Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture, Proverbs
PROVERBS.
CAP. I.
1 The proverbs of Solomon.THe grave, wise, proverbiall sentences of Solomon.
2 To know wisedome and instruction.The use whereof is, to give true, morall, and spirituall wisedome and instruction to those that doe carefully read, or heare them.
8 Forsake not the law of thy mother.Doe not take advantage by the weaknesse of that sex, to thinke it safe for thee, to slight that charge which thy mother shall lay upon thee.
17 Surely in vaine the net is spread in the sight of any bird.Well might the foolish bird be warned, and kept off, by the sight of the net, which is spread for her; but shee being intent upon her food, minds not her danger, and so is heedlesly caught; so shall it be with thee, my sonne, if thou, in a desire of wicked gaine, shalt suffer thy selfe to be intised by leud men, &c.
18 And they lay waite for their owne blood, they lurk privily for their own lives.Whiles they thinke they lay wait for the blood of others, alas, they lay wait for their owne; and goe closely to worke to betray, and destroy their owne soules.
Evill gaine brings destruction upon the getter of it; so as he leeseth himselfe,19 Gaine, which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. whiles he vainly thinkes to winne these outward things.
20 Wisedome crieth without, she uttereth her voice in the streets.He that is the eternall, & increated Wisedome of the Father, useth all meanes to draw men unto God; both by his workes, and by his word, he inviteth all men to the knowledge, and love of the truth.
23 I will poure out my spirit unto you, I will make knowne my words unto you.I offer unto you, both my word outwardly to your eares, and a plentifull measure of my spirit inwardly to your hearts, to make that word effectuall unto you.
26 I will also laugh at your calamity.As you have slighted, and disregarded mee and my word, so will I, you, in the day of your extremity; I will not care that you are plagued; yea it shall be a pleasure to mee to see your just smart.
Foolish sinners are hardened in their wicked courses by the sense of their continuing prosperity;32 The prosperity of fooles shall destroy them. & are thereupon carryed on to their destruction.
CAP. II.
TO those that are true, and upright of heart he will,7 Hee layeth up sound wisedome for the righteous. in his good time, reveale true and saving knowledge, and that sound spirituall wisedome which shall make them eternally happy.
So powerfull are her intisements,19 None that goe unto her returne againe, neither take they hold of the pathes of life. and her infection so deadly, that it is a great wonder, if any of those, who are miscarried by her lustfull and wanton baites, doe ever recover themselves againe, and returne to the pathes of life.
CAP. III.
LAy thou fast hold on the everlasting mercy,3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; binde them about thy necke, write them upon the table of thine heart. and truth of God, so as no evill occurrēce may slacken thy confidence thereon; and, withall, be not thou removed from the exercise of mercy, and truth, towards thy brethren; make much of these, and keepe them close to thee, as thine owne soule.
Withhold not good from them,27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. to whom it ought to be given or done, whether upon their deserving, or upon their need, when God gives thee power to performe it.
CAP. IIII.
AS the naturall sleepe arises from the vapors sent up out of the stomacke;16 Their sleepe is taken away, unlesse they cause some to fall. so doth the rest of these wicked men; when they have eaten wickednesse as bread, and powred in violence and oppression, as wine,17 For they eate the bread of wickednesse, and drink the wine of violence. then can they repose themselves, in a fals quietnesse, and contentment.
For, as the heart is the fountaine of the naturall life, so it is of the spirituall; there is the seat of grace,23 For out of it are the issues of life. and holinesse; from thence flowes either the happinesse or miserie of man.
Let neither thine eyes, nor thine other senses be drawn aside, either to the right hand, or to the lest;25 Let thine eyes look right on, &c. but let them be directed aright, according to the law of thy God.
CAP. V.
3 The lips of a strange woman drop as an hony combe.THe lips of an harlot are full of sweet intisements.
14 Drinke waters out of thine owne cisterne, and running waters out of thine owne well.Injoy thou the lawfull pleasures, and contentments of thine owne wife; and let her chast love be as some cleare, and pure waters out of thine own well, to refresh, and satisfie thee.
Those streames of an happy, and comfortable issue, which shall be derived from thee,17 Let them be onelyonly thine owne, and not strangers with thee. let them be only thine owne, deduced from the chast and holy marriage-bed; Let not the adulterous wombe, or loines have any share in them.
CAP. VI.
3 Make sure thy friend, &c.VSe all seasonable importunity unto that friend, to whom thou art ingaged, and make all meanes for a discharge from that friend, for whom thou art ingaged, that so, by this earnest solicitation of both parts, thou maiest be freed.
The leud man composeth all his parts to deceit; every gesture of his tendeth to fraud;13 Hee winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers. the very motion of his eyes, of his feet, of his fingers, is vocall, and significant; and expresseth some secret intimation of guile.
30 Men do not despise a theefe, if he steale to satisfie his soule when he is hungry.Theft is an odious sinne, yet, if wee would compare the theefe with the adulterer, we shall finde much difference, in the hainousnesse of the offence; Men are not wont to be inexorably cruell against him that steales out of his pure need.
31 But if he bee found, he shal restore sevenfold, he shall give all the substance of his house.But if he be found, how deare so ever he pay for his fault, by way of satisfaction, or mulct, the summe is yet accepted of the party wronged.
But who so committeth adultery, &c.
CAP. VII.
BE thou so familiar with wisedome, as if she were thy owne naturall sister.4 Say unto wisedome, Thou art my sister.
14 I have peace-offerings, with me, this day have I paid my vowes.I have plentifull provision of cheare, and besides, I can handsomely vaile our meeting under a faire pretence of devotion, so as thou maist boldly and chearefully resort unto my house.
23 Till a dart strike through his liver as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.Thus he yieldeth to her lust, untill the revenging husband, out of his just jealousie, give a deadly stroke to his adulterous rivall, or till the just judgement of God seize upon body and soule; being thus heedlessely drawne in, as a bird is into the snare, not considering that under the shew of a little chaffe, or straw, her life is laid for.
For shee hath first wounded, and after vanquished,26 For shee hath cast downe many wounded, yea many strong men have beene slaine by her. and slaine many; yea not only of the meaner and baser sort, but many that have beene most famous for valour, strength, wisedome, have beene foyled and undone by her.
CAP. VIII.
THus doth the harlot,2 Shee standeth in the top of the high places, by the way in the places of the pathes. by her secret whisperings allure men to their destruction, but the pure, holy, heavenly wisedome of the glorious, and everliving God, doth openly invite all men to her gracious counsel, to her most chast, and happy inbracements. Shee therefore standeth forth in the most frequent, and conspicuous places of the city, and earnestly solicites all passengers, to give eare unto her for their owne salvation.
Make no comparison of my instruction with silver and gold; Alas, these are base, and corruptible metals,10 Receive my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather then choice gold. not worthy to come into mention with those heavenly treasures, which are contained in, and conveyed by my divine counsels.
