take it to heart.

Hearken, for I will speak that which is princely, and teach that which is right.

For my mouth shall speak truth, and my lips shall hate that which is ungodly.

All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing perverse or false in them.

They are all alike to them that hear it, and right to them that will receive it.

Take my discipline rather than silver, and esteem the doctrine above precious gold.

For wisdom is better than pearls, and all that may be desired cannot equal it.

I, Wisdom, dwell with the wit, and I know good counsel to give.

The fear of the LORD hateth evil, and pride, and arrogance, and the wicked way: and I am an enemy to the perverse mouth.

Both counsel and action are mine; I have understanding and might.

by me kings reign, and the aldermen establish justice.

By me the princes and all the rulers of the earth reign.

I love them that love me: and they that seek me early shall find me.

Riches and honour are with me, verily good and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold and fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.

I walk in the right way, in the highway of justice,

That I may counsel well them that love me, and fill up their treasures.

The LORD had me in the beginning of his ways; before he made any thing, I was there.

I am appointed from everlasting, from the beginning before the earth.

Since the deeps were not yet, I was already prepared, because the fountains were not yet welling with water,

Before the mountains were lowered, before the hills was I prepared.

He had not yet made the earth, nor the things that are therein, nor the mountains of the ground.

When he prepared the heavens, there was I: when he compassed the deep with his purpose, 28. When he made firm the clouds above, when he made firm the fountains of the deep, 29. When he set the purpose of the sea, and of the waters, that they should not transgress his
commandment, when he laid the foundation of the earth: 30. Then was I the master of his work, and had my pleasure daily, and played before him always.

And played upon his ground; and my delight is with the children of men.

Obey me therefore, my children! Blessed are they who keep my ways!

Hearken unto the discipline, and be wise, and let it not go.

Blessed is the man that obeyeth me, that he watcheth at my door daily, that he waiteth at the posts of my door.

He that findeth me findeth life, and shall be well pleased of the LORD.

But whosoever sinneth against me hurteth his soul. All who hate me love death.
(Proverbs)
Chapter 9
From the wisdom of friendly invitation.

Wisdom built her house, and hewed seven pillars,

Slaughtered their cattle, and brought up their wine, and prepared their table.

And sent forth their harlots to charge the tops of the palaces of the city: 4. Let him that is foolish come hither. And to the fool she said: 5. Come, feed on my bread, and drink of the wine which I give.

Forsake the foolish things, and ye shall live; and walk in the way of understanding.

He that chastiseth the scorner shall be put to shame: and he that chastiseth the wicked shall be put to scorn.

Punish not the scoffer, he hateth thee: punish the wise, he shall love thee.

Give unto the wise, and he shall be yet wiser: teach the righteous, and he shall increase in doctrine.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and understanding teacheth that which is holy.

For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise unto thyself: if thou be a scoffer, thou shalt bear it alone.

But she is a foolish woman, a wild woman, full of babbling, and knoweth nothing; 14. Who sitteth in the door of her house upon the chair, up in the city, 15. To invite all who pass by and walk right in their ways.

He that is foolish, let him come hither. And to the fool she saith: 17. the hidden waters are sweet and the hidden bread is cute.

But he knoweth not that there are dead men there, and that their guests are in the depths of hell.
(Proverbs)
Chapter 10
Of justice.

These are the sayings of Solomon. A wise son is his father’s delight: but a foolish son is his mother’s grief.

Unrighteousness profiteth not: but righteousness delivereth from death.

The LORD suffereth not the soul of the righteous to hunger: but he overthroweth the oppression of the wicked.

The lazy hand maketh poor: but the diligent hand maketh rich.

He that gathereth in summer is wise: but he that sleepeth in harvest is put to shame.

The blessing is upon the head of the righteous: but the mouth of the wicked shall be overtaken with their iniquity.

The memory of the righteous remaineth in blessing: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

He that is wise in heart receiveth the commandments: but he that hath a fool’s mouth shall be smitten.

He that liveth innocently liveth safely: but he that is perverse in his ways shall be made manifest.

He that winketh with his eyes shall be troubled: and he that hath a fool’s mouth shall be smitten.

The mouth of the righteous is a living fountain: but the mouth of the wicked shall be
overtaken with their iniquities.

Hatred causeth strife: but love covereth all transgressions.

In the lips of the prudent is wisdom: but upon the back of the fool is a rod.

The wise keep the doctrine: but the mouth of fools is nigh unto terror.

The rich man’s good is his strong city: but poverty maketh the poor foolish, 16. The righteous have need of his substance to live: but the wicked have need of his substance to sin.

To keep discipline is the way to life: but he that forsaketh punishment, the same goeth astray.

False mouths cover hatred: and he that slandereth is a fool.

Where words are many, there is no sin: but he that keepeth his lips is wise.

The tongue of the righteous is silver, but the heart of the wicked is nothing.

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools shall die in their folly.

The blessing of the LORD maketh rich without trouble.

A fool doeth wickedness, and hath his mockery: but the man is wise that heareth it.

That which the wicked feareth shall come upon him: and that which the righteous desireth shall be given unto them.

The wicked is as the weather, which passeth away, and is no more: but the righteous endureth for ever.

As vinegar is to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so doth the sluggard to them that send him.

The fear of the LORD increaseth days: but the years of the wicked are shortened.

The waiting of the righteous shall be joy: but the hope of the wicked shall be lost.

The way of the LORD is the stouthearted: but the transgressors are foolish.

The righteous shall never be overthrown: but the wicked shall not abide in the land.

The mouth of the righteous bringeth wisdom: but the mouth of the perverse is cut off.

The lips of the righteous teach wholesome things: but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
(Proverbs)
Chapter 11
More distant doctrine of justice, its benefits and obstacles.

False scales are an abomination unto the LORD: but a perfect weight is his delight.

Where pride is, there is shame: but wisdom is with the humble.

innocence shall guide the pious; but wickedness shall disturb the scornful.

Good helpeth not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

The righteousness of the upright maketh his way straight: but the wicked shall fall by his wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but the scornful shall be snared in their wickedness.

When the wicked man dieth, hope is lost; and the waiting of the unrighteous is brought to nought.

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked is put in his place.

By the mouth of the hypocrite his neighbour is destroyed: but the righteous know it, and are saved.

A city rejoiceth when the righteous prosper: and when the wicked perish, it is glad.

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted: but by the mouth of the wicked it is broken down.

He that dishonoureth his neighbour is a fool: but a man that hath understanding quieteth it.

A slanderer betrayeth that which he knoweth secretly: but he that is of a faithful heart hideth the same.

Where there is no counsel, the people perish: but where there is much counsel, the people prosper.

He that is a surety for another shall be in danger: but he that isware of vows is safe.

A fair woman receiveth honour: but tyrants receive riches.

A merciful man doeth good to his body: but an unmerciful man grieveth also his flesh and blood.

The work of the wicked shall fail: but he that soweth righteousness is surely good.

For righteousness increaseth unto life: but to pursue after evil increaseth unto death.

The LORD hath abhorred of the perverse in heart, and is well pleased with the upright.

Though they put all their hands together, it profiteth not the wicked: but the seed of the righteous shall be saved.

A fair woman without breeding is like a sow with a golden headband.

The desire of the righteous is a good thing: but the hope of the wicked is a calamity.

One distributeth, and hath more and more: another spareth, when he ought not, and yet becometh poorer.

The soul that blesseth abundantly becometh fat: and he that maketh drunk shall be drunken.

He that keepeth corn, men curse him: but blessing cometh upon him that selleth it.

To him that seeketh good things