A   The Prouerbes of Salom&obar; the sonne of Dauid king of Israell: too lerne wisdome 05Q0788 instruccion, vnderstanding prud&ebar;ce, righteousnesse, iudgement ∧ equite. That the very babes might haue wit, and that y&obar;gm&ebar; might haue knowlege ∧ vnderstanding. By hearing, the wyse man shall come by more wysedome: ∧ by experi&ebar;ce he shalbe more apte to vnderst&abar;de a parable, ∧ the interpretaci&obar; therof, þe; wordes of the wise, ∧ the darke speaches of the same. The feare of the Lord is the begynnynge of wysdome. But05Q0789 fooles despise wysdome ∧ destruccion.

My sonne, heare thy fathers doctryne, ∧ forsake not the lawe of thy mother: for that shall bryng05Q0790 grace vnto thy head, ∧ shall be a cheyne about thy necke. B   My sonne, c&obar;sent not vnto sinners, if they entise þe;, ∧ say: come with vs, let vs05Q0791 leye wayte for bloud, and lurke preuely for þe; innoc&ebar;t without a cause: let vs swalow th&ebar; vp like þe; hel, let vs deuour th&ebar; quicke ∧ whole, as those þt; go doune into the pyt. So shal we finde al maner of costely riches, ∧ fil our houses &wt; spoiles. Cast in thy lot am&obar;g vs, we shall haue all one purse.

My sonne, walke not thou with them, refrayn thy fote fr&obar; their ways. For their fete r&ubar;ne to euel, ∧ are hasty to shed bloud. But 05Q0792 in vayn is þe; net laied forth before þe; byrdes eyes. C   Yea, they th&ebar;selfes laye wayte one for anothers bloud, ∧ one of them wolde sley another. These are þe; ways of all suche as be couetous, þt; one wolde rauish anothers life.

Wisdome crieth without, ∧ putteth forth her voyce in the stretes. She calleth before þe; congregaci&obar; in the op&ebar; gates, ∧ sheweth her wordes thorow the citie, saying: O ye chyldren, how longe will ye loue chyldyshnesse? how l&obar;g wil the,05Q0793 scorners delite in scorning ∧ the vnwise be enemies vnto knowlege? O turne you vnto my correcci&obar;: lo. I wil expres my mynde vnto you, ∧ make you vnderst&abar;de my wordes. ^noteSeing then that I haue called ∧ ye refused it: I haue stretched out my h&abar;d, ∧ no m&abar; regarded it, but all my counsayls haue ye despysed, ∧ set my correcti&obar;s at naught. D   Therfore shall I also laugh in your destruccion, ∧ mocke you, when the thyng that

ye feare cometh vp&obar; you: euen when þe; thing that ye be afrayed of, falleth in sodenly lyke a storme, ∧ your miseri like a t&ebar;pest: yea, wh&ebar; trouble ∧ heuinesse c&obar;meth vpon you. Then shal they call vpon me, but I will not heare: they shal seke me early, but thei shal not find me: And þt; because thei hated knowlege, ∧ receyued not the feare of þe; Lord, but abhorred my co&ubar;sail, ∧ despised my correcti&obar;. Therfore shal they eate the frutes of their owne way, ∧ be filled with their oune counsayls: for the turning away of the vnwyse shal sley them, ∧ the prosperitie of foles shalbe their owne destruccion. But who so harkeneth vnto me shal dwel safely, and haue ynough without any feare of euell. ^{note note note note note note} The .ij. Chapter. ¶ Wysedome is to be embraced ∧ set by. An aduouterous woman is to be eschued.

A   My sonne, if thou wilt receyue my wordes, ∧ kepe my c&obar;ma&ubar;dementes by the, þt; thyne eare may herken vnto wisdome, applie thyne05Q0794 hert th&ebar; to vnderstanding. For if thou cryest after wysdome, ∧ callest for knowledge: if thou sekest after her as after money, ∧ dyggest for her as for treasure: then shalt thou vnderstande þe; feare of the Lord, ∧ fynde the knowlege of God. For it is the Lord that geueth wysdome, out of hys mouth c&obar;meth knowlege ∧ vnderst&abar;dyng. B   He preserueth the welfare of the righteous, ∧ defendeth th&ebar; that walke innoc&ebar;tly: he kepeth them in the right path, ∧ preserueth the waye of his saynctes. Then shalt thou vnderstande righteousnesse, iudgement and equite, yea, ∧ euery good path. If wisdome entre into thyne hert, and thy soule delyte in knowlege: then shall counsayl preserue the, ∧ vnderstanding shall kepe the. That thou mayest be delyuered from the euell waye, ∧ fr&obar; the man that speaketh frowarde thinges From suche as leaue the hye strete, C   ∧ walke in the wayes of darkenesse: whiche reioyse in doinge euel, and delite in wicked thinges: 05Q0795 whose wayes are croked, and their pathes sclaunderous. That thou mayest be deliuered also from the straunge woman, ∧ frome her that is not thyne owne: whiche geueth swete woordes, forsaketh the housbande of her youth, ∧ forgetteth the couenaunt of her God. D   For her house is enclined vnto death, ∧ her pathes vnto hel. Al thei that go in vnto her, come not agayn, neither take they holde of the way of lyfe. That thou mayest walke in the good way, ∧ kepe the pathes of þe; righteous. For the iust shal05Q0796 dwell in the lande, ∧ the innocentes shall remayne in it: but the vngodly shalbe roted oute of the lande, and the wicked doers shalbe taken out of it. ^{note note note} ¶ The .iij. Chapter ¶ The commaundementes of God must be diligently regarded and obserued.

A   D my sonne, forget not my law but se that thyne hert kepe my comma&ubar;dementes. For they shall prolong the dayes ∧ yeares of thy life, ∧ bring þe; peace. Let mercy ∧ faythfulnes neuer go fr&obar; the: bynde them about thy necke, ∧ write them in the tables of thyne hert. So shalt thou fynde fauour ∧ good vnderstanding in the sight of God ∧ men. Put thy trust in the Lord wyth all thyne hert, and leane not vnto thyne own vnderstandinge. In all thy wayes haue respecte vnto hym, ∧ he shal ordre thy goinges. B   Be not wyse in thyne own c&obar;ceyte, but feare the Lord, ∧ departe from euell: so shall thy ^note nauell be whole, ∧ thy bones strong.

Honour the Lord with thy substaunce, ∧ with the firstlinges of all thyne encrease: so shall thy barnes be filled with pl&ebar;teousnesse, and thy presses shall flowe ouer with swete wyne. My sonne, despise not the chastening of the Lorde, neyther faynte when thou arte rebuked of hym. ^noteFor whome the Lord loueth hym he chasteneth: ∧ yet deliteth in him euen as a father in his owne sonne. Well is hym that findeth wysdome, and opteyneth vnderstandinge, for the gettinge of it is better then any marchaundise of syluer, and the profet of it is better then golde. Wysdome is more worth then precyous stones, and all thinges that thou canste desyre, C   are not to be c&obar;pared vnto her. Vpon her righte hande is longe lyfe, and vppon her lefte hande is ryches and honour. Her wayes are pleasaunte wayes, and al her pathes are peaceable. She is a tree of lyfe to them that laye holde vpon her, and blessed are they that kepe her fast.

With wysdome hath the Lorde layed the foundacion of the earth, ∧ thorow vnderst&abar;ding hath he stablished the heau&ebar;s. Thorow hys wysdome the deapthes breake vp, and

the cloudes droppe downe of the dewe.
My sonne, let not these thinges depart from thyne eyes, but kepe my lawe and my councel: so shal it be life vnto thy soule, and grace vnto thy mouth. Th&ebar; shalt thou walke safely in thy waye, and thy fote shal not stomble. If thou slepest, thou shalt not be afraied, but shalt take thy rest and slepe swetelye. Thou nedest not to be afrayed of any sodaine feare nether for the vyolent rushynge in of the vngodly, when it commeth. For the Lorde shal be besiege the, and kepe thy fote that thou be not taken. D   Refuse not to do good vnto hym that shoulde haue it, so longe as thyne hande is able to do it. Say not vnto thy neyghbour go thy waye and come agayne, to morowe wyll I geue the: where as thou hast nowe to geue him. Int&ebar;d no hurt vnto thy neighbour seing he hopeth to dwel in rest by the. Striue not lightely with any man, wher as he hath done the harme. Folowe not a wycked man, and chose none of hys wayes: for the Lorde abhorreth the froward, but hys secrete is amonge the rightuous. The curse of the Lord is in the house of the vngodly, but he blessed the dwellynges of the rightuous. As for the scornefull, he shall laugh them to scorne, but he shal geue grace vnto the lowly. The wise shall haue honour in possession, but shame is the promocion that foles shall haue. The .iiij. Chapter. ¶ Wysdom and her frutes and wayes ought to be searched.

A   Heare, O ye children, the fatherly exhortation, and take good hede, that ye maye learne wysdome. Yea I shall geue you a good rewarde, if ye wyll not for sake my lawe. For when I my selfe was my fathers deare sonne, and tenderlye beloued of my mother, he taughte me also, saiyng: Let thyne herte receaue my wordes, kepe my commaundementes, and thou shalt lyue. Get the wysdome, get the vnderst&abar;ding forget not the wordes of my mouth, ∧ shrinke not from them. Forsake her not, she shall preserue the: loue her, and she shal kepe the. B   The chyefe poynte of wisdom is, that thou be willing to optayne wysdome, and before all thy goodes to gett the vnderstandynge. Make muche of her and she shall promote the: Yea if thou embrace her, she shall brynge the vnto honoure.

She shall make the a gracyous head, and garnyshe the05Q0797 wyth a crowne of glorye. Heare my sone, and receyue my wordes, that the yeares of thy lyfe maye be many. I wyll shewe the, the waye of wysdome, and leade the in the ryght pathes, So that if thou goost therin, ther shall not straytenesse hynder the and when thou runnest thou shalte not fall, Take fast holde of doctryne, let her not go: kepe her, for she is thy lyfe. C   Come not in the path of the vngodly, and walke not in the waye of the wycked. Eschue it, and go not therein: departe a syde, and passe ouer by it. For they can not slepe, except they haue first done some myschefe: neither take they anye rest, except they haue fyrst done some harme For they eate the breade of wickednesse, and dryncke the wyne of robberye. The path of the ryghtuous shyneth as the lyghte, and is euer brighter and brighter vnto the perfecte daye. But the waye of the vngodly is as the darcknes, wherin men fal, or thei be aware.

D   My sonne, marcke my words, and encline thyne eare vnto my saiynges. Let them not depart from thine eyes, kepe them eu&ebar; in the myddest of thyne herte. For they are lyfe vnto all those that fynde them, and health vnto all their bodyes. Kepe thyne herte wyth all dilygence, for there vpon hangeth lyfe. Put awaye from the a frowarde mouth, and let the lippes of sclander be farre from the. Let thyne eyes beholde the thinge that is righte, and let thine eye liddes loke straight before the. Pondre the path of thy fete, so shal al thy waies be sure. Turne not a side, neither to the05Q0798 righte hande ner to the lefte, but withholde thy fote from euel. ^{note note} The .v. Chapter. ¶ He warneth to eschue and fle whoredome. He forbyddeth prodigalitye and wastfull spendynge. He willeth vs to lyue of oure owne laboures. Men must loue ther wyues.

