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 *Verse 3 is omitted by the best authorities.
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; †A line of this verse is here omitted by the best authorities.
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! ‡The latter part of verse 17 is omitted by the best authorities.
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 §Gr. parable. 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 **Verse 32 is omitted by the best authorities.
*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.
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