1   My sonne, if thou hast sinned, do it no more: ^note but pray for thy foresinnes that they may be forgeuen thee.

2   Flee from sinne, euen as from a serpent: for if thou comest to nye her, she wyll bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, to slay the soules of men.

3   The wickednesse of man is as a sharpe two edged sword, which maketh such woundes that they cannot be healed.

4   Strife and wrongfull dealing, shall waste away a mans goodes, ∧ through pride a riche house shalbe brought to naught: so the riches of the proude shalbe rooted out.

5    ^noteThe prayer of the poore goeth out of the mouth, ∧ commeth vnto the eares, and his vengeaunce [or defence] shall come hastyly. B   

6   Who so hateth to be refourmed, it is a tok&ebar; of an vngodly person: but he that feareth God, wyll remember him selfe.

7   A mightie man is knowen a farre of by his tongue: but he that hath vnderstanding, perceaueth that he shall haue a fall.

8   Who so buildeth his house with other mens cost, ^note is lyke one that gathereth stones to make his graue.

9    ^noteThe congregation of the vngodly, is lyke stubble gathered together, their ende is a flambe of fire.

10   The way of the vngodly is set with stones: but in their ende is hell, darkenesse, and paines.

11   He that kepeth the lawe, wyll holde fast the vnderstanding thereof: and the ende of the feare of God is wysdome and vnderstanding.

12   He that is not wyse, wyl not be taught in good, but the vnwyse man aboundeth in wickednesse: and where bitternesse is, there is no vnderstanding. C   

13   The knowledge of the wyse shal flowe lyke water that runneth ouer, and his counsaile is lyke a pure fountaine of life.

14   The heart of a foole is lyke a broken vessel, he can keepe no wysdome.

15   When a man of vnderstanding heareth a wyse worde, he shall commend it and make much of it: but if a voluptuous man heare it, he shall haue no pleasure therein, but cast it behinde his backe.

16   The talking of a foole is lyke an heauy burthen by the way: but to heare a wise man speake, it is pleasure.

17   Where a doubt is in the congregation, it is asked at the mouth of the wyse, and they shall ponder his wordes in their heartes.

18   Lyke as is a house that is destroyed, euen so is wysdome vnto a foole: as for the knowledge of the vnwyse, it is but darke wordes.

19   Doctrine is vnto him that hath no vnderstanding,

euen as fetters about his feete, and lyke manicles vpon his right hande.

20    ^noteA foole lifteth vp his voyce with laughter: but a wyse man shall sease laugh secretly.

21   Learning is vnto a wyse man a iewell of golde, and lyke an armlet vpon his right arme.

22   A foolishe mans foote is soone in his neighbours house: but one that hath experience shalbe ashamed at the person of the mightie.

23   A foole wyll peepe in at the windowe into the house: but he that is wel nurtured wyll stande without.

24   A foolishe man standeth hearkening at the doore: but he that is wyse wyll be ashamed.

25   The lippes of the vnwyse wyl be telling foolishe thinges: but the wordes of such as haue vnderstanding shalbe wayed in the balaunce.

26   The heart of fooles is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wyse is in their heart.

27   When the vngodly curseth the ^note blasmer, he curseth his owne soule.

28    ^noteA priuie accuser of other men shall defile his owne soule, and be hated of euery man: but he that keepeth his tongue and is discreete, shal come to honour.

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