True judgement, and skill how to manage all affaires,12 I wisedome dwell with prudence. doth proceed from me, and is inseparable from me; so as men have reason, for their owne good, to listen unto mee.
Those that affect me,17 I love them that love mee. shall be sure not to lose their love, and recompence; for, as I have embraced them, with an everlasting love, so will I make it knowne to them, by my manifold blessings, and mercies concerning this life and the future.
I the increated Wisedome of God,22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his workes of old. was with the Father, from all eternity; neither was there any time, wherein I was not; I was with him, and in him, before any of the workes of his creation had any being.
Then was I present by him,30 Then I was by him as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoycing alwaies before him. as one that was coeternal with him; and in whom we did mutually and infinitely solace each other, from everlasting.
CAP. IX.
1 Wisedome hath builded her house; shee hath hewen out her seaven pillars.THe Son of God, who is the eternall Wisedome of the Father hath built his house, the Church of God; he hath laid sure foundations of it, and hath hewen out all the pillars thereof, in a seemly, and exquisite perfection.
2 She hath killed her beasts, shee hath mingled her wine, shee hath also furnished her table.He hath instituted, and addressed all his holy ordinances, whereby he may feed up the soules of men to everlasting life.
3 Shee hath sent forth her maidens; she cryeth upon the highest places of the city.He hath sent forth his holy, and zealous messengers, to invite men to the participation of his sacred mysteries, and they doe accordingly use all holy importunity to this good purpose.
12 If thou be wise thou shalt be wise for thy selfe.If thou be wise, thou thy selfe shalt reape the comfort and benefit of that wisedome of thine; others may bee profited by it; but the greatest advantage shall be thine owne, &c.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.He considereth not that they are but dead men, which give way to her lustfull intisements; and that those with whom shee hath prevailed, are in the state of everlasting perdition.
CAP. X.
10 Hee that winketh with his eye causeth sorrow; but a prating foole shall fall.THe double dealing, and dissembling person causeth much sorrow at the last, both to himselfe, and to those that have beene deceived by him; but a prating foole that utters all his heart, procures stripes to himself without further danger to others.
11 Violence covers the mouth of the wicked.There is nothing in the mouth of the wicked but violent, and cruell designes.
Both hee that smothereth his secret rancour under faire and plausible words,18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips & hee that uttereth slander is a foole. and he that uttereth it in slanderous speeches, is a foole.
CAP. XI.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour, but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.A Dissembling friend, with faire and false words, and semblances, draweth his neighbour into some dangerous inconvenience; but a wise and just man will soone perceive his fraud, and avoid him, and the mischiefe plotted by him.
A foolish man speakes spightfully,12 He that is void of wisedome, despiseth his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace. and scornfully of his neighbour; but hee that is wise, concealeth his thoughts; and will not utter ought to the reproach of another.
The mercifull man whiles he doth good to others,17 The mercifull man doth good to his owne soule; but he that is cruell troubleth his owne flesh. doth most good to his owne soule, which shall reape the comfort of all his beneficence; but he that is cruell to others, is (in that very disposition) the greatest enemie to himselfe.
Though wicked men conspire,21 Though hand joine in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished. and joyne all their forces together, yet all their combination, and power, shall not free them from just punishment.
Beauty is no more an ornament to a foolish,22 As a Iewell of gold in a swines snour, so is a faire woman, which is without discretion. undiscreet, ungoverned woman, then a golden jewell is to a Swines snout; both are equally mis-placed, both are equally mis-beseeming.
The liberall man that scattereth abroad his goods in a free bountifull largition,24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth. so much more growes in wealth, (through the blessing of God) by how much more frankly he bestowes it.
He that is an enemie to his owne thrift,29 Hee that troubleth his owne house shall inherite the winde, and the foole shall be servant to the wise of heart. and prodigally wasteth his estate, shall inherite nothing but an empty wind of applause, for the time, and afterwards, want and beggery; and he that was so foolish, as to mis-spend himselfe, shall come to be a servant (at the last) to him that is wise to get, and to keepe his owne.
Behold, even the most just, and holy man upon earth,33 Behold, the righteous shall be recompenced in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner. shall be sure of his measure of afflictions here, in the world; how much more shall the unconscionable, and ungodly man be sure to smart for his wickednesse, either here, or hereafter?
CAP. XII.
A Man that is meane in his owne conceit,9 He that is despised and hath a servant, is better then hee that honoureth himselfe, and lacketh bread. and yet hath somewhat to take unto; is better then a proud and vaine braggart, that wanteth meanes of necessary maintenance.
The wicked man affects those meanes of fraudulent circumvention,12 The wicked desireth the net of evill men. which he sees some crafty oppressours use, to their advantage.
A good man shall (through Gods mercifull retribution) finde much comfort, and benefit,14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompence of a mans hands shall be rendred unto him. both to himselfe and to others, from the gracious words, of holy counsell, which proceed from his mouth; and also from the holy workes of his hands.
16 A fooles wrath is presently knowne, but a prudent man covereth shame.A foole cannot be angry, but he must presently shew it, and breake forth into open distempers; but a wise man hides his passions, till he sees fit oportunities, and meanes to manifest them, so, as may be most safe and advantagious to himselfe.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagin evill; but to the counsellors of peace shall be joy,Those, whose hearts are full of mischievous devices, do, in the end, but deceive themselves, but those that advise, or procure good unto others, shall have much joy in themselves.
CAP. XIII.
3 He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life.HE that lookes carefully to his tongue, restraining it from many, and offensive words, takes a safe course for the preserving of his life, which is oft times indangered by much, and wilde talking.
7 There is that maketh himselfe rich, yet hath nothing.There be some that bragge, and make ostentation of much wealth; affecting to be counted rich, when, indeed, they have little, or nothing, that may be justly called theirs.
9 The light of the righteous rejoyceth, but the lampe of the wicked shall be put out.The heart of the righteous man shall be exceedingly cheared, with those true causes of joy, which God gives unto him, but the seeming, and false mirth of wicked men (wherewith they vainely please themselves) shall be soone put out, and end in sorrow.
14 The law of the wise is a fountaine of life; to depart from the snares of death.The Law of God, which is the matter, and scope whereto all the instruction of wise teachers tendeth, is that fountaine, from which spirituall and eternall life floweth, and the onelyonly meanes to deliver the soule from the snares of everlasting death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour, but the way of transgressors is hard.Good insight into businesses, and discreet carriage of them, procureth thankfull acceptance, but those that take wrong courses cause much trouble, and vexation.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poore.Even a poore man, by paines and industry may grow rich; and by his laborious tillage obtaineth a large croppe.
CAP. XIIII.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.THe tongue of a foole is a scourge, whereby his owne pride, and over-weening is lashed; but the lips of the wise, are a safe defence for himselfe.
