الإصحَاحُ
الْحَادِي عَشَرَ

Chapter 11

 

11:1
Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him to sit
among great men. 2 Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for
his outward appearance. 3 The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is
the chief of sweet things. 4 Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt
not thyself in the day of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and
his works among men are hidden. 5 Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and
one that was never thought of hath worn the crown. 6 Many mighty men have been
greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men’s hands. 7 Blame
not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke. 8
Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst
of their talk. 9 Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not
in judgment with sinners.

 

10
My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not
be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt
thou escape by fleeing. 11 There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and
maketh haste, and is so much the more behind. 12 Again, there is another that
is slow, and hath need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the
eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate,
13 And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw from him is peace
over all the

 

14
Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord.
15 Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love, and
the way of good works, are from him. 16 Error and darkness had their beginning
together with sinners: and evil shall wax old with them that glory therein. 17
The gift of the Lord remaineth with the ungodly, and his favour bringeth
prosperity for ever. 18 There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching,
and this his the portion of his reward: 19 Whereas he saith, I have found rest,
and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time
shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die. 20
Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy
work. 21 Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide
in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden
to make a poor man rich.

 

22
The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh
his blessing flourish. 23 Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what
good things shall I have hereafter? 24 Again, say not, I have enough, and
possess many things, and what evil shall I have hereafter? 25 In the day of
prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction
there is no more remembrance of prosperity. 26 For it is an easy thing unto the
Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways. 27 The
affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in his end his deeds
shall be discovered. 28 Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be
known in his children.

 

29
Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath many trains.
30 Like as a partridge taken and kept in a cage, so is the heart of the proud;
and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall: 31 For he lieth in wait, and
turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee.
32 Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth wait
for blood. 33 Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness; lest
he bring upon thee a perpetual blot. 34 Receive a stranger into thine house,
and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.