Rotherham - Proverbs

Chapter 1

1:1  The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, King of Israel:

1:2  For the knowledge of wisdom and correction, for discerning the sayings of intelligence;

1:3  For receiving the correction of prudence, righteousness and justice, and equity;

1:4  For giving To the simple shrewdness, To the young man, knowledge and discretion.

1:5  A wise man, will hear, and will increase learning, and a, discreet man, wise counsels, will acquire,

1:6  By gaining discernment of proverb, and satire, the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

1:7  The reverence of Yahweh, is the beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and correction, the foolish have despised.

1:8  Hear, my son, the correction of thy father, and do not reject the instruction of thy mother;

1:9  For, a wreath of beauty, shall they be to thy head, and chains of ornament, to thy neck.

1:10  My son, if sinners entice thee, do not consent.

1:11  If they say—Come with us,—Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us watch in secret for him who is needlessly innocent;

1:12  Let us engulf them, like hades, alive, While in health, like them who are going down to the pit;

1:13  All costly substance, shall we find, We shall fill our houses with spoil;

1:14  Thy lot, shalt thou cast into our midst, One purse, shall there be, for us all.

1:15  My son, do not walk in the way with them, Withhold thy foot from their path.

1:16  For, their feet, to mischief, do run, and haste to the shedding of blood.

1:17  Surely, in vain, is spread the net, in the sight of aught that hath wings!

1:18  Yet, they, for their own blood, lie in wait, They watch in secret for their own life.

1:19  Such are the ways of every one that graspeth with greed, The life of the owners thereof, it taketh away!

1:20  Wisdom, in the open place, soundeth forth, in the broadways, she raiseth her voice;

1:21  At the head of bustling streets, she crieth aloud,—at the openings of the gates in the city—her sayings, she doth utter:—

1:22  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and, scoffers, in scoffing, delight them? and, dullards, hate knowledge?

1:23  Will ye turn, at my reproof? Lo! I will pour out to you my spirit, I will make known my words to you.

1:24  Because I called, and ye refused, I stretched out my hand, and no one regarded;

1:25  But ye dismissed all my counsel, and, to my rebuke, would not yield,

1:26  I also, at your calamity, will laugh, I will mock, when cometh your dread;

1:27  When cometh as a crashing your dread, and, your calamity, as a storm-wind, overtaketh, when there come upon you, distress and anguish.

1:28  Then, will they call me, but I will not answer, they will seek me diligently, but shall not find me.

1:29  Because they hated knowledge, and, the reverence of Yahweh, did not choose;

1:30  Consented not to my counsel, disdained all my rebuke,

1:31  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and, with their own counsels, be filled.

1:32  For, the turning away of the simple, will slay them,—and, the carelessness of dullards, will destroy them.

1:33  Whereas, he that hearkeneth unto me, shall dwell safely, and be at rest, without dread of misfortune.

Chapter 2

2:1  My son, if thou wilt receive my sayings, and, my commandments, wilt treasure up by thee;

2:2  So that thou direct, unto wisdom, thine ear, bend thy heart, unto understanding;

2:3  Yea if, for understanding, thou cry aloud, for knowledge, utter thy voice;

2:4  If thou seek her as silver, and, like hid treasure, thou search for her,

2:5  Then, shalt thou understand the reverence of Yahweh, and, the knowledge of God, shalt thou find.

2:6  For, Yahweh, giveth wisdom, out of his mouth, knowledge and understanding;

2:7  Yea he treasureth, for the upright, safety, A shield [is he] to them who walk in integrity,

2:8  To him that observeth the paths of justice, yea, the way of his men of lovingkindness, he doth guard.

2:9  Then, shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, and equity—every noble course.

2:10  When wisdom entereth thy heart, and, knowledge, to thy soul, is sweet,

2:11  Discretion, shall watch over thee, understanding, shall preserve thee:—

2:12  To rescue thee from the way of the wrongful, from the man that speaketh perverse things;

2:13  From them who forsake the paths of rectitude, to walk in the ways of darkness;

2:14  Who rejoice to do wrong, exult in the perversities of the wrongful;

2:15  Whose paths, are twisted, and they are tortuous in their tracks:

2:16  To rescue thee, from the woman that is a stranger, from the female unknown, who with her speeches seduceth;

2:17  Who forsaketh the friend of her youth, and, the covenant of her God, hath forgotten;

2:18  For she hath appointed, unto death, her house, and unto the shades, her courses;

2:19  None who go in unto her, come back, neither attain they unto the paths of life:

2:20  To the end that thou walk in the way of good men, and, the paths of the righteous, that thou observe.

2:21  For, the upright, shall abide on the earth,—and, the men of integrity, shall remain therein;

2:22  But, the lawless, out of the earth, shall be cut off, and, traitors, shall they tear away therefrom.

Chapter 3

3:1  My son, mine instruction, do not thou forget, and, my commandment, let thy heart observe;

3:2  For, length of days and years of life, and blessedness, shall they add to thee.

3:3  Lovingkindness and faithfulness, let them not forsake thee,—bind them, upon thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart:

3:4  So find thou favour and good repute, in the eyes of God and man.

3:5  Trust thou in Yahweh, with all thy heart, and, unto thine own understanding, do not lean:

3:6  In all thy ways, acknowledge him, and, he, will make straight thy paths.

3:7  Do not become wise in thine own eyes, revere Yahweh, and avoid evil:

3:8  Healing, shall it be to thy body, and refreshing, to thy bones.

3:9  Honour thou Yahweh, with thy substance, and with the firstfruit of all thine increase;

3:10  So shall thy storehouses be filled with plenty, and, with new wine, shall thy vats overflow.

3:11  The, chastening of Yahweh, my son, do not reject, nor loathe his rebuke;

3:12  For, whom Yahweh loveth, he correcteth, he causeth pain to the son in whom he delighteth.

3:13  How happy the man who hath found wisdom, and the man who draweth forth understanding,

3:14  For better is her merchandise, than the merchandise of silver, yea, than gold, her increase;

3:15  More precious, is she, than corals, yea, none of thy delightful things, doth equal her:

3:16  Length of days, is in her right hand, in her left, are riches and honour;

3:17  Her ways, are ways of pleasantness, and, all her paths, are peace;

3:18  A tree of life, is she, to them who secure her,—and, they who hold her fast, are every one to be pronounced happy.

3:19  Yahweh, in wisdom, founded the earth, establishing the heavens with understanding;

3:20  By his knowledge, the resounding deeps were burst open, and, the skies, drop down dew.

3:21  My son, let them not depart from thine eyes, guard thou counsel, and purpose:

3:22  So shall they become life to thy soul, and an adorning to thy neck;

3:23  Then, shalt thou walk securely in thy way, and, thy foot, shall not stumble;

3:24  When thou sittest down, thou shalt have no dread, yea thou shalt lie down, and sweet shall be thy sleep.

3:25  Be not thou afraid of sudden dread, nor of the desolation of the lawless, when it cometh.

3:26  For, Yahweh, will be in all thy ways, and will keep thy foot from the snare.

3:27  Withhold not good from them who ask it, when it is in power of thy hand to do it:

3:28  Do not say to thy neighbour, Go and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee.

3:29  Devise not against thy neighbour an injury, seeing that, he, dwelleth securely by thee.

3:30  Contend not with a man without cause, if he hath dealt thee no wrong.

3:31  Do not thou envy the man of violence, neither choose thou any of his ways;

3:32  For, an abomination to Yahweh, is the tortuous man, but, with the upright, he is intimate.

3:33  The curse of Yahweh, is in the house of the lawless one, but, the home of the righteous, he blesseth.

3:34  Though at scoffers he scoffeth, yet, to the humbled, he granteth favour.

3:35  Honour, shall the wise inherit,—but, as for dullards, shame shall carry them away.

Chapter 4

4:1  Hear, ye sons, the correction of a father, and attend, that ye may know understanding.

4:2  For, good teaching, have I given you, mine instruction, do not ye forsake.

4:3  For, a son, became I to my father, tender and most precious in the sight of my mother.

4:4  So he taught me, and said to me—Let thy heart, lay hold of my words, Keep my commandments and live!

4:5  Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, Do not forget, neither decline thou from the sayings of my mouth.

4:6  Do not forsake her, and she will guard thee,—love her and she will keep thee.

4:7  The principal thing, is wisdom, acquire thou wisdom, With all thine acquisition, acquire thou understanding.

4:8  Exalt her, and she will set thee on high, she will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her:

4:9  She will give for thy head, a wreath of beauty, A crown of adorning, will she bestow upon thee.

4:10  Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and they will multiply to thee the years of life.

4:11  In the way of wisdom, have I taught thee, I have guided thee in tracks of uprightness.

4:12  When thou walkest, thy step shall not be hemmed in, and, if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

4:13  Take fast hold of correction, let her not go,—keep her, for, she, is thy life.

4:14  Upon the path of the lawless, do not thou enter, and do not advance in the way of the wicked:

4:15  Avoid it, do not pass thereon—turn from it, and depart.

4:16  For they sleep not, unless they can do mischief,—They rob themselves of their sleep, if they cannot cause someone to stumble,

4:17  For they consume bread gotten by lawlessness, and, wine obtained by violence, they drink.

4:18  But, the path of the righteous, is as the light of dawn,—going on and brightening, unto meridian day.

