THE PROVERBS.
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel:
2 For the knowledge of wisdom and correction, For discerning the sayings of intelligence;
3 For receiving the correction of prudence, Righteousness and justice, and equity;
4 For giving To the simple shrewdness, To the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear and will increase learning, And a discreet man wise counsels will acquire,
6 By gaining discernment of proverb and satire, The words of the wise and their dark sayings.
7 The reverence of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and correction the foolish have despised.
8 Hear, my son, the correction of thy father, And do not reject the instruction of thy mother;
9 For a wreath of beauty shall they be to thy head, And chains of ornament to thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee do not consent.
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;
12 Let us engulf them like hades alive, While in health like them who are going down to the pit;
13 All costly substance shall we find, We shall fill our houses with spoil;
14 Thy lot shalt thou cast into our midst, One purse shall there be for us all!
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Withhold thy foot from their path.
16 For their feet to mischief do run, And haste to the shedding of blood.
17 Surely in vain is spread the net, In the sight of aught that hath wings!
18 Yet they for their own blood lie in wait, They watch in secret for their own life.
19 Such are the ways of every one that graspeth with greed, The life of the owners thereof it taketh away!
20 Wisdom in the open place soundeth forth, In the broadways she raiseth her voice;
21 At the head of bustling streets she crieth aloud,—At the openings of the gates in the city—her sayings she doth utter:—
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers in scoffing delight them? And dullards hate knowledge?
23 Will ye turn at my reproof? Lo! I will pour out to you my spirit, I will make known my words to you.
24 Because I called and ye refused, I stretched out my hand and no one regarded;
25 But ye dismissed all my counsel, And to my rebuke would not yield
26 I also at your calamity will laugh, I will mock when cometh your dread;
27 When cometh as a crashing your dread And your calamity as a storm-wind overtaketh, When there come upon you distress and anguish.
28 Then will they call me but I will not answer, They will seek me diligently but shall not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge, And the reverence of Yahweh did not choose;
30 Consented not to my counsel, Disdained all my rebuke
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And with their own counsels be filled.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them,—And the carelessness of dullards will destroy them.
33 Whereas he that hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, And be at rest without dread of misfortune.
2 My son, if thou wilt receive my sayings, And my commandments wilt treasure up by thee;
2 So that thou Direct unto wisdom thine ear, Bend thy heart unto understanding;
3 Yea if for understanding thou cry aloud, For knowledge utter thy voice;
4 If thou seek her as silver, And like hid treasure thou search for her
5 Then shalt thou understand the reverence of Yahweh, And the knowledge of God shalt thou find.
6 For Yahweh giveth wisdom, Out of his mouth knowledge and understanding;
7 Yea he treasureth for the upright safety, A shield [is he] to them who walk in integrity.
8 To him that observeth the paths of justice, Yea the way of his men of lovingkindness he doth guard.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity—every noble course.
10 When wisdom entereth thy heart, And knowledge to thy soul is sweet.
11 Discretion shall watch over thee, Understanding shall preserve thee:—
12 To rescue thee from the way of the wrongful, From the man that speaketh perverse things;
13 From them who forsake the paths of rectitude, To walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do wrong, Exult in the perversities of the wrongful;
15 Whose paths are twisted, And they are tortuous in their tracks:
16 To rescue thee from the woman that is a stranger, From the female unknown who with her speeches seduceth;
17 Who forsaketh the friend of her youth, And the covenant of her God hath forgotten;
18 For she hath appointed unto death her house, And unto the shades her courses;
19 None who go in unto her come back, Neither attain they unto the paths of life:
20 To the end that thou walk in the way of good men, And the paths of the righteous that thou observe.
21 For the upright shall abide on the earth,—And the men of integrity shall remain therein;
22 But the lawless out of the earth shall be cut off, And traitors shall they tear away therefrom.
3 My son, mine instruction do not thou forget, And my commandment let thy heart observe;
2 For length of days and years of life, And blessedness shall they add to thee.
3 Lovingkindness and faithfulness let them not forsake thee,—Bind them upon thy neck, Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
4 So find thou favour and good repute, In the eyes of God and man.
5 Trust thou in Yahweh with all thy heart, And unto thine own understanding do not lean:
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will make straight thy paths.
7 Do not become wise in thine own eyes, Revere Yahweh and avoid evil:
8 Healing shall it be to thy body, And refreshing to thy bones.
9 Honour thou Yahweh with thy substance, And with the firstfruit of all thine increase;
10 So shall thy storehouses be filled with plenty, And with new wine shall thy vats overflow.
11 The chastening of Yahweh my son do not reject, Nor loathe his rebuke;
12 For whom Yahweh loveth he correcteth, He causeth pain to the son in whom he delighteth.
13 How happy the man who hath found wisdom, And the man who draweth forth understanding,
14 For better is her merchandise than the merchandise of silver, Yea than gold her increase;
15 More precious is she than corals, Yea none of thy delightful things doth equal her:
16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left are riches and honour;
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace;
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.
19 Yahweh in wisdom founded the earth, Establishing the heavens with understanding;
20 By his knowledge the resounding deeps were burst open, And the skies drop down dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from thine eyes, Guard thou counsel and purpose:
22 So shall they become life to thy soul, And an adorning to thy neck;
23 Then shalt thou walk securely in thy way, And thy foot shall not stumble;
24 When thou sittest down thou shalt have no dread, Yea thou shalt lie down and sweet shall be thy sleep.
25 Be not thou afraid of sudden dread, Nor of the desolation of the lawless, when it cometh.
26 For Yahweh will be in all thy ways, And will keep thy foot from the snare.
27 Withhold not good from them who ask it, When it is in power of thy hand to do it:
28 Do not say to thy neighbour, Go and come again And to-morrow I will give, When thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not against thy neighbour an injury, Seeing that he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Contend not with a man without cause, If he hath dealt thee no wrong.
31 Do not thou envy the man of violence, Neither choose thou any of his ways;
32 For an abomination to Yahweh is the tortuous man, But with the upright he is intimate.
33 The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the lawless one, But the home of the righteous he blesseth.
34 Though at scoffers he scoffeth Yet to the humbled he granteth favour.
35 Honour shall the wise inherit,—But as for dullards shame shall carry them away.
4 Hear, ye sons, the correction of a father, And attend that ye may know understanding.
2 For good teaching have I given you, Mine instruction do not ye forsake.
3 For a son became I to my father, Tender and most precious in the sight of my mother.
4 So he taught me and said to me—Let thy heart lay hold of my words, Keep my commandments and live!
5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, Do not forget, neither decline thou from the sayings of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her and she will guard thee,—Love her and she will keep thee.
7 The principal thing is wisdom, acquire thou wisdom, With all thine acquisition acquire thou understanding.
8 Exalt her and she will set thee on high, She will bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her:
9 She will give for thy head a wreath of beauty, A crown of adorning will she bestow upon thee.
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And they will multiply to thee the years of life.
11 In the way of wisdom have I taught thee, I have guided thee in tracks of uprightness.
12 When thou walkest thy step shall not be hemmed in, And if thou runnest thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of correction, let her not go,—Keep her for she is thy life.
14 Upon the path of the lawless do not thou enter, And do not advance in the way of the wicked:
15 Avoid it, do not pass thereon—Turn from it and depart.
16 For they sleep not unless they can do mischief,—They rob themselves of their sleep if they cannot cause someone to stumble.
17 For they consume bread gotten by lawlessness, And wine obtained by violence they drink.
18 But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn,—Going on and brightening, unto meridian day.
19 The way of the lawless is like darkness, They know not at what they stumble.
20 My son to my words attend, To my sayings incline thou thine ear;
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes, Keep them in the midst of thy heart;
22 For life they are to them who find them,—And to every part of one’s flesh they bring healing.
23 Above all that must be guarded keep thou thy heart, For out of it are the issues of life.
24 Remove from thee perverseness of mouth, And craftiness of lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes right onward look,—And thine eyelashes point straight before thee.
