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The PROVERBS 15 - 22

15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

15:2  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

15:4  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

15:5  A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

15:6  In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

15:7  The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

15:9  The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

15:10  Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

15:11  Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

15:12  A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

15:13  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

15:14  The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15:15  All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

15:16  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

15:18  A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

15:19  The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

15:20  A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

15:21  Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

15:23  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

15:24  The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

15:25  The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

15:26  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

15:27  He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

15:28  The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

15:29  The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

15:30  The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

15:31  The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

15:32  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

16:2  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

16:3  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

16:5  Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

16:7  When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

16:8  Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

16:9  A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

16:10  A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

16:11  A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

16:12  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

16:13  Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

16:14  The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

16:15  In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16:16  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

16:17  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

16:20  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

16:21  The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

16:22  Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

16:23  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

16:24  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

16:26  He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

16:27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

16:28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

16:29  A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

16:30  He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

16:31  The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

16:32  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

16:33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

17:1  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

17:2  A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

17:3  The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

17:4  A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

17:5  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

17:6  Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

17:7  Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

17:8  A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

17:9  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

17:10  A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

17:11  An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

17:12  Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

17:13  Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

17:14  The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

17:15  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

17:16  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17:17  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

17:18  A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

17:19  He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

17:20  He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

17:21  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

17:23  A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

17:24  Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

17:25  A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

17:26  Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

17:27  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

18:1  Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

18:2  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

18:3  When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

18:4  The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

18:5  It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

18:6  A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

18:7  A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

18:8  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

18:9  He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

18:10  The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

18:11  The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

18:12  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

18:13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

18:14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

18:15  The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

18:16  A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

18:17  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18:18  The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

18:19  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

18:20  A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

18:22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

18:23  The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

19:1  Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

19:2  Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

19:3  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

19:4  Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

19:5  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

19:6  Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

19:7  All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

19:8  He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

19:9  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

19:10  Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

19:11  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

19:12  The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

19:13  A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

19:14  House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

19:15  Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

19:16  He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

19:17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

19:19  A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

19:21  There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

19:22  The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

19:23  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

19:24  A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

19:25  Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

19:26  He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

19:27  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

19:28  An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

19:29  Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

20:2  The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

20:3  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

20:4  The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

20:5  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

20:6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

20:7  The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

20:8  A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

20:9  Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

20:10  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

20:13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

20:14  It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

20:15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

20:16  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

20:17  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

20:20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

20:21  An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

20:22  Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

20:23  Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

20:24  Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

20:25  It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

20:26  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

20:27  The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

20:29  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

20:30  The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

21:3  To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

21:4  An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

21:5  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

21:6  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

21:7  The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

21:8  The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

21:9  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

21:10  The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

21:11  When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

21:12  The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

21:13  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

21:14  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

21:15  It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

21:16  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

21:17  He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

21:18  The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

21:19  It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

21:20  There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21:21  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

21:22  A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

21:23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

21:24  Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

21:25  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

21:26  He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

21:27  The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

21:28  A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

21:29  A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

21:30  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

21:31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

22:1  A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

22:2  The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

22:3  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

22:5  Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

22:7  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

22:8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

22:9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

22:10  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

22:12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

22:16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

22:17  Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

22:18  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

22:19  That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

22:20  Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

22:21  That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

22:22  Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

22:23  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

22:24  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

22:25  Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

22:26  Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

22:27  If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

22:28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

22:29  Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

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