4 Where no oxen are the crib is cleane, but much increase is by the strength of the oxe.Where there is no husbandry, or use of the oxe, there needs no labour, to make the crib cleane, but that neatnesse is accompanied with want; as, contrarily, where the oxen are imployed for tillage, the crib may be foule, but the barnes shall be full.
The wicked man (who is indeed no better then a foole) imployes all that wit he hath, to deceive others.8 But the folly of fooles is deceit.
The wicked foole makes himselfe merry with his sinne,9 Fooles make a mock at sinne, but among the righte us there is favour. and scoffes at the reproofe, and judgement which pertaines thereunto; but the righteous hath a care so to behave himselfe, that he shall carry away favour both from God, and men.
A man is best acquainted with his owne secret sorrowes; & knows where he is inwardly wrung,10 The heart knoweth his owne bitternesse, and a stranger doth not intermedle with his joy. whiles the world thinkes him happy; as contrarily, he may have hidden occasions of joy, which cannot be judged of by the lookers on.
It is often seene,13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowfull; and the end of that mirth is heavinesse. that whiles the face counterfeits a smile, the heart is inwardly heavy, and vexed; and after a fained, and forced mirth, returnes to the forme, griefe.
A man that is froward, and perverse,14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his owne wayes; and a good man shall be satisfied from himselfe. and that willingly falls from his former good purposes, shall bee sure to beare the punishment of his owne wicked courses; and a good man shall reape the comfort of his holy carriage, and enjoy the conscience of his owne integrity.
God will so blesse and advance the righteous man,19 The evill bowe before the good. that the wicked and unconscionable shall be glad to crouch, and bowe before him.
He that spendeth his time in idle talke,23 But the talke of the lips tendeth onelyonly to poverty. and doth nothing, shall be sure to come to poverty.
A wise man, if he have riches, is much graced,24 The crowne of the wise is their riches; but the foolishnesse of fooles is folly. and adorned thereby; but a foole, though he have wealth, yet will be a foole still; and hath hereupon more occasion to manifest his folly.
He that feareth the Lord,26 In the feare of the Lord is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. hath reason to be strongly confident in the favour, and sure protection of the Almighty: and shall finde God, a like powerfull refuge even to his posterity after him.
An heart that is clearely free from envie,30 A sonnd heart is the life of the flesh; but, &c. and all vitious affections, is a comfortable preserver of the body; but &c.
CAP. XV.
A Well-governed,4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perversnesse therein, is a breach in the spirit. holy and discret tongue preserveth a man safe from dangers; and yeeldeth spirituall nourishment unto others; but perversnesse therein, is like a blustring winde among the boughes of the trees, rending and tearing the life, and spirit of a mans selfe, and others.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord, how much more then the hearts of the children of men?Even the devouring grave, and the lowest depths of the earth, lie open to the eyes of the Lord, how much more doth he behold the bottom of mans heart?
19 The way of the slothfull man is as an hedge of thornes.Every thing seemes difficult to a slothfull man; he is as unwilling to goe about his businesse, as a man would be to tread upon an hedge of thornes.
24 The way of life is above to the wise.He that is truly wise hath his affections, and conversation above; and in the holy way of obedience walketh on to eternall life.
30 The light of the eyes rejoyceth the heart; and a good report maketh the bones fat.Both the eye, and the eare yeeld much comfort, and refreshing to the soule; the eye is pleased with lightsome and pleasant objects; the eare with hearing of a good report, concerning our selves; wherein we take so much contentment, as that hereby we are fed and fattened.
CAP. XVI.
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.LEt it be yielded that a man hath power of his owne thoughts, so as he can digest and prepare what hee meanes to speake; and put all his words in due order; yet, when he shall come to utter them, God hath the disposing of his tongue; so as a man shall speake, not what himselfe hath contrived, but what God hath predetermined.
2 All the wayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.Every man is apt to thinke the best of his owne actions, and to justifie himselfe in his owne courses; but the Lord judgeth and examineth the soule, and spirit of man, and according to the truth of his inward dispositions, so doth he passe sentence upon him, and his waies.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himselfe, yea even the wicked for the day of evill.The Lord hath in all his workes of creation and providence had a just eye to his owne glory; in so much as the most wicked men, which might seeme to be most exempted from the regard and preordination of God, yet are not out of the compasse of his holy and just decree; in that out of their evill he hath decreed to bring good, and to glorifie himselfe in their just punishment.
6 By merciemercy and truth, iniquitie is purged.It is not an outward sacrifice that God regards, in his remission of the punishment of our sinne; but where hee finds mercy to the poore, and uprightnesse of heart towards himselfe, and men, there he is graciously pleased to forbeare his judgements; in as much as these graces, being wrought in us, by his Spirit, cannot but proceed from a true faith, where by our sinnes are purged.
As God raiseth Princes above other men,10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the King, his mouth transgresseth not in judgement. so he indueth them with excellent graces, answerable to their high callings; he puts therefore divine sentences into their mouthes, which meaner men could not have attained unto; and giveth their tongues, even in doubtfull and hidden causes, to passe a wise and just judgement.
A man needs no other inducement to labour,26 He that laboureth, laboureth for himselfe; for his mouth craveth it of him. but his owne profit, yea his owne necessitie; for it is that, whereby he must sustaine himselfe, and uphold nature, which craveth it of him.
An ungodly man if he cannot find oportunities of doing mischiefe, will busily search for them;27 An ungodly man diggeth up evill; and in his lips there is as a burning fire. and as his heart is ill imployed, so his tongue is worse, for that is as a burning fire brand, to set all the world in combustion.
Old age (and the signe thereof,31 The hoary head is a crowne of glory, if it bee found in the way of righteousnesse. gray haires) are a great ornament to a man, that lives justly and uprightly in the world.
The lots are throwne at randome,33 The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord. and at peradventure; but there is an over-ruling hand of God, that disposeth of them, how they shall light; and hath certainly determined; that which carries a show of casualty.
CAP. XVII.
MEn use to speake, as they are: an high,7 Excellent speech becommeth not a foole, much lesse doe lying lips a Prince. deepe Philosophicall discourse sounds ill from the mouth of a foole; a morall, and grave discourse of vertue and good behaviour, ill becomes a debaucht and vicious man; but, of all, it is most mis-becomming a Prince, to utter lies, and falshood.
Secret gifts are wont to winne favour;8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; wheresoever it turneth, it prospereth. and much acceptation to the party that brings them; and if they fall into the hands of corrupt judges, have power to draw them into either part, and to sway any cause whatsoever.
He that concealeth within himselfe an offence done to him, by his friend,9 He that covereth a transgressiō, seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends. takes a course to maintaine love and friendship; but he that will be calling every light unkindnesse into question, and expostulates upon every occasion, shall be sure to lose his friends.
As it is with water, when it is dammed up,14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water, &c. if the smallest hole bee made for a passage, it violently rusheth in, and beareth downe all those clods which were laid to keepe it in; so it is with contention; if the least way be given to it, it inlargeth it selfe, and groweth furious, and strong by opposition, &c.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisedome, seeing he hath no heart?A wealthy foole doth in vaine hope by all his bagges to purchase wisedome, since he hath not an heart that is capable of it.
