26:8. As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

26:9. As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

26:10. Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.

26:11. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.

26:12. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.

26:13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.

26:14. As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

26:15. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.

26:16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.

26:17. As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that pa.s.seth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.

26:18. As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death.

26:19. So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

26:20. When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.

26:21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

26:22. The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.

26:23. Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross.

26:24. An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.

26:25. When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.

26:26. He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public a.s.sembly.

26:27. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.

26:28. A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs Chapter 27

27:1. Boast not for to morrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come may bring forth.

27:2. Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth: a stranger, and not thy own lips.

27:3. A stone is heavy, and sand weighty: but the anger of a fool is heavier than them both.

27:4. Anger hath no mercy: nor fury, when it breaketh forth: and who can bear the violence of one provoked?

27:5. Open rebuke is better than hidden love.

27:6. Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.

27:7. A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb: and a soul that is hungry shall take even bitter for sweet.

27:8. As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that leaveth his place.

27:9. Ointment and perfumes rejoice the heart: and the good counsels of a friend are sweet to the soul.

27:10. Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not: and go not into thy brother's house in the day of thy affliction. Better is a neighbour that is near than a brother afar off.

27:11. Study wisdom, my son, and make my heart joyful, that thou mayst give an answer to him that reproacheth.

27:12. The prudent man seeing evil hideth himself: little ones pa.s.sing on have suffered losses.

27:13. Take away his garment that hath been surety for a stranger: and take from him a pledge for strangers.

27:14. He that blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice, rising in the night, shall be like to him that curseth.

27:15. Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are alike.

27:16. He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the wind, and shall call the oil of his right hand.

27:17. Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

27:18. He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: and he that is the keeper of his master, shall be glorified.

27:19. As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the water, so the hearts of men are laid open to the wise.

27:20. h.e.l.l and destruction are never filled: so the eyes of men are never satisfied.

27:21. As silver is tried in the fining-pot, and gold in the furnace: so a man is tried by the mouth of him that praiseth. The heart of the wicked seeketh after evils, but the righteous heart seeketh after knowledge.

27:22. Though thou shouldst bray a fool in the mortar, as when a pestle striketh upon sodden barley, his folly would not be taken from him.

27:23. Be diligent to know the countenance of thy cattle, and consider thy own flocks:

27:24. For thou shalt not always have power: but a crown shall be given to generation and generation.

27:25. The meadows are open, and the green herbs have appeared, and the hay is gathered out of the mountains.

27:26. Lambs are for thy clothing: and kids for the price of the field.

27:27. Let the milk of the goats be enough for thy food, and for the necessities of thy house, and for maintenance for thy handmaids.

Proverbs Chapter 28