.
      Why wilt thou set thine eye upon the thing, which suddenly vanisheth away?
      For riches make themselves wings, and take their flight like an eagle into the air.
      Eat not thou with the envious, and desire not his meat, for he hath a *marvelous heart.
      He sayeth unto thee: eat and drink, whereas his heart is not with thee.
      Yee the morsels that thou hast eaten shalt thou *perbrake and *lese those sweet words.
      Tell nothing into the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
      Remove not the old landmark, and come not within the field of the fatherless.
       For he that delivereth them is mighty, even he shall defend their cause against thee.
      Apply thine heart unto learning, and thine ear to the words of knowledge.
      Withhold not correction from the child, for if thou beatest him with the rod, he will not die thereof.
      Thou smitest him with the rod, but thou deliverest his soul from hell.
      My son, if thy heart receive wisdom, my heart also shall rejoice: yee my reins shall be very glad, if thy lips speak the thing that is right.
      Let not thine heart be jealous to follow sinners, but keep thee still in the fear of the Lord all the day long: For the end is not yet come and thy patient abiding shall not be in vain.
      My son, give ear and be wise, so shall thine heart prosper in the way.
      Keep no company with winebibbers and riotous eaters of flesh: for such as be drunkards and riotous shall come to poverty, and he that is given to much sleep, shall go with a ragged coat.
      Give ear unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
      *Labor for to get the truth: sell not away wisdom, nurture and understanding, for a righteous father is marvelous glad of a wise son, and delighteth in him, so shall thy father be glad, and thy mother that bare thee, shall rejoice.
      My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes have pleasure in my ways.
      For an whore is a deep grave, and an harlot is a narrow pit.
      She lurketh like a thief, and those that be not aware she bringeth unto her.
      Where is woe? where is sorrow? where is strife? where is brawling? where are wounds without cause? where be red eyes?
      Even among those that be ever at wine, and seek out were the best is.
      Look not thou upon the wine, how red it is, and what a color it giveth in the glass.
      It goeth down softly, but at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth as an adder.
      So shall thine eyes look unto strange women, and thine heart shall muse upon froward things.
      Yee, thou shalt be as though thou sleepest in the middest of the sea, or on the top of the mast.
      They wounded me ( thou shalt say ) but it hath not hurt me, they smote me, but i felt it not.
      When I am well awakened, I will go to drink again.

 

*marvelous heart. * that is a heart that marvels at the works of man, worldly things. RN
*perbrake : to vomit up. perbrake = per; each one, break ; expel. *lese = 1) lose 2) lease; rent out the mouth 3) an insult to his truth. *Labor for to get the truth: * kjv and other bibles of man =Buy the truth: and sell it not,

 

 

 

Chapter 24

      Be not thou jealous over wicked men, and desire not thou to be among them.
       For their heart imagineth to do hurt, and their lips talk of mischief.
      Through wisdom an house shall be builded, and with understanding it shall be set up.
      Through discretion shall the chambers be filled with all costly and pleasant riches.
      A wise man is strong, yee, and a man of understanding is better than he that is mighty of strength.
      For with discretion must wars be taken in hand, and where as are many that can give counsel, there is the victory.
      Wisdom is an high thing, yee even to the fool, for he dare not open his mouth in the gate.
      He that imagineth mischief, may well be called an ungracious person.
      The thought of the fool is sin, and the scornful is an abomination to men.
      If thou be *oversene and negligent in time of need, then is thy strength but small.
      Deliver them that go unto death, and are lead away to be slain, and be not negligent therin.
      If thou wilt say: I knew of it,
      Thinkest thou that he which made the hearts, doth not consider it?
      And that he which regardeth thy soul, seeth it not?
      Shall he not recompense every man according to his works?
      My son, thou eatest honey and the sweet honeycomb, because it is sweet in thy mouth.
      Even so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul, as soon as thou hast gotten it.
      And there is good hope, yee thy hope shall not be in vain.
      Lay no privy wait wickedly upon the house of the righteous, and disquiet not his resting place.
      For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the ungodly fall into wickedness.
      Rejoice not thou at the fall of thine enemy, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.
      Lest the Lord when he seeth it, be angry, and turn his wrath from him to the.
      Let not thy wrath and jealousy move thee, to follow the wicked and ungodly.
      And why? the wicked have nothing to hope for, and the candle of the ungodly shall be put out.
      My son, fear thou the Lord and the king, and keep no company with the sclaunderous: For their destruction shall come suddenly, and who knoweth the fall of them both?
      These are also the sayings the wise.
      It is not good to have respect of any person in judgment.
      He that saith unto the ungodly: Thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, yee and the *comentie shall abhor him.
      But they that rebuke the ungodly shall be commended, and a rich blessing shall come upon them.
      He maketh himself to be well loved, that giveth a good answer.
      First make up thy work that is without, and look well unto that which thou hast in the field, and then build own house.
      Be no false witness against thy neighbor, and hurt him not with thy lips.
      Say not: I will handle him, even as he hath dealt with me, and will reward every man according to his deeds.
      I went up the field of the slothful, and by the vineyards of the foolish man.
      And lo, it was all covered with nettles, and stood full of thistles, and the stone wall was broken down.
      This I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and took it for a warning.
       Yee sleep on still a little, slumber a little, fold thy hands to together yet a little: so shall poverty come unto thee as one that travaileth by the way, and necessity like a weaponed man.

 

*oversene = overseen      *comentie a person or persons unto whom is given a trust or charged to look into things. from cometre commitee: a trustee. RN

 

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