19 He that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.The proud man that builds his gate too high, for the offence, or overlooking of his neighbour, may indanger himselfe the sorer fall there from, and therefore workes perill and hurt to himselfe.
24 Wisedome is before him that hath understanding, but the eyes of a foole are in the ends of the earth.He that hath understanding, fixeth his eyes upon wisedome; and contenteth himselfe with that object, whereas the eyes of a foole are inconstantly wandring, every where, and his thoughts settle upon nothing that may availe to his good.
27 A man of understanding is of an excellent (or coole) spirit.A man of understanding is of a well tempered spirit; not too forward in putting forth himselfe.
CAP. XVIII.
1 Through desire a man having separated himselfe seeketh and intermedleth with all wisedome.HE that in a fervent desire of knowledge, hath set himselfe apart to his continuall study, laboureth to informe himselfe in all points of wisedome; so as he may not be a stranger in any kinde of learning.
3 When the wicked commeth, then commeth also contempt.Wheresoever the wicked man commeth, he is apt to cast reproach and contempt upon every mans face.
A wise man utters not all he knowes; his words are like to deepe waters,4 The words of a mans mouth are as deep waters, and the welspring of wisedome as a flowing brook. the bottome whereof cannot easily be fadomed; and his wisedome is as a living spring, which sends up full brookes that are ready to over-flow their banks; so plentifull is he in good discourse, and wholesome counsaile.
9 He also that is sloathfull in his worke, is brother to him that is a great waster.The sloathful man is little better then a great spender, he equally consumes the estate wherewith he is entrusted.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower.The goodnesse, mercy, and power of the Lord, is a safe and strong refuge to all those who trust unto it.
4 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can beare?A resolute and undaunted spirit is able to beare up both it owne infirmities, and those of the body also; but if the heart of a man be wounded, and dejected with whatsoever crosse befals unto it, what meanes hath a man any longer to subsist, and to sustaine himselfe? there is no remedy, but he must droope and yeeld.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.It is a great power which the tongue hath, whether for life, or death; good words tend to life; evill unto death, whether to our selves, or others; and according as a man had rather to improve it, so it shall speed with him either way.
CAP. XIX.
HE that fals rashly upon his determinations,2 He that hasteth with his feet, sinneth. without weighing all due circumstances, cannot but offend.
It is through a mans owne foolishnes that he miscarries in his businesses; and that he takes leud courses;3 The foolishnesse of a man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord. and when he justly smarteth through his owne fault, his heart fretteth, and his tongue muttereth against the Lord, as the author of all his harme and misery.
Houses and riches may be derived to us by way of inheritance from our fore-fathers, without our care,14 House and riches are the inheritance of Fathers, and a prudent wife is from the Lord. or indevour, but a prudent and vertuous wife, is a speciall blessing of Gods immediate choosing; and must therefore be obtained by our prayers at the hand of the giver.
A man that is subject to often and extreame passions of anger, cannot avoid many and great inconveniences,19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, yet thou must doe it againe. which he brings upon himselfe; and if thou doe, in a friendly manner, free him from some dangerous effects of his wrath, yet he will put thee to it againe.
That which should be the chiefe desire of a man,22 The desire of a man is his kindnesse; and a poore man is better then a lyer. is his beneficence, and kindnesse to others; and if a rich man promise much, and performe nothing; a poore man that is unable either to undertake or performe is better then he.
CAP. XX.
EXcesse of wine beguiles a man of his wits, and senses, and exposeth him to the scorne and derision of every beholder; and strong drinke inflames the blood,1 Wine is a mocker, stronge drinke is raging. and makes a man apt to fall into raging distempers.
See Prov. 18.5.5 Counsell in the heart is like deepe waters.
A fraudulent diversity of weights and measures,10 Divers weights and divers measures. is abhominable to the Lord.
It is not hard by the carriage and disposition of the childhood, to judge, what is to be hoped or feated,11 Even a child is knowne by his doings, whether his work be pure or whether it be right. of a mans riper age; either good or evill begins to shew it selfe betimes.
There are eares that heare not, and eyes that see not;12 The hearing eare, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. but if a man have an hearing eare, and a seeing eye; he is doubly bound to God, both for his sense, & the improvement of it.
Men esteeme much of gold, and precious stones;15 There is gold and a multitude of Rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious Iewell. but the man that is furnished with learning and knowledge, deserves to be held of far greater price, then all these earthen treasures.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravell.The bread which a man hath got by fraud, and cozenage, seemes sweet and pleasant, at the first tast of it, but by that time he hath chewed it a little, he shall finde it to be but harsh gravell, that crasheth betweene his teeth, galls his jawes, and wounds his tongue, and offends his palate.
20 Who so curseth his father or his mother, his lampe shall be put out in obscure darknesse.Who so curseth his parents, his comfort and helpe shall be sure to be taken from him, when he hath the most need of it; and he shall be left utterly miserable and disconsolate.
24 Mans goings are of the Lord: how can a man then understand his owne waies?It is the Lord that disposeth of all the actions, and events of man; he hath ordered them, he over-rules and governes them, according to his owne will: It is not in the power of man, either to know what will betide himselfe, or to set himselfe in any good way, to will or to do ought that may be pleasing unto God.
25 It is a snare to that man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vowes to make inquiry.He intangleth his soule in the snares of death, who resumeth unto a profane use, that which is once consecrated unto God; and who, after he hath vowed ought unto the Lord, argues within himselfe, how to alter that holy purpose, and to defeat God of his due.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.The reasonable soule is as a bright candle, which God hath set up in man, which gives light unto him for the finding out of the strange secrets of nature.
Scourgings, and woundings are the best cure of the leud misbehaviour of wicked men;30 The blewnesse of a wound cleanseth away evill, so doe stripes the inward parts of the belly. only feare and smart can restraine them; sound punishment is therefore fit for them; even such stripes, as may pierce to the very inward parts of the body.
CAP. XXI.
4 An high look, and proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sinne.THe wicked man hath an haughty looke, and a proud heart; neither are his mis-dispositions onelyonly sinfull, but those his very actions and indeavours (which in another man would be harmelesse) are in him, no other then sinne.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousnesse; but every one that is hasty, only to want.The thoughts and projects of him that is truly diligent, are still to excellent purpose, and tend to the advancing, and enriching of a mans estate; but the hasty & rash thoughts of him that is too eager of the world, disappoint a man, and bring him to want.
The wealth that is gotten by falshood, & lies,6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seeke death. is altogether uncertaine, and transitory; neither shall continue long, in any one hand; and besides, procures the utter destruction both of soule and body, to him that unjustly gets it.
