|
[1]My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
[2]For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
[3]A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
[4]By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
[5]A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
[6]War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
[7]Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
[8]but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed men.
[9]The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness attaches to a pestilent man.
[10]He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
[11]Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not thy help.
[12]But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
[13]My son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that thy throat may be sweetened.
[14]Thus shalt thou perceive wisdom in thy soul: for if thou find it, thine end shall be good, and hope shall not fail thee.
[15]Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
[16]For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise again: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
[17]If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
[18]For the Lord will see it, and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
[19]Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
[20]For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
[21]My son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
[22]For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance inflicted by both?\n\n[A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for such an one has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to it shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not even fit to be eaten by the young eagles. My son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.]
[23]And this thing I say to you that are wise for you to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
[24]He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.
[25]But they that reprove him shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
[26]and men will kiss lips that answer well.
[27]Prepare thy works for thy going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thine house.
[28]Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips.
[29]Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
[30]A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
[31]If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
[32]Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
[33]The sluggard says,I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across my breast.
[34]But if thou do this, thy poverty will come speedily; and thy want like a swift courier.
|