4:19  The way of the lawless, is like darkness, they know not, at what they stumble.

4:20  My son, to my words, attend, to my sayings, incline thou thine ear;

4:21  Let them not depart from thine eyes, keep them in the midst of thy heart;

4:22  For, life, they are, to them who find them,—and, to every part of one’s flesh, they bring healing.

4:23  Above all that must be guarded, keep thou thy heart, for, out of it, are the issues of life.

4:24  Remove from thee, perverseness of mouth, and, craftiness of lips, put far from thee.

4:25  Let, thine eyes, right onward, look,—and, thine eyelashes, point straight before thee.

4:26  Make level the track of thy foot, that, all thy ways, may be directed aright:

4:27  Decline not, to the right hand or to the left,—Turn away thy foot from wickedness.

Chapter 5

5:1  My son, to my wisdom, attend, and, to mine understanding, incline thou thine ear:

5:2  That thou mayest preserve discretion,—and, as for knowledge, that thy lips may guard it.

5:3  For, with sweet droppings, drip the lips of her that is a stranger, and, smoother than oil, is her mouth;

5:4  But, the latter end of her, is bitter as wormwood, sharp, as a two-edged sword!

5:5  Her feet, are going down to death,—on hades, will her steps take firm hold.

5:6  Lest, the path of life, she should ponder, her tracks have wandered she knoweth not [whither] .

5:7  Now, therefore, ye sons, hearken unto me, and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.

5:8  Keep far from her thy way, and do not go near the opening of her house:

5:9  Lest thou give, to other men, thy vigour, and thy years, to him that is cruel:

5:10  Lest strange men, be well fed, by thy strength, and, thy toils, be in the house of the alien.

5:11  So shalt thou grieve in thy latter end, in the failing of thy flesh and of thy healthy condition;

5:12  And thou shalt say—How I hated correction! and, reproof, my heart disdained;

5:13  Neither hearkened I to the voice of my teachers, nor, to my instructors, inclined I mine ear:

5:14  Soon was I in all evil, in the midst of convocation and assembly.

5:15  Drink thou water out of thine own cistern, and flowing streams out of the midst of thine own well.

5:16  Let not thy fountains, flow over, abroad, in the streets, dividings of waters:

5:17  Let them be for thyself, alone, and not for strangers with thee.

5:18  Let thy well-spring be blessed,—and get thy joy from the wife of thy youth:—

5:19  A loving hind! a graceful doe! let, her bosom, content thee at all times, and, in her love, mayst thou stray evermore.

5:20  Wherefore, then, shouldst thou stray, my son, with a strange woman? or embrace the bosom of a woman unknown?

5:21  For, before the eyes of Yahweh, are the ways of a man,—and, all his tracks, doth he consider:

5:22  His own iniquities, shall entrap him with the lawless, and, by the cords of his own sin, shall he be seized.

5:23  He, shall die, for lack of discipline, and, by the abounding of his perversity, shall he be lost.

Chapter 6

6:1  My son, if thou have become surety for thy neighbour,—have struck for a stranger thy hands,

6:2  Thou hast been snared by the sayings of thy mouth,—thou hast been caught by the sayings of thy mouth.

6:3  Do this then, my son, and deliver thyself, When thou hast come into the hand of thy neighbour, Go, haste thee, and urge thy neighbour;

6:4  Do not give sleep to thine eyes, or slumber to thine eyelashes;

6:5  Deliver thyself, as a gazelle out of the hand, and as a bird, out of the hand of the fowler.

6:6  Go to the ant, thou sluggard, observe her ways, and be wise;

6:7  Which, having no harvest, scribe, or ruler,

6:8  Prepareth, in the summer, her food, hath collected, in the harvest, her sustenance.

6:9  How long, O sluggard, wilt thou lie? how long ere thou rise from thy sleep?

6:10  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest:—

6:11  So shall come in, as a highwayman, thy poverty, and, thy want, as one armed with a shield.

6:12  An abandoned man, a man of iniquity, [is he] who—goeth on in perversity of mouth;

6:13  Winketh with his eyes, speaketh with his foot, pointeth with his fingers;

6:14  [Hath] perverse things in his heart, deviseth mischief on every occasion, strifes, he sendeth forth.

6:15  For this cause, suddenly cometh his doom, in a moment, shall he be torn in pieces and there be no mending.

6:16  These six things, doth Yahweh hate, yea, seven, are the abomination of his soul:—

6:17  Eyes that are lofty, a tongue that is false, and hands shedding innocent blood;

6:18  A heart contriving iniquitous devices, feet hasting to run into mischief;

6:19  One that uttereth lies—a false witness, and one sending forth strifes between brethren.

6:20  Observe thou, my son, the commandment of thy father, and do not decline from the instruction of thy mother:

6:21  Bind them upon thy heart continually, fasten them upon thy neck;

6:22  When thou walkest abroad, it shall guide thee, when thou sleepest, it shall watch over thee, when thou wakest, it shall speak to thee:

6:23  For, a lamp, is the commandment, and, the instruction, a light, and, the way of life, are the reproofs of correction:

6:24  To keep thee from the wicked woman, from the flattery of the tongue of her that is a stranger.

6:25  Do not covet her beauty, in thy heart, neither let her take thee, by her eyelashes;

6:26  Because, for the sake of an impure woman, [a man may be brought] even to a cake of bread,—and, a man’s wife, for a precious soul, may hunt!

6:27  Can a man snatch up fire in his bosom, and, his clothes, not be burned?

6:28  Or can a man walk upon hot coals, and, his feet, not be burned?

6:29  So, he that goeth in unto his neighbour’s wife, no man shall be guiltless who toucheth her!

6:30  Men despise not a thief, when he stealeth, to satisfy his appetite, because he is famished;

6:31  Yet, if found, he must pay back sevenfold, All the substance of his house, must he give:

6:32  He that committeth adultery with a woman, lacketh sense, A destroyer of his own life, is he that doeth it;

6:33  Smiting and shame, shall he find, and, his reproach, shall not be wiped out;

6:34  For, jealousy, is the rage of a man, nor will he spare, in the day of avenging;

6:35  He will not look, at any ransom, neither will he consent, though thou increase the bribe.

Chapter 7

7:1  My son, keep my sayings, and, my commandments, treasure by thee;

7:2  Keep my commandments and live, and mine instruction, as the pupil of thine eye;

7:3  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them, on the tablet of thy heart;

7:4  Say unto wisdom, My sister, thou! and, an acquaintance, call thou, understanding:

7:5  That thou mayest be kept, from the woman that is a stranger, from the female unknown, who, with her speeches, doth flatter.

7:6  For, in the window of my house, through my lattice, I looked out;

7:7  And saw among the simple ones, discerned among the youths, A young man lacking sense;

7:8  Passing through the street, near her corner, and, on the way to her house, he sauntered along;

7:9  In the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the midst of the night, and the gloom;

7:10  And lo! a woman, came to meet him, attired as one unchaste, of a wily heart.

7:11  Boisterous, is she, and rebellious, In her house, abide not her feet;

7:12  Now outside, now in the broadways, and, near every corner, she lieth in wait:

7:13  So she caught him, and kissed him, and, embolding her face, she said to him:

7:14  Peace-offerings, are by me, to-day, have I paid my vows;

7:15  For this cause, came I forth to meet thee, to seek diligently thy face, and I have found thee:

7:16  Coverlets, have I spread on my couch of pleasure, dark-hued stuffs, of the yarn of Egypt;

7:17  I have sprinkled my bed, with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon:

7:18  Come! let us take our fill of endearments, until morning, let us delight ourselves with caresses;

7:19  For the husband is not in his house, he hath gone on a journey afar;

7:20  A bag of silver, hath he taken in his hand, On the day of the full moon, will he enter his house.

7:21  She turneth him aside, with her great persuasiveness,—with the flattery of her lips, she compelleth him:

7:22  Going after her instantly, as an ox, to the slaughter, he entereth, and, as in fetters, unto the correction of a fool.

7:23  Until an arrow cleaveth his liver, as a bird hasteth into a snare, and knoweth not, that, for his life, it is!

7:24  Now, therefore, ye sons, hearken unto me, and attend, to the sayings of my mouth;

7:25  Let not thy heart, turn aside to her ways, Do not go astray, in her paths.

7:26  For, many, wounded, hath she caused to fall,—yea strong men, slain wholly by her:

7:27  Ways to hades, are in her house, descending into the chambers of death.

Chapter 8

8:1  Doth not, wisdom, cry aloud? and, understanding, send forth her voice?

8:2  At the top of the high places above the way, at the place where paths meet, she taketh her stand:

8:3  Beside the gates, at the entrance of the city,—at the going in of the openings, she shouteth:—

8:4  Unto you, O men, I call, and, my voice, is unto the sons of men;

8:5  Understand, ye simple ones, shrewdness, and, ye dullards understand sense;

8:6  Hear, for, princely things, will I speak, and the opening of my lips shall be of equity;

8:7  For, faithfulness, shall my mouth softly utter, but, the abomination of my lips, shall be lawlessness;

8:8  In righteousness, shall be all the sayings of my mouth, nothing therein, shall be crafty or perverse;

8:9  All of them, shall be plain, to them who would understand, and just, to such as would gain knowledge.

8:10  Receive my correction, and not silver, and knowledge, rather than choicest gold.

8:11  For better is wisdom, than ornaments of coral, and, no delightful things, can equal her.

