find me;

ye

refused; I have stretched out my ledge, and liftest up thy voice for hand, and no man regarded ;

understanding ; 25 But ye have set at nought all 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and my counsel, and would none of my searchest for her as for hid treasures ; reproof :

5 Then shalt thou understand the 26 I also will laugh at your ca- fear of the Lord, and find the knowlamity: I will mock when your fear ledge of God. cometh ;

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: 27 When

your

fear cometh as de- out of his mouth cometh knowledge solation, and your destruction cometh and understanding. as a whirlwind; when distress and 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for anguish cometh upon you.

the righteous : he is a buckler to 28 Then shall they call upon me,

them that walk uprightly. but I will not answer; they shall 8 He keepeth the paths of judgseek me early, but they shall not ment, and preserveth the way of his

saints. 29 For that they hated knowledge, 9 Then shalt thou understand and did not choose the fear of the righteousness, and judgment, and LORD:

equity; yea, every good path. 30 They would none of my coun

10 1 When wisdom entereth into sel: they despised all my reproof. thine heart, and knowledge is pleas

31 Therefore shall they eat of the ant unto thy soul; fruit of their own way, and be filled 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, with their own devices.

understanding shall keep thee: 32 For the turning away of the 12 To deliver thee from the

way simple shall slay them, and the of the evil man, from the man that prosperity of fools shall destroy speaketh froward things; them.

13 Who leave the paths of up33 But whoso hearkeneth unto rightness, to walk in the ways of me shall dwell safely, and shall be darkness; quiet from fear of evil.

14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the

wicked ; CHAP. II.

15 Whose ways are crooked, and My

son, if thou wilt receive my they froward in their paths : words, and hide

my

commandments 16 Todeliver thee from the strange with thee;

woman, even from the stranger which 2 So that thou incline thine ear flattereth with her words; unto wisdom, and apply thine heart 17 Which forsaketh the guide of to understanding;

her youth, and forgetteth the cove3 Yea, if thou criest after know- nant of her God.

18 For her house inclineth unto | substance, and with the first-fruits death, and her paths unto the dead. of all thine increase :

19 None that go unto her return 10 So shall thy barns be filled again, neither take they hold of the with plenty, and thy presses shall paths of life.

burst out with new wine. 20 1 That thou mayst walk in 11 1 My son, despise not the the way of good men, and keep the chastening of the Lord; neither be paths of the righteous.

weary of his correction : 21 For the upright shall dwell in 12 For whom the LORD loveth the land, and the perfect shall re- he correcteth ; even as a father the main in it.

son in whom he delighteth. 22 But the wicked shall be cut 13 1 Happy is the man that findoff from the earth, and the transgres- eth wisdom, and the man that getsors shall be rooted out of it.

teth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is

better than the merchandise of silver, CHA P. III.

and the gain thereof than fine gold. MY

son, forget not my law; but 15 She is more precious than rulet thine heart keep my command- bies : and all the things thou canst ments :

desire are not to be compared unto 2 For length of days, and long i her. life, and peace, shall they add to 16 Length of days is in her right thee.

hand; and in her left hand riches and 3 Let not mercy and truth for

honor. sake thee: bind them about thy 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantneck; write them upon the table of ness, and all her paths are peace. thine heart:

18 She is a tree of life to them 4 So shalt thou find favor and that lay hold upon her : and happy good understanding in the sight of is every one that retaineth her. God and man.

19 The Lord by wisdom hath 5 I Trust in the LORD with all founded the earth ; by understandthine heart; and lean not unto thine | ing hath he established the heavens. own understanding.

20 By his knowledge the depths 6 In all thy ways acknowledge are broken up, and the clouds drop him, and he shall direct thy paths. down the dew.

7 I Be not wise in thine own 21 [ My son, let not them deeyes: fear the Lord, and depart part from thine eyes : keep sound from evil.

wisdom and discretion : 8 It shall be health to thy navel, 22 So shall they be life unto thy and marrow to thy bones.

soul, and grace to thy neck. 9 1 Honor the LORD with thy 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy

1

my mother.

way safely, and thy foot shall not

CHAP. IV. stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou HEAR, ye children, the instruction shalt not be afraid : yea, thou shalt of a father, and attend to know unlie down, and thy sleep shall be derstanding. sweet.

2 For I give you good doctrine, 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, forsake ye not my law. neither of the desolation of the wick- 3 For I was my father's son, tened, when it cometh.

der and only beloved in the sight of 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from 4 He taught me also, and said unbeing taken.

to me, Let thine heart retain my 27 1 Withhold not good from words : keep my commandments, them to whom it is due, when it is and live. in the power of thine hand to do 5 1 Get wisdom, get understandit.

ing: forget it not; neither decline 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, from the words of

my

mouth. Go, and come again, and to-morrow 6 Forsake her not, and she shall I will give; when thou hast it by preserve thee: love her, and she thee.

shall keep thee. 29 I Devise not evil against thy 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; neighbour, seeing he dwelleth secure- therefore get wisdom: and with all ly by thee.

thy getting get understanding. 30 Strive not with a man without 8 Exalt her, and she shall procause, if he have done thee no

mote thee; she shall bring thee to harm.

honor, when thou dost embrace her. 31 Envy thou not the oppressor, 9 She shall give to thine head an and choose none of his ways.

ornament of grace: a crown of glory 32 For the froward is abomination shall she deliver to thee. to the LORD : but his secret is with 10 Hear, O my son, and receive the righteous.

my sayings ; and the years of thy 33 Į The curse of the LORD is

life shall be many. in the house of the wicked: but 11 I have taught thee in the way he blesseth the habitation of the of wisdom ; I have led thee in right just.

paths. 34 Surely he scorneth the scorn- 12 When thou goest, thy steps ers: but he giveth grace unto the shall not be straitened ; and when lowly.

thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 35 The wise shall inherit glory : 13 Take fast hold of instruction; but shame shall be the promotion of let her not go: keep her; for she is fools.

thy life.