1 Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's vexation is heavier than they both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are importunate. 7 The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. 9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity; better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. 11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that taunteth me. 12 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished. 13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman. 14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. 15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; 16 He that would hide her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand betrayeth itself. 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; and he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. 19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. 20 The nether-world and Destruction are never satiated; so the eyes of man are never satiated. 21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man is tried by his praise. 22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle among groats, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds; 24 For riches are not for ever; and doth the crown endure unto all generations? 25 When the hay is mown, and the tender grass showeth itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in; 26 The lambs will be for thy clothing, and the goats the price for a field. 27 And there will be goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household; and maintenance for thy maidens. | |