It many times falls out,18 The wicked shall be a ransome for the righteous, and the transgressour for the upright. through the wise and just providence of God, that those calamities which threatned to seize upon the godly, and righteous man, doe balke him, and fall upon the wicked and unconscionable.
He that deales proudly in his anger,24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. is worthy to be branded with the name of an insolent scorner.
The vaine and fruitlesse desire of a sloathfull man affamisheth him;25 The desire of a sloathfull man killeth him. whiles he longs for that which he will not set his hand to purchase; but will rather sit still and starve.
CAP. XXII.
THe wisdome of God hath not thought fit to make all men rich; or all poore;2 The rich and poore meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all. but hath intermixed the one with the other, that each of them might have use of other; neither is it for the wealthy to insult upon, or oppresse the needy; since it is God, that hath made them both such as they are, and hee both can, and will revenge any unjust measure that is offered by the one to the other.
The froward and perverse,5 Thornes and snares are in the way of the froward. is as a man on all sides encompassed with thornes, and snares; his stubbornnesse brings him into infinite perplexities, out of which he can finde no issue.
The sloathfull man faines idle excuses,13 The sloathfull man saith, There is a Lion in the way. and pretences of danger, when he should goe about his businesse.
The plausible and smooth tongue of an harlot is no lesse dangerous, then a deepe pit fairely covered;14 The mouth of a strange woman, is a deepe pit, he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. into which if a man once fall, there is small hope of recovering himselfe; and it is a fearefull signe and effect of Gods anger, to be given over to her intisements.
There is a foolish waywardnesse,15 Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shal drive it farre from him. that is naturall to the child, and cleaves close to his disposition, yet not so, but that it may be, with due correction, whip't out of him.
As well he that unjustly takes from the poore to inrich himselfe; as he that gives to the rich,16 He that oppresseth the poore to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. that which he unduly withholds from the poore, shall through the just judgement of God, come to want.
CAP. XXIII.
2 Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.BE carefull by all meanes to restraine thy wanton appetite, if thou be a man given to please thy palate.
Doe not too eagerly affect, and labour to be rich; and follow not thine owne carnall wisedome,4 Labour not to bee rich; cease from thine own wisedome. which suggests unto thee wrong wayes to the hasty purchase of wealth.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings, they flie away as an Eagle towards heaven.Wilt thou be so foolish, as to fixe thine heart, and thine eyes, upon that, which hath no constant being? For surely riches are of a flitting, uncertaine condition; they will not abide with thee, but, as with Eagles wings, will flie away from thee.
6 Eate thou not the bread of him that hath an evill eye, neither desire thou his dainty meat.Be not thou beholden to a niggard for his bread; neither doe thou wish to take part with him, in any dainty dish.
For as in his heart he doth inwardly grudge thee every bit thou eatest;7 For as hee thinketh in his heart, so is he; Eate and drinke, saith he to thee, but his heart is not with thee. so, in his countenance, and gesture, he bewraies it; he bids thee after his churlish fashion to eate and drinke, but his heart repines at thy presence, and wishes thee further off.
8 The morsell which thou hast eaten, shalt thou vomit up; and lose thy sweet words.So shalt thou be vexed with thy grudging intertainment, that thou shalt wish the churles meat were out of thy belly; and shalt repent of all those kinde words, that thou hast cast away upon so harsh, and unworthy an host.
18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.For surely there shall be an happy and wished end, and a blessed reward of all thy holy indeavours; & thine expectation of a joyfull retribution shall not be disappointed.
Be thou glad to purchase the truth, at any rate, whatsoever it cost thee,23 Buy the truth, and sell it not. the peniworth is not deare; but when thou hast it, doe not part with it upon any termes.
27 A whore is a deepe ditch.See Prov. 22.14.
28 She increaseth the transgressors among men.She is the meanes to draw men into much wickednesse.
29 Who hath wo? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath rednesse of eyes?Every wickednesse brings mischiefe with it; But who is the man that especially drawes upon himselfe all manner of sorrowes, and inconveniences, both in soule, and in body, and estate? who is he that raiseth quarrells and contentions upon every trifle? Who is he that is full of idle, obscene, unsavory words? Who is he that in distempered fraies, gets stripes, and wounds? Who is he that afflicts his eyes which defluctions, and inflammations?
Who, but even he that sits long at the wine,30 They that tary long at the wine; they that goe to seeke mixt wine. that hunts about from one taverne to another, where he may finde the most exquisite wine, and the truest drunkards.
Suffer not thine eyes to be tempted to take too much pleasure in beholding the pure,31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red; when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth it selfe aright. and pleasing colour of the wine; when it shewes it selfe in the glasse; and when, through the strength, and spirit that is in it, it sparkleth right upward, therein.
Thy head shall be so giddy,34 Yea thou shalt be as he that lieth downe in the midst of the sea, or as he that lyeth upon the top of a mast. and thy braine so turned within thee, as if thou wert laid sea-sicke in the midst of the ship; or as if thou laist upon the top of a tottering mast.
Thou shalt be made so senselesse, that thou shalt not know, either what thou dost, or what is done to thee;35 They have striken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sicke; they have beaten me, & I felt it not; when shall I awake? I will seeke it yet againe. when thou art striken, thou art not affected with it; and when thou art beaten, thou art not sensible of it; and so shalt thou be besotted with this excesse of liquor, that thou shalt resolve after all correction, when thou awakest out of thy drunken sleepe, to returne to the wonted course of thy drunkennesse.
CAP. XXIIII.
A Wise man hath much inward strength in himselfe;5 A wise man is strong, yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. Yea, he that is a man of knowledge and understanding, gives a great increase of strength, and defence unto the whole citie or community wherein he is.
Wisedome is too high for a foole to attaine unto,7 Wisedome is too high for a foole; he openeth not his mouth in the gate. neither hath he any capacity of publique employments; either he is not called to counsell, or is unable to give it.
He that is wickedly foolish, entertaineth commonly no thoughts, but sinfull.9 The thought of foolishnesse is sinne.
If thou doe out of a willing neglect,11 If thou forbeare to deliver them that are drawne to death, & those that are ready to be slaine. or unmercifulnesse, forbeare to deliver those, who are crushed by oppression, and led to an unjust death; and now are ready for a cruell execution.
Thinke not to plead excuses of thine ignorance,12 If thou sayest, Behold we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart, consider? &c. as to say; I knew not this man to be innocent, the other unjust; neither the quality of his desert, nor the meanes of his delivery; for, there is an all-seeing God, who lookes upon the secrets of all hearts, who is privie to the falshood of all thy vaine pretences, and dissimulation.
My Sonne, as when thou eatest hony,13 My Sonne, eat hony, because it is good; and the hony combe which is sweet to thy tast; thou findest the tast of it sweet; and the hony combe, which thou tastest, is delightfull to thy palate;
So shalt thou finde the knowledge of heavenly wisedome14 So shall the knowledge of wisedome be unto thy soule. unspeakeably delectable to thy soule.
