Various maxims and observations of Solomon, collected by the men of Hezekiah, about kings, and other subjects of both private and public concern.
1. He, 1that abeing often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2. bWhen the righteous are 2in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3. cWhoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: dbut he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4. The eking by judgment establisheth the land: but 3he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5. A fman that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6. gIn the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: hbut the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7. The irighteous considereth the cause of the poor: but jthe wicked regardeth not to know it.
8. kScornful men 4bring a city into a snare: lbut wise men turn away wrath.
9. If ma wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10. nThe 5bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11. A ofool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12. pIf a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13. The qpoor and 6the deceitful man meet together: rthe LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14. The sking that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15. The trod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16. uWhen the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: vbut the righteous shall see their fall.
17. wCorrect thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18. xWhere there is no vision, the people 7perish: but yhe that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19. A zservant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20. aSeest thou a man that is hasty 8in his words? bthere is more hope of a fool than of him.
21. He that cdelicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22. An dangry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man abound-eth in transgression.
23. A eman's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24. fWhoso is partner with a thief ghateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and *bewrayeth it not.
25. The hfear of man bringeth a snare: ibut whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be 9safe.
26. jMany seek 10the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
27. An kunjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man abound-eth in transgression. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD. An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.