| 1 Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away. |
| 2 As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling. |
| 3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown. |
| 4 As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk. |
| 5 The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning. |
| 6 The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man. |
| 7 Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men. |
| 8 If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe. |
| 9 The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her. |
| 10 As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity. |
| 11 The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon. |
| 12 If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding. |
| 13 The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin. |
| 14 The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears. |
| 15 The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear. |
| 16 Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind. |
| 17 Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him. |
| 18 For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor. |
| 19 As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again |
| 20 Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare. |
| 21 As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope. |
| 22 He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him. |
| 23 When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings. |
| 24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him. |
| 25 Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds. |
| 26 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein. |
| 27 He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh. |
| 28 Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them. |
| 29 They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die. |
| 30 Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both. |