26 Make level the track of thy foot, That all thy ways may be directed aright:
27 Decline not to the right hand or to the left,—Turn away thy foot from wickedness.
5 My son, to my wisdom attend, And to mine understanding incline thou thine ear:
2 That thou mayest preserve discretion,—And as for knowledge that thy lips may guard it.
3 For with sweet droppings drip the lips of her that is a stranger, And smoother than oil is her mouth;
4 But the latter end of her is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword!
5 Her feet are going down to death,—On hades will her steps take firm hold.
6 Lest the path of life she should ponder Her tracks have wandered she knoweth not [whither].
7 Now therefore, ye sons, hearken unto me, And do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.
8 Keep far from her thy way, And do not go near the opening of her house:
9 Lest thou give to other men thy vigour, And thy years to him that is cruel:
10 Lest strange men be well fed by thy strength, And thy toils be in the house of the alien.
11 So shalt thou grieve in thy latter end, In the failing of thy flesh and of thy healthy condition;
12 And thou shalt say—How I hated correction! And reproof my heart disdained;
13 Neither hearkened I to the voice of my teachers, Nor to my instructors inclined I mine ear:
14 Soon was I in all evil, In the midst of convocation and assembly.
15 Drink thou water out of thine own cistern, And flowing streams out of the midst of thine own well.
16 Let not thy fountains flow over abroad In the streets dividings of waters:
17 Let them be for thyself alone,—And not for strangers with thee.
18 Let thy well-spring be blessed,—And get thy joy from the wife of thy youth:—
19 A loving hind! a graceful doe! Let her bosom content thee at all times, And in her love mayst thou stray evermore.
20 Wherefore then shouldst thou stray, my son, with a strange woman? Or embrace the bosom of a woman unknown?
21 For before the eyes of Yahweh are the ways of a man,—And all his tracks doth he consider:
22 His own iniquities shall entrap him with the lawless, And by the cords of his own sin shall he be seized.
23 He shall die for lack of discipline, And by the abounding of his perversity shall he be lost.
6 My son if thou have become surety for thy neighbour,—have struck for a stranger thy hands
2 Thou hast been snared by the sayings of thy mouth,—Thou hast been caught by the sayings of thy mouth.
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;
4 Do not give Sleep to thine eyes, or Slumber to thine eyelashes;
5 Deliver thyself as a gazelle out of the hand, And as a bird out of the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise;
7 Which having no harvest, scribe, or ruler
8 Prepareth in the summer her food, Hath collected in the harvest her sustenance.
9 How long, O sluggard, wilt thou lie? How long ere thou rise from thy sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest:—
11 So shall come in as a highwayman thy poverty, And thy want as one armed with a shield.
12 An abandoned man, a man of iniquity [is he] who—Goeth on in perversity of mouth;
13 Winketh with his eyes, Speaketh with his foot, Pointeth with his fingers;
14 [Hath] perverse things in his heart, Deviseth mischief on every occasion, Strifes he sendeth forth.
15 For this cause suddenly cometh his doom, In a moment shall he be torn in pieces and there be no mending.
16 These six things doth Yahweh hate, Yea seven are the abomination of his soul:—
17 Eyes that are lofty, A tongue that is false, And hands shedding innocent blood;
18 A heart contriving iniquitous devices, Feet hasting to run into mischief;
19 One that uttereth lies—a false witness, And one sending forth strifes between brethren.
20 Observe thou, my son, the commandment of thy father, And do not decline from the instruction of thy mother:
21 Bind them upon thy heart continually, Fasten them upon thy neck;
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:
23 For a lamp is the commandment And the instruction a light, And the way of life are the reproofs of correction:
24 To keep thee from the wicked woman, From the flattery of the tongue of her that is a stranger.
25 Do not covet her beauty in thy heart, Neither let her take thee by her eyelashes;
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!
27 Can a man snatch up fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can a man walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in unto his neighbour’s wife, No man shall be guiltless who toucheth her!
30 Men despise not a thief when he stealeth, To satisfy his appetite because he is famished;
31 Yet if found he must pay back sevenfold, All the substance of his house must he give:
32 He that committeth adultery with a woman lacketh sense, A destroyer of his own life is he that doeth it;
33 Smiting and shame shall he find, And his reproach shall not be wiped out;
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man, Nor will he spare in the day of avenging;
35 He will not look at any ransom, Neither will he consent though thou increase the bribe.
7 My son, keep my sayings, And my commandments treasure by thee;
2 Keep my commandments and live, And mine instruction as the pupil of thine eye;
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, Write them on the tablet of thy heart;
4 Say unto wisdom, My sister thou! And an acquaintance call thou understanding:
5 That thou mayest be kept from the woman that is a stranger, From the female unknown who with her speeches doth flatter.
6 For in the window of my house, Through my lattice I looked out;
7 And saw among the simple ones, Discerned among the youths, A young man lacking sense;
8 Passing through the street near her corner, And on the way to her house he sauntered along;
9 In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the midst of the night and the gloom;
10 And lo! a woman came to meet him, Attired as one unchaste, of a wily heart.
11 Boisterous is she and rebellious, In her house abide not her feet;
12 Now outside, now in the broadways, And near every corner she lieth in wait:
13 So she caught him and kissed him, And embolding her face she said to him:
14 Peace-offerings are by me, To-day have I paid my vows;
15 For this cause came I forth to meet thee, To seek diligently thy face and I have found thee:
16 Coverlets have I spread on my couch of pleasure, Dark-hued stuffs of the yarn of Egypt;
17 I have sprinkled my bed, With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon:
18 Come! let us take our fill of endearments until morning, Let us delight ourselves with caresses;
19 For the husband is not in his house, He hath gone on a journey afar;
20 A bag of silver hath he taken in his hand, On the day of the full moon will he enter his house.
21 She turneth him aside with her great persuasiveness,—With the flattery of her lips she compelleth him:
22 Going after her instantly As an ox to the slaughter he entereth, And as in fetters unto the correction of a fool.
23 Until an arrow cleaveth his liver, As a bird hasteth into a snare, And knoweth not that for his life it is!
24 Now therefore ye sons hearken unto me, And attend to the sayings of my mouth;
25 Let not thy heart turn aside to her ways, Do not go astray in her paths.
26 For many wounded hath she caused to fall,—Yea strong men slain wholly by her:
27 Ways to hades are in her house, Descending into the chambers of death.
8 Doth not wisdom cry aloud? And understanding send forth her voice?
2 At the top of the high places above the way, At the place where paths meet she taketh her stand:
3 Beside the gates at the entrance of the city,—At the going in of the openings she shouteth:—
4 Unto you O men I call, And my voice is unto the sons of men;
5 Understand, ye simple ones, shrewdness, And ye dullards understand sense;
6 Hear for princely things will I speak, And the opening of my lips shall be of equity;
7 For faithfulness shall my mouth softly utter, But the abomination of my lips shall be lawlessness;
8 In righteousness shall be all the sayings of my mouth, Nothing therein shall be crafty or perverse;
9 All of them shall be plain to them who would understand, And just to such as would gain knowledge.
10 Receive my correction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
11 For better is wisdom than ornaments of coral, And no delightful things can equal her.
12 I wisdom inhabit shrewdness,—And the knowledge of sagacious things I gain.
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.
14 Mine are counsel and effective working, I am understanding, mine is valour:
15 By me kings reign, And dignitaries decree righteousness;
16 By me rulers govern, And nobles—all the righteous judges:
17 I love them who love me, And they who diligently seek me find me:
18 Riches and honour are with me, Lordly wealth, and righteousness;
19 Better is my fruit than gold—yea fine gold, And mine increase than choice silver;
20 In the way of righteousness I march along, In the middle of the paths of justice:
21 That I may cause them who love me to inherit substance, And their treasuries I may fill.
22 Yahweh had constituted me the beginning of his way, Before his works At the commencement of that time;
23 At the outset of the ages had I been established, In advance of the antiquities of the earth;
24 When there was no resounding deep I had been brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water;
25 Ere yet the mountains had been settled, Before the hills had I been brought forth;
26 Or ever he had made the land and the wastes, Or the top of the dry parts of the world:
27 When he prepared the heavens there was I! When he decreed a vault upon the face of the resounding deep;
28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the resounding deep waxed strong;
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:—
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;
31 Exulting in the fruitful land of his earth, Yea my fulness of delight was with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore ye sons hearken to me, For how happy are they who to my ways pay regard!
