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 otter’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