Chapter 21

  My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.  

-

  Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.  

-

  The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.  

-

  All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof.  

-

  Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride : so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.  

-

  The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.  

-

  He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.  

-

  He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him.  

-

  He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.  

-

  The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.  

-

  The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains.  

-

  He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.  

-

  The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.  

-

  He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.  

-

  But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil : and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.  

-

  The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.  

-

  The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold.  

-

  A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.  

-

  The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found.  

-

  The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts.  

-

  As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool : and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.  

-

  Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.  

-

  A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself.  

-

  Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.  

-

  The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.  

-

  A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without.  

-

  It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.  

-

  The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.  

-

  The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart.  

-

  While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.  

-

  The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.  

-