33 Hear ye correction and be wise, And do not neglect.
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;
35 For he that findeth me findeth life, And hath obtained favour from Yahweh;
36 But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul, All who hate me love death.
9 Wisdom hath builded her house, hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 hath slaughtered her beasts, hath mingled her wine, hath even set in order her table;
3 hath sent forth her maidens, She crieth aloud Upon the tops of the heights of the city:
4 Whoso is simple let him turn in hither, As for him that lacketh sense she saith to him—
5 Come, feed on my food, And drink of the wine I have mingled;
6 Forsake the simple ones and live, And advance in the way of understanding.
7 He that rebuketh a scoffer getteth to himself contempt, And he that reproveth a lawless man [getteth to himself] his shame.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer lest he hate thee, Reprove a wise man and he will love thee.
9 Give to a wise man and he will be wiser still, Inform a righteous man and he will increase learning.
10 The beginning of wisdom is the reverence of Yahweh, And the knowledge of the Holy is understanding;
11 For by me shall be multiplied—thy days, And there be added to thee—the years of life.
12 If thou art wise thou art wise for thyself, But if thou scoff alone shalt thou bear it.
13 The woman Stupidity is boisterous, So simple that she knoweth not what she would do;
14 So she sitteth at the entrance of her house, Upon a seat in the heights of the city;
15 To invite them who pass by the way, Who are going straight on in their paths:
16 Whoso is simple let him turn aside hither, And as for him that lacketh sense she saith to him:
17 Stolen waters will be sweet,—And a secret meal will be pleasant;
18 But he knoweth not that the shades are there; In the depths of hades are her guests.
10 The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise son maketh a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 The treasures of lawlessness do not profit, But righteousness delivereth from death.
3 Yahweh suffereth not to famish the soul of the righteous, But the desire of the lawless he thrusteth away.
4 He becometh poor who dealeth with a slack hand, But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a prudent son, He that sleepeth long in harvest is a son causing shame.
6 Blessings are for the head of the righteous man, But the mouth of the lawless covereth up wrong.
7 The memory of the righteous yieldeth blessing, But the name of the lawless dieth out.
8 The wise in heart will accept commandments, But he that is foolish with his lips shall be thrust away.
9 He that walketh uprightly may walk securely, But he that maketh crooked his ways shall be found out.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow, And he that is foolish with his lips shall be thrust aside.
11 A well-spring of life is the mouth of the righteous, But the mouth of the lawless covereth wrong.
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes, But over all transgressions love throweth a covering.
13 In the lips of the intelligent is found wisdom, But a rod is for the back of him that lacketh sense.
14 Wise men treasure up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is a terror near at hand.
15 The substance of the rich is his strong city, The terror of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of the righteous [leadeth] to life, The increase of the lawless to sin.
17 On the way to life is he that heedeth correction, But he that hateth reproof is going astray.
18 He that concealeth hatred hath false lips, And he that sendeth forth slander the same is a dullard.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression, But he that restraineth his lips sheweth prudence.
20 Choice silver is the tongue of the righteous, But the sense of the lawless is very small.
21 The lips of the righteous feed multitudes, But the foolish for lack of sense shall die.
22 The blessing of Yahweh itself maketh rich, And he addeth no grievance therewith.
23 It is mere sport to a stupid man to commit lewdness, But wisdom pertaineth to a man of understanding.
24 The dread of the lawless one the same shall overtake him, But the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25 Like the passing away of a tempest so the lawless one is not, But the righteous [hath] an age-abiding foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes So is the sluggard to them who send him.
27 The reverence of Yahweh addeth days, But the years of the lawless shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness, But the expectation of the lawless shall vanish.
29 A refuge for the blameless is the path of Yahweh, But destruction [awaiteth] the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous to times age-abiding shall remain unshaken, But the lawless shall not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the righteous beareth the fruit of wisdom, But a perverse tongue shall be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing, But the mouth of the lawless [speaketh] perversities.
11 A deceptive balance is an abomination to Yahweh, But a full weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh then cometh contempt, But with the modest is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous shall be their ruin.
4 Wealth shall not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness shall deliver from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless shall smooth his way, But by his own lawlessness shall the lawless one fall.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, But by their own craving shall the treacherous be captured.
7 When the lawless man dieth his expectation perisheth, And the hope of strong men hath vanished.
8 The righteous man out of distress is delivered, Then cometh a lawless man into his place.
9 With the mouth a profane man destroyeth his neighbour, But through knowledge shall righteous men be delivered.
10 When it is well with the righteous the city exulteth, When the lawless perish there is a shout of triumph.
11 When the upright are blessed exalted is the city, But by the mouth of the lawless it is overthrown.
12 He that sheweth contempt for his neighbour lacketh sense, But a man of understanding observeth silence.
13 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth a secret, But he that is faithful in spirit concealeth a matter.
14 With no guidance a people will fall, But safety lieth in the greatness of the counsellor.
15 He that becometh surety for a stranger goeth to utter ruin, But he that hateth striking hands is secure.
16 A gracious wife obtaineth honour, But the diligent shall obtain wealth.
17 The man of lovingkindness dealeth well with his own soul, But the cruel man troubleth his own flesh.
18 The lawless man earneth the wages of falsehood, But he that soweth righteousness hath the reward of fidelity.
19 A righteous son [turneth] to life, But he that pursueth wickedness to his own death.
20 The abomination of Yahweh are they of perverse heart, But his delight are the men of blameless life.
21 Hand to hand the wicked man shall not be held innocent, But the seed of the righteous hath been delivered.
22 As a ring of gold in the snout of a swine Is a woman of beauty who hath abandoned discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good, The expectation of the lawless is wrath.
24 There is who scattereth and increaseth yet more, And who withholdeth of what is due, only to come to want.
25 The liberal soul shall be enriched, And he that refresheth shall himself also be refreshed.
26 He that keepeth back corn the populace will curse him, But there is a blessing for the head of him that selleth.
27 He that diligently seeketh good aimeth at favour, But he that studieth mischief it shall come on himself.
28 He that trusteth in his riches the same shall fall, But like the leaf shall the righteous break forth.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind, But a servant shall the foolish be to the wise in heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he that rescueth souls is wise.
31 Lo! the righteous in the earth shall be recompensed, How much more the lawless and the sinner.
12 He that loveth correction loveth knowledge, But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour from Yahweh, But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A son of earth shall not be established by lawlessness, But the root of the righteous shall not be disturbed.
4 A virtuous woman is the crown of her husband, But a veritable decay in his bones is she that causeth shame.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the lawless are deceitful.
6 The words of the lawless are—of lying in wait for blood, But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Overthrown are the lawless and they are not, But the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 In proportion to his prudence is a man to be praised, But the perverse in heart shall be an object of contempt.
9 Better slighted and have a servant, Than to honour oneself and come short of bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the desire of his beast, But the compassions of the lawless are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be filled with food, But he that runneth after worthless men lacketh sense.
12 A lawless man craveth the prey of the wicked, But the root of the righteous is enduring.
13 By the transgression of the lips is the wicked man ensnared, But the righteous cometh out of distress.
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.
