Wine Is a Mocker

1Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.

2The feare of the King is like the roaring of a lyon: hee that prouoketh him vnto anger, sinneth against his owne soule.

3It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.

4The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shal he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.

5The counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters: but a man that hath vnderstanding, will drawe it out.

6Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?

7He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.

8A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.

9Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?

10Diuers weightes, & diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.

11A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.

12The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.

13Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

14It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.

15There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.

16Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.

17The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.

18Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.

19He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

20He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.

21An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

22Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.

23Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.

24The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?

25It is a destruction for a man to deuoure that which is sanctified, and after the vowes to inquire.

26A wise King scattereth the wicked, & causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.

27The light of the Lorde is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.

28Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.

29The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.

30The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.