is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come JULY 1. unto him. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. Evening, PROVERBS XII. JULY 1. WHOSO loveth instruction with good by the fruit of his mouth: loveth knowledge: but he and the recompence of a man's hands that hateth reproof is brutish. A shall be rendered unto him. The way good man obtaineth favour of the of a fool is right in his own eyes: LORD: but a man of wicked devices but he that hearkeneth unto counsel will he condemn. A man shall not is wise. A fool's wrath is presently be established by wickedness: but known: but a prudent man coverett the root of the righteous shall not shame. He that speaketh truth shew be moved. A virtuous woman is a eth forth righteousness: but a fales crown to her husband: but she that witness deceit. There is that speal maketh ashamed is as rottenness in eth like the piercings of a swor his bones. The thoughts of the righ- but the tongue of the wise is heal.h teous are right: but the counsels of The lip of truth shall be established the wicked are deceit. The words for ever: but a lying tongue is bat of the wicked are to lie in wait for for a moment. Deceit is in the heart blood: but the mouth of the upright of them that imagine evil: but to the shall deliver them. The wicked are counsellors of peace is joy. There overthrown, and are not: but the shall no evil happen to the just: but house of the righteous shall stand. the wicked shall be filled with misA man shall be commended accord- chief. Lying lips are abomination to ing to his wisdom: but he that is of the LORD: but they that deal truly a perverse heart shall be despised. are His delight. A prudent man conHe that is despised, and hath a ser- cealeth knowledge: but the heart of vant, is better than he that honour-fools proclaimeth foolishness. The eth himself, and lacketh bread. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied 392 hand of the diligent shall bear rule but the slothful shall be under tribute. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. The righteous more excellent than his neighbour but the way of the wicked seduceth them. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man precious. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. JULY 2. Morning, PROVERBS XIII. WISE son heareth his father's JULY 2. but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of A WISE son hearth his father' eth not rebuke. A man shall eat good the wise is a fountain of life, to deby the fruit of his mouth: but the part from the snares of death. Good soul of the transgressors shall eat understanding giveth favour: but the violence. He that keepeth his mouth way of transgressors is hard. Every keepeth his life: but he that openeth prudent man dealeth with knowwide his lips shall have destruction. ledge: but a fool layeth open his The soul of the sluggard desireth, folly. A wicked messenger falleth and hath nothing: but the soul of the into mischief: but a faithful ambasdiligent shall be made fat. A right- sador is health. Poverty and shame eous man hateth lying: but a wick- shall be to him that refuseth instruced man is loathsome, and cometh to tion but he that regardeth reproof hame. Righteousness keepeth him shall be honoured. The desire acthat is upright in the way: but complished is sweet to the soul: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. it is abomination to fools to depart There is that maketh himself rich, from evil. He that walketh with yet hath nothing: there is that mak-wise men shall be wise: but a cometh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebure. The light of the righteous rejoneth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Hope deferred maketh the :heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: JULY 2. panion of fools shall be destroyed. Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. Evening, PROVERBS XIV. JULY 2. VERY wise woman buildeth her knowledge. The wisdom of the pru eth it down with her hands. He the folly of fools is deceit. Fools that walketh in his uprightness fear- make a mock at sin: but among the eth the LORD: but he that is per-righteous there is favour. The heart verse in his ways despiseth Him. In knoweth his own bitterness; and a the mouth of the foolish is a rod of stranger doth not intermeddle with pride: but the lips of the wise shall his joy. The house of the wicked preserve them. Where no oxen are, shall be overthrown: but the taberthe crib is clean: but much increase nacle of the upright shall flourish. is by the strength of the ox. A faith- There is a way which seemeth right ful witness will not lie: but a false unto a man, but the end thereof are witness will utter lies. A scorner the ways of death. Even in laughter seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the heart is sorrowful; and the end but knowledge is easy unto him that of that mirth is heaviness. The backunderstandeth. Go from the pre- slider in heart shall be filled with his sence of a foolish man, when thou own ways: and a good man shall be perceivest not in him the lips of satisfied from himself. The simple : believeth every word: but the pru- | fidence: and his children shall have dent man looketh well to his going. a place of refuge. The fear of the A wise man feareth, and departeth LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from evil: but the fool rageth, and from the snares of death. In the is confident. He that is soon angry multitude of people is the king's dealeth foolishly: and a man of wick- honour: but in the want of people ed devices is hated. The simple in- is the destruction of the prince. He herit folly but the prudent are that is slow to wrath is of great uncrowned with knowledge. The evil derstanding: but he that is hasty of bow before the good; and the wick- spirit exalteth folly. A sound heart ed at the gates of the righteous. The is the life of the flesh: but envy the poor is hated even of his own neigh- rottenness of the bones. He that opbour: but the rich hath many friends. presseth the poor reproacheth his He that despiseth his neighbour sin- Maker: but he that honoureth Him neth: but he that hath mercy on the hath mercy on the poor. The wickpoor, happy is he. Do they not err ed is driven away in his wickedness: that devise evil? but mercy and truth but the righteous hath hope in his shall be to them that devise good. In death. Wisdom resteth in the heart all labour there is profit: but the talk of him that hath understanding: but of the lips tendeth only to penury. that which is in the midst of fools is The crown of the wise is their riches: made known. Righteousness exaltbut the foolishness of fools is folly. eth a nation: but sin is a reproach A true witness delivereth souls: but to any people. The king's favour is a deceitful witness speaketh lies. In toward a wise servant: but his wrath the fear of the LORD is strong con- is against him that causeth shame. JULY 3. A Morning, PROVERBS XV. SOFT answer turneth away | wrath but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth_out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. Hell and destruction are before the JULY 3. LORD: how much more then the of understanding walketh uprightly. | house; but he that hateth gifts shall Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but He will establish the border of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own JULY 3. THE live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart and a good report maketh the bones fat. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Ebening, PROVERBS XVI. HE preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be Established. The LORD hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great reveues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are His work. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's countenance JULY 3. is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an roneycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow JULY 4. to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. Morning, PROVERBS XVII. BETTER is a dry, morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. An evil man seeketh only rebellion therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled JULY 4. THRO JULY 4. with. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow and the fa ther of a fool hath no joy. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. Also to punish the just s not good, nor to strike princes for equity. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he hold eth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Evening, PROVERBS XVIII. HROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, JULY 4 and with ignominy reproach. The words of a man's mouth are as den waters, and the wellspring of w dom as a flowing brook. It is not good to accept the person of th wicked, to overthrow the righteo in judgment. A fool's lips enter int |