15 The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes, But he that hearkeneth to counsel is wise.
16 A foolish man on the [same] day letteth his vexation be known, But he that concealeth an affront is prudent.
17 He that whispereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, But a false witness is a fraud.
18 There is who babbleth as with thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise hath healing.
19 A lip that is faithful shall be firm to futurity, But only for a twinkling is the tongue that is false.
20 Deceit is in the heart of contrivers of mischief, But to the counsellors of peace shall be joy.
21 Unseemly to the righteous is any trouble, But the lawless are full of misfortune.
22 An abomination to Yahweh are lips that are false, But he that dealeth faithfully is his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge, But the heart of dullards proclaimeth folly.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, But the indolent shall come under tribute.
25 When anxiety is in the heart of a man one may bow him down, But a good word maketh him glad.
26 The righteous man guideth his neighbour, But the way of the lawless leadeth them astray.
27 Indolence roasteth not his own game, But the substance of a man is precious when he is diligent.
28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in the path thereof immortality.
13 A wise son [cometh of] a father’s correction, But a scoffer heareth not a rebuke.
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.
3 He that watcheth his mouth guardeth his soul, He that openeth wide his lips [it shall be] his ruin.
4 The sluggard desireth but his soul hath nothing. But the soul of the diligent shall be enriched.
5 A word of falsehood the righteous man hateth, But the lawless causeth shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guardeth the man of blameless way, But lawlessness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is Who feigneth himself rich, yet hath nothing at all, Who pleadeth poverty, yet hath great substance.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth, But the lamp of the lawless goeth out.
10 Only by pride doth one cause contention, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by greed diminisheth, But he that gathereth by little increaseth.
12 Hope deferred sickeneth the heart,—But a tree of life is desire fulfilled.
13 He that despiseth a matter shall get pledged thereto, But he that revereth a commandment the same shall be recompensed.
14 The instruction of the wise is a well-spring of life, By departing from the snares of death.
15 Sound discretion yieldeth favour, But the way of the treacherous is rugged.
16 Every prudent man maketh use of knowledge, But a dullard spreadeth folly.
17 A lawless messenger falleth into mischief, But a faithful herald bringeth healing.
18 Poverty and contempt are for him that neglecteth correction, But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to the lawless to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with the wise becometh wise, But the friend of dullards becometh foolish.
21 Evil pursueth sinners, But unto the righteous shall good be recompensed.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to children’s children, But laid up for the righteous is the wealth of the sinner.
23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, But there is that is swept away for want of justice.
24 He that withholdeth his rod hateth his son,—But he that loveth him carefully correcteth him.
25 The righteous eateth to satisfy his appetite, But the belly of the lawless shall want.
14 Every wise woman buildeth up her house, But a foolish one with her own hands would break it down.
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.
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!
4 Without cattle the crib is clean, But much increase is in the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not deceive, But a false witness uttereth deceitful things.
6 A scoffer seeketh wisdom and there is none, But knowledge to the discerning is easy.
7 Get thee from the presence of a man that is a dullard, When thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of dullards is a fraud.
9 The foolish scoff at guilt, But between the upright is good pleasure.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness, And in its joy no stranger shareth.
11 The house of the lawless shall be destroyed, But the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way that enticeth a man, But at the latter end thereof are the ways of death!
13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the latter end of gladness be grief.
14 With his own ways shall be filled the backslider in heart, And from himself shall a good man [be satisfied].
15 The simple believeth every word, But the prudent looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth and avoideth evil, But a dullard is haughty and confident.
17 The impatient worketh folly, And a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, But the shrewd crowneth himself with knowledge.
19 Abased are the wicked before the good, And the lawless at the gates of the righteous.
20 Even by his neighbour is a poor man hated, But the lovers of the rich man are many.
21 He that sheweth contempt for his neighbour sinneth, But he that sheweth favour to the afflicted how happy is he!
22 Shall they not become vagrants who devise evil? But lovingkindness and faithfulness [be to] them who devise good.
23 By all labour there will be abundance, But the talk of the lips tendeth only to want.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, But the folly of dullards is folly.
25 A deliverer of souls is a faithful witness, But he that uttereth falsehoods is a fraud.
26 In the reverence of Yahweh is strong security, And his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The reverence of Yahweh is a well-spring of life, That a man may avoid the snares of death.
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.
29 One slow to anger hath great understanding, But the hasty in spirit exalteth folly.
30 The life of the whole body is a tranquil mind, But a decay of the bones is jealousy.
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.
32 By his own wickedness shall the lawless man be thrust down, But the righteous seeketh refuge in his integrity.
33 In the heart of the intelligent reposeth wisdom, But in the midst of dullards it maketh itself known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation, But a reproach to any people is sin.
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.
15 A soft answer turneth away wrath, But a cutting word raiseth anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge,—But the mouth of dullards belcheth out folly.
3 In every place are the eyes of Yahweh, Observing the evil and the good.
4 Gentleness of the tongue is a tree of life, But crookedness therein a grievous wound in the spirit.
5 A foolish [son] spurneth the correction of his father, But he that heedeth a reproof sheweth prudence.
6 The household of the righteous man is a great treasure, But in the increase of the lawless is disturbance.
7 The lips of the wise scatter abroad knowledge, But the heart of dullards is not right.
8 The sacrifice of lawless men is an abomination to Yahweh, But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 An abomination to Yahweh is the way of the lawless, But the pursuer of righteousness he loveth.
10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the right path, He that hateth rebuke shall die.
11 Hades and destruction are before Yahweh, How much more then the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scoffer loveth not one who reproveth him, Unto the wise doth he not go.
13 A joyful heart maketh a pleasing countenance,—But in sorrow of heart is a stricken spirit.
14 The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, But the mouth of dullards feedeth on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are sorrowful, But a cheerful heart is a continual banquet.
16 Better is a little with the reverence of Yahweh, Than great treasure and disquietude therewith.
17 Better is an allowance of herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife, But he that is slow to anger calmeth contention.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn hedge, But the path of the upright is a raised road.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father,—But a dullard despiseth his own mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that lacketh sense,—But a man of understanding taketh a straight course.
22 Plans are frustrated for lack of consultation, But by the multitude of counsellors shall counsel be established.
23 A man hath joy in the answer of his own mouth, And a word in its season—how good!
24 The way of life is upwards to the prudent, That he may depart from hades beneath.
25 The house of proud men will Yahweh tear down, But he will maintain the boundary of the widow.
26 An abomination to Yahweh are the plottings of the wicked, But with the pure are sayings of sweetness.
27 He troubleth his own house who graspeth with greed, But he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer, But the mouth of the lawless belcheth out mischiefs.
29 Far off is Yahweh from the lawless, But the prayer of the righteous will he hear.
30 The sparkling of bright eyes rejoiceth the heart, Good news giveth marrow to the bones.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof which giveth life In the midst of the wise shall remain.
32 He that declineth correction despiseth his own soul, But he that heareth reproof gaineth sense.
33 The reverence of Yahweh is the correction of wisdom, And before honour is humility.
16 To man belong the preparations of the heart, But from Yahweh cometh the answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man [may be] pure in his own eyes, But he that testeth spirits is Yahweh.
3 Roll upon Yahweh thy doings, That thy plans may be established.
4 Everything hath Yahweh made for its own purpose, Yea even the lawless one for the day of calamity.
5 An abomination to Yahweh is every one who is haughty in heart, Hand to hand he shall not be held innocent.
6 By lovingkindness and fidelity shall iniquity be covered, And in the revering of Yahweh is a turning away from wrong.
7 When acceptable to Yahweh are the ways of a man Even his enemies doth he cause to make peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness, Than large revenues without justice.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way, But Yahweh directeth his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king, In giving sentence his mouth must not be unfaithful.
11 The balance and scales of justice belong to Yahweh, And his handiwork are all the weights of the bag.
12 The abomination of kings is to work lawlessness, For by righteousness is established a throne.
13 The delight of kings are lips of righteousness,—And the words of uprightness he loveth.
14 The wrath of a king [meaneth] messengers of death, But a man who is wise will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s countenance is life, And his good-pleasure is like the cloud of harvest-rain.
16 To acquire wisdom how much better than gold! And to get hold of understanding more choice than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to avoid evil, He preserveth his soul who guardeth his way.
