Chapter 20

There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.

²It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.

³How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.

⁴As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.

⁵There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.

⁶Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.

⁷A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.

⁸He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.

⁹There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.

¹⁰There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.

¹¹There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.

¹²There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.

¹³A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.

¹⁴The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.

¹⁵He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.

¹⁶The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.

¹⁷How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.

¹⁸To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

¹⁹An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.

²⁰A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.

²¹There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.

²²There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.

²³There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.

²⁴A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.

²⁵A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.

²⁶The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.

²⁷A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.

²⁸He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.

²⁹Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.

³⁰Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?

³¹Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.

³²Necessary patience in seeking ing the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.