Day 247 The Bible in a Year (Orthodox canon)

Proverbs 26

1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool. 2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause. 3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him. 5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit. 6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways. 7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools. 8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool. 9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools. 10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought. 11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is a fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. 11a [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.] 12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he. 13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets. 14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed. 15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth. 16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message. 17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause. 18 As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown; 19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest. 20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases. 21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and a railing man for the tumult of strife. 22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels. 23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart. 24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit. 25 Though [thine] enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies. 27 He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself. 28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.

Proverbs 27

1 Boast not of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what the next day shall bring forth. 2 Let thy neighbour, and not thine own mouth, praise thee; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome; but a fool's wrath is heavier than both. 4 Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing. 5 Open reproofs are better than secret love. 6 The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy. 7 A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet. 8 As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place. 9 The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: but the soul is broken by calamities. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; and when thou art in distress go not into thy brother's house: better is a friend [that is] near than a brother living far off. 11 Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words. 12 A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished. 13 Take away the man's garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another's goods. 14 Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses [him]. 15 On a stormy day drops [of rain] drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman [drive a man] out of his own house. 16 The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious. 17 Iron sharpens iron; and a man sharpens his friend's countenance. 18 He that plants a fig-tree shall eat the fruits of it: so he that waits on his own master shall be honoured. 19 As faces are not like [other] faces, so neither are the thoughts of men. 20 Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable. 20a [He that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue.] 21 Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him. 21a The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge. 22 Though thou scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, thou wilt [still] in no wise remove his folly from him. 23 Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock, and pay attention to thine herds. 24 For a man [has] not strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation. 25 Take care of the herbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, and gather the mountain hay; 26 that thou mayest have [wool of] sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that thou mayest have lambs. 27 [My] son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.

Proverbs 28

1 The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion. 2 By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them. 3 A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and unprofitable rain, 4 so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall. 5 Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything. 6 A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar. 7 A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father. 8 He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor. 9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable. 10 He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressors also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it. 11 A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him. 12 By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught. 13 He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved. 14 Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs. 15 A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation. 16 A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time. 17 He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. 17a Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation. 18 He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein]. 19 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty. 20 A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished. 21 He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread. 22 An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him. 23 He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue. 24 He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man. 25 An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully. 26 He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe. 27 He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress. 28 In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.