by Septuagint
[20] My son, attend to my speech; and apply thine ear to my words: [21] that thy fountains may not fail thee; keep them in thine heart. [22] For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh. [23] Keep thine heart with the utmost care; for out of these are the issues of life. [24] Remove from thee a froward mouth, and put far away from thee unjust lips. [25] Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids assent to just things. [26] Make straight paths for thy feet, and order thy ways aright. [27] Turn not aside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away thy foot from an evil way: [for God knows the ways on the right hand, but those on the left are crooked:] and he will make thy ways straight, and will guide thy steps in peace.
Chapter 5
[1] My son, attend to my wisdom, and apply thine ear to my words; [2] that thou mayest keep good understanding, and the discretion of my lips gives thee a charge.
Give no heed to a worthless woman; [3] for honey drops from the lips of a harlot, who for a season pleases thy palate: [4] but afterwards thou wilt find her more bitter than gall, and sharper than a two-edged sword. [5] For the feet of folly lead those who deal with her down to the grave with death; and her steps are not established. [6] For she goes not upon the paths of life; but her ways are slippery, and not easily known.
[7] Now then, my son, hear me, and make not my words of none effect. [8] Remove thy way far from her; draw not near to the doors of her house: [9] lest thou give away thy life to others, and thy substance to the merciless: [10] lest strangers be filled with thy strength, and thy labours come into the houses of strangers; [11] And thou repent at last, when the flesh of thy body is consumed, [12] and thou shalt say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart avoided reproofs! [13] I heard not the voice of him that instructed me, and taught me, neither did I apply mine ear. [14] I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
[15] Drink waters out of thine own vessels, and out of thine own springing wells. [16] Let not waters out of thy fountain be spilt by thee, but let thy waters go into thy streets. [17] Let them be only thine own, and let no stranger partake with thee. [18] Let thy fountain of water be truly thine own; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. [19] Let thy loving hart and thy graceful colt company with thee, and let her be considered thine own, and be with thee at all times; for ravished with her love thou shalt be greatly increased. [20] Be not intimate with a strange woman, neither fold thyself in the arms of a woman not thine own. [21] For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, and he looks on all his paths. [22] Iniquities ensnare a man, and every one is bound in the chains of his own sins. [23] Such a man dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly.
Chapter 6
[1] My son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou shalt deliver thine hand to an enemy. [2] For a man’s own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth. [3] My son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend’s account thou art come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety. [4] Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber with thine eyelids; [5] that thou mayest deliver thyself as a doe out of the toils, and as a bird out of a snare.
[6] Go to the ant, O sluggard; and see, and emulate his ways, and become wiser than he. [7] For whereas he has no husbandry, nor any one to compel him, and is under no master, [8] he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work; whose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all: though weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom. [9] How long wilt thou lie, O sluggard? and when wilt thou awake out of sleep? [10] Thou sleepest a little, and thou restest a little, and thou slumberest a short time, and thou foldest thine arms over thy breast a little. [11] Then poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveller, and want as a swift courier: but if thou be diligent, thine harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.
[12] A foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good. [13] And the same winks with the eye, and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the beckonings of his fingers. [14] His perverse heart devises evils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a city. [15] Therefore his destruction shall come suddenly; overthrow and irretrievable ruin.
[16] For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul. [17] The eye of the haughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood of the just; [18] and a heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hastening to do evil, — are hateful to God. [19] An unjust witness kindles falsehoods, and brings on quarrels between brethren.
[20] My son, keep the laws of thy father, and reject not the ordinances of thy mother: [21] but bind them upon thy soul continually, and hang them as a chain about thy neck. [22] Whensoever thou walkest, lead this along and let it be with thee; that it may talk with thee when thou wakest. [23] For the commandment of the law is a lamp and a light; a way of life; reproof also and correction: [24] to keep thee continually from a married woman, and from the calumny of a strange tongue.
[25] Let not the desire of beauty overcome thee, neither be thou caught by thine eyes, neither be captivated with her eyelids. [26] For the value of a harlot is as much as of one loaf; and a woman hunts for the precious souls of men. [27] Shall any one bind fire in his bosom, and not burn his garments? [28] or will any one walk on coals of fire, and not burn his feet? [29] So is he that goes in to a married woman; he shall not be held guiltless, neither any one that touches her. [30] It is not to be wondered at if one should be taken stealing, for he steals that when hungry he may satisfy his soul: [31] but if he should be taken, he shall repay sevenfold, and shall deliver himself by giving all his goods. [32] But the adulterer through want of sense procures destruction to his soul. [33] He endures both pain and disgrace, and his reproach shall never be wiped off. [34] For the soul of her husband is full of jealousy: he will not spare in the day of vengeance. [35] He will not forego his enmity for any ransom: neither will he be reconciled for many gifts.
Chapter 7
[1] My son, keep my words, and hide with thee my commandments. My son, honour the Lord, and thou shalt be strong; and fear none but him: [2] keep my commandments, and thou shalt live; and keep my words as the pupils of thine eyes. [3] And bind them on thy fingers, and write them on the table of thine heart.
