[1][No verse][2]All the works of the humble man are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.[3][No verse][4][No verse][5]Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord are done with righteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evil day.[6][No verse][7][No verse][8][No verse][9][No verse][10]There is an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.[11]The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.[12]An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.[13]Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.[14]The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.[15]The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.[16]The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.[17]The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.[18]Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.[19]Better is a meek-spirited man with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.[20]He who is skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.[21]Men call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.[22]Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.[23]The heart of the wise will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.[24]Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.[25]There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell.[26]A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from him his own ruin.[27]But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.[28]A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.[29]A transgressor tries to ensnare friends, and leads them in ways that are not good.[30]And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.[31]Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.[32]A man slow to anger is better than a strong man; and he that governs his temper better than he that takes a city.[33]All evils come upon the ungodly into their bosoms; but all righteous things come of the Lord.
Credit
Author: Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton (1851)
Source: ecmarsh.com