Ecclesiastes 2

Ecclesiastes 2 - King James Version

 1I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

 2I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

 3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

 4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

 5I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

 6I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

 7I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

 8I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

 9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

 10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

 11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

 12And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

 13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

 14The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

 15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

 16For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

 17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

 18Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

 19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

 20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

 21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

 22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

 23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

 24There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

 25For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?

 26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31 - King James Version

 1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

 14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30 - King James Version

 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 have 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 pure: 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; deny me them not before I die:

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

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

 10Accuse 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, It 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 the 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 midst 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 exceeding 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 by 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 greyhound; 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.

Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29 - King James Version

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

 2When the righteous are in 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 he 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 bring 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.

 10The 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 the 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 perish: 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 words? 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 safe.

 26Many seek the 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.

Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28 - King James Version

 1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

 2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

 3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

 4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

 5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

 6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

 7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

 8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

 9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

 10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

 11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

 12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

 13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

 14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

 15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

 16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

 17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

 18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

 19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

 20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

 21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

 22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

 23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

 24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

 25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

 26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

 27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

 28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27 - King James Version

 1Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

 2Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

 3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

 4Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

 5Open rebuke is better than secret love.

 6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

 7The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

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

 9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

 10Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

 11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

 12A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

 13Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

 14He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

 15A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

 16Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

 17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

 18Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

 19As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

 20Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

 21As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

 22Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

 23Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

 24For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

 25The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

 26The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

 27And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.