20
1 There is a reproof that is not comely;
And there is a man that keepeth silence, and he is wise.
2 How good is it to reprove, rather than to be wroth;
And he that maketh confession shall be kept back from hurt. 3 *
4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin;
So is he that executeth judgements with violence.
5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise;
And there is one that is hated for his much talk.
6 There is one that keepeth silence, for he hath no answer to make;
And there is that keepeth silence, as knowing his time.
7 A wise man will be silent till his time come;
But the braggart and fool will overpass his time.
8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred;
And he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
9 There is a prosperity that a man findeth in misfortunes;
And there is a gain that turneth to loss.
10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee;
And there is a gift whose recompense is double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory;
And there is that hath lifted up his head from a low estate.
12 There is that buyeth much for a little,
And payeth for it again sevenfold.
13 He that is wise in words shall make himself beloved;
But the pleasantries of fools shall be wasted.
14 The gift of a fool shall not profit thee; †
For his eyes are many instead of one.
15 He will give little, and upbraid much;
And he will open his mouth like a crier:
To-day he will lend, and to-morrow he will ask it again:
Such an one is a hateful man.
16 The fool will say, I have no friend,
And I have no thanks for my good deeds;
They that eat my bread are of evil tongue.
17 How oft, and of how many, shall he be laughed to scorn! ‡
18 A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue;
So the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
19 A man without grace is as a tale out of season:
It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
20 A § wise sentence from a fool’s mouth will be rejected;
For he will not speak it in its season.
21 There is that is hindered from sinning through want;
And when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
22 There is that destroyeth his soul through bashfulness;
And by a foolish countenance he will destroy it.
23 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend;
And he maketh him his enemy for nothing.
24 A lie is a foul blot in a man:
It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
25 A thief is better than a man that is continually lying:
But they both shall inherit destruction.
26 The disposition of a liar is dishonour;
And his shame is with him continually.
27 He that is wise in words shall advance himself;
And one that is prudent will please great men.
28 He that tilleth his land shall raise his heap high;
And he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise,
And as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.
30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is out of sight,
What profit is in them both?
31 Better is a man that hideth his folly
Than a man that hideth his wisdom. 32 **
* 20:3 Verse 3 is omitted by the best authorities. † 20:14 A line of this verse is here omitted by the best authorities. ‡ 20:17 The latter part of verse 17 is omitted by the best authorities. § 20:20 Gr. parable. ** 20:32 Verse 32 is omitted by the best authorities.