8:12  I, wisdom, inhabit shrewdness,—and, the knowledge of sagacious things, I gain.

8:13  The reverence of Yahweh, is to hate wickedness: pride, arrogance, and the way of wickedness; And a mouth of perverse things, do I hate.

8:14  Mine, are counsel, and effective working, I, am understanding, mine, is valour:

8:15  By me, kings reign, and dignitaries decree righteousness;

8:16  By me, rulers govern, and nobles—all the righteous judges:

8:17  I love, them who love me, and, they who diligently seek me, find me:

8:18  Riches and honour, are with me, lordly wealth, and righteousness;

8:19  Better is my fruit, than gold—yea fine gold, and mine increase, than choice silver;

8:20  In the way of righteousness, I march along, in the middle of the paths of justice:

8:21  That I may cause them who love me to inherit substance, and, their treasuries, I may fill.

8:22  Yahweh, had constituted me the beginning of his way, before his works, at the commencement of that time;

8:23  At the outset of the ages, had I been established, in advance of the antiquities of the earth;

8:24  When there was no resounding deep, I had been brought forth, when there were no fountains, abounding with water;

8:25  Ere yet the mountains had been settled, before the hills, had I been brought forth;

8:26  Or ever he had made the land and the wastes, or the top of the dry parts of the world:

8:27  When he prepared the heavens, there, was I! When he decreed a vault upon the face of the resounding deep;

8:28  When he made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the resounding deep, waxed strong;

8:29  When he fixed for the sea its bound, that, the waters, should not go beyond his bidding, when he decreed the foundations of the earth:—

8:30  Then became I beside him, a firm and sure worker, then became I filled with delight, day by day, exulting before him on every occasion;

8:31  Exulting in the fruitful land of his earth, Yea, my fulness of delight, was with the sons of men.

8:32  Now, therefore, ye sons, hearken to me, for how happy are they who, to my ways, pay regard!

8:33  Hear ye correction, and be wise, and do not neglect.

8:34  How happy the man that doth hearken to me,—keeping guard at my doors, day by day, watching at the posts of my gates;

8:35  For, he that findeth me, findeth life, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh;

8:36  But, he that misseth me, wrongeth his own soul, all who hate me, love death.

Chapter 9

9:1  Wisdom, hath builded her house, hath hewn out her seven pillars;

9:2  hath slaughtered her beasts, hath mingled her wine, hath even set in order her table;

9:3  hath sent forth her maidens, She crieth aloud, upon the tops of the heights of the city:

9:4  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither, as for him that lacketh sense, she saith to him—

9:5  Come, feed on my food, and drink of the wine I have mingled;

9:6  Forsake the simple ones, and live, and advance in the way of understanding.

9:7  He that rebuketh a scoffer, getteth to himself contempt, and, he that reproveth a lawless man, [getteth to himself] his shame.

9:8  Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate thee, Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

9:9  Give to a wise man, and he will be wiser still, Inform a righteous man, and he will increase learning.

9:10  The beginning of wisdom, is the reverence of Yahweh, and, the knowledge of the Holy, is understanding;

9:11  For, by me, shall be multiplied—thy days, and there be added to thee—the years of life.

9:12  If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself, but, if thou scoff, alone, shalt thou bear it.

9:13  The woman Stupidity, is boisterous, so simple that she knoweth not what she would do;

9:14  So she sitteth at the entrance of her house, upon a seat, in the heights of the city;

9:15  To invite them who pass by the way, who are going straight on in their paths:

9:16  Whoso is simple, let him turn aside hither, and, as for him that lacketh sense, she saith to him:

9:17  Stolen waters, will be sweet,—and a secret meal, will be pleasant;

9:18  But he knoweth not, that the shades are there; In the depths of hades, are her guests.

Chapter 10

10:1  The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise son, maketh a glad father, but, a foolish son, is the grief of his mother.

10:2  The treasures of lawlessness, do not profit, but, righteousness, delivereth from death.

10:3  Yahweh, suffereth not to famish, the soul of the righteous, but, the desire of the lawless, he thrusteth away.

10:4  He becometh poor, who dealeth with a slack hand, but, the hand of the diligent, maketh rich.

10:5  He that gathereth in summer, is a prudent son, he that sleepeth long in harvest, is a son causing shame.

10:6  Blessings, are for the head of the righteous man, but, the mouth of the lawless, covereth up wrong.

10:7  The memory of the righteous, yieldeth blessing, but, the name of the lawless, dieth out.

10:8  The wise in heart, will accept commandments, but, he that is foolish with his lips, shall be thrust away.

10:9  He that walketh uprightly, may walk securely, but, he that maketh crooked his ways, shall be found out.

10:10  He that winketh with the eye, causeth sorrow, and, he that is foolish with his lips, shall be thrust aside.

10:11  A well-spring of life, is the mouth of the righteous, but, the mouth of the lawless, covereth wrong.

10:12  Hatred, stirreth up strifes, but, over all transgressions, love throweth a covering.

10:13  In the lips of the intelligent, is found wisdom, but, a rod, is for the back of him that lacketh sense.

10:14  Wise men, treasure up knowledge, but, the mouth of the foolish, is a terror near at hand.

10:15  The substance of the rich, is his strong city, the terror of the poor, is their poverty.

10:16  The labour of the righteous, [leadeth] to life, the increase of the lawless, to sin.

10:17  On the way to life, is he that heedeth correction, but, he that hateth reproof, is going astray.

10:18  He that concealeth hatred, hath false lips, and he that sendeth forth slander, the same, is a dullard.

10:19  In the multitude of words, there wanteth not transgression, but, he that restraineth his lips, sheweth prudence.

10:20  Choice silver, is the tongue of the righteous, but, the sense of the lawless, is very small.

10:21  The lips of the righteous, feed multitudes, but, the foolish, for lack of sense, shall die.

10:22  The blessing of Yahweh, itself maketh rich, and he addeth no grievance therewith.

10:23  It is, mere sport to a stupid man, to commit lewdness, but, wisdom, pertaineth to a man of understanding.

10:24  The dread of the lawless one, the same, shall overtake him, but, the desire of the righteous, shall he granted.

10:25  Like the passing away of a tempest, so the lawless one is not, but, the righteous, [hath] an age-abiding foundation.

10:26  As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so, is the sluggard, to them who send him.

10:27  The reverence of Yahweh, addeth days, but, the years of the lawless, shall be shortened.

10:28  The hope of the righteous, shall be gladness, but, the expectation of the lawless, shall vanish.

10:29  A refuge for the blameless, is the path of Yahweh, but, destruction, [awaiteth] the workers of iniquity.

10:30  The righteous, to times age-abiding, shall remain unshaken, but, the lawless, shall not inhabit the earth.

10:31  The mouth of the righteous, beareth the fruit of wisdom, but, a perverse tongue, shall be cut off.

10:32  The lips of the righteous, know what is pleasing, but, the mouth of the lawless, [speaketh] perversities.

Chapter 11

11:1  A deceptive balance, is an abomination to Yahweh, but, a full weight, is his delight.

11:2  When pride cometh, then cometh contempt, but, with the modest, is wisdom.

11:3  The integrity of the upright, shall guide them, but, the crookedness of the treacherous, shall be their ruin.

11:4  Wealth, shall not profit, in the day of wrath, but, righteousness, shall deliver from death.

11:5  The righteousness of the blameless, shall smooth his way, but, by his own lawlessness, shall the lawless one, fall.

11:6  The righteousness of the upright, shall deliver them, but, by their own craving, shall the treacherous be captured.

11:7  When the lawless man dieth, his expectation, perisheth, and, the hope of strong men, hath vanished.

11:8  The righteous man, out of distress, is delivered, then cometh a lawless man into his place.

11:9  With the mouth, a profane man destroyeth his neighbour, but, through knowledge, shall righteous men be delivered.

11:10  When it is, well with the righteous, the city, exulteth, When the lawless perish, there is a shout of triumph.

11:11  When the upright are blessed, exalted is the city, but, by the mouth of the lawless, it is overthrown.

11:12  He that sheweth contempt for his neighbour, lacketh sense, but, a man of understanding, observeth silence.

11:13  He that goeth about talebearing, revealeth a secret, but, he that is faithful in spirit, concealeth a matter.

11:14  With no guidance, a people will fall, but, safety, lieth in the greatness of the counsellor.

11:15  He that becometh surety for a stranger, goeth to utter ruin, but, he that hateth striking hands, is secure.

11:16  A gracious wife, obtaineth honour, but, the diligent, shall obtain wealth.

11:17  The man of lovingkindness, dealeth well with his own soul, but the cruel man, troubleth his own flesh.

11:18  The lawless man, earneth the wages of falsehood, but, he that soweth righteousness, hath the reward of fidelity.

11:19  A righteous son, [turneth] to life, but, he that pursueth wickedness, to his own death.

11:20  The abomination of Yahweh, are they of perverse heart, but, his delight, are the men of blameless life.

11:21  Hand to hand, the wicked man shall not be held innocent, but, the seed of the righteous, hath been delivered.

11:22  As a ring of gold in the snout of a swine, is a woman of beauty who hath abandoned discretion.

11:23  The desire of the righteous, is only good, the expectation of the lawless, is wrath.

11:24  There is who scattereth, and increaseth yet more, and who withholdeth of what is due, only to come to want.