A   O my sonne, geue hede vnto my wysdome, and bow thyne eare vnto my prudence: that thou mayest regarde good councel, and that thy lyppes may kepe nourtoure. For the lyppes of an harlot are a droppynge combe, and her throte is softer then oyle. But at the laste she is as bytter as worme wode, and as sharpe as a two edged sweard. Her fete go downe vnto death, and her steps pearse thorow vnto hel. She regardeth not the path of life, B   so vnstedfast are her waies, that thou c&abar;st not know them. Heare me therefore (O my sonne) and departe not fr&obar; þe; wordes of my mouth kepe thy way far from her, and come not nye the dores of her house. That thou geue not05Q0799 ^note thyne honoure vnto another, and thy yeares to the cruell. That other men be not filled &wt; thy goods ∧ þt; thy labours come not in a str&abar;g house. Yea þt; thou mourne not at þe; last (when thou hast sp&ebar;t thy body ∧ goods) and th&ebar; say: Alas why hated I nourtoure? why dyd my herte despys

correction. C   Wherfore was not I obedyente vnto þe; voyce of my teachers, ∧ herkened not vnto them that infourmed me? I am come almoste into all mysfortune, in the middest of the multytude and congregacion. 05Q0800Drinke of the water of thine owne wel, and of the riuers that runne out of thine owne springes. 05Q0801Let thy welles flowe out abroad, that ther may be ryuers of water in the stretes: but let them be only thyne owne, and not strangers wyth the.

D   Let thy well be blessed, and be glad wyth the wyfe of thy youth. Louyng is the hind, ∧ frendly is þe; Roo: let her brestes alway satisfye the, and holde the euer content wyth her loue. My s&obar;ne, why wilt thou haue pleasure in an harlotte, and embrace the bosome of another woman? ^noteFor euery mannes waies are open in the sight of the Lorde, and he pondreth all their goynges. The wyckednesses of the vngodly shal catch him selfe, and with the snares of of his owne synnes shall he be trapped. Because he wold not be refourmed he shall dye: and for his greate folyshnesse he shalbe destroyed. ^{note note note} The .vi. Chapter. ¶ The slouthfull and slougysh is prycked and styrred to worcke. The scysmatike is reproued. Aduoutry ought to be earnestly auoyded.

A   My son, if thou be suerty for thy neyghboure, thou hast fastened thyne hand wyth another man: yet thou art bound with thyne owne wordes, ∧ taken &wt; thine owne speache. Therfore, my sonne, do thys discharge thy selfe, for thou art come into thy neyghboures da&ubar;ger. Go thy way then sone and intreate thy neighbour: let not thine eies slepe ner thyne eye lyddes slomber. Saue thy selfe as a doo from the hande, and as a byrde from the handes of the fouler. Go to the Emmet (thou slogard) consyder her wayes, and lerne to be wise. She hath no guide, no teacher, no leader: B   yet in the S&obar;mer she prouideth her meate, and gathereth her foode together in the haruest, ^note How longe wilt thou slepe? thou slogysh man? When wylte thou aryse out of thy slepe? Yea slepe on stil a litle, slomber a lytle, folde thyne handes together yet a lytle, that thou mayest slepe: so shall pouerte come vnto the as one that trauaileth by the way, and necessitie lyke a weaponed man. A dissembling person, a wycked m&abar; goeth with a frowarde mouth, he wyncketh wyth hys eyes, he tokeneth wyth hys fete, he poynteth wyth his fingers, he is euer ymagining mischefe and frowardnesse in his hert, ∧ causeth dsscord. Therfore shal his destruccyon come hastely vpon him, sodenly shal he be al to broken, and not be healed.

^noteThere be sixe thinges which the Lorde hateth, and the seuenth he vtterly abhorreth: A proude loke, a dyssemblynge tonge, handes that shede innocent bloud, an hert that goeth about with wicked ymaginaci&obar;s, fet that be swift in rening to do mischefe, a false witnes that bringeth vp lies, and such one as soweth dyscord amonge brethren, C   My son kepe thy fathers commandementes, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Put them vp together in thine herte, and bind them about the neck. That they may leade the where thou goest, preserue the when thou art a sleape, and that when thou awakest, thou maiest talke of th&ebar; For the commaundement is a lanterne, and the lawe a lyghtie, a chastening, and nurtour is the waye of lyfe: that they maye kepe the from the euell woman, and fr&obar; the flattering tong of the harlot: that þu; lust not after he beuty in thine herte, ∧ lest þu; be taken &wt; her fayre lokes. An harlot will make a man to begge his breade, but a maried woman wyl hunte for þe; precyous lyfe. May a man take fyre in his bosome and his clothes not be brent? Or can one go vpon hoate coales, ∧ hys fete not be hurte? Euen so, whosoeuer goeth into hys neyghbours wyfe, and toucheth her can not be vngilty. D   M&ebar; do not vtterly despise a these that stealeth to satisfye hys soule, when he is hongry: but if he may be gotten, he restoreth agayne seuen tymes as muche, or els he maketh recomp&ebar;se with al the good of his house But who so comitteth aduoutry wyth a womanne, he is a fole, and bringeth hys lyfe to destruccy&obar;. He getteth him selfe also shame ∧ dishonour, such as shal neuer be put out. For the gelousy and wrath of the man wil not be intreated, no though thou woldest offer him greate giftes to make amendes, he wyll not receiue them. The .vij. Chapter. God ought to be feared and honoured: Hys c&obar;maundementes ought to be kept: Wanton appetytes and desyres ought to shonned.

A   My sonne, kepe my wordes, and lay vp my commaundements by the. Kepe my commaundementes and my lawe, euen as the apple of thyne eie, and thou shalt liue. Bind them vpon thy fingers, and wryte them in the table of thyne herte. Saye vnto wysdome: thou art my sister, and cal vnderstandyng thy kynswom&abar;: ^note that she may kepe þe; fr&obar; the starnge wom&abar;, and fr&obar; the harlot which geueth swete wordes, For out of þe; window of my house I loked thorow the trealesse, B    ∧ beheld the simple people: and among other yong folkes I spyed one yonge fole going ouer the stretes, by the corner in the way toward the harlots house in the twylight of þe; euening, when it beganne now to be nyght and darke. ^noteAnd beholde, ther met him a woman in an harlots apparel, a dysceatful, w&abar;t&obar; ∧ vnstedfast wom&abar;: whose fet could not abide in þe; house, now is she without, now in þe; stretes, lurketh in euery corner, she caught

the yonge man, kyssed hym, ∧ was not ashamed, sayinge: I had a vowe to paye, ∧ thys daye I perfourme it. C   Therfore came I forth to mete the, that I mighte seke thy face, and so I haue founde the. I haue deckte my bed with couerynges ∧ clothes of Egypte. My bed haue I made to smell of myrre, Aloes, and Cynamon. Come let vs lye together, and take our pleasure tyll it be daye lyghte. For the good man is not at home, he is gone farre of. He hath taken the bagge of money with hym: who can tell when he commeth home? Thus with many swete woordes she ouercome hym, and with her flatteryng lippes she wanne hym.

D   Immediatly he folowed her, as it were an oxe led to the slaughter (∧ lyke as it were to the stockes, where foles are punyshed) so longe tyll she had wounded hys lyuer with her dart: like as if a byrde hasted to the snare not knowyng that the parell of his lyfe lieth therupon. Heare me now therfore, O my sonne) and marke the wordes of my mouth. Let not thyne herte wandre in her wayes, ∧ be not thou disceyued in her pathes. For many one hath she wounded and cast doune yea, many a stronge man hath she slayne.
Her house is the waye vnto hell, where men go doune into the chambers of death. ¶ The .viij. Chapter. ¶ The prayse of the wysdome of God.

A   Doth not wysdome crye? doeth not vnderst&abar;ding put forth her voyce? Standeth she not in the hye places in the stretes ∧ ways doth she not crie before þe; whole citie, and in the gates where m&ebar; go out ∧ in? It is you, O ye men (saieth she) whom I cal? Vnto you (O ye chyldren of men) lyft I vp my voyce. Take hede vnto knowlege O ye ignoraunt, be wyse in hert O ye foles. B   Geue eare, for I will speake of great matters, and open my lyppes to tell thinges that be right. For my throte shalbe talking of the trueth, ∧ my lyppes abhorre vngodlinesse. All þe; wordes of my mouth are righteous, there is no frowardenesse nor falsede therin. They are all playne to suche as will vnderstande, and ryght to them that fynde knowlege. Receiue my doctrine therfore, ∧ not siluer: ∧ my knowledge, more then fyne golde. For wysdome is more worth then precious stones, yea, all the thinges that thou canst desire, are not to be compared vnto it.

C   I wysdome haue my dwelling &wt; knowledge, ∧ prudent counsaill is myne owne.
With me is the feare of the Lorde, and the eschuyng of euell. As for pryde, dysdayne, ∧ euell waye, ∧ a mouth that speaketh wicked thinges, I vtterly abhorre them. I can geue counsayl, ∧ be a gyde: I haue vnderstanding I haue strength. Thorow me, kinges reygn: thorow me, prynces make iust lawes. Thorow me, lordes beare rule, and all iudges of the earth execute iudgement. I am louynge vnto those that loue me, ∧ they that seke me early, shall fynde me. Riches and honoure are with me, yea, excellent goodes ∧ righteousnes. My frute is better then golde ∧ precious stone, ∧ myne encrease more worth th&ebar; fyne siluer. I walke in the waye of righteousnes, and in the strete of iudgement.

That I may sende prosperitie to those that loue me, ∧ to encrease their treasure. ^noteThe Lord hym self had me in possession in the begynning of hys wayes, or euer he beganne hys workes afore tyme. I haue bene ordeyned from euerlasting, ∧ fr&obar; the beginning or euer the earthe was made. When I was borne, there were nether depthes nor springs of water. Before the foundacions of the mo&ubar;taynes were layed, yea, before al hylles was I borne. D   The earth ∧ all that is vp&obar; the earth was not yet made, no not the grounde it selfe. For when he made the heauens, I was present: when he sette vp the depthes in ordre: wh&ebar; he h&abar;ged the cloudes aboue: wh&ebar; he fastened the sprynges of the depe: When he shut the sea within certayn boundes, that the waters should not go ouer their markes. When he layed the foundaci&obar;s of the earth I was with hym, ordering all thinges, delytynge dayly, and reioysinge all waye before hym.

As for the rounde compase of his worlde, I make it ioyfull: for my delyte is to be among the chyldren of men. Therfore herken vnto me, O ye chyldr&ebar;, for blessed are they þt; kepe my wayes. O geue eare vnto nurtour, be wyse, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watchynge dayly at my gates, ∧ geuynge attendaunce at the postes of my dores. For who so findeth me, findeth life and shall obtayne fauour of the Lorde. But who so offendeth agaynste me, hurteth hys owne soule. All they that hate me, are the louers of death. ¶ The .ix. Chapter. ¶ Wysdome moueth all men to embrace her. The propertye of a whore.

