| Chapter 21 |
1 | My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee. |
2 | Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee. |
3 | The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men. |
4 | All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof. |
5 | Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride : so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out. |
6 | The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily. |
7 | He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart. |
8 | He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him. |
9 | He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter. |
10 | The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire. |
11 | The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains. |
12 | He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof. |
13 | The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding. |
14 | He that is not wise in good, will not be taught. |
15 | But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil : and there is no understanding where there is bitterness. |
16 | The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life. |
17 | The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold. |
18 | A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back. |
19 | The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found. |
20 | The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts. |
21 | As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool : and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense. |
22 | Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand. |
23 | A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself. |
24 | Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm. |
25 | The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty. |
26 | A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without. |
27 | It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace. |
28 | The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance. |
29 | The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart. |
30 | While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul. |
31 | The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured. |