11:25  The liberal soul, shall be enriched, and, he that refresheth, shall himself also be refreshed.

11:26  He that keepeth back corn, the populace will curse him, but there is, a blessing, for the head of him that selleth.

11:27  He that diligently seeketh good, aimeth at favour, but, he that studieth mischief, it shall come on himself.

11:28  He that trusteth in his riches, the same, shall fall, but, like the leaf, shall the righteous break forth.

11:29  He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the wind, but, a servant, shall the foolish be, to the wise in heart.

11:30  The fruit of the righteous, is a tree of life, and, he that rescueth souls, is wise.

11:31  Lo! the righteous, in the earth shall be recompensed, how much more the lawless and the sinner.

Chapter 12

12:1  He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge, but, he that hateth reproof, is brutish.

12:2  A good man, obtaineth favour from Yahweh, but, a man of wicked devices, will he condemn.

12:3  A son of earth, shall not be established, by lawlessness, but, the root of the righteous, shall not be disturbed.

12:4  A virtuous woman, is the crown of her husband, but, a veritable decay in his bones, is she that causeth shame.

12:5  The plans of the righteous, are just, but, the counsels of the lawless, are deceitful.

12:6  The words of the lawless, are—of lying in wait for blood, but, the mouth of the upright, shall deliver them.

12:7  Overthrown are the lawless and they are not, but, the house of the righteous, shall stand.

12:8  In proportion to his prudence, is a man, to be praised, but, the perverse in heart, shall be an object of contempt.

12:9  Better slighted, and have a servant, than to honour oneself, and come short of bread.

12:10  A righteous man, regardeth the desire of his beast, but, the compassions of the lawless, are cruel.

12:11  He that tilleth his land, shall be filled with food, but, he that runneth after worthless men, lacketh sense.

12:12  A lawless man craveth the prey of the wicked, but, the root of the righteous, is enduring.

12:13  By the transgression of the lips, is the wicked man, ensnared, but the righteous, cometh out of distress.

12:14  Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall he be satisfied with good, and, the dealing of the hands of a son of earth, shall be paid back to him.

12:15  The way of the foolish, is right in his own eyes, but, he that hearkeneth to counsel, is wise.

12:16  A foolish man, on the [same] day, letteth his vexation be known, but, he that concealeth an affront, is prudent.

12:17  He that whispereth faithfulness, declareth righteousness, but, a false witness, is a fraud.

12:18  There is who babbleth, as with thrusts of a sword, but, the tongue of the wise, hath healing.

12:19  A lip that is faithful, shall be firm to futurity, but, only for a twinkling, is the tongue that is false.

12:20  Deceit, is in the heart of contrivers of mischief, but, to the counsellors of peace, shall be joy.

12:21  Unseemly to the righteous, is any trouble, but, the lawless, are full of misfortune.

12:22  An abomination to Yahweh, are lips that are false, but, he that dealeth faithfully, is his delight.

12:23  A prudent man, concealeth knowledge, but, the heart of dullards, proclaimeth folly.

12:24  The hand of the diligent, shall bear rule, but, the indolent, shall come under tribute.

12:25  When anxiety is in the heart of a man, one may bow him down, but, a good word, maketh him glad.

12:26  The righteous man guideth his neighbour, but, the way of the lawless, leadeth them astray.

12:27  Indolence, roasteth not, his own game, but, the substance of a man, is precious, when he is diligent.

12:28  In the way of righteousness, is life, and, in the path thereof, immortality,

Chapter 13

13:1  A wise son, [cometh of] a father’s correction, but, a scoffer, heareth not a rebuke.

13:2  Of the fruit of his mouth, shall a man eat what is good, but, the soul of the treacherous, [shall be sated with] violence.

13:3  He that watcheth his mouth, guardeth his soul, He that openeth wide his lips, [it shall be] his ruin.

13:4  The sluggard, desireth, but his soul hath, nothing. But, the soul of the diligent, shall be enriched.

13:5  A word of falsehood, the righteous man, hateth, but, the lawless, causeth shame and disgrace.

13:6  Righteousness, guardeth the man of blameless way, but, lawlessness, overthroweth the sinner.

13:7  There is who feigneth himself rich, yet hath nothing at all, who pleadeth poverty, yet hath great substance.

13:8  The ransom of a man’s life, is his wealth, but, the poor, heareth not rebuke.

13:9  The light of the righteous, rejoiceth, but, the lamp of the lawless, goeth out.

13:10  Only by pride, doth one cause contention, but, with the well-advised, is wisdom.

13:11  Wealth gotten by greed, diminisheth, but, he that gathereth by little, increaseth.

13:12  Hope deferred, sickeneth the heart,—but, a tree of life, is desire fulfilled.

13:13  He that despiseth a matter, shall get pledged thereto, but, he that revereth a commandment, the same shall be recompensed.

13:14  the instruction of the wise, is a well-spring of life, by departing from the snares of death.

13:15  Sound discretion, yieldeth favour, but, the way of the treacherous, is rugged.

13:16  Every prudent man, maketh use of knowledge, but, a dullard, spreadeth folly.

13:17  A lawless messenger, falleth into mischief, but, a faithful herald, bringeth healing.

13:18  Poverty and contempt, are for him that neglecteth correction, but, he that regardeth reproof, shall be honoured.

13:19  A desire fulfilled, is sweet to the soul, but it is, an abomination to the lawless, to depart from evil.

13:20  He that walketh with the wise, becometh wise, but, the friend of dullards, becometh foolish.

13:21  Evil pursueth, sinners, but, unto the righteous, shall good be recompensed.

13:22  A good man, leaveth an inheritance to children’s children, but, laid up for the righteous, is the wealth of the sinner.

13:23  Much food, is in the fallow ground of the poor, but there is that is swept away, for want of justice.

13:24  He that withholdeth his rod, hateth his son,—but, he that loveth him, carefully correcteth him.

13:25  The righteous, eateth to satisfy his appetite, but, the belly of the lawless, shall want.

Chapter 14

14:1  Every, wise woman, buildeth up her house, but, a foolish one, with her own hands, would break it down.

14:2  He that walketh in his uprightness, is one who revereth Yahweh, but, he that is crooked in his way, is one who despiseth him.

14:3  In the mouth of the foolish, is a haughty rod, but, as for the lips of the wise, thou shalt give heed to them!

14:4  Without cattle, the crib is clean, but, much increase, is in the strength of the ox.

14:5  A faithful witness, will not deceive, but a false witness, uttereth deceitful things.

14:6  A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and there is none, but, knowledge, to the discerning, is easy.

14:7  Get thee from the presence of a man that is a dullard, when thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.

14:8  The wisdom of the prudent, is to understand his way, but, the folly of dullards, is a fraud.

14:9  the foolish, scoff at guilt, but, between the upright, is good pleasure.

14:10  The heart, knoweth its own bitterness, and, in its joy, no stranger shareth.

14:11  The house of the lawless, shall be destroyed, but, the tent of the upright, shall flourish.

14:12  There is a way that enticeth a man, but, at the latter end thereof, are the ways of death!

14:13  Even, in laughter, the heart may be in pain, and, the latter end of gladness, be grief.

14:14  With his own ways, shall be filled the backslider in heart, and, from himself, shall a good man [be satisfied] .

14:15  The simple, believeth every word, but, the prudent, looketh well to his going.

14:16  A wise man, feareth, and avoideth evil, but, a dullard, is haughty and confident.

14:17  The impatient, worketh folly, and, a man of wicked devices, is hated.

14:18  The simple inherit folly, but, the shrewd, crowneth himself with knowledge.

14:19  Abased are the wicked, before the good, and, the lawless, at the gates of the righteous.

14:20  Even by his neighbour, is a poor man hated, but, the lovers of the rich man, are many.

14:21  He that sheweth contempt for his neighbour, sinneth, but, he that sheweth favour to the afflicted, how happy is he!

14:22  Shall they not, become vagrants, who devise evil? but, lovingkindness and faithfulness, [be to] them who devise good.

14:23  By all labour, there will be abundance, but, the talk of the lips, tendeth only to want.

14:24  the crown of the wise, is their wealth, but, the folly of dullards, is, folly.

14:25  A deliverer of souls, is a faithful witness, but, he that uttereth falsehoods, is a fraud.

14:26  In the reverence of Yahweh, is strong security, and, his children, shall have a place of refuge.

14:27  The reverence of Yahweh, is a well-spring of life, that a man may avoid the snares of death.

14:28  In the multitude of a people, is the majesty of the king, but, in the ceasing of population, is the ruin of the prince.

14:29  One slow to anger, hath great understanding, but, the hasty in spirit, exalteth folly.

14:30  The life of the whole body, is a tranquil mind, but, a decay of the bones, is jealousy.

14:31  The oppressor of the poor, hath reproached his Maker, but he that sheweth favour to the needy, is one who, holdeth Him in honour.

14:32  By his own wickedness, shall the lawless man, be thrust down, but the righteous, seeketh refuge in his integrity.

14:33  In the heart of the intelligent, reposeth wisdom, but, in the midst of dullards, it maketh itself known.

14:34  Righteousness, exalteth a nation, but, a reproach to any people, is sin.

14:35  The good-pleasure of a king, is due to a servant who is discreet, but, his indignation, shall be against him that bringeth shame.