A   Wysdome hath buylded her selfe an house, ∧ hewen out05Q0802 seuen pyllers: she hath kylled her vitayles, poured out her wyne, ∧ prepared her table. She hath sent forth her mayd&ebar;s to crye vp&obar; the hyest place of þe; citie: Who so is ignora&ubar;t, let hym come hither. And to the vnwise she sayd: O come on your way, eat my bred, ∧ drinke my wyne, B   which I haue poured out for you.
Forsake ignora&ubar;ce, ∧ ye shall lyue: ∧ se þt; ye go in the way of vnderst&abar;dinge. Who so reproueth a scornefull personne, getteth hym self dishonour: ∧ he that rebuketh þe; vngodly stayneth him self. Reproue not a05Q0803 scorner, lest he owe þe; euel wil: but rebuke a wise m&abar;, ∧ he wil loue the. Geue a discrete m&abar; but an occasi&obar;, ∧ he wilbe the wiser, teache a righteous man, and he will increase. The feare of the Lorde is the beginning of wisdome, and

the knowledge of holy thinges is vnderstandynge. For thorow me thy dayes shalbe prolonged, and the yeares of thy lyfe shalbe manye. If thou be wyse thy wysdome shall do thy selfe good: but if thou thynckeste scorne therof, it shalbe thyne owne harme. A folysh restles wom&abar;, ful of words, and such one as hath no knowledge, D   sitteth in the dores of her house vpon a stoole aboue in the cytye, to cal such as go by, ∧ walke streght in their waies, Who so is ignorant (sayeth she) let him come hyther, and to the vnwyse she sayeth: stollen waters are swete, and the bread that is preuely eaten, hath a good tast. But they consyder not that death is there, and that her gestes go doune to hell. ^{note note} The .x. Chapter. ¶ In this Chapter and in al that folow vnto the thyrtyeth, the wyse man exhorteth by diuers sentences which he calleth Parables, to folow vertues ∧ fle vyces: And sheweth also what profit cometh of wysdom, and what hynder&abar;ce proceadeth of folyshnesse. The ^note Parables of Salomon.

A   A wyse sonne maketh a glad father, but an vndiscrete sonne is the heuinesse of hys mother.

Treasures that are wyckedlye gotten, profit nothing, but rightuousnesse deliuereth from death, The lorde wyll not let the soule of the ryghtuous suffer honger, but he putteth the vngodly from his desire. An ydle h&abar;d maketh pore, but a quicke laboryng hand maketh ryche. Who so gathereth in Sommer, is wyse: but he that is slougysh in haruest, bryngeth him selfe to confusyon. B   Louynge and fauourable is the face of the rightuous, but the forehead of the vngodly is past shame and presumptuous. The memoryall of the iust shall haue a good reporte but the name of the vngodly shal styncke. A wyse man wyll receyue warnyng, but a fole wyll soner be smytten in the face. He that leadeth an innocente lyfe, walketh surelye: but who so goeth a wrong way, shalbe knowne,

He that wyncketh wyth hys eye, wyl do some harme: but he that hath a folysh mouth shalbe beaten. The mouth of a ryghtuos m&abar; is a wele of lyfe, but the mouth of the vngodly is past shame, and presumptuous. Euyll wyll stereth vp strife, ^note but loue couereth the multytude of synnes. In the lyppes of hym that hath vnderstandynge a man shall fynde wysdome, but the rod belongeth to the backe of the folysh. Wyse men laie vp knowledge, but the mouth of the folysh is nye destruction. The rich m&abar;s goodes are his str&obar;g hold, but pouerte oppresseth the poore. The ryghtwyse laboureth to do good, C   but the vngodly vseth his encrease vnto sinne. ^note To take hede vnto the chastenyng of nurtoure, is the way of lyfe: but he that refuseth to be refourmed, goeth wrong. Dissembling lippes kepe hatred secretly, and he that speaketh any scl&abar;der, is a foole. Where much babling is, ther must nedes be offence: he that refraineth his lippes is wisest of all. An innocent tong is a noble treasure, but the hert of the vngodly is nothynge worthe. The lyppes of the rightuous fed a whole multitude, but foles shal die in their owne folye. The blessing of the Lord maketh rich men, as for carefull trauayle, it &lhand; doth nothynge therto. A fole doth wyckedly and maketh but a sport of it: neuerthelesse it is wysdome for a man to beware of suche.

The thinge that the vngodly are afrayed of, shall come vpon them, but the rightuous shall haue their desyre. The vngodly is lyke a tempest that passeth ouer, and is no more sene but the rightuous remayneth sure for euer As vyneger is to the tethe, and as smoke is vnto the eyes, euen so sa slougysh person to them that send him forth. D   The feare of the Lorde maketh a long lyfe but the yeares of the vngodly shalbe shortened. The paciente abydynge of the rightuous shalbe turned to gladness, but þe; hope of þe; vngodli shal perish. The waye of the Lorde geueth a corage vnto the godly, but it is a fear for wicked doers The righteuous shall neuer be ouerthrowen but the vngodly shal remaine in the land. The mouth of the iust wilbe talkyng of wisdome, but the tonge of the frowarde shall perysh. The lyppes of the ryghtuous are occupied in acceptable thinges, but the mouth of the vngodly take them to the worst. &rhand; The .xi Chapter

A   A false balance is an abhomynation vnto the Lord, but a true weight pleaseth him. Wher pryde is, ther is shame also and confusion: but where as is lowlynes, there is wysdome. The innocente dealyng of the iust shal leade them, but the vnfaithfulnesse of the despisers shalbe their owne destruccion ^note Riches helpe not in the day of vengeaunce, but rightuousnes deliuereth fr&obar; death. The rightuousnes of the innocent ordereth his way, but the vngodly shall fall in his owne wyckednesse.
The rightuousnes of the iuste shall delyuer them, but the despisers shalbe taken in their owne vngodlynesse.

B    ^noteWhen an vngodlie man dieth, his hope is gone, the confydence of ryches shal perish The rightuous shalbe delyuered out of trouble, and the vngodly shal come in his steade. Thorow the mouth of the dyssembler is hys

neyghboure destroyed, but thorowe knowledge shall the iust be deliuered. When it goeth well with the righteous, the cytye is mery: and when the vngodly perish, there is &rhand; gladnesse. When the iust are in wealth, the citie prospereth: but when the vngodly haue the rule, it decayeth. A foole bringeth vp a sclaunder of his neyghbour, but a wyse man wil kepe it secrete. A dissembling person will discouer preuy thinges, but he that is of a faythful hert, wil kepe counsayl. C   Where no good counsail is there the people decaye: but where as many are that can geue counsayll, there is wealth. He that is suerty for a stra&ubar;ger, hurteth him self: but he that medleth not with suertiship, is sure. A gracious woman manteyneth honesty, as for the mighty, they manteyne ryches. He that hath a gentle liberall stomack is merciful: but who so hurteth hys neyghbour, is a tyraunt. The labour of the vngodly prospereth not, but he þt; soweth righteousnes, shal receyue a sure rewarde.
Like as righteousnes bringeth lyfe: euen so to cleue vnto euel, bringeth death. The Lord abhorreth a fayned hert, but he hath pleasur in them that are vndefiled. It shal not helpe the wicked, though they laye all their h&abar;des together, but the sede of þe; righteous shalbe &rhand; preserued. A fayre woman without discrete maners, is like a ringe of golde in a swynes snoute.

The iust labour for peace and tranquyllite, but the vngodly for disquietnesse.

Some man geueth out hys goodes, ∧ is the rycher, but the nygard (hauyng ynough) will departe from nothynge, and yet is euer in pouerty. D   He that is liberal in geuyng, shal haue plentye: and he that watereth, shalbe watered also him self. Who so hoordeth vp hys corne, shalbe cursed amonge the people: but blessing shall light vppon hys head that selleth it. He þt; laboureth for honesty findeth hys desire: but who so seketh after mischiefe, shall happen vnto hym. He that trusteth in hys ryches shall haue a fall, but the righteous shall florish as the grene leaf.

Who so maketh disquyetnes is his owne house, he shall haue wynde for hys heritage, and the foole shalbe seruant to the wyse.
The frute of the righteous is as the tree of lyfe, a wyse man also wynneth mens soules. ^noteIf the righteous be recompensed vppon earth, how much more then the vngodly and the sinner? ¶ The .xij. Chapter.

A   Who so loueth wysdome, wil be content to be refourmed: but he that hateth to be reproued, is a foole. A good man is acceptable vnto the Lord, but the wicked will he condempne. A man can not endure in vngodlinesse, but the rote of þe; righteous shall not be moued. A stedfast woman is a05Q0804 croune vnto her husband: but she that behaueth her selfe vnhonestly is a corrupci&obar; in hys bones. The thoughtes of the righteous are righte, but the ymaginacion of the vngodly are disceatfull. The talkyng of the vngodlye is howe they maye laye wayte for bloud, but the mouthe of the righteous wyll deliuer them. B   Or euer thou canst turne the about, the vngodly shalbe ouerthrowen: but the house of the righteous shall stande. A m&abar; shalbe commended for hys wysdome, but a fole shalbe despised. A simple man which laboureth ∧ worketh, is better then one that is gorgyous and wanteth bread. A righteous man regardeth the lyfe of his cattell, but the vngodly haue cruel hertes. He that tilleth his lande, shal haue plenteousnesse of bread: but he that foloweth ydelnes, is a very foole.

The desyre of the vngodly hunteth after mischief, but the rote of the righteous bryngeth forth frute. The wicked falleth into the snare thorow the malyce of his own mouth, but the iust shal escape out of parel. Euery man shall enioye good accordinge to the innocency of his mouth, ∧ after the workes of his handes shal he be rewarded. Loke what a05Q0805 foole taketh in hande, he thynketh it wel done: but he that is wyse, wil be counsayled. A foole vttereth his wrath in all the hast, but a discrete man forgeueth wrong. C   A iust man wil tel the trueth, ∧ shewe the thynge that is right: but a false witnesse disceyueth. A scla&ubar;derous personne pricketh like a swerd, but a wise mans t&obar;ge is wholsome. A true mouth is euer constant, but a dissemblyng tonge is soone chaunged. They that ymagyn euell in their mynde, will disceyue: but the counsaylers of peace shall haue ioy folowing them. There shall no misfortune happ&ebar; vnto þe; iust but the vngodly shalbe filled with misery.

The Lord abhorreth disceatful lyppes, but they that laboure for trueth please hym. He that hath vnderst&abar;ding, can hyde his wisdome: but an vndiscrete hert telleth oute hys folishnesse. A diligent hande shal beare rule, but the ydle shalbe vnder tribute. Heauinesse discorageth the hert of m&abar;, D   but a good worde maketh it glad again. The righteous is liberall vnto hys neyghbour, but the waye of þe; vngodly will disceyue them selfs. A disceatfull man shall fynde no va&ubar;tage, but he that is content with that he hath, is more worthe then golde. In the waye of righteousnesse there is lyfe, as for any other waye it is the pathe vnto death. ^{note note} ¶ The .xiij. Chapter.

A   A wyse sonne wyll receaue hys fathers warnynge, but he that is ^note scornefull, wyl not heare when he is reproued. A good man shall enioye the fruite of hys mouth, but he that hath a froward mind shalbe spoyled. He that kepeth his mouth, kepeth his lyfe: but who so speaketh vnaduised findeth harme. The slogarde woulde fayne haue, and can not get his dsyre: but the soule of the diligente shall haue plenty. A ryghtuous man abhorreth lyes, but the vngodlye shameth both other and hym selfe. Ryghtuousnesse kepeth the innocente in the waye, but vngodlynesse shal ouerthrow the sinner.

Some men are rych, thoughe they haue nothynge: againe some men are pore hauing greate ryches. With goodes euery man deliuereth his lyfe, and the poore wyll not be reproued. The lyght of the rightuous maketh ioyfull, B   but the candle of the vngodly shalbe put out among the proud ther is euer strife, but amonge those that do all thynges wyth aduysemente, ther is wysdome. Hastely gotten goodes are sone sp&ebar;t, but they that be gathered together with the hand, shall increase Longe taryenge for a thing that is differed, greueth the hert: but when þe; desyre c&obar;meth, it is a tre of lyfe. Who so despiseth þe; word destroyeth hym selfe: C   but he that feareth the commaundemente shal haue peace. The law is a wel of life vnto the wise, that it may kepe him from the snares of death, Good vnderstanding geueth fauour, but hard is the way of the despisers. A wyse man doth al thinges with dyscrecyon, but a foole wyl declare his folly. An vngodly messanger bryngeth myschyefe, but a faythfull embassytour is wholsome. He that thynketh scorne to be refourmed, commeth to pouertie ∧ shame: but who so receaueth correction, shal come to honour

D   When a desyre, is brought to passe, it delyteth the soule: but fooles abhorre him that eschueth euell. He that goeth in the company of wyse men, shalbe wyse: but who so is a companyon of foles, shalbe hurte. Mischefe foloweth vpon synners, but the ryghtuous shal haue a god reward. Which their chylders chyldren shal haue in possession, for the riches of the synner is layed vp for the iuste. Ther is plentuousnesse of fode in the feldes of the pore, and shalbe increased out of measure. He that spareth the rod, hateth hys son: but who so loueth hym, holdeth hym euer in nurtoure. The ryghtuous eateth, and is satisfied, but the belly of þe; vngodly hath neuer ynough. The .xiiij. Chapter.

A   A wise wom&abar; vpholdeth her house but a folish wife plucketh it doun Who so feareth the Lorde, walketh in the ryght path: and regardeth not hym that abhorreth the wayes of the Lord. In the mouth of the folyshe is the boastynge of lordshyppe, but the lyppes of the wyse wylbe ware of such. Where no05Q0806 ox&ebar; are, ther þe; cribbe is empty: D   but where the ox&ebar; labour ther is much frute. A faithful witnesse will not dyssemble, but a false recorde wyll make a lye. A scorneful body seketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowlege is easy to come by, vnto him that wyl vnderstand Se that thou meddle not with a foole, and do as though thou haddest no knowledge. The wysdome of hym that hath vnderstanding is, to take hede vnto hys way but the folyshnes of the vnwyse disceaueth. Foles make but a sporte of synne, but ther is fauourable loue amonge the rightuous. The hert of him that hath vnderstandyng wyll neyther dyspaire for any sorow, ner be to presumptuous for any sodaine ioy.

B   The houses of the vngodly shalbe ouerthrowne, but þe; tabernacles of the rightuous shal florish. Ther is a05Q0807 waye whiche some men thinke to be ryght, but the ende thereof leadeth vnto death. The herte is sorowfull euen in a laughter, and the ende of mirth is heuinesse. An vnfaythful personne shalbe filled wyth hys owne wayes, but a good man wyl beware of suche. An ignoraunt boddy beleueth all thynges, but who so hath vnderstandyng, loketh well to his goinges. A wyse m&abar; feareth, and departeth from euel, but a foole goeth on presumptuously. An vnpacient m&abar; dealeth folyshly, but he that is well aduysed doth other wayes. The ignoraunte haue folyshnes in possession, but the wyse are crowned with knowledge. C   The euel shal bow hem selues before the good, and the vngodly shall wayte at the dores of the ryghtuous. The poore is hated euen of his owne neyghbours, but the rich hath many frends.

Who so despyseth his neyghbour, doth amysse: but blessed is he that hath pytye of the poore. They that ymagyn wyckednes, shall be disapoynted: but they that muse vp&obar; good thinges, vnto suche shall happen mercy and faythfulnesse. Diligent laboure bringeth ryches, but wher many vayne wordes are, trulye ther is scarcenesse. Ryches are an ornamente vnto the wyse, but the ignoraunce of fooles is very folyshnesse, A faythfull wytnesse delyuereth soules, but a lyar disceaueth them, The feare of the Lord in a strong hold for vnto his he wyl be a sure defence,

D   The feare of the lorde is a well of lyfe, to &lhand; auoide the snares of death. The increase and prosperite of the commens is the Kynges honoure, but the decaye of the people is the c&obar;fusion of the Prince. Pacyence is a token of wisd&obar;, but wrath ∧ hasty displasure is a tok&ebar; of folyshnesse. A merye hert is the life of the bodye, but rancoure consumeth awaye the bones. He that doeth a poore man wrong, blasphemeth hys maker: but who so hathe pytye of the poore, doeth honoure vnto God, The vngodlye is afrayed of euery parel, but the ryghtuous hath a good hope eu&ebar;

in death. Wysdome resteth in the herte of him that hath vnderstandynge, and he wyll teach theym that are vnlearned. Ryghtuousnes setteth vp the people, vut wickednes bringeth folke to destruccyon. A dyscrete seruaunt is a pleasure vnto the Kynge, but one þt; is not honest prouoketh hym vnto wrath. ^{note note} ¶ The .xv. Chapter.

A   A soft answere putteth downe displeasure. but frowarde words prouoke vnto anger. A wise tonge comm&ebar;deth knowledg, a folysh mouth blabbeth oute no thynge but folyshnesse. The eyes of the Lord loke on euery place, both vp&obar; the good and badde.

A wholsome tonge is a tree of lyfe but he that abuseth it, hath a broken mynde.
A foole despyseth hys fathers correccyon, but he that taketh hede whan he is reproued shalhaue þe; more vnderst&abar;dyng.

B   In the house of the ryghtuous are greate rytches, but in the increase of the vngodlye ther is mysorder. A wyse mouth poureth out knowledge, but the herte of the folysh doth not so. The Lorde aborreth the sacryfyce of the vngodlye, but the prayer of the rightuous is acceptable vnto hym. The waye of the vngodlye is an abhomynacyon vnto the Lorde, but who so foloweth rightuousnesse, hym he loueth. He that forsaketh the ryghte strete, shalbe sore punyshed: and who so hateth correccyon, falleth into death. The hell wyth her payne is knowne vnto the Lorde, howe muche more then, the hertes of men? A scorneful body loueth not one that rebuketh hym, nether wyll he come amonge the wyse. A mery hert maketh a chearful countinance but an vnquiet mynd maketh it heuy. A wise hert wil seke after knowledg, but the mouth of foles medleth with folishnesse. All the dayes of the pore are myserable, but a quyet herte is as a continnual feaste. Better is a litle with the feare of the Lord then great tresure, for they are not without sorowe. Better is a messe of potage with loue, then a far oxe wyth euel wyll.

C   An angry m&abar; stereth vp strife, but he that is paci&ebar;t stilleth discord. C   The way of þe; slouthful is ful of thornes, but þe; strete of the rightuous is wel cle&abar;sed. A wyse son maketh a glad father, but an vndiscrete body shameth hys mother. A foole reioiseth in folyshe thynges but awyse man loketh wel to hys own goinges vnaduised thoughts shal come to naught but wher as men are þt; can geue co&ubar;cel, ther is stedfastnes. O howe ioyfull a thing is it, a man to geue a conuenyente answere? O how pleasaunt is a word spoken in due season. The waye of lyfe leadeth vnto heauen, that a man shoulde beware of hell beneth.

D   The Lord wyl breake downe the house of the proud, but he shal make fast the borders of the widdowe, The Lorde abhorreth the ymaginacons of þe; wycked, but pure wordes are pleasaunt vnto him. The couetous man roteth vp his owne house, but who so hateth rewardes shall liue. A ryghtuous man museth in hys mynde howe to do good, but the mynde of the vngodly ymagineth, howe he may do harme, The Lorde is farre from the vngodly, but he heareth the praier of the rightuous. Lyke as the clearenesse of the eyes reioiseth the herte so doth a good name fede the bones. The eare that herkeneth vnto wholsome warnnynge, and enclyneth therto, shal dwell amonge the wyse. He that refuseth to be refourmed, despyseth his owne soule: but he that submytteth hym selfe to correccyon, is wyse. The .xvi. Chapter.

A   The feare of the Lord is þe; righte scyence of wysdome, and lowlines goeth before honure. ^noteA man may wel purpose a thinge in his herte, but the answere of the tong commeth of the Lord, A man thynketh al his waies to be cleane, but it is þe; Lord that fashyoneth the mindes C&obar;mit thy workes the Lord, and loke what thou deuisest, it shal prospere. The Lorde doth al thynges for hys owne sake, yea when he kepeth the vngodly for the day of wrath. The Lorde abhorreth all presumptuous ∧ proude hertes, ther may neyther strength ner powere scape.

With louyng mercye and fayethfulnesse synnes be forgeuen, and who so feareth the Lorde, he eschueth euell. When a m&abar;s ways please the Lord, he maketh his very enemies to be hys frendes. B   Better is it to haue a lyttle thinge with rightuousnes, then greate rentes wrngeously gotten. A man deuyseth awaye in his herte, but it is the Lorde that ordreth hys goynges. When the prophecye is in the lyppes of the kynge, hys mouth shal not go wronge in iudgment. A true measure and a true balaunce are the Lordes, he maketh all weightes. It is a great abhominatyon when kynges are wycked, for a kinges seat should be holden vp wyth ryghtuousnesse Ryghtuous lyppes are pleasaunte vnto kynges, and they loue hym that speaketh the trueth. The kynges dyspleasure is a messaunger of deathe, but a wyse man wyll pacyfye hym. The chearefull conntenaunce of the kynge is lyfe, and hys louynge fauoure is as the eueuynge dewe. To haue wysdome in possessti&obar; is better th&ebar; gold, ∧ to get vnderst&abar;ding is more worth th&ebar; siluer. The path of þe; rightuous eschueth euel, ∧ who so loketh wel to his waies, kepeth hys owne soule. Presumptuousnes goth before destructi&obar;, ∧ after aproud stomake ther foloweth a fall. Better is it to be of humble mynde with the lowly, then to

deuyde the spoyles wyth the proud. He that h&abar;dleth a matter wisely, opteineth good: and blessed is he, that putteth his trust in the Lord Who so hath a wyse vnderstanding, is called to councel but he that canne speake faire getteth more riches. C   Vnderstanding is a wel of lyfe vnto him that hath it, as for the chastenyng of foles, it is but folishnesse. The hert of the wyse enfourm his moueth, and am&ebar;deth the doctryne in his lyps.

Fayre wordes are an hony combe, a refreshynge of the mynde, and helth of the bones. ^noteTher is away þt; men thinke to be right but the ende thereof leadeth vnto death. A troublous soule dysquyeteth her selfe, for her owne mouth hath brought her therto. An vngodly personne styreth vp euell, and in hys lipps he is as an whote burnyng fyre.

