Day 203: Proverbs 29–30

1^aHe, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2When the righteous are ^bin authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

4The king by judgment establisheth the land: but ^che that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

8Scornful men ^dbring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

9If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

10^eThe bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

12If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

13The poor and ^fthe deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

17Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18Where there is no vision, the people ^gperish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his ^hwords? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be ⁱsafe.

26Many seek ^jthe ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

27An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

2Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.

3I neither learned wisdom, nor ^ahave the knowledge of the holy.

4Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

5Every word of God is ^bpure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

7Two things have I required of thee; ^cdeny me them not before I die:

8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food ^dconvenient for me:

9Lest I be full, and ^edeny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

10^fAccuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

11There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

13There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

14There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

15The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, ^gIt is enough:

16The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

17The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of ^hthe valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

18There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

19The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the ⁱmidst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

20Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

21For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

22For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

23For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are ^jexceeding wise:

25The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

26The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

27The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them ^kby bands;

28The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

29There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:

30A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

31A ^lgreyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

33Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.