So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. 2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit . 13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. 26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. 27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
1 He that loueth instruction, loueth knowledge: but he that hateth correction, is a foole. 2 A good man getteth fauour of the Lord: but the man of wicked immaginations will hee condemne. 3 A man cannot be established by wickednesse: but the roote of the righteous shall not be mooued. 4 A vertuous woman is the crowne of her husband: but she that maketh him ashamed, is as corruption in his bones. 5 The thoughtes of the iust are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceitfull. 6 The talking of the wicked is to lye in waite for blood: but the mouth of the righteous will deliuer them. 7 God ouerthroweth the wicked, and they are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8 A man shall be commended for his wisedome: but the froward of heart shalbe despised. 9 He that is despised, and is his owne seruant, is better then he that boasteth himselfe and lacketh bread. 10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the mercies of the wicked are cruell. 11 He that tilleth his lande, shalbe satisfied with bread: but he that followeth the idle, is destitute of vnderstanding. 12 The wicked desireth the net of euils: but the roote of the righteous giueth fruite. 13 The euill man is snared by the wickednesse of his lips, but the iust shall come out of aduersitie. 14 A man shalbe satiate with good things by the fruite of his mouth, and the recompence of a mans hands shall God giue vnto him. 15 The way of a foole is right in his owne eyes: but he that heareth counsell, is wise. 16 A foole in a day shall be knowen by his anger: but he that couereth shame, is wise. 17 He that speaketh trueth, will shewe righteousnes: but a false witnes vseth deceite. 18 There is that speaketh wordes like the prickings of a sworde: but the tongue of wise men is health. 19 The lip of trueth shall be stable for euer: but a lying tongue varieth incontinently. 20 Deceite is in the heart of them that imagine euill: but to the counsellers of peace shall be ioye. 21 There shall none iniquitie come to the iust: but the wicked are full of euill. 22 The lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deale truely are his delite. 23 A wise man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of the fooles publisheth foolishnes. 24 The hand of the diligent shall beare rule: but the idle shalbe vnder tribute. 25 Heauines in the heart of man doeth bring it downe: but a good worde reioyceth it. 26 The righteous is more excellent then his neighbour: but the way of the wicked will deceiue them. 27 The deceitfull man rosteth not, that hee tooke in hunting: but the riches of the diligent man are precious. 28 Life is in the way of righteousnesse, and in that path way there is no death.