18 Before grievous injury pride! And before a fall haughtiness of spirit!
19 Better is lowliness of spirit with the patient, Than a portion of spoil with the proud.
20 He that showeth discretion concerning a matter shall find good, And he that trusteth in Yahweh how happy is he!
21 The wise in heart shall be called intelligent, And sweetness of lips increaseth persuasiveness.
22 A well-spring of life is discretion to its owner, But the correction of the foolish is folly.
23 The heart of the wise giveth discretion to his mouth, And upon his lips increaseth persuasiveness.
24 A comb of honey are pleasant words, Sweet to the taste and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way that enticeth a man, But at the latter end thereof are the ways of death.
26 The appetite of the toiler hath toiled for him, For his mouth hath urged him on.
27 An abandoned man diggeth up mischief,—And upon his lips as it were a fire is scorching.
28 A perverse man sendeth forth strife, And a tattler separateth intimate friends.
29 A ruthless man enticeth his neighbour, And leadeth him in a way not good.
30 Closing his eyes to devise perverse things, Biting his lips he hath plotted mischief.
31 A crown of adorning is a hoary head, In the way of righteousness it should be found.
32 Better he that is slow to anger than a hero, And he that ruleth his spirit than he that captureth a city.
33 Into the lap is cast the lot, But from Yahweh is its every decision.
17 Better a dry morsel and peace therewith, Than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
2 A prudent servant shall rule over a son who causeth shame, And in the midst of brothers shall he share the inheritance.
3 Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, But he that trieth hearts is Yahweh.
4 Discord giveth heed to the aggrieving lip,—Falsehood giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
5 He that mocketh the poor hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress shall not be held innocent.
6 The crown of old men consists of children’s children, And the adornment of children is their fathers.
7 Unseemly in an unworthy man is the lip of excellence, Much more in one of noble mind the lip of falsehood.
8 A gift in the eyes of its owner is a stone of beauty, Whithersoever it turneth it bringeth prosperity.
9 He that hideth a transgression seeketh love, But he that repeateth a matter separateth intimate friends.
10 A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man Than a hundred stripes into a dullard!
11 Nothing less than rebellion doth a wicked man seek, And a relentless messenger shall be sent out against him.
12 Let a bereaved bear encounter a man, Rather than a dullard with his folly!
13 He that returneth evil for good Evil shall not depart from his house.
14 A letting forth of water is the beginning of strife, Therefore before it breaketh out abandon contention.
15 He that justifieth the lawless and he that condemneth the righteous An abomination to Yahweh are they both.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? That he who is without sense may acquire wisdom.
17 At all times doth a friend love, And a brother for distress must be born.
18 A man lacking sense is one who striketh hands, Giving security before his neighbour.
19 A lover of transgression is one who loveth strife, He that heighteneth his door seeketh grievous harm.
20 The crooked in heart shall not find good, And he that is perverse with his tongue shall fall into wickedness.
21 He that begetteth a dullard it is to his own grief, Neither can the father of the base rejoice.
22 A joyful heart worketh an excellent cure,—But a stricken spirit drieth up the bone.
23 A bribe out of his bosom doth a lawless man take, To pervert the ways of justice.
24 Before the face of the discerning is wisdom, But the eyes of a dullard are in the ends of the earth.
25 A vexation to his father is the son that is a dullard, And a bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Surely to chastise the righteous is not good, To smite the noble-minded for equity.
27 Sparing of his words is one who valueth knowledge, And of a thoughtful spirit is a man of intelligence.
28 Even a fool holding his peace is accounted wise,—He that closeth his lips [is thought] to have understanding.
18 A man seeketh for satisfaction going his own way, Through all safe counsel he breaketh.
2 A dullard delighteth not in understanding, In nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
3 When the lawless man cometh in then cometh also contempt, And with shame reproach.
4 Deep waters are the words of a man’s mouth,—A bubbling brook the well-spring of wisdom.
5 To prefer a lawless man is not good, Thrusting away the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a dullard enter into contention, And his mouth for blows crieth out.
7 The mouth of a dullard is his ruin, And his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a tattler are dainties, They therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 Surely he that is slothful in his work Brother is he to a master at laying waste.
10 A tower of strength is the Name of Yahweh, Thereinto runneth the righteous and is safe.
11 The substance of a rich man is his strong city, And like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before grievous injury a man’s heart is haughty, And before honour is humility.
13 He that answereth before he heareth A folly it is to him and a reproach.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, But a dejected spirit who can bear it?
15 The heart of the intelligent acquireth knowledge, Yea the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before great men setteth him down.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, Then cometh his neighbour and thoroughly searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And the mighty it parteth.
19 A brother estranged [is worse] than a strong city,—And contentions are as the bar of a citadel.
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.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And its friends shall eat its fruits.
22 Who hath found a wife hath found a blessing, And hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
23 Supplications doth the poor man utter, But the rich answereth fiercely.
24 A man having [many] friends shall come to ruin, But there is a loving one who sticketh closer than a brother.
19 Better is a poor man walking in his integrity, Than one of perverse lips and he a dullard.
2 Surely for the soul to be without knowledge is not good, And he that hasteth with his feet strayeth.
3 The folly of a man subverteth his way, And against Yahweh his heart is angry.
4 Wealth addeth many friends, But the poor man from his own friend is parted.
5 A false witness shall not be held innocent, And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6 Many will entreat the favour of a noble, And every one is a friend to a man abounding in gifts.
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.
8 He that acquireth sense loveth his own soul, He that guardeth understanding shall find blessing.
9 A false witness shall not be held innocent, And he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Unseemly for a dullard is delicate living, How much more for a servant to bear rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, And his adorning is to pass over transgression.
12 The growl as of a young lion is the rage of a king, But like dew upon the grass is his good pleasure.
13 Engulfing ruin to his father is a son that is a dullard,—And a continuous dripping are the contentions of a wife.
14 House and substance are an inheritance from one’s fathers, But from Yahweh cometh a wife who is prudent.
15 Sloth falleth into a deep sleep, And a soul that is indolent shall famish.
16 One who guardeth the commandment guardeth his life, He that is reckless in his ways shall die.
17 A lender to Yahweh is one who sheweth favour to the poor, And his good deed He will pay him back.
18 Correct thy son because there is hope, Yet not so as to slay him let thy passion be excited.
19 A man in a rage taketh away the penalty,—Nevertheless if thou let him go free the more [stripes] must thou add.
20 Hear counsel, receive correction, that thou mayest be wise in thine after-life.
21 Many are the devices in a man’s heart, But the counsel of Yahweh that shall stand.
22 The charm of a man is his lovingkindness,—And better a poor man than one who deceiveth.
23 The reverence of Yahweh leadeth to life, Satisfied then let a man remain—let him not be visited by calamity.
24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, Even unto his own mouth will he not bring it back.
25 The scoffer thou shalt smite and the simple will beware, But correct a man of intelligence—he will understand teaching.
26 He that ruineth his father and chaseth away his mother Is a son causing shame and reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction that would cause thee to wander from the sayings of knowledge.
28 An abandoned witness scorneth justice, And the mouth of lawless men swalloweth iniquity.
29 Prepared for scoffers are punishments, And stripes for the back of dullards.
20 Wine is a scoffer and strong drink a brawler, Every one therefore who erreth therein is unwise.
2 The growl as of a young lion is the dread inspired by a king, He that provoketh him endangereth his own life.
3 Honour hath the man who sitteth away from strife, But any fool may break through.
4 By reason of the autumn a sluggard will not plough, Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and there be nothing.
5 Deep water is counsel in a man’s heart, But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 A kind man one may call a great man,—But a faithful man who can find?
7 As for a righteous man walking in his integrity How happy are his children after him!
8 A king sitting on the throne of judgment Scattereth with his eyes all wrong.
9 Who can say, I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights and divers measures An abomination to Yahweh are they both.
11 Even by his doings doth a youth make himself known, Whether pure and upright be his work.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye Yahweh hath made them both.
