1Be not thou enuious against euill men, neither desire to be with them.2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lippes talke of mischiefe.3Through wisedome is an house builded, and by vnderstanding it is established.4And by knowledge shall the chambers bee filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5A wise man is strong, yea a man of knowledge encreaseth strength.6For by wise counsell thou shalt make thy warre: and in multitude of counsellers there is safetie.7Wisedome is too high for a foole: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.8He that deuiseth to doe euill, shall be called a mischieuous person.9The thought of foolishnesse is sinne: and the scorner is an abomination to men.10If thou faint in the day of aduersitie, thy strength is small:11If thou forbeare to deliuer them that are drawen vnto death, and those that are ready to be slaine:12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not: doth not he that pondereth the heart, consider it? and he that keepeth thy soule, doth not he know it? and shall not hee render to euery man according to his workes?13My sonne, eate thou honie, because it is good, and the honie combe, which is sweete to thy taste.14So shall the knowledge of wisedome be vnto thy soule: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.15Lay not waite, (O wicked man) against the dwelling of the righteous: spoile not his resting place.16For a iust man falleth seuen times, and riseth vp againe: but the wicked shall fall into mischiefe.17Reioyce not when thine enemie falleth: and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:18Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and hee turne away his wrath from him.19Fret not thy selfe because of euill men; neither be thou enuious at the wicked.20For there shall be no reward to the euill man: the candle of the wicked shall be put out.21My sonne, feare thou the Lord, and the king: and medle not with them that are giuen to change.22For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knoweth the ruine of them both?23These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to haue respect of persons in iudgement.24He that sayth vnto the wicked, Thou art righteous, him shall the people curse; nations shall abhorre him:25But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come vpon them.26Euery man shall kisse his lippes that giueth a right answere.27Prepare thy worke without, and make it fit for thy selfe in the field; and afterwards build thine house.28Be not a witnesse against thy neighbour without cause: and deceiue not with thy lippes.29Say not, I will doe so to him as he hath done to mee: I will render to the man according to his worke.30I went by the field of the slouthfull, and by the vineyard of the man voyd of vnderstanding:31And loe, it was all growen ouer with thornes, and nettles had couered the face thereof, and the stone wall therof was broken downe:32Then I saw, and considered it well, I looked vpon it, and receiued instruction.33Yet a little sleepe, a little slumber, a little folding of the handes to sleepe:34So shall thy pouertie come, as one that traueileth, and thy want, as an armed man.
