Chapter 26 _{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.16 Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.17 Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.18 For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor.19 As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again20 Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.21 As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.22 He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.23 When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.}