(a) For where there were many sacrifices, there were many portions given to the people, with which they feasted.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the {b} inheritance among the brethren.

(b) That is, will be made governor over the children.

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: wherever it {c} turneth, it prospereth.

(c) The reward has great force to gain the hearts of men.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very {d} friends.

(d) He that admonishes the prince of his fault makes him his enemy.

10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel {e} messenger shall be sent against him.

(e) By the messenger is meant such means as God uses to punish the rebels.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than {f} a fool in his folly.

(f) By which he means the wicked in his rage, who has no fear of God.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

16 Why is there a {g} price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

{g} What good does it do the wicked to be rich, seeing he does not set his mind to wisdom?

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a {h} brother is born for adversity.

(h) So that he is more than a friend, even a brother that helps in time of adversity.

18 A man void of understanding {i} striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

(i) Read Pr 6:1.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his {k} gate seeketh destruction.

(k) Lifts up himself above his degree.

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23 A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the {l} bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

(l) That is, secretly and out of the bosom of the rich.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the {m} ends of the earth.

(m) That is, wander to and fro, and seek not after wisdom.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes {n} for equity.

(n) For their well doing.

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.