Chapter 15

15:1  A soft answer, turneth away wrath, but a cutting word raiseth anger.

15:2  The tongue of the wise, adorneth knowledge,—but, the mouth of dullards, belcheth out folly.

15:3  In every place, are the eyes of Yahweh, observing the evil and the good.

15:4  Gentleness of the tongue, is a tree of life, but, crookedness therein, a grievous wound in the spirit.

15:5  A foolish [son], spurneth the correction of his father, but, he that heedeth a reproof, sheweth prudence.

15:6  The household of the righteous man, is a great treasure, but, in the increase of the lawless, is disturbance.

15:7  The lips of the wise, scatter abroad knowledge, but, the heart of dullards, is not right.

15:8  The sacrifice of lawless men, is an abomination to Yahweh, but, the prayer of the upright, is his delight.

15:9  An abomination to Yahweh, is the way of the lawless, but, the pursuer of righteousness, he loveth.

15:10  There is, grievous correction, for him that forsaketh the right path, He that hateth rebuke, shall die.

15:11  Hades and destruction, are before Yahweh, how much more then, the hearts of the sons of men.

15:12  A scoffer, loveth not, one who reproveth him, unto the wise, doth he not go.

15:13  A joyful heart, maketh a pleasing countenance,—but, in sorrow of heart, is a stricken spirit.

15:14  The heart of the intelligent, seeketh knowledge, but, the mouth of dullards, feedeth on folly.

15:15  All the days of the afflicted, are sorrowful, but, a cheerful heart, is a continual banquet.

15:16  Better is a little, with the reverence of Yahweh, than great treasure, and disquietude therewith.

15:17  Better is an allowance of herbs, and love, there, than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith.

15:18  A wrathful man, stirreth up strife, but, he that is slow to anger, calmeth contention.

15:19  The way of the sluggard, is like a thorn hedge, but, the path of the upright, is a raised road.

15:20  A wise son, maketh a glad father,—but, a dullard, despiseth his own mother.

15:21  Folly, is joy to him that lacketh sense,—but, a man of understanding, taketh a straight course.

15:22  Plans, are frustrated, for lack of consultation, but, by the multitude of counsellors, shall counsel, be established.

15:23  A man hath joy, in the answer of his own mouth, and, a word in its season,—how good!

15:24  The way of life, is upwards to the prudent, that he may depart from hades beneath.

15:25  The house of proud men, will Yahweh tear down, but he will maintain the boundary of the widow.

15:26  An abomination to Yahweh, are the plottings of the wicked, but, with the pure, are sayings of sweetness.

15:27  He, troubleth his own house, who graspeth with greed, but, he that hateth gifts, shall live.

15:28  The heart of the righteous, studieth to answer, but, the mouth of the lawless, belcheth out mischiefs.

15:29  Far off is Yahweh, from the lawless, but, the prayer of the righteous, will he hear.

15:30  The sparkling of bright eyes, rejoiceth the heart, Good news, giveth marrow to the bones.

15:31  The ear that heareth the reproof which giveth life, in the midst of the wise, shall remain.

15:32  He that declineth correction, despiseth his own soul, but, he that heareth reproof, gaineth sense.

15:33  The reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility.

Chapter 16

16:1  To man, belong the preparations of the heart, but, from Yahweh, cometh the answer of the tongue.

16:2  All the ways of a man, [may be] pure in his own eyes, but, he that testeth spirits, is Yahweh.

16:3  Roll, upon Yahweh, thy doings, that thy plans, may be established.

16:4  Everything, hath Yahweh made for its own purpose, yea, even the lawless one, for the day of calamity.

16:5  An abomination to Yahweh, is every one who is haughty in heart, hand to hand, he shall not be held innocent.

16:6  By lovingkindness and fidelity, shall iniquity be covered, and, in the revering of Yahweh, is a turning away from wrong.

16:7  When, acceptable to Yahweh, are the ways of a man, even his enemies, doth he cause to make peace with him.

16:8  Better a little with righteousness, than large revenues, without justice.

16:9  A man’s heart, deviseth his way, but, Yahweh, directeth his steps.

16:10  An oracle, is on the lips of a king, in giving sentence, his mouth must not be unfaithful.

16:11  The balance and scales of justice, belong to Yahweh, and, his handiwork, are all the weights of the bag.

16:12  The abomination of kings, is to work lawlessness, for, by righteousness, is established a throne.

16:13  The delight of kings, are lips of righteousness,—and, the words of uprightness, he loveth.

16:14  The wrath of a king, [meaneth] messengers of death, but, a man who is wise, will appease it.

16:15  In the light of a king’s countenance, is life, and, his good-pleasure, is like the cloud of harvest-rain.

16:16  To acquire wisdom, how much better than gold! and, to get hold of understanding, more choice than silver!

16:17  The highway of the upright, is to avoid evil, He preserveth his soul, who guardeth his way.

16:18  Before grievous injury, pride! and, before a fall, haughtiness of spirit!

16:19  Better is lowliness of spirit, with the patient, than a portion of spoil, with the proud.

16:20  He that showeth discretion concerning a matter, shall find good, and, he that trusteth in Yahweh, how happy is he!

16:21  The wise in heart, shall be called intelligent, and, sweetness of lips, increaseth persuasiveness.

16:22  A well-spring of life, is discretion to its owner, but, the correction of the foolish, is folly.

16:23  The heart of the wise, giveth discretion to his mouth, and, upon his lips, increaseth persuasiveness.

16:24  A comb of honey, are pleasant words, sweet to the taste and healing to the bone.

16:25  There is a way that enticeth a man, but, at the latter end thereof, are the ways of death.

16:26  The appetite of the toiler, hath toiled for him, for his mouth, hath urged him on.

16:27  An abandoned man, diggeth up mischief,—and, upon his lips, as it were a fire is scorching.

16:28  A perverse man, sendeth forth strife, and, a tattler, separateth intimate friends.

16:29  A ruthless man, enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way, not good.

16:30  Closing his eyes, to devise perverse things, biting his lips, he hath plotted mischief.

16:31  A crown of adorning, is a hoary head, in the way of righteousness, it should be found.

16:32  Better he that is slow to anger, than a hero, and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that captureth a city.

16:33  Into the lap, is cast the lot, but, from Yahweh, is its every decision.

Chapter 17

17:1  Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.

17:2  A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.

17:3  Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.

17:4  Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip,—Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.

17:5  He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.

17:6  The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.

17:7  Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.

17:8  A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.

17:9  He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.

17:10  A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!

17:11  Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.

17:12  Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!

17:13  He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

17:14  A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.

17:15  He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.

17:16  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.

17:17  At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.

17:18  A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.

17:19  A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.

17:20  The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.

17:21  He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.

17:22  A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure,—but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.

17:23  A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.

17:24  Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.

17:25  A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.

17:26  Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.

17:27  Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.

17:28  Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise,—He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.

Chapter 18

18:1  A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.

18:2  A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.

18:3  When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.

18:4  Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth,—a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.

18:5  To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.

18:6  the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.

18:7  The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.

18:8  the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.

18:9  Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.

18:10  A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.

18:11  The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.

18:12  Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.

18:13  He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.

18:14  The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?

18:15  the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.

18:16  The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.

18:17  Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.

18:18  The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.

18:19  A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city,—and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.

18:20  Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.

18:21  Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.

18:22  Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.

18:23  Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.

18:24  A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.

Chapter 19

19:1  Better is a poor man, walking in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, and, he, a dullard.

19:2  Surely, for the soul to be, without knowledge, is not good, and, he that hasteth with his feet, strayeth.

19:3  The folly of a man, subverteth his way, and, against Yahweh, his heart is angry.

19:4  Wealth, addeth many friends, but, the poor man, from his own friend, is parted.

19:5  A false witness, shall not be held innocent, and, he that uttereth lies, shall not escape.

19:6  Many, will entreat the favour of a noble, and, every one, is a friend to a man abounding in gifts.

19:7  All the brethren of a poor man, hate him, how much more have, his friends, gone far from him, he may hunt up promises—there are none.

19:8  He that acquireth sense, loveth his own soul, he that guardeth understanding, shall find blessing.

19:9  A false witness, shall not be held innocent, and, he that uttereth lies, shall perish.

19:10  Unseemly for a dullard, is delicate living, how much more for, a servant, to bear rule over princes.

19:11  The discretion of a man, deferreth his anger, and, his adorning, is to pass over transgression.

19:12  The growl as of a young lion, is the rage of a king, but, like dew upon the grass, is his good pleasure.

19:13  Engulfing ruin to his father, is a son that is a dullard,—and, a continuous dripping, are the contentions of a wife.

19:14  House and substance, are an inheritance from one’s fathers, but, from Yahweh, cometh a wife who is prudent.

19:15  Sloth, falleth into a deep sleep, and, a soul that is indolent, shall famish.

19:16  One who guardeth the commandment, guardeth his life, he that is reckless in his ways, shall die.

19:17  A lender to Yahweh, is one who sheweth favour to the poor, and, his good deed, He will pay him back.

19:18  Correct thy son, because there is hope, yet, not so as to slay him, let thy passion be excited.

19:19  A man in a rage, taketh away the penalty,—nevertheless, if thou let him go free, the more [stripes] must thou add.

19:20  Hear counsel, receive correction, that thou mayest be wise in thine after-life.

19:21  Many are the devices in a man’s heart, but, the counsel of Yahweh, that, shall stand.

