eth well to his going. 16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. 18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. 26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. ΙΟ and the good. 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. "In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. "Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. peo16 Better is little JULY 24. Evening. Prov. XIV, 28. 28 IN the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of ple is the destruction of the prince. 29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 3o A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. 35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. 15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. JULY 25. ST JAMES. See PROPER LESSONS. JULY 26. Morning. Prov. xv. 18. 18 A WRATHFUL man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may de part from hell beneath. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. JULY 27. Morning. Prov. XVI. 31. 31 THE hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. 32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. 17 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. 3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. 4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. 5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. 7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. 9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. 10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. II An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off JULY 26. Evening. Prov. XVI. 1. 16 THE preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. "A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. 12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. 14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of contention, before it be meddled with. 15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. JULY 27. Evening. Prov. XVIII. 10. 18 THE name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. JULY 28. Morning. Prov. XIX. 13. 19 13A FOOLISH son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. He that keepeth the com mandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. JULY 28. Evening. Prov. xx. 1. 20 WINE is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. 5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. A king that sitteth in the throne of judg-froward and strange: but as for the ment scattereth away all evil with his pure, his work is right. 9 It is better to eyes. 9 Who can say, I have made my dwell in a corner of the housetop, than heart clean, I am pure from my sin? with a brawling woman in a wide house. 10 Divers weights, and divers measures, 10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil : both of them are alike abomination to his neighbour findeth no favour in his the LORD. Even a child is known eyes. When the scorner is punished, by his doings, whether his work be pure, the simple is made wise: and when the and whether it be right. 12 The hearing wise is instructed, he receiveth knowear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath ledge. 12 The righteous man wisely made even both of them. 13 Love not considereth the house of the wicked: sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open but God overthroweth the wicked for thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied their wickedness. 13 Whoso stoppeth with bread. 14 It is naught, it is naught, his ears at the cry of the poor, he also saith the buyer: but when he is gone shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. his way, then he boasteth. 15 There is 14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and gold, and a multitude of rubies: but a reward in the bosom strong wrath. the lips of knowledge are a precious 15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: jewel. 16 Take his garment that is surebut destruction shall be to the workers ty for a stranger: and take a pledge of of iniquity. 16 The man that wandereth him for a strange woman. 17 Bread of out of the way of understanding shall deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards remain in the congregation of the dead. his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18 Every purpose is established by counJULY 29. Evening. Prov. XXII. I. sel: and with good advice make war. 19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. 20 Whoso curseth, his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. 21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. JULY 29. Morning. Prov. XXI. I. 22 A GOOD name is rather to be cho. sen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. 3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. 5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. "He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. 14 The mouth of strange women is a 21 THE king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. The way of man is 13 The deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to 'want. JULY 30. Morning. Prov. xXIII. 10. seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. JULY 30. Evening. Prov. XXIV. 21. 24 He that saith un 23 10 REMOVE not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: for their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. 12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Withhold not correction from 24 21 My son, fear thou the LORD the child: for if thou beatest him with and the king: and meddle not with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt them that are given to change: 22 for beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver their calamity shall rise suddenly; and his soul from hell. 15 My son, if thine who knoweth the ruin of them both? heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, 23 These things also belong to the wise. even mine. 16 Yea, my reins shall re- It is not good to have respect of perjoice, when thy lips speak right things. sons in judgment. 17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but to the wicked, Thou art righteous; be thou in the fear of the LORD all the him shall the people curse, nations shall day long. 18 For surely there is an abhor him: 25 but to them that rebuke end; and thine expectation shall not be him shall be delight, and a good blesscut off. 19 Hear thou, my son, and being shall come upon them. 26 6 Every wise, and guide thine heart in the way. man shall kiss his lips that giveth a 20 Be not among winebibbers; among right answer. 27 Prepare thy work withriotous eaters of flesh: 21 for the drunk- out, and make it fit for thyself in the ard and the glutton shall come to po- field; and afterwards build thine house. verty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man 28 Be not a witness against thy neighwith rags. 22 Hearken unto thy father bour without cause; and deceive not that begat thee, and despise not thy with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so mother when she is old. 23 Buy the to him as he hath done to me: I will truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and render to the man according to his work. instruction, and understanding. 24 The 30I went by the field of the slothful, father of the righteous shall greatly re- and by the vineyard of the man void of joice: and he that begetteth a wise understanding; 31and, lo, it was all child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy grown over with thorns, and nettles father and thy mother shall be glad, had covered the face thereof, and the and she that bare thee shall rejoice. stone wall thereof was broken down. 26 My son, give me thine heart, and let 32 Then I saw, and considered it well: thine eyes observe my ways. 27 For a I looked upon it, and received instrucwhore is a deep ditch; and a strange tion. 33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumwoman is a narrow pit. 28 She also ber, a little folding of the hands to lieth in wait as for a prey, and in- sleep: 34 so shall thy poverty come as creaseth the transgressors among men. one that travelleth; and thy want as an 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? armed man. who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to JULY 31. Morning. Prov. xxv. 1. 25 THESE are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah |