1   Wisedome ^note lifteth vp the head of him that is lowe, and maketh him to sit among great men.

2   Commende not a man for his beautie, neither despise a man in his vtter appearance.

3   The Bee is but smal among the foules, yet doeth her fruit passe in sweetenesse.

4   Bee not proude of clothing and rayment, ^note and exalt not thy selfe in the day of honour: for the workes of the Lorde are wonderfull, [and glorious,] secrete, [and vnknowen] are his workes among men.

5   Many tyrants haue sit downe vpon the earth, ^note and the vnlikely hath worne the crowne.

6   Many mightie men haue bene brought to dishonour, and the honourable haue bene deliuered into other mens hands.

7   ¶2; ^note Blame [no man] before thou haue inquired the matter: vnderstande first, and then reforme [righteously.]

8    ^noteGiue no sentence, before thou hast heard the cause, neither interrupt men in the middes of their tales.

9   Striue not for a matter that thou hast not to do with, and sit not in the iudgement of sinners.

10   My sonne, meddle not with many matters: ^note for if thou gaine much, thou shalt not be blamelesse, and if thou followe after it, yet shalt thou not attaine it, neither shalt thou escape, though thou flee from it.

11    ^noteThere is some man that laboureth and taketh paine, and the more hee hasteth, the more hee wanteth.

12   Againe there is some that is slouthfull, and ^note hath neede of helpe: for he wanteth strength, and hath great pouertie, yet þe; eye of the Lord looketh vpon him to good, and setteth him vp from his lowe estate,

13   And he lifteth vp his head: so that many men marueile at him, [and giue honour vnto God.]

14    ^noteProsperitie and aduersitie, life and death, pouertie and riches come of the Lord.

15   Wisedome and knowledge, and vnderstanding of the Lawe are of the Lorde: loue and good workes come of him.

16   Errour and darkenesse are appointed for sinners, and they that exalt them selues in euill, waxe olde in euill.

17   The gift of the Lord remaineth for the godly, and his good will giueth prosperitie for euer.

18   ¶2; Some man is rich by his care and nigardship, and this is the portion of his wages,

19   In that hee saith, ^note I haue gotten rest, and nowe will I eate continually of my goods, yet hee considereth not, that the time draweth neere, that he must leaue all these things vnto other men, and die himselfe.

20   Stand thou in thy state, and exercise thy selfe therein, and remaine in thy worke vnto thine age.

21   Marueile not at the workes of sinners, but trust in the Lorde, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easie thing in the sight of the Lord, suddenly to make a poore man rich.

22   The blessing of the Lorde is in the wages of the godly, and he maketh his prosperitie soone to flourish.

23   ¶2; Say not, What profite and pleasure shall I haue? and what good things shall I haue hereafter?

24   Againe say not, I haue ynough, and possesse many thinges, ^note and what euill can come to mee hereafter?

25   In thy good state remember aduersitie, and in aduersitie forget not prosperitie.

26   For it is an easie thing vnto the Lorde in the day of death to rewarde a man according to his wayes.

27   The aduersitie of an houre maketh one to forget pleasure: and in a mans ende, his workes are discouered.

28   Iudge none blessed before his death: for a man shalbe knowen by his children.

29   Bring not euery man into thine house: for the deceitfull haue many traines, [and are like stomackes that belche stinkingly.]

30   As a partriche is taken vnder a basket, [and the hind is taken in the snare,] so is the heart of the proud man, which like a spie watcheth for thy fall.

31   For he lieth in waite and turneth good vnto euill, and in thinges worthie prayse hee will finde some faute.

32   Of one litle sparke is made a great fire, [and of one deceitfull man is blood increased:] for a sinfull man laieth waite for blood.

33   Beware of a wicked man: for hee imagineth wicked things to bring thee into a perpetual shame.

34   Lodge a straunger, and hee will destroy thee with vnquietnesse, and driue thee from thine owne.

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