Cautions against sin in general, and some sins in particular.
21:1. My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins
also pray that they may be forgiven thee.
21:2. Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest
near them, they will take hold of thee.
21:3. The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of
men.
21:4. All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the
wound thereof.
21:5. Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very
rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud
shall be rooted out.
21:6. The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of
God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.
21:7. He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner:
and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.
21:8. He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise
man knoweth to slip by him.
21:9. He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that
gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.
21:10. The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the
end of them is a flame of fire.
21:11. The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is
hell, and darkness, and pains.
21:12. He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.
21:13. The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.
21:14. He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.
21:15. But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no
understanding where there is bitterness.
21:16. The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his
counsel continueth like a fountain of life.
21:17. The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all
shall it hold.
21:18. A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and
will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall
displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.
21:19. The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the
lips of the wise, grace shall be found.
21:20. The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they
will think upon his words in their hearts.
21:21. As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the
knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.
21:22. Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles
on the right hand.
21:23. A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will
scarce laugh low to himself.
21:24. Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a
bracelet upon his right arm.
21:25. The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of
experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.
21:26. A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that
is well taught will stand without.
21:27. It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man
will be grieved with the disgrace.
21:28. The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things: but the
words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.
21:29. The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men
is in their heart.
21:30. While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.
While the ungodly, etc... He condemneth and curseth himself: inasmuch as
by sin he takes part with the devil, and is, as it were, his member and
subject.
21:31. The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by
all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and
wise man shall be honoured.