Day 19 of 365

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

² Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

³ There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

⁴ Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

⁶ His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

⁸ The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

¹¹ Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

¹² Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

¹³ Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

¹ Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

² Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

³ The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

⁴ Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

⁵ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

⁶ Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

⁷ All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

⁸ He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

⁹ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

¹⁰ Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

¹¹ The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

¹² The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

¹³ A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

¹⁴ House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

¹⁵ Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

¹⁶ He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

¹⁷ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

¹⁸ Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

¹⁹ A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

²⁰ Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

²¹ There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

²² The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

²³ The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

²⁴ A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

²⁵ Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

²⁶ He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

²⁷ Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.