D   A frowarde bodye causeth stryfe, and he that is a blabbe of his tonge, maketh deuisyon amonge princes. A wycked man begyleth hys neyghbour, and leadeth hym the waye that is not good. He ^note that wyncketh wyth his eyes, ymagineth mischife: and he that byteth his lyppes wyll do some harme. Age is a crowne of worshippe, if it be founde in the waye of ryghtuousnes. A pacyente man is better then one stronge: and he that can rule him selfe, is more worth then he that winneth a city. The lotts are caste into the lappe, but there fal standeth in the Lorde. The .xvij. Chapter.

A   Better is a dry morsell with quietnes, then a full house and many fat catell with stryfe. ^noteA discrete seruaunt shall haue more rule then the sonnes that haue no wysdom, and shal haue like heritage with the brethren. Lyke as syluer is tryed in the fyre and golde in the fornace, euen so doeth the Lorde proue the hertes. A wycked bodye holdeth muche of false lippes, and a dissemblyng personne geueth eare to a dysceatefull tonge. ^noteWho so laugheth the pore to scorne blasphemeth hys maker: ∧ he that is glad of another m&abar;s hurt, shall not be vnpunished.

Chylders chyldren are a worshyppe vnto the elders, ∧ the fathers are the honoure of þe; children. An eloquent speach bec&obar;meth not a fole, a dissemblyng mouth also besemeth not a prince. B   Liberalite is a precyous stone vnto hym þt; hath it, for whersoeuer he bec&obar;eth, he prospereth. Who so couereth another mans offence seketh loue: but he þt; discloseth þe; faut setteth frends at variance. One reprofe only doth more good to him þt; hath vnderst&abar;dinge th&ebar; an .C. stripes vnto a fole. A sedicious personne seketh myschefe, but a cruell messaunger shall be sent against hym. It were better to come against a shee Bere robbed of her whelpes, then agaynst a fole in his foolyshnes. ^noteWho so rewardeth euell for good, the plage shall not departe frome hys house. He that soweth discord ∧ strife, is lyke one that dyggeth vp a water broke: but an open enemy is like the water that breaketh out ∧ renneth abroad. The Lord hateth as wel hym þt; iustifyeth the vngodly, as him that condemneth the innocent, What helpeth it to geue a foole mony in his hand, wher as he hath no mind to bye wysdome? He is a frende that alway loueth, and in aduersite a m&abar; shal know who is hys brother. Whoso promyseth by the hande, and is suertye: or another, he is a foole.

B   He that loueth stryfe, delyteth in synne: ∧ who so setteth his dore to hye, seketh after a fall. Who so hath a frowarde herte obtayneth no good: ∧ he that hath an ouerthwarte tonge, shall fall into myschyefe. An vnwyse body bringeth him selfe into sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioye. ^noteA merye hert maketh a lusty age, but a sorowful mind dryeth vp the bones. The vngodlye taketh gyftes out of the bosome, to wrest the waies of iudgment. ^noteWysdome shineth in the face of hym that hath vnderstanding, but the eies of fooles wander thorow out all landes. An vndiscrete sonne is a grefe vnto his father, ∧ an heuynesse vnto hys mother that bare him To punish the innocent, and to smite the princes that geue true iudgmente, are both euell. ^noteHe is wyse and discrete, that tempereth his wordes: and he is a man of vnderstandinge, that maketh much of his spirite. Yea a verye foole (when he holdeth his tonge) is counted wyse, and to haue vnderstandinge, when he shutteth his lyppes. &rhand; The .xviii Chapter

A   Who so hath pleasure to sow dyscorde, pyketh a quarel in euery thyng. A foole hath no delite in underst&abar;ding, but only in those thynges wherin his herte reioyseth. Wher vngodlynes is, there is also disdayne: and so there foloweth shame and dishonoure. The wordes of mans mouth are lyke depe waters, and the well of wysdome is lyke a full streame. It is not good to a ^note regarde the personne of the vngodly, or to put backe the ryghteous in iudgmente. A fooles lippes are euer brawling, and his mouth prouoketh vnto battayll. B   A fooles mouth is hys owne destrucci&obar; and his lippes are the snare for his owne soule. The words of a sclanderer are very woundes, and go thorow vnto the inmost parts of þe; body. Who so is slouthful ∧ slacke in his laboure, is the brother of him that is a waster. The name of þe; Lord is a strong castel, the rightnous flieth vnto it, and shalbe saued. But þe; rich m&abar;s goods are his strong hold, yea he taketh them for an hie wall rounde aboute hym. After pryde commeth destrucci&obar;, C   and honour after lowlines. ^noteHe þt; geueth sentence in a matter before he heare it, is a foole, ∧ worthy to be c&obar;fo&ubar;ded.

A good stomacke driueth awaye a m&abar;s disease, but wh&ebar; the sptrite is vexed, who may abide it? A wyse herte laboureth for knowledge, and a prud&ebar;t eare seketh vnderst&abar;ding

Liberalitye bryngeth a man to honoure and worship, and setteth him among great men. D   The rightuous accuseth hym selfe firste of al, if his neyghbour come, he shal fynd him. The lot pacifieth the variaunce, and parteth þe; mighty a sunder. The vnitie of brethren is stronger then a castel, and they that hold together are like the barre of a palayce. A m&abar;s belly shalbe satisfied wyth the fruyte of hys owne mouthe, and wyth the increase of hys lyppes shall he be fylled. Death ∧ lyfe stand in the power of the t&obar;g, he that loueth it shal enioy the frute thereof. Who so fyndeth a wyfe fyndeth a good thynge, and receyueth an wholsome benefyte of þe; Lord. The poore maketh supplicacyon ∧ prayeth mekelye, but the ryche geueth a rough a&ubar;swere. A frende that delyteth in loue, doeth a man more frenshyppe, and stycketh faster vnto hym then a brother. &rhand; The .xix. Chapter

A   Better is the poore that lyueth godly then the blasphemer that is but a foole. Where no discreci&obar; is, ther the soule is not well: and who so is swyft on fote, st&obar;bleth hastly, Folyshuesse maketh a m&abar; to go out of his waye, and then is his hert vnpacient agaynst the Lorde. Ryches make many frendes, but the poore is forsak&ebar; of his own frendes. A false witnesse shall not remayne vnpunished, ∧ he that speaketh lyes shal not escape. The multitude hangeth vpon great men, and euery man fauoureth him that geueth rewardes.

As for the poore, he is hated amonge all hys brethren: yea, hys owne frendes forsake hym, B   ∧ he that geueth credence vnto wordes getteth nothyng. He that is wyse, loueth his owne soule: ∧ who so hath vnderstandynge, shall prospere. A false witnesse shall not remayne vnpunished, ∧ he þt; speaketh lyes shal perish. Delicate ease becommeth not a foole much more vnsemely is it, a bonde man too haue the rule of princes. A wyse m&abar; putteth of displeasure, ∧ it is his honour to let some fautes passe. The kynges disfauour is lyke the roaryng of a Lyon, but hys frendship is lyke the dewe vpon the grasse. An vndiscrete sonne is the heuynes of hys father, ∧ a braulyng wyfe is lyke the top of an house, where thorow it is euer droppyng. House ∧ ryches &rhand; maye a man haue by the heritage of hys elders, but a discrete woman is the gifte of the Lord. Slouthfulnes bringeth slepe, ∧ an ydel soule shall suffer hunger. C   Who so kepeth the commaundement, kepeth hys owne soule: but he that regardeth not hys way, shal dye. He that hath pittie vppon the poore, lendeth vnto the Lord: ∧ loke what he layeth oute, it shalbe payed hym agayn. Chasten thy sonne whyle there is hope, but let not thy soule be moued to sleye hym. For great wrath bryngeth harme, therfore let hym go, ∧ so mayest thou teache hym more nurtoure. O geue eare vnto good counsayll, ∧ be content to be refourmed, that thou mayest be wyse here after. There are many deuises in a mans &lhand; hert, neuertheles the counsayll of the Lorde shall stande. It is a m&abar;s worship to do good ∧ better it is to be a poore m&abar;, then dissembler. D   The feare of the Lord preserueth the life yea, it geueth pl&ebar;teousnes, without the visitaci&obar; of any plage. A slouthful body shuteth hys hande into hys bosome, so that he c&abar;not put it to his mouth. ^noteIf thou smitest a ^note scorneful personne, the ignoraunt shall take better hede: ∧ if thou reprouest one that hath vnderst&abar;ding, he will be þe; wyser. He that hurteth hys father or shuteth out his mother, is a shamefull ∧ an vnworthy sonne. My s&obar;ne, heare nomore the doctrine that leadeth the awaye from the wordes of vnderstandyng.

A false witnes laugheth iudgem&ebar;t to scorn ∧ the mouth of the vngodly eateth vp wickednes. Punishmentes are ordeyned for the scornefull, and strypes for fooles backes. ¶ The .xx. Chapter.

A   Wine is a volupteous thynge, ∧ dronckennes causeth sedicion: who so deliteth therin, shal neuer be wyse. The kyng oughte to be feared as the roarynge of a Lyon, who so prouoketh hym vnto anger, offendeth agaynst hys owne soule. It is a mans honour to kepe him selfe from stryfe, but they that haue pleasure in braulinge, are fooles euery one. A slouthfull body will not go to plowe for colde, therefore shall he go a beggynge in Sommer, and haue nothynge. Wyse counsayll in the herte of man is lyke a water in the depe of the earth, but he þt; hathe vnderst&abar;ding, bringeth it forth. Many there be that are called good doers, but whereshal one fynde a true faythful man? B   Who so leadeth a godly and an innoc&ebar;t lyfe, happy shal his chyldren be whome he leaueth behynde hym. A kynge that sitteth in iudgement, and loketh well aboute hym, dryueth awaye all euell. ^noteWho can saye: my herte is cleane, I am innocent from sinne? To vse two maner of weyghtes, or twoo maner of measures, both these are abhominable vnto the Lorde. A chylde is knowen by hys conuersacion, whether hys workes be pure ∧ right. As for the hearing of the eare ∧ the sight of the eye, the Lord hath made them both.

Delyte not thou in slepe, lest thou come vnto pouerte: but open thyne eyes, and thou shalt haue bread ynough. C   It is naught, It is naught (say men) when they haue it, but wh&ebar; it is gone, they geue it a good woorde. A mouth of vnderstanding is more worth then gold, many precious stones, ∧ costly iewels. Take his garment that is suerty for a stra&ubar;ger, ∧ take a pledge of him for the vnknow&ebar; mans sake. Euery man liketh the bread that is gotten with disceate, but at the laste hys mouth shalbe filled with grauell.

Thorow counsayl the thynges that men

deuise go forward: and with discreci&obar; ought warres to be taken in hande. Medle not with hym that bewrayeth secretes, and is a sclaunderer, and disceaueth with hys lippes. Whoso curseth hys father and mother, hys lyght shalbe put outin the myddest of darcknesse. The herytage that commeth to hastely at the fyrste, shall not be praised at the ende.

D   Saye not thou: I wyll recompence euel, but put thy truste in the Lorde, and he shall defende the. The Lorde, abhorreth two maner of weyghtes, and a false balaunce is an &rhand; euell thinge. The Lorde ordreth euery mans goinges, for what is he that vnderstandeth his owne wayes? It is a snare for a man to to blaspheme that which is holy, and then to go aboute wyth vowes. A wyse kynge destroyeth the vngodly, ∧ bringeth the whele ouer th&ebar;. The lanterne of þe; Lord is the breath of man, and goeth thorow al the inward partes of the body. Mercy and faithfulnes preserue &rhand; the kynge, and wyth louyng kyndnes his seate is holden vp. The strength of yong men is their worship, and a gray head, is an honour vnto the aged. Woundes dryue away euel, and so do strips the inward partes of the body. The .xxi. Chapter.

