The Man of Integrity

1Better is the poore that liueth godly, then he that abuseth his lippes, and is a foole.

2The desire without discretion is not good: but as a man whiche hasteth with his feete offendeth.

3The foolishnesse of man paruerteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lorde.

4Riches maketh many frendes: but the poore is separated from his neighbour.

5A false witnesse shall not be vnpunished: and he that speaketh lyes shall not escape.

6The multitude hangeth vpon great men: and euery man fauoureth hym that geueth rewardes.

7All the brethren of the poore do hate hym, yea his owne frendes withdrawe them selues from hym: and he that geueth credence to wordes, getteth nothing.

8He that is wise loueth his owne soule, and kepeth vnderstanding, that he may prosper.

9A false witnesse shall not be vnpunished: and he that speaketh lyes shall perishe.

10Pleasure is not seemely for a foole: muche lesse for a bondman to haue rule of princes.

11A wyse man can put of displeasure, and it is his honour to let some faultes passe.

12The kynges displeasure is lyke the roaryng of a Lion: but his fauour is lyke the deawe vpon the grasse.

13An vndiscrete sonne is the heauinesse of his father, and a brawlyng wyfe is like the toppe of an house wherthrough it is euer dropping.

14House and riches may a man haue by the heritage of his elders: but a discrete woman is the gyft of the Lorde.

15Slouthfulnesse bryngeth sleepe, and a soule accustomed with craft, shall suffer hunger.

16Who so kepeth the commaundement, kepeth his owne soule: but he that regardeth not his wayes, shall dye.

17He that hath pitie vpon the poore, lendeth vnto the Lord: and looke what he layeth out, it shalbe payde hym agayne.

18Chasten thy sonne whyle there is hope: and let not thy soule spare for his crying.

19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: and though thou once deliuer hym, thou must do it agayne.

20O geue eare vnto good counsayle, and be content to be refourmed, that thou mayest be wyse in the latter dayes.

21There are many deuises in a mans heart: neuerthelesse, the counsayle of the Lorde shall stande.

22It is a mans worship to do good: and a poore man is better then a lyer.

23The feare of the Lord bringeth a man to lyfe: and he shall rest the whole night in plenteousnesse without visitation of any plague.

24A slouthfull man shutteth his hande into his bosome, and wyll not take payne to put it to his mouth.

25If thou smytest a scornefull person, the ignoraunt shall take better heede: and if thou reprouest one that hath vnderstanding, he wyll be the wyser.

26He that hurteth his father, or shutteth out his mother, is a shamefull and an vnworthy sonne.

27My sonne heare no more the doctrine that leadeth thee vnto errours from the wordes of vnderstanding.

28A wicked witnesse mocketh iudgement: and the mouth of the vngodly deuoureth wickednesse.

29Iudgementes are ordeyned for the scornefull, and stripes for fooles backes.