16 For the just man falleth seaven times, and riseth up againe, but the wicked shall fall into mischiefe.For the righteous man, if he fall into manifold miseries, and calamities, yet through the goodnesse of God, he shall be delivered out of them all; but the wicked man, through Gods just judgement, shall fall unrecoverably.
18 And he turne away his wrath from him.Lest he turne away his wrath from him, and turne it upon thee.
21 Meddle not with them that are given to change.Have nothing to doe with them, who are seditiously disposed; who vary from all good lawes and orders; and are affected to innovation and change, both of princes, and government.
22 And who knoweth the ruine of them both.Who knowes how soone, how suddainly God shall bring judgement and utter ruine upon both the wicked man, and the seditious?
26 Every man shall kisse his lips that giveth a right answere.Every good man will applaud and blesse the mouth of him that giveth an upright sentence in judgement.
27 Prepare thy worke without, and make it fit for thy selfe in the field, & afterwards build thine house.Look well to the setling, & husbanding of thine estate, and when thou hast well secured, and stocked, and furnished thy selfe, then thinke of either building, or garnishing thine house; whereof let all the mate…als be first provided abroad, ere thou beginne with the fabrick.
CAP. XXV.
2 It is the glory of God to conceale a thing; but the honor of Kings is to search out a matter.IT is the great glory of Gods infinite wisedome, that he hath hidden mysteries, which our weake and ignorant capacity cannot reach unto; but as for these humane affaires, they may be searched into; and it is the glory of Kings to fadome them, even to the bottome; that so they may thereupon award just judgements upon all occasions.
Or, It is the great praise of Gods mercy that he hides and covers our manifold infirmities; but it is the honor of Kings, to finde out, and punish offences.
3 The heavens for height, and earth for depth, and the heart of Kings is unsearchable.As the heaven is exceedingly high, and the earth exceedingly deepe, beyond the reach of man; so is the heart of Kings; the very place wherein they are, and the due managing thereof cals them to great reservednesse.
6 Put not forth thy selfe in the presence of the King.Make not too much ostentation of thy wit, or wealth or bravery, in the presence of the King; as if thou wouldst offer to compare with thy superiours, under whose countenance thou must live; towards whom submissenesse of carriage would both better become thee, and more availe to thy good.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, and discover not a secret to another.If there be a difference betwixt thy neighbour, and thee, take him aside, and in a friendly manner argue the matter with him alone; and offer faire termes of peace and reconciliation; and discover not a secret unkindnes to a third person, till thou seest no other way of atonement.
A seasonable and discreet speech is a most pleasing and precious thing,11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. and no lesse delights the eare and the minde, then the most curious and costly imbroidery, or pictures of gold and silver, doth the eye.
A docible and pliable eare accounts a loving and discreet reproofe of his friend,12 As an eare-ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient eare. more precious then the richest eare-ring of gold, or whatsoever more curious and costly ornament.
The coolenesse of the snow or yce, wherewith the liquor is wont, in hote regions, to be tempered,13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithfull messenger to him that sends him. doth not more refresh the thirsty traveller, in the heat of summer, then a faithfull messenger doth refresh, and content the heart of him that sends him.
He that makes bountifull and deluding promises of great gifts, which will never be performed,14 Who so boasteth himselfe of a false gift, is like clouds and winde without raine. is like a cloud which makes shew of that raine, which it will not or cannot yeeld.
A gentle and submissive answere softeneth and scupleth the most obdured, and inflexible heart.15 A soft tongue breaketh the bones.
Take but a meet and moderate measure of those things which are most pleasing and delightfull to thy nature,16 Hast thou found hony? eat so much as is sufficient for thee. or appetite.
He that offers musicke to a man in deepe heavinesse,20 As hee that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vineger upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavie heart. doth as unseasonably, as he that takes off a coverled in an extreame cold weather, from the bed; or as hee who to preserve nitre, powres vineger upon it, wherewith it is presently dissolved.
For thus, thou shalt either win,22 For thou shalt heap coales of fire upon his head; and the Lord will reward thee. and overcome him with kindnesse; or, if he be stubbornly malicious, thou shall aggravate his judgement; and if he continue unthankfull to thee, yet that God for whose sake thou doest good for evill, will be sure to retribute it graciously unto thee.
Looke how hatefull a thing it is, to see a cleare,26 A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is as a troubled fountaine, and a corrupt spring. and pure fountaine annoyed with mudde, and filth, so odious a sight it is, to see a just man oppressed, and tyrannized over by a wicked one.
Hony is good, but to eate too much hony is not good;27 It is not good to eat much hony, so for men to seeke their owne glory, is not glory. so, to have a care of our owne reputation and honor, is good; but to seeke our owne glory and reputation too much, is shamefull and justly odious.
CAP. XXVI.
2 As the bird by wandring, as the swallow by flying, so the causelesse curse shall not come.AS a bird flies swiftly away, and returnes not to thy hand againe; so the causelesse curse shall vanish into the aire suddenly, & never come neare thee, to thy hurt.
4 Answere not a foole according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto himAnswere not a foole in that idle, or malicious fashion wherein he provoketh thee, lest thou declare thy selfe to be as very a foole as he.
5 Answere a foole according to his folly, lest he be wise in his owne conceit.In a discreet and sober manner take up a foole roundly; and convince him of his absurd cavills, and proud ignorance; lest otherwise he goe away more highly conceited of his owne abilities, and victory.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole cutteth off the feet, and drinketh dammage.No more can a foole doe his message, then a man without feet, can goe; he therefore doth as it were cut off his owne feet, that sends a foole on his errand; for both he is disappointed, and sustaines losse.
7 The legges of the lame are not equall; so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.As there is a disproportion in the legges of the lame man; whereof one is longer, another shorter; both, unfit for motion, so there is much unmeetnesse in a fooles parable; it doth neither agree with it selfe, nor with him that speakes it.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is hee that giveth honor to a foole.He that giveth applause, and honor to the person, or speech of a foole, doth as unseasonably; as he that binds up a stone in a sling; which should be altogether for ejaculation; and should no more be fastened therein, then an high conceit should be raised and fixed in the mind of a foole, by our flattering approbation.
9 As a thorne goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.It is no more fit for a foole to meddle with a wise speech, then for a drunken man to handle a thorne-bush; this wounds him, that shames him.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceit then seaven men that can render a reason.The sluggard will not be beaten out of his sloath; and let never so many wise men perswade him to shake off his dull idlenesse, yet he persists in his errour, and thinks himselfe herein wiser then they all.
18 As a mad man who casteth fire-brands, arrows and death:There is little difference in this case betwixt fraud, and fury; He that purposely deceives his neighbour, under a colour of jest,19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, & saith, Am I not in sport? is no lesse prejudiciall to him, then a lunatike, that doth wrong out of frenzie, and distemper.