A   The kinges hert is in the hand of &rhand; the Lord, lyke as are the ryuers of water: he maye turne it whether so euer he wyll. Euery m&abar; thynketh hys owne waye to be &rhand; ryght, but the Lord iudgeth the herts. To do ryghtuousnes ∧ iudgm&ebar;t is more acceptable to the Lorde then sacrifyce. A presumptuous loke, a proude stomacke, and the lanterne of the vngodly is synne. The deuyces of one þt; is diligente, brynge plentuousnes: but he that is vnaduised, commeth vnto pouerte. Who so hoordeth vp ryches wyth the disceatfulnes of his tonge, he is a foole, and lyke vnto th&ebar; þt; seke their own death þe; robberies of the vngodlye shalbe their owne destruccyon, for they wolde not do the thinge that was right. B   The waies of the froward are straunge, but the worckes of him that is cleane, are ryght ^note It is better to dwell in a corner vnder the house toppe, then wyth a braulynge woman in a wyde house.

The soule of the vngodlye wysheth euell, and hath no pytye vpon hys neyghboure. ^note When the scornefull is punyshed, the ignoraunt take the better hede: and when a wyse man is warned, he wyll receaue the more vnderstandynge. The ryghtuous enfourmeth the house of the vngodlye, but the vngodlye goo on styll after their owne wyckednesse. Who so stoppeth hys eare at the cryenge of the pore he shal cry him selfe and not be herd A preuy rewarde pacyfyeth displeasure ∧ a gift in the bosome stilleth furiousnes.

The iust delyteth in doinge the thing that is ryghte, but the worckers of wyckednesse abhorre the same. The man that wandereth out of the way of wysdome, C   shall remayne in the congregaci&obar; of the dead. ^noteHe that hath pleasure in banckettes, shalbe a poore man: Who so deliteth in wyne and delicates, shall not be ryche. The vngodlye shalbe geuen for the ryghtuous, and the wicked for þe; iust. ^noteIt is better to dwell in a wyldernesse, then wyth a chidynge and an angrye woman. In a wyse mans house there is a greate treasure and a plenteousnesse, but a foolish body spendeth vp all. Who so foloweth ryghtuousnes and mercy, fyndeth both life, ryghtuousnes and honoure. A wyse man wynneth the citye of the mighty, and as for strength that they trust in, he bryngeth it downe. Who so kepeth his mouth and his tong, the same kepeth hys soule from troubles. He that is proud ∧ presumptuous, is called a scorneful man, whyche in wrath darre worke malycyouslye. D   The voluptuousnesse of the slouthfull is hys owne death, for hys handes wyll not laboure. He coueteth and desyreth ^note all the day longe, but the ryghtuous is alwaye geuynge, and kepeth nothynge backe. ^noteThe sacrifyce of the vngodly is abhominaci&obar;, for they offer the thyng that is gotten with wickednes.. A false witnesse shall perish, but he that wilbe content to heare, shall alway haue power to speake him selfe. An vngodly man goeth forth rashlye, but the iuste refourmeth &rhand; his owne waie. ^noteThere is no wysdome ther is no vnderstandyng, there is no councell agaynste the Lorde. The horse is prepared against the day of battail, but the Lord geueth the victory. The .xxij. Chapter.

A    ^noteA good name is more worthe then greate ryches. and louyng fauoure is better th&ebar; siluer and golde.

Whether ryches or pouerty do mete vs, it c&obar;meth al of God. A wise man seith the plage and hideth him self, but the folysh go on styl and are punished. The ende of lowlines and þe; feare of God, is riches, honour, prosperity and health. Speres and snares are in the way of the froward, bot he that wyll kepe his soule, let hym fle from such. If thou teachest a child in his yonth what waye he shuld go, he shal not leaue it wh&ebar; he is old The rich ruleth þe; pore, ∧ þe; borower is seru&abar;t to the l&ebar;der. He þt; soweth wickednes shal repe sorow, ∧ þe; rod of his plage shal destroy him ^note A louing eie shalbe blessed, B   for he geueth of his bread vnto þe; pore. Cast out þe; ^note scorneful m&abar;, ∧ so shal strife go out &wt; him, yea vari&abar;ce ∧ sclander shal cease. Who so deliteth to be of a cleane herte and of gracious lyppes, the king shall be his frend. The eies of the Lord preserue knowledge, but as for þe; words of þe; despyteful, he bringeth them to naught. The slouthful body sayeth: ther is a lyon wythoute, I myghte be slayne in the strete. The mouth of an harlot is a depe pyt, wherein he falleth þt; the Lorde is angrye wyth all. Foolishnes sticketh in þe; herte of the lad, but the

rod of correccion dryueth it awaye. C   Who so doth a pore man wrong to increase his owne riches, geueth (commenly, vnto the rych, ∧ at the last commeth to pouerte him selfe. My sonne, bow down thine eare, and herk&ebar; vnto the wordes of wysdome, applye thy mynde vnto my doctryne: for it is a plesaunt thyng if thou kepe it in thyne hert, and practise it in thy mouth: that thou mayest alwaye put thy truste in the Lorde. Haue not I warned the very oft with co&ubar;sel ∧ lerning? that I might shew the truth andt that thou with the verity D   myghtest answere them that lay any thynge agaynst the? Se that thou robbe not the pore because he is weake, ∧ oppresse not the simple in iudgment: for the Lorde him selfe wyll defende their cause, aud do vyolence vnto them that haue vsed vyolence. Make no frendship with an angry wilful man, and kepe no company &wt; the furious: lest thou learne hys wayes, and receaue hurte vnto thy soule. Be not thou one of th&ebar; that bind their hand vp&obar; promyse, and are suerttye: for dett: for if thou hast nothing to paye, he shall take awaye thy bed from vnder the. Thou shalte not remoue the lande marke, which thy fore elders haue sette. Seyst thou nat, that they whyche be diligent in ther busines st&abar;d before kinges and not among the simple people? The .xxiij. Chapter

A   When thou syttest at the table to eate with a lorde, order thy selfe manerly with the thinges that are set before þe;. Measure thine appetite: and if thou wilt rule thyne owne selfe, be not ouer gredye of his meate, for meate begyleth and disceaueth Take not ouer greate trauayle and labour to be ryche, beware of suche a purpose. Why wylt thou set thyne eie vpon the thing, which sodenly vanysheth awaye? For ryches make th&ebar; selues wynges, ∧ ^note take their flight lyke an Aegle into the ayre. Eat not þu; &wt; the enuious, ∧ desire not his meat, for he hath a meruelus hert. He saith vnto the: eate ∧ drinke as wher, as his hert is not &wt; þe;. Yea, þe; morsels þt; thou hast eaten shalt þu; perbrake, B   ∧ lese those swete wordes. Tel nothyng into the eares of a fole, for he wyll despise the wysdome of thy wordes. Remoue not the olde lande marke, and come not within the feld of the fatherles For he that delyuereth them is myghty, euen he shall defend their cause agaynste the. Applie thine herte vnto learning, and thine eare to þe; words of knowledge. ^noteWith holde not correction from the childe, for if thou beatest him with the rodde, he shall not dye thereof. Thou smitest him with the rod. but thou deliuerest his soule from hel. My son, if thy herte receaue wysdome, my herte also shal reioyce yea my reines shalbe very gladde, if thy lyppes speake the thynge that is ryght. ^noteLet not thine herte be gelous to folowe synners, but kepe the styl in the feare of the Lord ^note al the daye long: for the ende is not yet come ∧ thy pacient abydyng shal not be in vaine.
C   My sone, geue eare and be wise, so shal thine herte prospere in the way. Kepe no company with wine bybbers ∧ ryotous eaters of flesh for such as be dronkards ∧ riotous shal come to pouerte, ∧ he þt; is geu&ebar; to much slepe shall go &wt; a ragged cote. Geue eare vnto thy father þt; begat þe;, ∧ despise not thy mother wh&ebar; she is olde. Labour for to get þe; truth: sell not away wisdome, nurtour and vnderstanding (for a rightuous father is maruelous glad of a wyse son, and deliteth in him) so shal thy father be glad, ∧ thy mother þt; bare the shal reioyse. My sonne, geue thyne hert, ∧ let thyne eies haue pleasure in my wayes. For an whore is a depe graue, and an harlot is a narow pyt. She lurketh lyke a thefe, and those þt; be not aware she bryngeth vnto her. D   Wher is wo? wher is sorow? where is strife? where is brauling? wher are wo&ubar;ds without cause? wher be reed eies? Euen among those that be euer at the wyne, and seke out where the best is. Loke not thou vpon the wyne, how redde it is, ∧ what a coloure it geueth in the glasse It goeth downe softly, but at the laste it byteth lyke a serpent, ∧ styngeth, as an Adder.

So shall thyne eyes loke vnto straunge wemen, and thyne herte shal muse vpon froward thyngs. Yea thou shalt be as thoughe thou sleptest in the middest of þt; sea, or vp&obar; þe; toppe of the mast. They wounded me (shalte thou say) but it hath not hurte me, they smote me, but I felt it not. When I am well wakened, I will go to the dryncke agayne. The .xxiiij. Chapter.

A    ^noteBe not thou gelous ouer wycked men, and desyre not thou to be among them. For their herte imagineth to do hurte, and their lippes talke of mischiefe. Thorow wysdome an house shalbe builded, ∧ &wt; vnderst&abar;dyng shalbe set vp. Thorow discrecion shal the ch&abar;bers he fylled wyth al costly ∧ plesant ryches. A wise m&abar; is str&obar;g, yea a m&abar; of vnderstanding is better th&ebar; he þt; is myghti of strength For &wt; discrecion must warres be tak&ebar; in hand, ∧ wher as are many þu; can geue co&ubar;cell, there is the victorye. Wisdome is an hye thyng, yea euen to the foole for he ^note dar not open his mouth in the gate. He that Imagyneth myschefe, maye welbe called an vngracious personne. The thoughte of the folysh is synne, ∧ the scorneful is an abhominaci&obar; vnto men. ^noteIf þu; be ouersene ∧ negligent in tyme of nede, then is thy str&ebar;gth but smale

Delyuer th&ebar; þt; go into death, and are led away to be slayne, ∧ be not negligent therin. If thou wylt saye: I knewe not of it. Thinkest thou þt; he which made the herts, doth not consider it? ∧ þt; he which regardeth thy soule, seyth it not? Shall not he recompence euerye man accordynge to his workes? My sonne, thou eatest hony ∧ the swete hony combe. because it is good ∧ swete in thy mouthe. Euen

so shall the knowledge of wysedome be vnto thy soule, as soone as thou hast gotten it.