19:22  The charm of a man, is his lovingkindness,—and better a poor man, than one who deceiveth.

19:23  The reverence of Yahweh, leadeth to life, satisfied then, let a man remain—let him not be visited by calamity.

19:24  A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, even unto his own mouth, will he not bring it back.

19:25  The scoffer, thou shalt smite, and, the simple, will beware, but correct a man of intelligence—he will understand teaching.

19:26  He that ruineth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son causing shame and reproach.

19:27  Cease, my son, to hear instruction that would cause thee to wander from the sayings of knowledge.

19:28  An abandoned witness, scorneth justice, and, the mouth of lawless men, swalloweth iniquity.

19:29  Prepared for scoffers, are punishments, and stripes, for the back of dullards.

Chapter 20

20:1  Wine is, a scoffer, and strong drink, a brawler, every one therefore who erreth therein, is unwise.

20:2  The growl as of a young lion, is the dread inspired by a king, he that provoketh him, endangereth his own life.

20:3  Honour, hath the man who sitteth away from strife, but, any fool, may break through.

20:4  By reason of the autumn, a sluggard will not plough, therefore shall he beg in harvest, and there be nothing.

20:5  Deep water, is counsel in a man’s heart, but, a man of understanding, will draw it out.

20:6  A kind man one may call, a great man,—but, a faithful man, who can find?

20:7  As for a righteous man, walking in his integrity, how happy are his children after him!

20:8  A king sitting on the throne of judgment, scattereth, with his eyes, all wrong.

20:9  Who can say, I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?

20:10  Divers weights, and divers measures, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.

20:11  Even, by his doings, doth a youth make himself known, whether, pure and upright, be his work.

20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh hath made them, both.

20:13  Do not love sleep, lest thou come to poverty, open thine eyes, be satisfied with bread.

20:14  Bad! bad! saith the buyer, but, going his way, then, he boasteth.

20:15  There are gold, and an abundance of corals, but, precious jewels, are the lips of knowledge.

20:16  Take his garment who is pledge for a stranger,—then, for a woman unknown, accept him as surety.

20:17  Sweet to a man, may be the bread of falsehood, but, afterward, shall his mouth be filled with gravel.

20:18  Plans—by counsel, shalt thou establish, and, with concerted measures, make thou war.

20:19  A revealer of secrets, is one who goeth about talebearing, therefore, with him who openeth his lips, shalt thou not have fellowship.

20:20  Whoso revileth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in deep darkness.

20:21  An inheritance hastily gotten at the beginning, the latter end thereof, shall not bring blessing.

20:22  Do not say, I will requite wrong! Wait thou for Yahweh that he may save thee.

20:23  An abomination to Yahweh, are divers weights, and, deceptive balances, are not good.

20:24  From Yahweh, are a man’s steps, a son of earth, then—how can he discern his way?

20:25  It is a snare to a man, that he should rashly cry Holy! and, after making vows, to reflect!

20:26  A wise king, winnoweth out the lawless, when he hath turned over them the wheel.

20:27  The lamp of Yahweh, is the spirit of a son of earth, searching all the chambers of the inner man.

20:28  Lovingkindness and faithfulness, will guard a king,—therefore should he support, with lovingkindness, his throne.

20:29  The beauty of young men, is their strength, and, the ornament of old men, a hoary head.

20:30  Blows that cut in, cleanse away wickedness, and, smitings, [enter] the chambers of the inner man.

Chapter 21

21:1  [Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh,—whithersoever he will, he turneth it.

21:2  Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.

21:3  To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.

21:4  Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.

21:5  The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.

21:6  The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,

21:7  The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away,—because they have refused to do justice.

21:8  Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.

21:9  Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.

21:10  The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.

21:11  When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

21:12  The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless,—He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.

21:13  He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.

21:14  A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.

21:15  It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.

21:16  The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.

21:17  A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.

21:18  A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.

21:19  Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.

21:20  Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.

21:21  He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.

21:22  A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

21:23  He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.

21:24  A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.

21:25  The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.

21:26  All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.

21:27  The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!

21:28  A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.

21:29  A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.

21:30  There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.

21:31  The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.

Chapter 22

22:1  More choice, is a name, than great riches, beyond silver and gold, is pleasant grace.

22:2  The rich and the poor, meet together, the maker of them all, is Yahweh.

22:3  A prudent man, seeth calamity, and hideth himself, but, the simple, pass on, and suffer.

22:4  The reward of humility, is the reverence of Yahweh, riches, and honour, and life.

22:5  Thorns and snares, are in the way of the perverse,—he that guardeth his soul, shall be far from them.

22:6  Train up a youth, in the direction of his duty, even when he becometh old, he will not depart from it.

22:7  The rich, over the poor, beareth rule,—and, slave, is the borrower to the lender.

22:8  He that soweth perversity, shall reap trouble, and, the rod of his wrath, shall be ready.

22:9  A benevolent eye, the same, shall be blessed,—because he hath given of his bread to the poor.

22:10  Drive away the scoffer, that strife may depart, and quarrel, and contempt may cease.

22:11  Yahweh loveth the pure in heart, gracious are his lips, his friend is the king!

22:12  The eyes of Yahweh, watch over knowledge, therefore hath he overturned the words of the treacherous.

22:13  Saith the sluggard, A lion outside! Amidst the broadways, shall I be slain.

22:14  A deep chasm, is the mouth of strange women, he with whom Yahweh is indignant, falleth there.

22:15  Foolishness, is bound up in the heart of a youth, the rod of correction, shall drive it far from him.

22:16  He that oppresseth the poor, to make increase for himself, giving to the rich, shall surely come to want.

22:17  Incline thine ear and hear the words of wise men, then, thy heart, wilt thou apply to my teaching;

22:18  For sweet shall they be, when thou shalt keep them in thine inmost mind, they shall fit well together, upon thy lips.

22:19  That in Yahweh may be thy trust, I have made them known to thee to-day, even to thee.

22:20  Have I not written for thee noble things, with counsels and knowledge:

22:21  To cause thee to know the meaning of faithful sayings, that thou mayest give back faithful sayings to them who ask thee.

22:22  Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, neither crush thou the oppressed in the gate;

22:23  For, Yahweh, will plead their cause, and will despoil their despoilers of life.

22:24  Do not have friendship with one given to anger, and, with a wrathful man, shall thou not enter in:

22:25  Lest thou learn his ways, and take a snare to thy soul.

22:26  Be not of them who strike hands, of them who are sureties for debts:

22:27  If thou hast nothing to pay, why should one take away thy bed from under thee?

22:28  Do not move back the ancient boundary, which thy father’s made.

22:29  Seest thou a man prompt in his business? before kings, shall he stand, he shall not stand before men who are obscure.

Chapter 23

23:1  When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, thou shalt consider well, what is before thee;

23:2  And shalt put a knife to thy throat, if, of great appetite, thou art:

23:3  Do not crave his dainties, for, the same, are deceitful food.

23:4  Do not toil to get wealth, of thine own understanding, forbear:

23:5  Wilt thou let thine eye fly thereupon, when it is nothing? for it will, surely make, itself wings, Like an eagle, will it wing its way across the heavens.

23:6  Do not eat the food of him that hath a begrudging eye, neither crave thou his dainties;

23:7  For, just as he hath thought in his own mind, so, he is: Eat and drink! he may say to thee, but, his heart, is not with thee.

23:8  As for thy morsel thou hast eaten, thou shalt vomit it, so shalt thou waste thy things so sweet.

23:9  In the ears of a dullard, do not speak, for he will despise the good sense of thy words.

23:10  Do not move back the ancient boundary, and, into the fields of the fatherless, do not enter;

23:11  For, their near of kin, is strong, he, will plead their cause with thee.

23:12  Bring, to correction, thy heart, and thine ears, to the sayings of knowledge.

23:13  Do not withhold, from a child, correction, When thou smitest him with the rod, he shall not die:

23:14  Thou, with the rod, shalt smite him, and, his soul from hades, shalt thou deliver.

23:15  My son! if thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

23:16  So shall my reins exult, when thy lips speak the things that are right.

23:17  Let not thy heart be envious of sinners, only of the reverence of Yahweh, all day long;

23:18  For surely there is a future, and, thine expectation, shall not be cut off.

23:19  Hear, thou, my son, and be wise, and lead forward, in duty, thy heart.

23:20  Do not be among them who tipple with wine,—among them who are gluttons;

23:21  For, the tippler and the glutton, shall come to poverty, and, rags, shall Slumber put on!

23:22  Hearken to thy father here, who begat thee, and despise not, when she is old, thy mother.

23:23  Truth, buy thou, but do not sell, wisdom, and correction, and understanding.

23:24  Greatly shall exult, the father of a righteous man, and, he that begetteth a wise son, shall rejoice in him:

23:25  Rejoice shall thy father and thy mother, yea she, shall exult, who bare thee.

23:26  Oh give, my son, thy mind unto me, and let, thine eyes, observe, my ways;

23:27  For, a deep chasm, is the unchaste woman, and, a narrow pit, the female unknown;

23:28  Yea, she, as for prey, lieth in wait, and, the treacherous among mankind, she causeth to abound.

23:29  Who hath woe? Who hath outcry of pain? Who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? Who hath needless wounds? Who hath dullness of eyes?

23:30  They who tarry over wine, they who go in to search for mixed wine.

