Wine is a Mocker

1Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.

2As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.

3It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.

4Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.

5Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.

6Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?

7The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.

8The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.

9Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?

10Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.

11By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.

13Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.

14It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.

15There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

16Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.

17The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.

19Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.

20He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.

21The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.

22Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.

23Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.

24The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?

25It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.

26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.

27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.

28Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.

29The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.

30The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more in- ward parts of the belly.