And there is good hope, yea thy hope shall not be in vanyte. Laye no preuy waite wyckedly vp&obar; the house of the rightuous, and disquiete not his resting place. For a iust m&abar; falleth ^note seuen tymes, and riseth vp againe, but the vngodly fal into wickednes. Reioyce not thou at the fall of thyne enemye, and let not thyne herte be glad when he stombleth. Lest the Lord (when he seyth it) be angrie, ∧ turne hys wrath from him vnto the ^note. Let not thy wrath and gelosy moue the, to folowe the wycked and vngodlye. And why? the wycked hath nothyng to hope for, and the candle of the vngodly shal be put oute. My sonne, feare thou the Lord and the kyng, and kepe no company with the sclaunderous: for their destruccion shal come sodenly, and who knoweth the far of them both?

These are also the sayenges of the wyse. it is not good, to haue respect ofe any person in iudgment. He that saieth to the vngodly: thou art rightuous, him shal the people curse yea the comenty shal abhorre hym. But they that rebuke the vngodly shalbe commended and a ryche blessynge shall come vpon them. He maketh him selfe to be well loued, that geueth a good answere. Fyrste make vp thy worke that is wythout, ∧ loke wel vnto that which þu; hast in the felde, ∧ then buyld thyne house. Be no false witnesse against thy neighbour hurte hym not with thy lyppes. Saye not I wil handle him, eu&ebar; as he hath delte &wt; me and wil reward euery man according to his dedes. I went by the felde of þe; slouthful, and by the vineiarde of the feld of the slouthful and by the vyneyeardes of þe; folish man. And lo, it was all couered wyth nettels, and stode ful of thistles. and the stone wall was broken doune. Thys I saw, and consydered it well I loked vpon it, and toke it for a warnyng. ^noteYea slepe on styl a lytle, slomber a lytle, fold thyne h&abar;des together yet a lytle, so shal pouertye come vnto the as one that trauayleth by the way, and necessite like a weapened man. The .xxv. Chapter ¶ These also are the ^note sayinges of Salomon, which the men of Ezekiah Kynge of Iuda ^note gathered together.

A   It is þe; honour of God to kepe a ^note thing secret, but the kings honour is to serch out a ^note thing

The heauen is hye, the earth is depe, þe; kings hert is ^note vnsearcheable.

Take the drosse from the syluer, and ther shalbe a cleane vessel therof.

Take awaye vngodlynes from the king, ∧ his seat shalbe stablished &wt; ryghtuousnes

Put not forth thy self in the presence of þe; king, ∧ prayse not into the place of great m&ebar;.

Better is it that it be sayde vnto the: come vp hyther, then thou to be set doun in the presence of the prince wh&obar; thou seist with thine eyes. Be not hastye to go to the law, lest happely thou order thy selfe so at the laste, that thy neighbour put the to shame. Handle thy mater &wt; thy neyghbour him self, and dyscouer not an other mans secrete: lest when men heare therof, it turne to thy dishonoure, and lest thine euell name do not ceasse. A worde speken in due season, is lyke apples of golde in a syluer dish. The correction of the wise is to an obedient eare, a gold&ebar; cheine ∧ a Iewel of gold. Lyke as the wynter coole in the haruest, so is a faithfull messenger to him þt; sent him, ∧ refresheth his masters mynd. C   Whoso maketh great boasts ∧ geueth nothing, is like cloudes ∧ wind without rain. With paci&ebar;ce may a prince be pacified, ∧ &wt; a soft t&obar;g may rigoriousnes be brok&ebar;. If thou findest hony, eate so much as is sufficient forth lest thou be ouerful, ∧ perbrake it out agayne. Wythdraw thy fote fr&obar; thy neighbours house, lest he be wery of the, and so abhor the. Who so beareth false wytnesse agaynst hys neyghboure, he is a verye speare, a swearde, and a sharpe arowe. ^noteThe hope of the vngodlye in tyme of neade, is lyke a rotten toth and a slippery fote. Who so singeth a s&obar;g to a wycked her hert, clotheth him &wt; rags in the cold ∧ poureth vynegar vp&obar; chalke. ^noteIf thyne enemy h&obar;ger, fead him: if he thyrst, geue hym drinke: for so shalt þu; heape coles of fyre vp&obar; his head, and the Lord shal reward the. The North wind driueth away the raine, euen so D   doth an earnest sober co&ubar;tenances backbyters t&obar;g. It is better to sit in a corner vnder þe; rose, th&ebar; &wt; a brauling wom&abar; in a wide house A good reporte out of a farre contre, is like could water to a thirsty soule. A ryghtuous m&abar; falling down before þe; vngodlye, is like a troubled wel ∧ a spring þt; is destroyed. Like as it is not good to eate to much hony, euen so he þt; wil search out hyghe things, it shalbe to heuy for him. He þt; can not rule him self, is like a city which is brok&ebar; doune, ∧ hath no walles. The .xxix. Chapte.

A   Like as snow is not mete in sommer, nor raine in haruest: euen so is worship vnsemelye for a foole Like as the bryd and the swalowe take their flyght and fle here and ther, so the curse that is geuen in vayne, shall not lighte vpon a man. Vnto the horse belongeth a whyppe, to the Asse a brydle, and a rodde to the fooles backe. Geue not the foole an answere after hys folyshnesse, lest thou become lyke vnto hym: but make the fole an answer to his folishnes, lest he be wise in his own c&obar;ceat. B   He is lame of his fete yea dr&obar;ken is he in vanite, þt; c&obar;mitteth any thing to a fole. Like as it is an vnsemely thing to haue legs ∧ yet to halt eu&ebar; so is a parable in þe; foles mouthe. He that setteth a foole in hye dignity, that is euen as if a m&abar; did cast a precious stone vp

on the gallous. A parable in a fooles mouth is lyke a thorne that prycketh a dr&obar;ken man in the hand. A man of experience dyscerneth all thynges well, but whoso hyreth a foole, hyreth such one as will take no hede.

Lyke as the dogge turueth agayne to hys vomyte, euen so a foole beginneth hys folishnesse agayne a fresh. If thou seiest a m&abar; that is wyse in his owne conceate, C   there is more hope in a fole then in him. The slouthful sayeth: there is a leopard in the way, and a li&obar; in the myddest of the stretes.

Lyke as the dore turneth aboute vpon the thresholde, eu&ebar; so doth the slouthfull welter hym self in his bedde. ^noteThe slouthful bodye thrusteth his h&abar;d into his bosome, and it greueth him to put it agayne to his mouth. The slogard thynketh hym selfe wyser th&ebar;? ^note vij. men ^note þt; sit ∧ teach. Who so goeth by ∧ medleth wyth other mens stryfe, he is lyke one that taketh a dog by the eares.

Lyke os one shutteth deadly arowes and dartes out of a preuy place, euen so doth a dissembler wyth his neighboure. And then saith he: I dyd it but in sporte. Where no wodde is, there the fyre goeth oute: and where the backcbyter is taken awaye, there the stryfe ceaseth.

^noteCoales kyndle heate, and wode the fire: euen so doth a braulynge felowe stere vp varyaunce.

D   A slaunderers wordes are lyke flaterye, but they pearse the inwarde partes of the bodye.

Venimous lippes and a wicked herte, are lyke a potsherde couered with syluer drosse. An enemy dissembleth with hys lyps, and in the meane season he ymagineth mischefe: but when he speaketh fayre, beleue hym not, for ther are seuen abhomynacons in hys herte. Who so kepeth euel wil, secretly to do hurte, his malice shalbe shewed before the whole c&obar;gregacion. ^noteWho diggeth vp a pyt, shal fal therin: and he that weltreth a stone shal stomble vpon it him selfe. A dissembling tong hateth one that rebuketh hym, and a flattering mouth worketh mischefe. &rhand; The .xxvij. Chapter.

A   Make not thy boaste of to morow, for thou knowest not what maye happen to day. Let another man praise the, ∧ not thine own mouth yea other folkes lips, ∧ not thine.

The stone is heuy, and the sand weyghty: but a foles wrath is heuier then th&ebar; they both

Wrath is a cruel thing, and furyousnesse is a verye tempeste: yea who is able to abyde enuye? An open rebuke is beter then a secrete loue. Faythfull are the ^note woundes of a louer, but the kysses of an enemy are disceatful He that is ful, abhorreth an hony combe: but vnto him that is h&obar;gry, euery sower thing is swete. He that oft times flytteth, is like a bird þt; forsaketh her nest. The her is glad of a swet ointm&ebar;t and sauoure, but a stomake that can geue good couucel, reioiseth a m&abar;s nephour.

Thine owne frend, and thy fathers frend se thou forsake not, but go not into thy brothers house in tyme of thy trouble.

Better is a fr&ebar;d at h&abar;d, th&ebar; a brother far of.

My son, be wyse, and thou shalt make me a glad herte: so that I shall make answere vnto my rebukers. A wyse man seynge the plage wyll hyde hym selfe, as for fooles they go on styll, and suffer harme. Take hys garmente that is suertye for a straunger, ^note ∧ take a pledge of him for the vnknowne m&abar;s sake.

He that is to hasty to prayse his neyghbour aboue measure, shalbe tak&ebar; as one þt; geueth hym and euel report. C   A braulling wom&abar; and the rose of the house dropping in a rainy day may wel be compared together.

He that refrayneth her, refrayneth the wynde, and holdeth oyle fast in hys hande. Lyke as one yron whetteth another, so doth one man conforte another. Who so kepeth his fyggetre, shall enioye the fruytes therof he that wayteth vpon hys master, shal come to honoure. Lyke as in one water there appeare diuerse faces, euen so diuerse men haue dyuerse hertes. Lyke as hell and destruccyon are neuer full, euen so the ^note eyes of men canne neuer be satysfyed. Siluer is tryed in the mold, and golde in the fornace and so is a man, when he is openlye praysed to his face. Though thou shouldest bray a foole wyth a pestell in morter like otemel, yet wyll not his folyshnesse go from hym. ^noteSe that thou know the number of thy catell thy selfe, and loke wel to thy flockes. D   For riches abyde not alway, ∧ the ^note crowne endureth not for euer. The hey groweth, the grasse c&obar;meth vp, ∧ herbes are gathered in the mo&ubar;taynes. The lambes shall clothe the, and for the gotes thou shalt haue goates mylcke ynough to fede the, to vpholde thy housholde, and to susteyne thy maydens. &rhand; The .xxviij. Chapter.

A   The vngodly ^note flyeth no man chasyng him, but the rightuous st&abar;deth styf as lyon. Because of synne the lande doth oft chang her prynce: but thorowe men of vnderstandynge and wysdome a realme endureth long.

One pore man oppressinge another by uiolence is lyke a continuall rayne that destroieth the fruyte. They that forsake the lawe, prayse the vngodly: but such as kepe the law abhorre them. Wycked men discerue not the thynge that is ryght, but they that seke after the Lord, discusse al thynges.

A poore man leadyng a godly lyfe, is better then the rych þt; goeth in froward wayes.

B   Who so kepeth the lawe, is a childe of vnderstandynge: but he that fedeth ryotous m&ebar; shameth hys father. Who so increaseth hys ryches by ^note vauntage and wynnynge, let hym gather them to helpe the poore wyth al. He that turneth away his eare from hearing

the lawe, his prayer shalbe abhorred. Who so leadeth the ryghtuous into an euel waye, shal fal into his owne pit, but, the iust shall haue the good in possession. The rych man thyncketh him selfe to be wyse, but the poore that hath vnderstandynge can perceaue him well ynough. ^note When ryghtuous men are in prosperite, then doth honoure floryshe: but when the vngodly come vp, the state of men chaungeth. He that hydeth hys synnes, shall not prospere: but who so knowledgeth them and forsaketh them shal haue mercy.