13 Do not love sleep lest thou come to poverty, Open thine eyes, be satisfied with bread.
14 Bad! bad! saith the buyer, But going his way then he boasteth.
15 There are gold and an abundance of corals, But precious jewels are the lips of knowledge.
16 Take his garment who is pledge for a stranger,—Then for a woman unknown accept him as surety.
17 Sweet to a man may be the bread of falsehood, But afterward shall his mouth be filled with gravel.
18 Plans—by counsel shalt thou establish, And with concerted measures make thou war.
19 A revealer of secrets is one who goeth about talebearing, Therefore with him who openeth his lips shalt thou not have fellowship.
20 Whoso revileth his father or his mother His lamp shall be put out in deep darkness.
21 An inheritance hastily gotten at the beginning The latter end thereof shall not bring blessing.
22 Do not say, I will requite wrong! Wait thou for Yahweh that he may save thee.
23 An abomination to Yahweh are divers weights, And deceptive balances are not good.
24 From Yahweh are a man’s steps, A son of earth then—how can he discern his way?
25 It is a snare to a man that he should rashly cry Holy! And after making vows to reflect!
26 A wise king winnoweth out the lawless, When he hath turned over them the wheel.
27 The lamp of Yahweh is the spirit of a son of earth, Searching all the chambers of the inner man.
28 Lovingkindness and faithfulness will guard a king,—Therefore should he support with lovingkindness his throne.
29 The beauty of young men is their strength, And the ornament of old men a hoary head.
30 Blows that cut in cleanse away wickedness, And smitings [enter] the chambers of the inner man.
21 [Like] channels of water is the heart of a king in the hand of Yahweh,—Whithersoever he will he turneth it.
2 Every way of a man may be right in his own eyes, But he that testeth hearts is Yahweh.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes and ambition of heart—The lamp of the lawless are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent tend only to abundance, But of every one that is urgent only to want.
6 The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood Is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death.
7 The violence of the lawless shall drag them away,—Because they have refused to do justice.
8 Crooked is the way of a guilty man, But as for the pure straight is his dealing.
9 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof Than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
10 The soul of the lawless man craveth mischief, His own friend findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished the simple becometh wise, When the wise is instructed he receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless,—He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
13 He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor Even he shall call and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret quencheth anger, And a present in the bosom mighty wrath.
15 It is a joy to a righteous man to do justice, But dismay to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wandereth from the way of discretion In the gathered host of the shades shall settle down.
17 A needy man shall he be that loveth merriment, The lover of wine and oil shall not become rich.
18 A ransom for the righteous is the lawless, And instead of upright men the traitor.
19 Better to dwell in a desert land Than with a woman quarrelsome and provoking.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are in the home of the wise, But a man who is a dullard will destroy it.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness Shall find life, righteousness and honour.
22 A city of heroes doth a wise man scale, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth out of distresses his soul.
24 A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name Is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
25 The craving of the sluggard killeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 All the day he greatly craveth, Whereas the righteous giveth and doth not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the lawless is an abomination, How much more when with wickedness he bringeth it in!
28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hearkeneth with abiding effect shall speak.
29 A lawless man emboldeneth his face, But as for the upright he directeth his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding, Nor counsel to confront Yahweh.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But to Yahweh pertaineth the victory.
22 More choice is a name than great riches, Beyond silver and gold is pleasant grace.
2 The rich and the poor meet together, The maker of them all is Yahweh.
3 A prudent man seeth calamity and hideth himself, But the simple pass on and suffer.
4 The reward of humility is the reverence of Yahweh, Riches and honour and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse,—He that guardeth his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a youth in the direction of his duty, Even when he becometh old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich over the poor beareth rule,—And slave is the borrower to the lender.
8 He that soweth perversity shall reap trouble, And the rod of his wrath shall be ready.
9 A benevolent eye the same shall be blessed,—Because he hath given of his bread to the poor.
10 Drive away the scoffer that strife may depart, And quarrel and contempt may cease.
11 Yahweh loveth the pure in heart, Gracious are his lips, his friend is the king!
12 The eyes of Yahweh watch over knowledge, Therefore hath he overturned the words of the treacherous.
13 Saith the sluggard, A lion outside! Amidst the broadways shall I be slain.
14 A deep chasm is the mouth of strange women, He with whom Yahweh is indignant falleth there.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to make increase for himself, Giving to the rich shall surely come to want.
17 Incline thine ear and hear the words of wise men, Then thy heart wilt thou apply to my teaching;
18 For sweet shall they be when thou shalt keep them in thine inmost mind, They shall fit well together upon thy lips.
19 That in Yahweh may be thy trust I have made them known to thee to-day even to thee.
20 Have I not written for thee noble things, With counsels and knowledge:
21 To cause thee to know the meaning of faithful sayings, That thou mayest give back faithful sayings to them who ask thee.
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Neither crush thou the oppressed in the gate;
23 For Yahweh will plead their cause, And will despoil their despoilers of life.
24 Do not have friendship with one given to anger, And with a wrathful man shall thou not enter in:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, And take a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not of them who strike hands, Of them who are sureties for debts:
27 If thou hast nothing to pay Why should one take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Do not move back the ancient boundary, Which thy fathers made.
29 Seest thou a man prompt in his business? Before kings shall he stand, He shall not stand before men who are obscure.
23 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler Thou shalt consider well what is before thee;
2 And shalt put a knife to thy throat, If of great appetite thou art:
3 Do not crave his dainties, For the same are deceitful food.
4 Do not toil to get wealth, Of thine own understanding forbear:
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.
6 Do not eat the food of him that hath a begrudging eye, Neither crave thou his dainties;
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.
8 As for thy morsel thou hast eaten thou shalt vomit it, So shalt thou waste thy things so sweet.
9 In the ears of a dullard do not speak, For he will despise the good sense of thy words.
10 Do not move back the ancient boundary, And into the fields of the fatherless do not enter;
11 For their near of kin is strong, He will plead their cause with thee.
12 Bring to correction thy heart, And thine ears to the sayings of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold from a child correction, When thou smitest him with the rod he shall not die:
14 Thou with the rod shalt smite him, And his soul from hades shalt thou deliver.
15 My son! if thy heart be wise My heart shall rejoice even mine.
16 So shall my reins exult, When thy lips speak the things that are right.
17 Let not thy heart be envious of sinners, Only of the reverence of Yahweh all day long;
18 For surely there is a future, And thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19 Hear thou my son and be wise, And lead forward in duty thy heart.
20 Do not be among them who tipple with wine,—Among them who are gluttons;
21 For the tippler and the glutton shall come to poverty, And rags shall Slumber put on!
22 Hearken to thy father here who begat thee, And despise not when she is old thy mother.
23 Truth buy thou but do not sell, Wisdom and correction and understanding.
24 Greatly shall exult the father of a righteous man, And he that begetteth a wise son shall rejoice in him:
25 Rejoice shall thy father and thy mother, Yea she shall exult who bare thee.
26 Oh give, my son, thy mind unto me, And let thine eyes observe my ways;
27 For a deep chasm is the unchaste woman, And a narrow pit the female unknown;
28 Yea she as for prey lieth in wait, And the treacherous among mankind she causeth to abound.
29 Who hath woe? Who hath outcry of pain? Who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? Who hath needless wounds? Who hath dullness of eyes?
30 They who tarry over wine, They who go in to search for mixed wine.
31 Do not look on wine when it becometh red, When it giveth in the cup its sparkle, Glideth down smoothly.
32 Its after effect is that like a serpent it biteth, And like a viper it doth sting.
33 Thine eyes will see strange women, And thy heart will speak perverse things:
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:
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!
