22 A glad heart will make the medicine good :* But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

23 A bribe from his bosom the wicked will take To turn aside the course of justice.

24 The wise course is before him that understandeth; But the eyes of the fool are at the ends of the earth

[looking for it.]

25 The indignation of his father is a foolish son, And the bitterness of her that bare him.

26 Also to punish the righteous is not goodTo smite the upright for their integrity.

27 He that restraineth his tongue understandeth knowledge:

And he that is ofa meek spirit is a man of understanding. 28 Even the fool, when silent, will be accounted wise: When he closeth his lips, prudent.

CHAPTER XVIII.

1 HE that secludeth himself will seek knowledge according to his desire,†

With all kinds of knowledge he will mingle himself.

* Comp. xxx. 29; Hosea, x. 1. Can it be rendered "Will make a good medicine?" See Parkhurst. + See Parkhurst.

2 A fool hath no pleasure in understanding, But in revealing the secrets of his heart.

3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh the scoffer, And with ignominy reproach.

4 Deep waters are the words of a man's mouth, And the fountain of wisdom becomes a flowing stream. 5 To accept the person of the wicked is not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.

7 The mouth of the fool is his ruin,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of the whisperer are as wounds,

And they penetrate the innermost recesses of the

body.

9 He that is slothful in his work

Is a brother to the destroyer.

10 A tower of strength is the name of Jehovah : Into it runneth the righteous, and he is safe.

11 The wealth of the rich man is his strong city, And as a high wall in his imagination.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, And before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But who shall sustain the spirit when it is smitten? 15 The heart of the prudent will possess knowledge; And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.

16 A man's gift will make room for him,

And will introduce him to the presence of the great.

17 He that cometh first in his own cause appeareth right;

His neighbour will come and closely examine him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease,

And among the mighty maketh distribution.

19 A brother in litigation is harder [to be won] than a strong city:

And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 By the fruit of his mouth a man's belly shall be filled : The increase of his lips shall satisfy him.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue :

And he that loveth her [death or life] shall eat her fruit.

22 He that findeth a wife findeth good,

And deriveth favour from Jehovah.

23 The poor man useth intreaty;

The rich man answereth roughly.

24 A man who hath friends willingly suffers loss on their account:

And [often] there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.

CHAPTER XIX.

1 BETTER is the poor man who walk eth in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his lips, though he be rich.*

2 Without knowledge even life is not good: And he that is hasty with his feet sinneth. 3 The folly of a man perverteth his way: And against Jehovah his heart fretteth.

4 Wealth attracteth many companions:

But the poor man is separated from his companion.

5 A false witness shall not be held innocent: And he that spreadeth lies shall not escape.

*Reineccius.

6 Many will implore* the favour of the prince : And every one is the friend of him that bestoweth

gifts.

7 All the brethren of the poor man hate him :

Much more does his neighbour† stand aloof from

him:

He pursueth them with words—but they are not. 8 He that hath wisdom loveth his own soul:

He that keepeth understanding findeth good. 9 A false witness shall not be held innocent, And he that spreadeth lies abroad shall perish.

10 Delight becometh not a fool;

Much less is it becoming for a servant to rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; And it is his honour to pass over a fault.

12 The king's indignation roareth like a young lion: But as the dew upon the grass is his favour.

13 A foolish son is a grief to his father:

And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

* Egrotant.
... even to sickness.

+ Qu. singular or plural.