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²⁵When thou smitest a scorner, the simple will become prudent;

And when one that hath understanding is reproved, he will understand knowledge.

 

²⁶A son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully

Will despoil his father, and chase away his mother.

 

²⁷Cease, my son, to hear the instruction

That causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

 

²⁸An ungodly witness mocketh at right;

And the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

 

²⁹Judgments are prepared for scorners,

And stripes for the back of fools.

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous;

And whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.

 

²The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion:

He that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.

 

³It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife;

But every fool will be snarling.

 

⁴The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in;

Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

 

⁵Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;

But a man of understanding will draw it out.

 

⁶Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness;

But a faithful man who can find?

 

⁷He that walketh in his integrity as a just man,

Happy are his children after him.

 

⁸A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment

Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

 

⁹Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean,

I am pure from my sin'?

 

¹⁰Divers weights, and divers measures,

Both of them alike are abomination to the Lord.

 

¹¹Even a child is known by his doings,

Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

 

¹²The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,

The Lord hath made even both of them.

 

¹³Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty;

Open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.

 

¹⁴'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer;

But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

 

¹⁵There is gold, and a multitude of rubies;

But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

 

¹⁶Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;

And hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

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