Day 12 The Wisdom Books in a Month

Proverbs 18

1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach. 2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly. 3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him. 4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth. 5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment. 6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death. 7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger. 9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself. 10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted. 11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow. 12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble. 13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him. 14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man? 15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding. 16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes. 17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved. 18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers. 19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace. 20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips. 21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof. 22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. 22a [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]

Proverbs 19

3 The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart. 4 Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape. 6 Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man. 7 Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that uses provoking words shall not escape. 8 He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it. 10 Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness. 11 A merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors. 12 The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour. 13 A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure. 14 Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord. 15 Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger. 16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish. 17 He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift. 18 Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness. 19 A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life. 20 Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end. 21 [There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever. 22 Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar. 23 The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen. 24 He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth. 25 When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion. 26 He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach. 27 A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs. 28 He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgments. 29 Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.

Proverbs 20

1 Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them. 2 The threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul. 3 [It is] a glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters. 4 A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest. 5 Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a prudent man will draw it out. 6 A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but [it is] hard to find a faithful man. 7 He that walks blameless in justice, shall leave his children blessed. 8 Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence. 9 Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins? 9a The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness. 9b A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be blessed in the end. 9c Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy; but wait on the Lord, that he may help thee. 10 A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and [so is] he that makes them. 11 A youth [when in company] with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and [then] his way will be straight. 12 The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the Lord's work. 13 Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled with bread. 23 A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good in his sight. 24 A man's goings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortal understand his ways? 25 It is a snare to a man hastily to consecrate some of his own property: for [in that case] repentance comes after vowing. 26 A wise king utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them. 27 The spirit of man is a light of the Lord, who searches the inmost parts of the belly. 28 Mercy and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness. 29 Wisdom is an ornament to young men; and grey [hairs] are the glory of old men. 30 Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues [shall come] into the inward parts of [their] belly.

Proverbs 21

1 As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out. 2 Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts. 3 To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices. 4 A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin. 6 He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity [on] to the snares of death. 7 Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly. 8 To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right. 9 [It is] better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered [rooms] with unrighteousness, and in an open house. 10 The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man. 11 When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge. 12 A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness. 13 He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him]. 14 A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath. 15 [It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers. 16 A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants. 17 A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance; 18 and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man. 19 [It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman. 20 A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up. 21 The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory. 22 A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted. 23 He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble. 24 A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor. 25 Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything. 26 An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate. 27 The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly. 28 A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously. 29 An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways. 30 There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly. 31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.

Proverbs 22

1 A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both. 3 An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished. 4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life. 5 Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them. 7 The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters. 8 He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. 8a God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but [a man] shall fully prove the folly of his works. 9 He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. 9a He that gives liberally secures victory and honour; but he takes away the life of them that possess [them]. 10 Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all. 11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips. 12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words. 13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets. 14 The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. 14a Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way. 15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him. 16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less. 17 Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart, 18 that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips. 19 That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee. 20 And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge. 21 I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee. 22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless [man] in the gates. 23 For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety. 24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man: 25 lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul. 26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person. 27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under thee. 28 Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed. 29 It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.

Proverbs 23

1 If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before thee: 2 and apply thine hand, knowing that it behoves thee to prepare such [meats]: but if thou art very insatiable, 3 desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life. 4 If thou art poor, measure not thyself with a rich man; but refrain thyself in thy wisdom. 5 If thou shouldest fix thine eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master. 6 Sup not with an envious man, neither desire thou his meats: 7 so he eats and drinks as if any one should swallow a hair, and do not bring him in to thyself, nor eat thy morsel with him: 8 for he will vomit it up, and spoil thy fair words. 9 Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at thy wise words. 10 Remove not the ancient landmarks; and enter not upon the possession of the fatherless: 11 for the Lord is their redeemer; he is mighty, and will plead their cause with thee. 12 Apply thine heart to instruction, and prepare thine ears for words of discretion. 13 Refrain not from chastening a child; for if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 For thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from death. 15 Son, if thy heart be wise, thou shalt also gladden my heart; 16 and thy lips shall converse with my lips, if they be right. 17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day. 18 For if thou shouldest keep these things, thou shalt have posterity; and thine hope shall not be removed. 19 Hear, [my] son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of thine heart. 20 Be not a wine-bibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh: 21 for every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments. 22 Hearken, [my] son, to thy father which begot thee, and despise not [thy mother] because she is grown old. 24 A righteous father brings up [his children] well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son. 25 Let thy father and thy mother rejoice over thee, and let her that bore thee be glad. 26 [My] son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. 27 For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow. 28 For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off. 29 Who [has] woe? who trouble? who [has] quarrels? and who vexations and disputes? who [has] bruises without a cause? whose eyes are livid? 30 Are not those of them that stay long at wine? [are] not [those] of them that haunt [the places] where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse [with them] openly. 31 For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups, thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle. 32 But at last [such a one] stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent. 33 Whenever thine eyes shall behold a strange woman, then thy mouth shall speak perverse things. 34 And thou shalt lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm. 35 And thou shalt say, They smote me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I knew it not: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company?