XXI. My son, hast thou sinned? ado so no more,

But bask pardon for thy former sins.

2  Flee from sin as from the face of ca serpent:

For if thou comest too near it, it will cbite thee:

The teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion,

dSlaying the souls of men.

3  All iniquity is as ea twoedged sword,

The wounds whereof cannot be healed.

4  To terrify and do wrong will waste riches:

Thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.

5  fA prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God,

And his judgment cometh speedily.

6  gHe that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners:

But he that feareth the Lord will * repent from his heart.

7  An eloquent man is known far and near;

But a man of understanding knoweth when he hslippeth.

8  iHe that buildeth his house with other men’s money

Is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.

9  kThe congregation of the wicked is like ltow wrapped together:

And the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.

10  The way of sinners is mmade plain with stones,

nBut at the end thereof is the pit of hell.

11  oHe that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof:

And the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

12  pHe that is not * wise will not be taught:

But qthere is a * wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.

13  The knowledge of a wise man rshall abound like a flood:

And his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.

14  sThe inner parts of a fool are like ta broken vessel,

And he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.

15  If a skilful man hear a wise word,

He will commend it, and uadd unto it:

But as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him,

And vhe casteth it behind his back.

16  The talking of a fool is like wa burden in the way:

But xgrace shall be found in the lips of the wise.

17  They inquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation,

And they shall ponder his words in their heart.

18  As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool:

And the knowledge of the unwise is as talk * without sense.

19  Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet,

And like manacles on the right hand.

20  yA fool lifteth up his voice with laughter;

But a zwise man doth scarce smile a little.

21  Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold,

And like a abracelet upon his right arm.

22  bA foolish man’s foot is soon in his neighbour’s house:

But a man of experience is ashamed of him.

23  A fool will cpeep in at the door into the house:

But he that is well nurtured will stand without.

24  It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door:

But a wise man will be grieved with disgrace.

25  The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them:

But the words of such as have understanding are dweighed in the balance.

26  eThe heart of fools is in their mouth:

But the mouth of the wise is in their heart.

27  When the ungodly curseth fSatan,

gHe curseth his own soul.

28  hA whisperer defileth his own soul,

And is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.