23 Burning lips, and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver drosse.Lips full of secret detraction, and slander, joyned with a false, and malicious heart; are like a base potsherd of earth, covered over with some filings of silver; under some shewes of friendship, there is nothing within but filthy hypocrisie.
25 There are seaven abominations in his heart.There are many varieties of secret wickednesses in his heart.
A man of a lying tongue hates those,28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it. whom he hath wronged; only out of the conscience of his owne injurie; because he knows he hath deserved to be hated by them.
CAP. XXVII.
BE not too jocond,1 Boast not thy selfe of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. or too confident of that which thou wilt doe, or have, to morrow; for thou knowest not what changes may fall out in a day.
A fooles wrath is more troublesome to beare,3 A fooles wrath is heavier then them both. and more intolerable, then they.
Doe not rather make choice in the day of thine adversity, to repaire for comfort, to the house of thy brother,10 Neither goe into thy brothers house in the day of thy calamitie; for better is a neighbour that is neare, then a brother far off. then of thy tried and faithfull friend; for a true hearted loving neighbour is better then an overlie, and unrespective brother.
The false acclamation,14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning it shall be counted a curse to him. and hollowly officious complement of a formall friend, shall speed no better with a wise man, then if he had entertained him with a curse; and that flattery of his shall turne to a curse upon his owne head.
Shee can no more be hid,16 Who so hideth her, hideth the winde, and the ointment of his right hand which bewrayeth himselfe. then the winde that bloweth upon the face, or the oylely substance of the ointment upon the hand; these both of them will be perceived; so will the unquiet spirit of a contentious woman.
As yron,17 Iron sharpeneth yron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. or steele getteth an edge by the attrition of metall of the same kinde; so by the conversation of one friend with another, are the good parts, and faculties of men increased.
As he that lookes into the water,19 As in water face answereth to face; so the heart of man to man. sees there his owne face, so he that lookes into his friends heart, sees there his owne heart.
There is no way so sure to try a mans discretion,21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so to a man is his praise. and temper; as by praising him, if he be vaine and light hee will be puffed up with it, if he be wise and solide; he will be no whit moved therewith.
Be diligent, above all parts of husbandry,23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks; and looke well to thy heards. in that which concernes thy cattle, whether flocks, or heards, as that which affordeth the most certaine, and constant increase.
For the money that thou laiest up,24 For riches are not for ever; and doth the crowne endure to every generation? and houshold treasure is fickle, and subject to sudden losse, and thy honor and dignity will not last alwaies; but the benefit that arises from thy cattell, continues.
For the earth in a constant succession yeelds thee grasse and hay, &c.25 The hay appeareth & the tender grasse sheweth it selfe.
CAP. XXVIII.
1 The wicked flee when no man pursues.THe wicked man hath such affrights within his owne conscience, that he is subject to be terrified with every outward occasion; and when he hath no enemie, is apt to pursue himselfe.
2 For the transgression of a land, many are the princes thereof, &c.The wickednesse of a land is the cause of the manifold changes of the Princes, and governours thereof, whereby both the people and rulers conspiring in evill, are punished.
3 A poore man that oppresseth the poore is like a sweeping raine which leaveth no food.A rich oppressor leaves a man poore, but a poore oppressor leaves him nothing.
Those that doe willingly breake, and cast off the law of God,4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked. doe, in so doing, give approbation and incouragement to wickednesse.
5 They that seeke the Lord, understād all things.They that are true hearted to God, and conscionable in their waies, have so much light from Gods Spirit, as that they understand their whole duty to God; they know both what they should doe, and how they should performe it.
17 A man that doth violence to the blood of any person shall flie to the pit, let no man stay him.A man that hath embrued his hand in innocent blood, driven by the horror of his conscience, flies he knowes not whither; even into the mouth of the pit; such a man runnes into the very jawes of death; neither let any man offer to stay him from that deserved judgement; It is not for any eye to pitty him that hath beene so cruell to another.
19 He that followeth strange persons shall have poverty enough.He that followeth vaine and idle persons shall fall into extreame poverty.
He that would be rich too soone, not caring by what meanes (how indirect soever) he obtaine wealth,22 Hee that hasteth to be rich hath an evill eye; and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. that man hath a covetous eye, and a base niggardly heart; and knowes not that through the just judgement of God, this his immoderate eagernesse shall be punished with want, and beggery.
24 Who so robbeth his father or his mother and saith it is no transgression, the same is a companion of a destroyer.A rebellious unthrift that (notwithstanding all good counsell to the contrary) wasteth the goods of his parents, and will not be convinced of his offence, but persists in the maintenance of his lawlesse courses, is, for the haynousnes of his sin, in the next degree to a murtherer.
CAP. XXIX.
A Man that flattereth his neighbour,5 A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet. goes about to doe him a secret mischiefe, and doth, as it were, lay a net to catch, and intangle him to his ruine.
Those that are wilfully wicked,8 Scornfull men bring a city into a snare. and doe scornfully reject all good counsell and reproofe, are the meanes to draw downe judgemets upon the very city where they dwell.
Whether a wise man deale with him seriously and severely, or whether jestingly and merrily, all is one,9 Whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. he shall not be able to prevaile; either for his owne peace, or the others reformation.
But the righteous man contrarily seeks to preserve his life, and to save his soule.10 But the just seeke his soule.
Such as the ruler is, such will be his attendants;12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. if the governour be one whose eares are open to either flatteries, or slanders; his followers will frame themselves to feed his wicked humors in all things.
The innocent poore man,13 The poore and the deceitfull man meet together, the Lord lighteneth both their eyes. and the crafty griping usurer meet both together, and the Lord causeth his Sun to shine upon them both, maintaining both in life, doing good outwardly, even to the worst-deserving.
Where God withdraweth himselfe,18 Where there is no vision, the people perish. and doth not reveale his will to any nation, or people, there is no ordinary meanes of keeping their soules from perishing.
He that is of a servile and sturdy disposition will not be corrected, without blowes;19 A servant will not be corrected with words; for though he understand, he will not answer. for though he doe well enough understand a verball reproofe, yet he is no whit moved to an answerable regard of it.
He heareth men urged with adjurations,24 He heareth cursing and bewrayeth it not. whether they have stolne the thing, or know the theefe; and yet keeps his wicked counsell, and will not bewray the malefactor.
That man whose heart is overcome with a weake and diffident feare,25 The feare of a man bringeth a snare. not daring to cast himselfe upon the care and providence of the Almighty, bringeth-misery upon himselfe.
It is ordinary for men,26 Many seeke the rulers face (or favour) but every mans judgement commeth of the Lord. when their cause is to be heard to make friends to the judge; neglecting in the meane time to commit themselves & their case to the Almighty; in whose hand the Judges heart is; whereas they ought first to begin with God, which can over-rule all the actions, and purposes of men.
CAP. XXX.
