Proverbs 16:17-17:17 (Vespers, 2nd Reading)
17 |
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. |
18 |
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. |
19 |
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. |
20 |
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. |
21 |
The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. |
22 |
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. |
23 |
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. |
24 |
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. |
25 |
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. |
26 |
The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. |
27 |
An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. |
28 |
A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. |
29 |
A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. |
30 |
He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil. |
31 |
The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. |
32 |
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. |
33 |
The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord. |
1 |
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. |
2 |
A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. |
3 |
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts. |
4 |
An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. |
5 |
He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. |
6 |
Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. |
7 |
Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. |
8 |
A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. |
9 |
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. |
10 |
Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. |
11 |
An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. |
12 |
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. |
13 |
Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. |
14 |
The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. |
15 |
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. |
16 |
Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? |
17 |
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. |