That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no outcry in our streets.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

He determines the number of the stars; he calls them all by their names.

Praise him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters that be above the heavens.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto your head, and chains about your neck.

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

But whosoever hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be secure from the fear of evil.

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

It shall be health to your body, and strength to your bones.

So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine.

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her.

The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens.

By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to your neck.

When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the ruin from the wicked, when it comes.

For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being snared.

Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you.

The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the recompense of fools.

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many.

When you go, your steps shall not be hindered; and when you run, you shall not stumble.

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

My son, be attentive to my wisdom, and incline your ear to my understanding:

Lest strangers be filled with your wealth; and your labors go to the house of a foreigner;

Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets?

Let them be only for your own, and not for strangers with you.

Let your fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

Let her be as the loving deer and graceful doe; let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and be ravished always with her love.

And why will you, my son, be infatuated with an immoral woman, and embrace the bosom of a seductress?

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with the cords of his sins.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will prey upon his precious life.

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

So is he that goes in to his neighbor's wife; whosoever touches her shall not be innocent.

A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

He will not regard any ransom; neither will he be appeased, though you give many gifts.

For she has cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be of an understanding heart.

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

Then I was by him, like a master workman: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

For by me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.

If you are wise, you shall be wise for yourself: but if you scoff, you alone shall bear it.

To call those who pass by who go right on their ways:

He that walks uprightly walks securely: but he that perverts his ways shall be known.

The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.

The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the perverse tongue shall be cut out.

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own lust.

A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Though they join hand to hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the descendants of the righteous shall be delivered.

The liberal soul shall be made rich: and he that waters shall be watered also himself.

He that withholds grain, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.

He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed on the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall escape from trouble.

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with trouble.

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be put to forced labor.

A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors feeds on violence.

The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Only by pride comes strife: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.

Whosoever despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored.

He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tent of the upright shall flourish.

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from above himself.

The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Commit your works unto the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.

Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though they join hand in hand, none shall be unpunished.

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.