23:31  Do not look on wine when it becometh red, when it giveth in the cup its sparkle, glideth down smoothly.

23:32  Its after effect, is that, like a serpent, it biteth, and, like a viper, it doth sting.

23:33  Thine eyes, will see strange women, and, thy heart, will speak perverse things:

23:34  So shalt thou become, as one lying down in the heart of the sea,—or as one lying down on the top of the mastgear:

23:35  They smote me—I felt no pain, They struck me down—I noticed it not,—When shall I wake up? I will go on, I will seek it, again!

Chapter 24

24:1  Be not thou envious of wicked men, neither crave to be with them;

24:2  For, violence, their heart muttereth, and, mischief, their lips do speak.

24:3  In wisdom, is a house builded, and, in understanding, is it established;

24:4  And, in knowledge, chambers are filled, with all acquisitions, costly and fair.

24:5  A wise man, is mighty, and, a man of knowledge, becometh alert in vigour.

24:6  Surely, with concerted measures, shalt thou make for thyself war, and, success, lieth in the greatness of the counsellor.

24:7  Unattainable to a foolish man, are the dictates of wisdom, in the gate, he openeth not his mouth.

24:8  He that deviseth to do mischief, him, shall men call, a master of plots.

24:9  The purpose of folly, is sin, and, an abomination to mankind, is a buffoon.

24:10  Thou hast been slothful in the day of straitness, Strait, is thy strength.

24:11  Deliver thou such as are being led forth to death, and, them who are tottering to slaughter, oh that thou wouldst hold back!

24:12  Though thou say, Lo! we knew not this, Shall not, he that proveth hearts, himself, discern? And, he that formeth thy soul, himself, know? and bring back to a son of earth according to his deed?

24:13  My son, eat thou honey, because it is good,—and droppings from the comb [because they are] sweet to thy palate:

24:14  Thus, take knowledge of wisdom, for thine own soul; If thou find it, then there is a future, and, thine expectation, shall not be cut off.

24:15  Do not lie in wait, thou lawless man, against the home of the righteous,—neither destroy thou his place of rest;

24:16  For, seven times, may the righteous fall and yet arise, but, lawless men, shall stumble into calamity.

24:17  When thine enemy falleth, do not thou rejoice, and, when he stumbleth, let not thy heart exult:

24:18  Lest Yahweh see it, and it be wicked in his eyes, and he turn away from him his anger.

24:19  Burn not with vexation against evil doers, be not envious of lawless men;

24:20  For there shall be no future for the wicked, The lamp of the lawless, shall go out.

24:21  Revere thou Yahweh, my son, and the king, and, with the fickle, have thou no fellowship;

24:22  For, suddenly, shall arise their calamity; and, the misfortune of their years, who knoweth?

24:23  These things also, concern the wise, To take note of faces in judgment, is not good.

24:24  He that saith to the lawless man, Righteous, thou art, peoples shall denounce him, populations shall curse him;

24:25  But, to reprovers, one should be pleasant, and, upon them, should come an excellent blessing:

24:26  Lips, should one kiss with one who answereth in right words.

24:27  Prepare, in the open, thy work, and make ready, in the field, for thyself, Afterwards, shalt thou build thy house.

24:28  Do not become a needless witness against thy neighbour, so mightest thou open too wide thy lips:

24:29  Do not say—According to what he hath done to me, so, will I do to him, I will repay every one according to his work.

24:30  By the field of the sluggard, I passed, and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense;

24:31  And lo! there had come up all over it—thorns, there had covered the face thereof—thistles, and, the stone fence thereof, had been thrown down.

24:32  So I observed it, for myself, I applied my heart, I looked—I accepted correction:

24:33  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest:

24:34  So shall come in, as a highwayman, thy poverty, and, thy want, as one armed with a shield.

Chapter 25

25:1  These also, are proverbs of Solomon,—which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.

25:2  The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.

25:3  The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.

25:4  Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:

25:5  Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.

25:6  Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;

25:7  For better it be said to thee, Come up hither,—than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.

25:8  Do not go forth to strive in haste,—lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter end thereof, when thy neighbour, hath put thee to shame.

25:9  Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:

25:10  Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.

25:11  Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.

25:12  A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing ear.

25:13  As the cold of snow in the day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him,—when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.

25:14  Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.

25:15  By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.

25:16  Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.

25:17  Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour,—lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

25:18  A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.

25:19  A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.

25:20  As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.

25:21  If he that hateth thee hunger, give him bread to eat, and, if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;

25:22  For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head,—and, Yahweh, will repay thee.

25:23  A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.

25:24  Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.

25:25  As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.

25:26  A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.

25:27  To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.

25:28  A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.

Chapter 26

26:1  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so, unbecoming to a dullard is honour.

26:2  As a sparrow in wandering, as a swallow in flying, so, a causeless curse, shall not alight.

26:3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of dullards.

26:4  Do not answer a dullard, according to his folly, lest, even thou thyself, become like him;

26:5  Answer a dullard according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

26:6  One who cutteth off feet, one who drinketh down wrong, is he who sendeth a message by the hand of a dullard.

26:7  Useless are the legs of the lame, and a proverb, in the mouth of a dullard.

26:8  Like tying a stone to a sling, so, is he that giveth honour, to a dullard.

26:9  A brier cometh into the hand of a drunken-man, a proverb into the mouth of dullards.

26:10  [As] an archer who woundeth every thing, [so] one who hireth a dullard, and a drunkard crossing the sea.

26:11  As, a dog, returneth onto his own vomit, a dullard, repeateth his folly.

26:12  Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eye,—more hope of a dullard, than of him!

26:13  Saith the sluggard, A roaring lion in the road! A tearing lion in the midst of the broadways.

26:14  The door, turneth on its hinges, and, the sluggard, upon his bed.

26:15  The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

26:16  Wiser is the sluggard in his own eyes, than, seven persons, who can answer with judgment.

26:17  As he who layeth hold of the ears of a dog, is a passer-by, who giveth vent to his wrath over a quarrel, not his!

26:18  As a madman throwing firebrands, arrows and death,

26:19  So, is a man who deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Was not, I, in sport?

26:20  Without wood a fire is quenched, and, where there is no tattler, strife is hushed.

26:21  Black coal to burning blocks, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man, for kindling strife.

26:22  the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.

26:23  Dross silver overlaid upon earthenware, so are burning lips, with a mischievous heart:

26:24  With his lips, the hater dissembleth, but, within himself, he layeth up deceit:

26:25  Though he make gracious his voice, do not trust him, for, seven abominations, are in his heart:

26:26  Hatred may clothe itself with guile, his wickedness shall be disclosed in the convocation.

26:27  He that diggeth a pit, thereinto, shall fall, and, he that rolleth a stone, upon himself, shall it return.

26:28  A false tongue, hateth them who are crushed by it, and, a flattering mouth, worketh occasion of stumbling.

Chapter 27

27:1  Do not boast thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

27:2  Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth, a stranger, and not thine own lips.

27:3  Heavy is a stone, and weighty is sand,—but, the vexation of a fool, is heavier than both.

27:4  The cruelty of rage, and the overflow of anger! But who can stand before, jealousy?

27:5  Better is a rebuke that is open, than love carefully concealed.

27:6  Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but lavished are the kisses of an enemy.

27:7  The surfeited soul, trampleth upon droppings from the comb, but, to the hungry soul, every bitter thing, is sweet.

27:8  As a bird wandering from her nest, so, is a man wandering from his place.

27:9  Oil and perfume, rejoice the heart, the sweetness of one’s friend, more than fragrant wood.

27:10  Thine own friend and thy father’s friend, do not thou forsake; but, the house of thy brother, do not enter, in thy day of calamity, Better a neighbour near, than a brother far off.

27:11  Be wise, my son, and rejoice my heart, that I may answer him that reproacheth me in a matter.

27:12  A prudent man, seeth calamity—he hideth himself, the simple, pass on—they suffer.

27:13  Take a man’s garment when he hath become pledge for a stranger, then, for a female unknown, accept him as surety.

27:14  He that blesseth his friend, with a loud voice, in the morning early, a reproach, shall it be reckoned to him.

27:15  A continuous dripping on a day of downpour, and a contentious wife, are alike:

27:16  He that hideth her, hideth the wind, and, perfume, his right hand may proclaim.

27:17  Let, iron, by iron, become sharp, and let, a man, sharpen the face of his friend.

27:18  He that guardeth the fig-tree, shall eat the fruit thereof, and, he that watcheth over his master, shall be honoured.

27:19  As in water, face [answereth] to face, so, the heart of man to man.

27:20  Hades and destruction, are not satisfied, and, the eyes of a man, are not satisfied.

27:21  Fining pot for silver, and crucible for gold, and, a man, [is to be tried] by what he praiseth.

27:22  Though thou pound a fool in a mortar, amidst grain, with a pestle, his folly, will not depart from him.

27:23  Note well, the appearance of thy flock, apply thy mind to thy herds;

27:24  For, not age-abiding, are riches, nor is the diadem, from generation to generation:—

27:25  The grass, is taken away, and the young shoot, showeth itself, and the herbage of the mountains, is gathered;

27:26  There are, lambs, for thy clothing, and, for the price of thy field, there are he-goats;

27:27  With, enough goats-milk, for thy food—for the food of thy household, and, a maintenance, for thy maidens.

Chapter 28

28:1  The lawless, fleeth when no man pursueth, but, the righteous, like a lion, are confident.

