Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.s3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.s4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.s8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.s9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.s12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.s13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.s21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.s23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.s25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs 29

1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.s2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.s3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.s5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.s9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.s11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.s14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.s19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.s21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.s26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.s27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Proverbs 30

1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.s4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.s6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:s8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:s9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.s

10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.s11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:s16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.s

18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.s20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:s25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;s28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

29 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.s32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.