Chapter 26 _{10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.13 The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.16 As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.19 My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.20 When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.21 So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.22 An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.23 A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.25 A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.26 A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.27 A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.28 There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.29 A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.}

Chapter 27 _{1 Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.2 As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.4 As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.5 The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.6 The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.7 Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.8 If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.9 The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.10 As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.11 The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.12 If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.13 The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.14 The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.15 The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.}