Well is hym þt; standeth alwaye in awe: as for hym that hardeneth his hert, he shall fal into myschyefe. Lyke as a roarynge lyon and an hongry beare, euen so is an vngodly C   prynce ouer the pore people.

Wher the prynce is wythout vnderstandyng, ther is greate oppression and wronge: but if he be such one as hateth couetousnesse he shall longe raygne. He that by vyolence sheddeth anye mannes bloude, shall be a rennagate vnto his graue, and no man shall be able to succoure hym. Who so leadetth a godly and an inocent life, shalbe, safe: but he that goeth frowarde wayes, shall once haue a fall. ^noteHe that tylleth his lande, shall haue pl&ebar;teousnesse of bread: but he that foloweth ydilnesse, shall haue pouerte ynough. A faithfull man is greatlye to be commended, but he that maketh to much haste for to be rych, shall not be vngyltye. To haue respecte of persons in iudgment is not good: And why? he wil do wrong, yea eu&ebar; for a pece of bread.

D   He that wyll be ritch all to soone, hath an euell eye, and considereth not, that pouertye shall come vpon him. He that rebuketh a man, shal fynde more fauoure at the laste, then he that flattereth him. Who so robbeth hys father and mother, and sayeth it is no synne: the same is like vnto a murtherer. He that is of a proud stomacke, stereth vp strife but he that putteth hys truste in the Lorde, shalbe wel fedde. He that trusteth in his own hert, is a foole: but he þt; dealeth wysely, shal be safe. He that geueth vnto the poore, shall &rhand; not wante: but he that turneth awaye hys eyes from suche as be in necessytye, shal suffer greate pouertye hym selfe. When the vngodlye are come vp, men are fayne to hyde them selues: but wh&ebar; they perysh, the ryghtuous increase. The .xxix. Chapte.

A   He that is styfnecked and wyll not be refourmed, shal sodenly be destroied without any helpe Wher the rightuous haue the ouer h&abar;d the people are in prosperitye: but wher the vngodly beareth rule, ther the people mourne. Who so loueth wysdome, maketh his father a glad man: ^note but he þt; kepeth harlottes, sp&ebar;deth away þt; he hath. With true iudgment the kyng setteth vp the land, but if he be a man that taketh giftes, he turneth it vpsyde downe. Whoso flattereth hys neyghboure, layeth a nette for hys fete. The synne of the wycked is his owne snare, but the ryghtuons shall be glad and reioyse.

The rightuous consydereth the cause of þe; poore, but the vngodly regardeth no vnderstandynge. B   Wycked people brynge a cytye in decay, but wyse men sette it vp agayne. If a wyse man go to lawe wyth a foole (whether he deale wyth hym frendly or roughly) he getteth no rest. The bloude thyrstye hate the ryghtuous, but the iust ^note seke his soule.

A foole poureth out his spirit altogether, but a wyse man kepeth it in till afterwarde.

If a prynce delyte iu lyes, all his seruauntes are vngodly. The pore and the l&ebar;der mete together, C   the Lord lyghteneth both their eies The seate of the Kynge that faythfully iudgeth the poore, shall contynue sure for euermore. The rod and correction myuister wysdome, but if a chylde be not loked vnto, he bringeth his mother to shame. When the vngodly come vp, wyckednesse increaseth: but the rightuous shall se their fal. Nurtour thy sonne with correction, and he shall comforte the, yea he shall do the good at thyne herte. Wher no ^note Prophete is ther the people perysh: but wel is hym that kepeth the law. A seruaunte wyll not be the better for wordes for thoughe he vnderstande, yet wyll he not regarde them,

Yf thou seist a m&abar; that is hastye to speake vnaduysed, thou, mayest trust a foole more then hym. He that delicately bringeth vp his seruaunt from a chyld, D   shall make hym hys master at length. An angrye man stereth vp stryfe, and he that beareth euell wyll in hys mynde, doeth muche euill. After pryde commeth a fal, ^note but a lowly spirit bringeth great worshippe. Who so kepeth companye wyth a thyefe, hateth hys owne soule: he heareth blasphemyes, and telleth it not fourth. He that feareth men, shall haue a fall: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lorde shall come to honoure. Manye there be that seke the Princes fauoure, but euery mans iudgement c&obar;meth from the Lorde. The ryghtuous abhorreth the vngodlye: but as for those that be in the ryght way, the wicked hate them. &rhand; The .xxx. Chapter ¶ The purenes of the word of God: and what we ought to requyre of God, with cert&ebar; w&obar;derfull thinges that are in this world. The wordes of Agur the sunne. of Iakeh.

A   The prophecye of a true faithful man, whom God hath helped, wh&obar; God had c&obar;forted and norished. For though I am þe; least of al, ∧ haue no m&abar;s vnderstanding (for I neuer learned wysdom) yet haue I vnderst&abar;ding, ∧ am wel infourmed in godly thinges. Who hath climed vp into heau&ebar;? Who hath come down fr&obar; th&ebar;ce? Who hath hold&ebar; the wynd fast in his hand? Who hath

c&obar;prehended the waters in a garm&ebar;t? Who hath set al the endes of the worlde? What is his name, or his sonnes name? C&abar;st thou tel? ^noteAll the wordes of God are pure ∧ cleane, ^note for he is a shyeld vnto al them, þt; put theyr trust in him. Put thou nothing therfore vnto hys wordes, lest he reproue the, and thou be founde a lyar.

Two thynges I requyre of the, that thou wilt not denye me before I dye, Remoue fro me vanite and lyes: geue me neither pouerte nor ryches, onely graunte me a necessary lyuyng. Lest if I be to full, I denye the, ∧ say: what felow is the Lord? And lest I beynge constrayned thorow pouerte, fall vnto stealyng, and forsweare the name of my God. Accuse not a seruaunt vnto hys master, lest he speake euell of the also, and thou be hurt. He that bringeth vp an euell reporte vpon þe; generacion of hys father and mother, is not worthy to be commended.

The generacion that thynke them selfes cleane, shall not be clensed from their filthynesse. There are people that haue a proude loke, and cast vp their eye lyddes. This peoples teth are swerdes, and with their chafte bones they consume and deuour the simple of the earth, and the poore from among m&ebar;.

This generacion (whiche is lyke an horslech) hath two daughters: the one is called, fetch hither, and the other bring hyther.

C   There be thre thinges that are neuer satisfied, and the forth sayeth neuer hoo. The hell, a womans wombe, and the earthe hath neuer water ynough. As for fyre, it sayeth neuer, hoo. Who so laugheth hys father to scorne, and setteth his mothers commaundement at naughte: the rauens pycke out hys eyes in the valley, and deuoured be he of the yonge Aegles.

There be thre thinges to hye for me, and as for the forth, it passeth my knowledge.
The way of an Aegle in the ayre, the way of a serpent ouer a stone, the waye of a shyp in the sea, and the waye of a man with a yonge woman. Such is the way also of a wife that breaketh wedlocke, which wipeth her mouth like as when she hath eaten, ∧ sayeth. As for me, I haue done no harme. Thorow thre thinges the earth is disquieted, ∧ the fourthe may it not beare: Thorow a seruaunt that beareth rule, thorow a foole that hath greate ryches, thorow an ydle houswyfe, ∧ thorow an handmayd&ebar; that is heyre to her mastres. D   There be foure thinges in the earth, þt; which are very litle: but in wysedome they exceade the wyse. The Emmettes are but a weake people, yet gather they their meate together in the haruest. The Conyes are but a feble folke, yet make they their couches amonge the rockes. The greshoppers haue not a gyde, yet go thei forth together by heapes. The spyder laboureth with her handes, ∧ that in the kynges palace.

There be thre thinges that go stifly, but the going of the fourth is the godlyest of all. A Lyon, which is kinge of beastes, ∧ geueth place to no m&abar;: A cock ready to fight: A r&abar;me and a kyng that goeth forth with his people. If thou be so folish to magnifie thy selfe, or medlest with any such thing, then laye thine hande vpon thy mouth. Who so cherneth mylke, maketh butter: he that rubbeth hys nose, maketh it blede: and he that causeth wrath, bringeth forth stryfe. ¶ The .xxxi. Chapter. ¶ Kynges ought to iudge iustly. The propertye of an honest maryed wyfe. The wordes of kyng Lamuell, and the Prophecye that his mother taughte hym.

A   My sonne, thou sonne of my body: O my deare beloued sonne geue not ouer thy substaunce ∧ mynde vnto women, whiche are the destruction euen of kinges. O Lamuel, geue kynges no wyne, geue kynges ∧ princes no strong drincke: lest they beyng dronken forget the law, ∧ regarde not the cause of the poore, and of al such as be in aduersite. Geue strong drinke vnto suche as are condempned to death, ∧ wyne vnto those that mourne: that they may drinke it, ∧ forget their misery and aduersitie. Be thou an aduocate, and stande in iudgement thy selfe, to speake for all such as be domme ∧ socourles. With thy mouth defende the thyng that is lawful and right, and the cause of þe; poore and helpelesse. Aleph.

B   Who so fyndeth an honest faythfull woman, she is much more worth then pearles. Beth.

The hert of her husband may safely trust in her, so þt; he shal haue no nede of spoyles. Gimel.

She will do him good ∧ not euell all the dayes of her lyfe. Daleth.

She occupyeth woll and flax, and laboureth gladly with her handes. He.

She is lyke a merchauntes shyppe, that bringeth her vitayles from a farre. Vau.

She is vp in the night season, to prouyde meate for her housholde, and foode for her maydens. Zain.

She considreth lande, ∧ byeth it, ∧ wyth þe; frute of her handes she pl&abar;teth a vyneyarde. Heth.

She gyrdeth her loynes with strength, and courageth her armes. Teth.

C   And if she perceyue that her houswyfrye doth good, her c&abar;dle goeth not out by night. Iod.

She layeth her fingers to the spyndle, ∧ her hande taketh holde of the rocke.

Caph.

She openeth her hande to the poore, yea, she stretched forthe her handes too suche as haue nede. Lamed.

She feareth not that the colde of wynter shall hurte her house, for all her housholde folkes are double clothed. Mem.

She maketh her selfe fayre ornamentes, her clothyng is whyte silke and purple. Nun.

Her husband is much set by in the gates, when he sitteth am&obar;g the rulers of the l&abar;de. Samech.

She maketh cloth of silke ∧ selleth it, and deliuereth a gyrdle vnto the marchaunt. Ain.

D   Strength and honour is her clothynge, ∧ in the latter daye she shall reioyse. Phe.

She openeth her mouth with wysdome, and in her tonge is the lawe of grace. Zade.

She loketh well to the wayes of her housholde, ∧ eateth not her bread with ydelnes. Koph.

Her chyldren arise, and call her blessed: ∧ her husbande maketh much of her. Res.

Many daughters there be that gather riches together, but thou goest aboue th&ebar; all. Sin.

As for fauour, it is disceatfull, ∧ beuty is a vayne thing: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she is worthy to be praysed. Thau.

Geue her of the frute of her handes, ∧ let her owne workes prayse her in the gates. &rhand; The ende of the Prouerbes of Salom&obar;.

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