24 Be not thou envious of wicked men, Neither crave to be with them;
2 For violence their heart muttereth, And mischief their lips do speak.
3 In wisdom is a house builded, And in understanding is it established;
4 And in knowledge chambers are filled, With all acquisitions costly and fair.
5 A wise man is mighty, And a man of knowledge becometh alert in vigour.
6 Surely with concerted measures shalt thou make for thyself war, And success lieth in the greatness of the counsellor.
7 Unattainable to a foolish man are the dictates of wisdom, In the gate he openeth not his mouth.
8 He that deviseth to do mischief Him shall men call a master of plots.
9 The purpose of folly is sin, And an abomination to mankind is a buffoon.
10 Thou hast been slothful in the day of straitness, Strait is thy strength.
11 Deliver thou such as are being led forth to death, And them who are tottering to slaughter oh that thou wouldst hold back!
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?
13 My son, eat thou honey because it is good,—And droppings from the comb [because they are] sweet to thy palate:
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.
15 Do not lie in wait, thou lawless man, against the home of the righteous,—Neither destroy thou his place of rest;
16 For seven times may the righteous fall and yet arise, But lawless men shall stumble into calamity.
17 When thine enemy falleth do not thou rejoice, And when he stumbleth let not thy heart exult:
18 Lest Yahweh see it and it be wicked in his eyes, And he turn away from him his anger.
19 Burn not with vexation against evildoers, Be not envious of lawless men;
20 For there shall be no future for the wicked, The lamp of the lawless shall go out.
21 Revere thou Yahweh, my son, and the king, And with the fickle have thou no fellowship;
22 For suddenly shall arise their calamity; And the misfortune of their years who knoweth?
23 These things also concern the wise, To take note of faces in judgment is not good.
24 He that saith to the lawless man, Righteous thou art Peoples shall denounce him, Populations shall curse him;
25 But to reprovers one should be pleasant, And upon them should come an excellent blessing:
26 Lips should one kiss With one who answereth in right words.
27 Prepare in the open thy work And make ready in the field for thyself, Afterwards shalt thou build thy house.
28 Do not become a needless witness against thy neighbour, So mightest thou open too wide thy lips:
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.
30 By the field of the sluggard I passed, And by the vineyard of a man lacking sense;
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.
32 So I observed it for myself, I applied my heart, I looked—I accepted correction:
33 A little sleep, A little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest:
34 So shall come in as a highwayman thy poverty, And thy want as one armed with a shield.
25 These also are proverbs of Solomon,—which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 The glory of God is to conceal a thing, But the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
3 The heavens for height and the earth for depth But the heart of kings cannot be searched.
4 Remove the dross from the silver And there cometh forth to the refiner a vessel:
5 Remove a lawless man from before the king That his throne may be established in righteousness.
6 Do not honour thyself before a king, Nor in the place of great men do thou stand;
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.
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.
9 Thy contention urge thou with thy neighbour, And the secret of another do not reveal:
10 Lest he that heareth expose thee, And the report concerning thee turn not away.
11 Golden fruit in figured silver baskets Is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
12 A ring of gold and a vessel of precious metal Is a wise reprover on a hearing ear.
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.
14 Clouds and wind when rain there is none Is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
15 By long patience is a judge persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Honey having found eat to suffice thee, Lest thou loathe it and vomit it forth.
17 Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour,—Lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.
18 A hammer and a sword and a sharpened arrow Is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
19 A broken tooth and a faltering foot Is confidence in the treacherous in the day of danger.
20 As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre So is a singer with songs unto a sad heart.
21 If he that hateth thee hunger give him bread to eat, And if he be thirsty give him water to drink;
22 For burning coals shalt thou be heaping upon his head,—And Yahweh will repay thee.
23 A north wind bringeth forth rain And a face stirred with indignation a secretive tongue.
24 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof Than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul So is a good report from a far country.
26 A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled Is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
27 To eat honey in abundance is not good, Nor is searching out their own honour an honourable thing.
28 A city broken down without a wall Is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
26 As snow in summer and as rain in harvest So unbecoming to a dullard is honour.
2 As a sparrow in wandering, as a swallow in flying So a causeless curse shall not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass And a rod for the back of dullards.
4 Do not answer a dullard according to his folly, Lest even thou thyself become like him;
5 Answer a dullard according to his folly, Lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 One who cutteth off feet, one who drinketh down wrong, Is he who sendeth a message by the hand of a dullard.
7 Useless are the legs of the lame And a proverb in the mouth of a dullard.
8 Like tying a stone to a sling So is he that giveth honour to a dullard.
9 A brier cometh into the hand of a drunken-man, A proverb into the mouth of dullards.
10 [As] an archer who woundeth every thing, [So] one who hireth a dullard and a drunkard crossing the sea.
11 As a dog returneth onto his own vomit A dullard repeateth his folly.
12 Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes,—More hope of a dullard than of him!
13 Saith the sluggard, A roaring lion in the road! A tearing lion in the midst of the broadways.
14 The door turneth on its hinges And the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 Wiser is the sluggard in his own eyes, Than seven persons who can answer with judgment.
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.
18 As a madman throwing firebrands, arrows and death
19 So is a man who deceiveth his neighbour, And saith, Was not I in sport?
20 Without wood a fire is quenched And where there is no tattler strife is hushed.
21 Black coal to burning blocks and wood to fire So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a tattler are dainties, They therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
23 Dross silver overlaid upon earthenware So are burning lips with a mischievous heart:
24 With his lips the hater dissembleth, But within himself he layeth up deceit:
25 Though he make gracious his voice do not trust him, For seven abominations are in his heart:
26 Hatred may clothe itself with guile, His wickedness shall be disclosed in the convocation.
27 He that diggeth a pit thereinto shall fall, And he that rolleth a stone upon himself shall it return.
28 A false tongue hateth them who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth worketh occasion of stumbling.
27 Do not boast thyself of to-morrow, For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another praise thee and not thine own mouth, A stranger and not thine own lips.
3 Heavy is a stone and weighty is sand,—But the vexation of a fool is heavier than both.
4 The cruelty of rage and the overflow of anger! But who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better is a rebuke that is open, Than love carefully concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But lavished are the kisses of an enemy.
7 The surfeited soul trampleth upon droppings from the comb, But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 As a bird wandering from her nest So is a man wandering from his place.
9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, The sweetness of one’s friend more than fragrant wood.
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.
11 Be wise, my son, and rejoice my heart, That I may answer him that reproacheth me in a matter.
12 A prudent man seeth calamity—he hideth himself, The simple pass on—they suffer.
13 Take a man’s garment when he hath become pledge for a stranger, Then for a female unknown accept him as surety.
14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice in the morning early A reproach shall it be reckoned to him.
15 A continuous dripping on a day of downpour, And a contentious wife are alike:
16 He that hideth her hideth the wind, And perfume his right hand may proclaim.
17 Let iron by iron become sharp, And let a man sharpen the face of his friend.
18 He that guardeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof, And he that watcheth over his master shall be honoured.
19 As in water face [answereth] to face So the heart of man to man.
20 Hades and destruction are not satisfied, And the eyes of a man are not satisfied.
21 Fining pot for silver and crucible for gold And a man [is to be tried] by what he praiseth.
22 Though thou pound a fool in a mortar amidst grain with a pestle His folly will not depart from him.
23 Note well the appearance of thy flock, Apply thy mind to thy herds;
24 For not age-abiding are riches, Nor is the diadem from generation to generation:—
25 The grass is taken away and the young shoot showeth itself, And the herbage of the mountains is gathered;
26 There are lambs for thy clothing And for the price of thy field there are he-goats;
27 With enough goats-milk for thy food—for the food of thy household, And a maintenance for thy maidens.
28 The lawless fleeth when no man pursueth, But the righteous like a lion are confident.
2 For the transgressions of a land many are the rulers thereof, But under an intelligent and discerning man stability is prolonged.
3 A poor man who oppresseth the helpless [Is like] a rain beating down leaving no food.
4 They who forsake instruction praise one who is lawless, While they who keep instruction are at strife with them.
5 Wicked men consider not justice, But they who seek Yahweh consider everything.
6 Better a poor man walking in his integrity, Than one who is crooked—turning two ways though he be rich.
7 He that keepeth instruction is a son with discernment, But a companion of squanderers bringeth shame to his father.
8 He that increaseth his substance by interest and profit, For one ready to favour the poor doth gather it.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing instruction Even his prayer is an abomination.
