LESSONS

FROM THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON.

My son, hear the instruction of thy father ; and forsake not the law of thy mother.

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head; and chains about thy neck.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

If they say, come with us; let us lay wait for blood ; let us lurk privily for the innocent without

a cause.

Let us swallow them up alive, as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

We shall find all precious substance; we shall fill our houses with spoil :

Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one pursea

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely, in vain, the net is spread in the sight of

: And they lay wait for their own blood: they lurk privily for their own lives.

So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the lives of the owners. thereof.

any bird;

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the sinners delight in their sinning ? and fools hate knowledge ?

Turn you at my reproof : behold, I will make known

my words unto you; receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgement, and equity.

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding :

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up 'thy voice for understanding;

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hidden treasures :

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous ; he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. : Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgement, and equity; yea, every good path.

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction :

For whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth; even as a father, the son, in whom he delighteth.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom; and the man that getteth understanding.

F the merchandise of it is better than the mer. chandise of silver; and the gain thereof, than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies: and all'the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness; and-all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold

upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father ; and attend to know understanding.

For I give you good doctrine; forsake not my law.

For I was my father's son, tender; and only beloved of my mother.

He taught me also, and said unto me, let thine heart retain my words; keep my commandments; and live.

Get wisdom ; get understanding : forget it not ; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love her, and she shall keep thee..

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.

She shall give to thine head' an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Enter not, O my son, into the path of the wicked; and go not in the way of wicked men.

void it, pass not by it ; turn from it, and pass away.