28:2  For the transgressions of a land, many are the rulers thereof, but, under an intelligent and discerning man, stability is prolonged.

28:3  A poor man, who oppresseth the helpless, [is like] a rain beating down, leaving no food.

28:4  They who forsake instruction, praise one who is lawless, while, they who keep instruction, are at strife with them.

28:5  Wicked men, consider not justice, but, they who seek Yahweh, consider everything.

28:6  Better a poor man walking in his integrity, than one who is crooked—turning two ways, though, he, be rich.

28:7  He that keepeth instruction, is a son with discernment, but, a companion of squanderers, bringeth shame to his father.

28:8  He that increaseth his substance by interest and profit, for one ready to favour the poor, doth gather it.

28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer, is an abomination.

28:10  He that misguideth the upright into a hurtful way! into his own pit, he himself, shall fall, but, men of integrity, shall inherit good.

28:11  Wise in his own eyes, is the man that is rich, but, a poor man of discernment, searcheth him out.

28:12  In the exulting of the righteous, there is great glorying, but, when the lawless arise, a man must be sought for.

28:13  He that covereth his transgressions, shall not prosper, but, he that confesseth and forsaketh, shall find compassion.

28:14  How happy the man who is ever circumspect, whereas, he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into calamity.

28:15  A growling lion, and a ranging bear, is a lawless ruler, over a poor people.

28:16  A leader, may lack intelligence, yet abound in oppressions, The hater of greed, shall lengthen out days.

28:17  A man oppressed with a person’s blood, unto a pit, shall flee, let them not hold him back.

28:18  He that walketh with integrity, shall be saved, but, he that is crooked, turning two ways, shall fall in one.

28:19  He that tilleth his ground, shall have plenty of bread, but, he that pursueth empty-heads, shall have plenty of poverty.

28:20  A man of fidelity, aboundeth in blessings, but, one hasting to be rich, shall not be held innocent.

28:21  To take note of faces [in judgment], is not good, and, for a bit of bread, a man will transgress.

28:22  A man, hasting to be rich, hath an evil eye, and knoweth not when want may overtake him.

28:23  He that reproveth a man, shall, afterwards, find more, favour, than he that useth a flattering tongue.

28:24  He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, companion, is he to one who wasteth.

28:25  The ambitious in soul, stirreth up strife, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be enriched.

28:26  He that trusteth his own heart, the same, is a dullard, but, he that walketh wisely, the same, shall be delivered.

28:27  One who giveth to the poor, shall have no want, but, he that hideth his eyes, shall receive many a curse.

28:28  When lawless men rise, a common man will hide himself, but, when they perish, righteous men multiply.

Chapter 29

29:1  He that being often reproved stiffeneth his neck, suddenly shall be hurt, and there be no healing.

29:2  When the righteous become great, the people rejoice, but, when a lawless man beareth rule, a people sigh.

29:3  A man who loveth wisdom, gladdeneth his father, but, a companion of harlots, destroyeth wealth.

29:4  A king, by justice, shall establish a land,—but, a man open to bribes, bringeth it to ruin.

29:5  A man who flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth, a net, over his steps.

29:6  In the transgression of a wicked man, is a snare, but, the righteous, doth shout in triumph and rejoice.

29:7  The righteous doth acknowledge the plea of the poor, but, the lawless, regardeth not knowledge.

29:8  Men given to mockery, inflame a city,—but, wise men, turn away anger.

29:9  A wise man pleading with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no settlement.

29:10  Blood-thirsty men, hate the blameless man, and, as for the upright, they seek his life.

29:11  All his anger, doth a dullard let go, but, a wise man, by keeping it back, stilleth it.

29:12  When a ruler giveth heed to the word of falsehood, all his attendants, become lawless.

29:13  The poor man and the man of usury, meet together, he that enlighteneth the eyes of them both, is Yahweh.

29:14  When a king judgeth faithfully the poor, his throne, to futurity, shall be established.

29:15  A rod with rebuke, giveth wisdom, but, a youth unrestrained, bringeth shame to his mother.

29:16  When the lawless become great, transgression increaseth, but, the righteous, shall behold, their ruin.

29:17  Correct thy son, that he may give thee rest, that he may give delight to thy soul.

29:18  Where there is no vision, a people is let loose, but, he that keepeth instruction, how happy is he!

29:19  By words, a servant will not be corrected, though he perceiveth, yet is there no answer.

29:20  Thou hast seen a man hasty in his words,—there is, more hope of a dullard, than of him.

29:21  He that dealeth tenderly with his servant from childhood, in his after life, shall have him for a son.

29:22  A man given to anger, stirreth up strife, and, he that exceedeth in wrath, aboundeth in transgression.

29:23  The loftiness of a man, layeth him low,—but, one of a lowly spirit, shall attain unto honour.

29:24  He that shareth with a thief, hateth himself, an oath, he heareth, yet may not tell.

29:25  The fear of man, setteth a snare, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be placed on high.

29:26  Many, seek the face of a ruler, but, from Yahweh, is the sentence of each one.

29:27  An abomination to the righteous, is the man of perversity, and, an abomination to the lawless, is a man of straightforward way.

Chapter 30

30:1  The words of Agur, son of Jakeh, [even] the oracle,—The utterance of the man, for Ithiel, for Ithiel and Ucal.

30:2  Surely, more brutish, am, I, than any man, nor doth, the understanding of a son of earth, pertain to me;

30:3  Neither have I learned wisdom, nor, the knowledge of the Holy Ones, can I acquire.

30:4  Who hath ascended the heavens and then descended? Who hath gathered the wind into his two hands? Who hath wrapped up the waters in a mantle? Who hath set up all the ends of the earth? What is his name and what the name of his son, when thou knowest?

30:5  Every saying of God is refined, A shield, is, he, to them who seek refuge in him.

30:6  Do not add unto his words, lest he convict thee, and thou be found false.

30:7  Two things, have I asked of thee, withhold them not from me, ere yet I die:

30:8  Vanity and falsehood, remove far from me, Neither poverty nor riches, give me, Feed me with the food appointed me:

30:9  Lest I be full, and deny, and say—Who is Yahweh? or lest I be impoverished and steal, and do violence to the Name of my God.

30:10  Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he revile thee, and thou be found guilty.

30:11  A generation! Its father, it revileth, and, its mother, it doth not bless.

30:12  A generation! Pure in its own eyes, yet, from its filth, hath it not been bathed,

30:13  A generation! How lofty are its eyes, and its eyelashes uplifted.

30:14  A generation! Swords, are its teeth, and, knives, its incisors,—to devour the humbled out of the earth, and the needy, from among men.

30:15  The vampire, hath two daughters, Give! Give! Three, there are will not be satisfied, four, have not said, Enough!

30:16  Hades, and barrenness,—A land not satisfied with water, and fire, that saith not, Enough!

30:17  The eye that mocketh a father, and despiseth to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young of the eagle shall eat it.

30:18  Three, things there are, too difficult for me, yea, four, which I do not understand:

30:19  The way of an eagle in the heavens, the way of a serpent on the rock,—the way of a ship in the heart of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.

30:20  So, is the way of a woman committing adultery,—she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no iniquity!

30:21  Under three things, a land is stirred, yea, under four, she cannot bear up:

30:22  Under a servant, when he reigneth, and a base man, when he is surfeited with food;

30:23  Under a hateful woman, when she is married, and a handmaid when she driveth out her mistress.

30:24  Four, things there are, the small of the earth,—yet, they, are wiser than the wise:

30:25  The ants, a people, not strong,—yet prepare they, in summer, their food;

30:26  The conies, a people of, no power, yet set they, among the crags, their house;

30:27  King, is there none, to, the locusts,—yet go forth in swarms, do they all;

30:28  The lizard, with hands, reneweth its hold,—yet, the same, is in the palaces of the king.

30:29  Three, things there are which step along well, ye, four, which excel in going:

30:30  The lion, hero among beasts, which turneth aside from the face of no one;

30:31  The greyhound, or the he-goat,—and a king, having a band of soldiers with him.

30:32  If thou hast acted basely by lifting thyself up,—if thou hast plotted evil, [put thy] hand to [thy] mouth!

30:33  Surely, the pressing of milk, bringeth forth curd, and, the pressing of the nose, bringeth forth blood, and, the pressing of wrath, bringeth forth strife.

Chapter 31

31:1  The words of Lemuel the king,—the strain which was taught him by his mother:—

31:2  What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?

31:3  Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.

31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor, for dignitaries, to desire strong drink,

31:5  Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.

31:6  Give strong drink, to him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered in soul:

31:7  Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and, his wearying toil, let him remember no more.

31:8  Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the children of the departed.

31:9  Open thy mouth—judge righteously,—and administer justice for the poor and the needy.

31:10  A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.

31:11  The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:

31:12  She doeth him good and not evil, all the days of her life:

31:13  She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:

31:14  She is like the ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in her food;

31:15  And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:

31:16  She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard:

31:17  She girdeth, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:

31:18  She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:

31:19  Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:

31:20  Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:

31:21  She feareth not, for her household, because of the snow, for, all her household, are clothed with crimson:

31:22  Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:

31:23  Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:

31:24  Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:

31:25  Strength and dignity, are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time to come:

31:26  Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:

31:27  She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.

31:28  Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her:—

31:29  Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!

31:30  Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:

31:31  Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.