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.
11 Wise in his own eyes is the man that is rich, But a poor man of discernment searcheth him out.
12 In the exulting of the righteous there is great glorying, But when the lawless arise a man must be sought for.
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper, But he that confesseth and forsaketh shall find compassion.
14 How happy the man who is ever circumspect, Whereas he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into calamity.
15 A growling lion and a ranging bear Is a lawless ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader may lack intelligence yet abound in oppressions, The hater of greed shall lengthen out days.
17 A man oppressed with a person’s blood Unto a pit shall flee, let them not hold him back.
18 He that walketh with integrity shall be saved, But he that is crooked turning two ways shall fall in one.
19 He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread, But he that pursueth empty-heads shall have plenty of poverty.
20 A man of fidelity aboundeth in blessings, But one hasting to be rich shall not be held innocent.
21 To take note of faces [in judgment] is not good, And for a bit of bread a man will transgress.
22 A man hasting to be rich hath an evil eye, And knoweth not when want may overtake him.
23 He that reproveth a man shall afterwards find more favour, Than he that useth a flattering tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression Companion is he to one who wasteth.
25 The ambitious in soul stirreth up strife, But he that trusteth in Yahweh shall be enriched.
26 He that trusteth his own heart the same is a dullard, But he that walketh wisely the same shall be delivered.
27 One who giveth to the poor shall have no want, But he that hideth his eyes shall receive many a curse.
28 When lawless men rise a common man will hide himself, But when they perish righteous men multiply.
29 He that being often reproved stiffeneth his neck Suddenly shall be hurt and there be no healing.
2 When the righteous become great the people rejoice, But when a lawless man beareth rule a people sigh.
3 A man who loveth wisdom gladdeneth his father, But a companion of harlots destroyeth wealth.
4 A king by justice shall establish a land,—But a man open to bribes bringeth it to ruin.
5 A man who flattereth his neighbour Spreadeth a net over his steps.
6 In the transgression of a wicked man is a snare, But the righteous doth shout in triumph and rejoice.
7 The righteous doth acknowledge the plea of the poor, But the lawless regardeth not knowledge.
8 Men given to mockery inflame a city,—But wise men turn away anger.
9 A wise man pleading with a foolish man Whether he rage or laugh there is no settlement.
10 Blood-thirsty men hate the blameless man, And as for the upright they seek his life.
11 All his anger doth a dullard let go, But a wise man by keeping it back stilleth it.
12 When a ruler giveth heed to the word of falsehood All his attendants become lawless.
13 The poor man and the man of usury meet together, He that enlighteneth the eyes of them both is Yahweh.
14 When a king judgeth faithfully the poor His throne to futurity shall be established.
15 A rod with rebuke giveth wisdom, But a youth unrestrained bringeth shame to his mother.
16 When the lawless become great transgression increaseth, But the righteous shall behold their ruin.
17 Correct thy son that he may give thee rest, That he may give delight to thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision a people is let loose, But he that keepeth instruction how happy is he!
19 By words a servant will not be corrected, Though he perceiveth yet is there no answer.
20 Thou hast seen a man hasty in his words,—There is more hope of a dullard than of him.
21 He that dealeth tenderly with his servant from childhood, In his after life shall have him for a son,
22 A man given to anger stirreth up strife, And he that exceedeth in wrath aboundeth in transgression.
23 The loftiness of a man layeth him low,—But one of a lowly spirit shall attain unto honour.
24 He that shareth with a thief hateth himself, An oath he heareth, yet may not tell.
25 The fear of man setteth a snare, But he that trusteth in Yahweh shall be placed on high.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler But from Yahweh is the sentence of each one.
27 An abomination to the righteous is the man of perversity. And an abomination to the lawless is a man of straightforward way.
30 The words of Agur, son of Jakeh, [even] the oracle,—The utterance of the man for Ithiel, For Ithiel and Ucal.
2 Surely more brutish am I than any man, Nor doth the understanding of a son of earth pertain to me;
3 Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor the knowledge of the Holy Ones can I acquire.
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?
5 Every saying of God is refined, A shield is he to them who seek refuge in him.
6 Do not add unto his words, Lest he convict thee and thou be found false.
7 Two things have I asked of thee, Withhold them not from me ere yet I die:
8 Vanity and falsehood remove far from me, Neither poverty nor riches give me, Feed me with the food appointed me:
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.
10 Do not slander a servant to his master, Lest he revile thee and thou be found guilty.
11 A generation! Its father it revileth, And its mother it doth not bless.
12 A generation! Pure in its own eyes, Yet from its filth hath it not been bathed,
13 A generation! How lofty are its eyes, And its eyelashes uplifted.
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.
15 The vampire hath two daughters, Give! Give! Three there are will not be satisfied, Four have not said, Enough!
16 Hades And barrenness,—A land not satisfied with water, And fire that saith not, Enough!
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.
18 Three things there are too difficult for me, Yea four which I do not understand:
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.
20 So is the way of a woman committing adultery,—She eateth and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no iniquity!
21 Under three things a land is stirred, Yea under four she cannot bear up:
22 Under a servant when he reigneth, And a base man, when he is surfeited with food;
23 Under a hateful woman when she is married, And a handmaid when she driveth out her mistress.
24 Four things there are the small of the earth,—Yet they are wiser than the wise:
25 The ants, a people not strong,—Yet prepare they, in summer their food;
26 The conies, a people of no power, Yet set they among the crags their house;
27 King is there none to the locusts,—Yet go forth in swarms do they all;
28 The lizard with hands reneweth its hold,—Yet the same is in the palaces of the king.
29 Three things there are which step along well, Yea four which excel in going:
30 The lion, hero among beasts, Which turneth aside from the face of no one;
31 The greyhound or the he-goat,—And a king having a band of soldiers with him.
32 If thou hast acted basely by lifting thyself up,—If thou hast plotted evil [put thy] hand to [thy] mouth!
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.
31 The words of Lemuel the king,—The strain which was taught him by his mother:—
2 What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? Aye what, the son of my vows?
3 Do not give to women thy strength, Nor thy ways to them who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for dignitaries to desire strong drink,
5 Lest he drink and forget that which is decreed, And alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
6 Give strong drink to him that is perishing, And wine to such as are embittered in soul:
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And his wearying toil let him remember no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the cause of all the children of the departed.
9 Open thy mouth—judge righteously,—And administer justice for the poor and the needy.
א
10 A virtuous woman who can find? For far beyond corals is her worth.
ב
11 The heart of her husband trusteth her, And gain he shall not lack:
ג
12 She doeth him good and not evil, All the days of her life:
ד
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:
ה
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her food;
ו
15 And she riseth while yet it is night, And giveth food to her household, And a task to her maidens:
ז
16 She considereth a field and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard:
ח
17 She girdeth with strength her loins, And putteth vigour into her arms:
ט
18 She tasteth whether good be her merchandise, And her lamp goeth not out by night:
י
19 Her hands she putteth forth to the distaff, And her palms lay hold of the spindle:
כ
20 Her palm she spreadeth out to the oppressed, And her hands she extendeth to the needy:
ל
21 She feareth not for her household because of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson:
מ
22 Coverlets she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple is her clothing:
נ
23 Known in the gates is her husband, When he sitteth with the elders of the land:
ס
24 Fine linen wraps she maketh and selleth, And girdles doth she deliver to the trader:
ע
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she laugheth at the time to come:
פ
26 Her mouth she openeth with wisdom, And the instruction of kindness is on her tongue:
צ
27 She looketh well to the goings of her household, And the bread of idleness will she not eat.
ק
28 Her children rise up and call her happy! Her husband, and he praiseth her:—
ר
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all!
ש
30 Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh she shall be praised:
ת
31 Give her of the fruit of her own hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.