2 Surely, I am more brutish then any man, &c.SVrely, I Agur am sufficiently conscious to mine own ignorance,3 I neither learned wisedome, nor have the knowledge of the holy. and unworthinesse; (of my selfe) I do, I can know nothing; and therefore am (as of my selfe) utterly unable to reach unto the great misteries of salvation.
4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the winde 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 sons name, if thou canst tell?Indeed, what man can doe it? alas, how poore and impotent creatures are we? Is there any of us able to ascend up into heaven, and to descend thence againe; yea, have we power to command ought in these lower regions? have we the rule of the winds, of the waters, of the earth? shew me the man that can or dare arrogate this power to himselfe?
Offer no unjust measure to the meanest person; do not wrongfully accuse a servant to his master;10 Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou bee found guilty. lest in the bitternesse of his soule he curse thee, and God hearing him shall punish thy guiltinesse.
11 There is a generation that curseth their Father, and doth not blesse their mother.There are foure kinds of men worthy of our avoidance, and detestation, the first is of gracelesse children, who curse those parents, from whom they have received their life and being.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their owne eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthinesse.The next is of false hypocrites and selfe-pleasers, who thinke themselves holy and just, whiles yet they are full of wickednesse.
13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! and their eye-lids are lifted up.The third is of proud men, who are exalted in their owne opinions, and looke scornfully over other men, perhaps better then themselves.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, &c.The last is of cruell oppressours, which kill and devoure the poore, &c.
15 The horse-leach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give; There are three things which are never satisfied, yea, foure things say not, It is enough.The horse leach hath naturally a forked tongue; wherby shee draweth blood insatiably of that part whereon so ever it lights; answerable whereunto, are three things, yea foure, that still crave, and can never be satisfied.
The grave is not satisfied with carcasses, the incontinent wombe is not satisfied with lust, the dry earth drinkes up all the water that fals upon it,19 The grave, and the barren wombe; the earth that is not filled with water, and the fire that saith not, It is enough. the fire devours all the combustible matter that it laies hold upon, and al of these call for more.
That man who is so leud, and unnaturall, as to mocke his father,17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the vally shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. and to despise his mother, shall be sure to be seized upon by the just judgements of God; his very eyes (in whom that wicked and gracelesse scorne hath shewed it selfe) shall be pickt out of his head, by the greediest and fiercest ravens, and the yong eagles shall eate them: Certainly, God will finde some meanes to be avenged of him.
The close conveyances,19 The way of a man with a maid. and suttle passages of a secret and crafty fornicator, with a cunning harlot.
There are foure things very intolerable.21 Foure which it cannot beare.
A woman of leud and odious qualities & conditions,23 For an odious woman that is married, and a handmaid that is heire to her mistresse. which can neither be reformed, nor indured by her husband, and a poore handmaid suddainly advanced to a rich estate, growne now insolent, and imperious with her promotion.
Yea foure, which carry a good presence with them,29 Yea foure are comely in going. and carry a kinde of port, and pleasure in their motion.
A well-shaped and beautifull horse,31 An horse (as it is in the margin) an hee goate, and a King against whom there is no rising up. proudly trampling; a faire and well-coloured hee-goate; and a magnificent Prince that is honored and acclaimed of all his subjects.
Yet, suppresse it in thy selfe,32 Lay thine hand upon thy mouth. and be not so foolish and wicked, as to utter it.
As the agitation of the milke in the churne,33 Surely, the churning of milke bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood, so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. bringeth forth butter; and as the strong and vehement wringing of the nostrils, bringeth forth blood; so the earnest provocation of anger is the occasion of quarrels, and much strife.
CAP. XXXI.
THe words which King Salomon (whom his mother,1 The words of King Lemuel, the prophecie which his mother taught him. in a stile of love, termed Lemuel) received from that his mother in his yonger yeares; and that divine counsell which shee gave him.
What shall I then say unto thee, O thou my Sonne,2 What my son? and what the sonne of my wombe? and what the sonne of my vowes? the deare sonne of my wombe, the sonne of my desires, whom by my fervent prayers I obtained from God, not without solemne vowes of testifying my thankfulnesse for blessing mee with thee.
Suffer not thy selfe so to be besotted with the beauty of women,3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy waies to that which destroyeth Kings. as that thou shouldst yeeld unto them the strength of thy body, and the best of thy thoughts; neither give thy selfe to those wanton courses, which have beene the bane of many great Princes.
It is not fit for Kings, O Salomon,4 It is not for Kings O Lemuel, it is not for Kings to drinke wine, nor for Princes strong drinke. to give themselves to excessive, or pleasurable drinking of wine, & to powring in of strong intoxicating liquors.
Give rather strong drinke to the man that is dejected6 Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish. in spirits, and neare to perishing, through extremity of affliction.
8 Open thou thy mouth for the dumbe in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.Speake thou for them that are not able to speake for themselves; and plead thou for them, who are undeservedly designed to destruction.
Whosoever findes a wise, vertuous, modest wife, let him know how to value her;10 Who can finde a vertuous woman; for her price is farre above rubies. let him esteeme her worth above all the precious rubies, and diamonds of the world.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her; so that he shall have no need of spoile.Her hushand may safely relie upon her trust, and care, for the maintenance, and inriching of his familie; so as he shall have no need to depend upon the spoile of enemies for the enhauncing of his wealth.
14 She is like the merchants ships, she bringeth her food from farre.Shee provideth all necessaries for her family, at the best hand; and after the manner of merchants, sendeth farre for a good peniworth.
Shee addresseth her selfe to goe roundly, and hartily about her businesse.17 Shee girdeth her loines with strength.
Shee findeth such sweetnesse, and benefit in her carefull indeavours,18 Shee perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night. that shee is incouraged to adde vigilancie to her painfulnesse; and as if the day were not long enough, she borrowes of the night.
Shee knowes those of her family need not take care for the cold of winter;21 Shee it not afraid of the snow for her houshold for all her houshold are clothed with scarlet. for shee hath made both warme, and rich provision of clothes for them; not only for necessary use, but for ornament also.
Her husband sitting in the gates of the city amongst other of the rulers,23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the Elders of the city. is easily knowne from all the rest by the cost, and neatnesse of that attire, which shee hath provided for him, above his fellowes.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing.Shee so demeanes her selfe, as that all her actions and carriages are full of honor, and bewray a masculine strength, and fortitude.
28 He praiseth her.Her husband shall extoll her worth and vertue above all other women,29 Many daughters have done vertuously, but thou excellest them all. saying; Other wives have done, and deserved well, but thou surpassest them all.
30 Favour is deceitfull and beauty is vaine, but a woman that feareth the Lord shall be praised.It is no trusting either to outward favour, or to plausiblenesse of disposition; as for beauty it is fading and transitory; but the true feare of God is that, the comfort whereof will sticke by us alwaies; the woman that is indued therewith shall be ever praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her owne workes praise her in the gates.Let her have that due praise which shee hath deserved, and let her owne workes (as they have merited) procure her a publique applause in the world.