[4] Say that wisdom is thy sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for thyself; [5] that she may keep thee from the strange and wicked woman, if she should assail thee with flattering words.
[6] For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, at one whom she may see of the senseless ones, a young man void of understanding, [7] passing by the corner in the passages near her house, [8] and speaking, in the dark of the evening, [9] when there happens to be the stillness of night and of darkness: [10] and the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causes the hearts of young men to flutter. [11] And she is fickle, and debauched, and her feet abide not at home. [12] For at one time she wanders without, and at another time she lies in wait in the streets, at every corner. [13] Then she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him, [14] I have a peace-offering; today I pay my vows: [15] therefore I came forth to meet thee, desiring thy face; and I have found thee. [16] I have spread my bed with sheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt. [17] I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and my house with cinnamon. [18] Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; come, and let us embrace in love. [19] For my husband is not at home, but is gone on a long journey, [20] having taken in his hand a bundle of money: after many days he will return to his house.
[21] So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, and with the snares of her lips forced him from the right path. [22] A
nd he followed her, being gently led on, and that as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow: [23] and he hastens as a bird into a snare, not knowing that he is running for his life.
[24] Now then, my son, hearken to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. [25] Let not thine heart turn aside to her ways: [26] for she has wounded and cast down many, and those whom she has slain are innumerable. [27] Her house is the way of hell, leading down to the chambers of death.
Chapter 8
[1] Thou shalt proclaim wisdom, that understanding may be obedient to thee. [2] For she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways. [3] For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, saying, [4] You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. [5] O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. [6] Hearken to me; for I will speak solemn truths; and will produce right sayings from my lips. [7] For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. [8] All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. [9] They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge. [10] Receive instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than tried gold. [11] For wisdom is better than precious stones; and no valuable substance is of equal worth with it.
[12] I wisdom have dwelt with counsel and knowledge, and I have called upon understanding. [13] The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness, and insolence, and pride, and the ways of wicked men; and I hate the perverse ways of bad men. [14] Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. [15] By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. [16] By me nobles become great, and monarchs by me rule over the earth. [17] I love those that love me; and they that seek me shall find me.
[18] Wealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant possessions and righteousness. [19] It is better to have my fruit than to have gold and precious stones; and my produce is better than choice silver. [20] I walk in ways of righteousness, and am conversant with the paths of judgement; [21] that I may divide substance to them that love me, and may fill their treasures with good things. If I declare to you the things that daily happen, I will remember also to recount the things of old.
[22] The Lord made me the beginning of his ways for his works. [23] He established me before time was in the beginning, before he made the earth: [24] even before he made the depths; before the fountains of water came forth: [25] before the mountains were settled, and before all hills, he begets me. [26] The Lord made countries and uninhabited tracks, and the highest inhabited parts of the world. [27] When he prepared the heaven, I was present with him; and when he prepared his throne upon the winds: [28] and when he strengthened the clouds above; and when he secured the fountains of the earth: [29] and when he strengthened the foundations of the earth: [30] I was by him, suiting myself to him, I was that wherein he took delight; and daily I rejoiced in his presence continually. [31] For he rejoiced when he had completed the world, and rejoiced among the children of men.
[32] Now then, my son, hear me: blessed is the man who shall hearken to me, and the mortal who shall keep my ways; [33] 34 watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances. [35] For my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favour from the Lord. [36] But they that sin against me act wickedly against their own souls: and they that hate me love death.
Chapter 9
[1] Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars. [2] She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table. [3] She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying, [4] Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says, [5] Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
[6] Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge. [7] He that reproves evil men shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly man shall disgrace himself. [8] Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. [9] Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction. [10] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is the character of a sound mind. [11] For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
[12] Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
[13] A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel. [14] She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets, [15] calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways; [16] saying, Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying, [17] Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
[18] But he knows that mighty men die by her, and he falls in with a snare of hell. But hasten away, delay not in the place, neither fix thine eye upon her: for thus shalt thou go through strange water; but do thou abstain from strange water, and drink not of a strange fountain, that thou mayest live long, and years of life may be added to thee.
Chapter 10
[1] A wise son makes his father glad: but a foolish son is a grief to his mother. [2] Treasures shall not profit the lawless: but righteousness shall deliver from death. [3] The Lord will not famish a righteous soul: but he will overthrow the life of the ungodly.
[4] Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of the vigorous make rich. A son who is instructed shall be wise, and shall use the fool for a servant. [5] A wise son is saved from heat: but a lawless son is blighted of the winds in harvest.
[6] The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly. [7] The memory of the just is praised; but the name of the ungodly man is extinguished. [8] A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness. [9] He that walks simply, walks confidently; but he that perverts his ways shall be known. [10] He that winks with his eyes deceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reproves boldly is a peacemaker. [11] There is a fountain of life in the hand of a righteous man; but destruction shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.
[12] Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all that do not love strife. [13] He that brings forth wisdom from his lips smites the fool with a rod. [14] The wise will hide discretion; but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin. [15] The wealth of rich men is a strong city; but poverty is the ruin of the ungodly. [16] The works of the righteous produce life; but the fruits of the ungodly produce sins. [17] Instruction keeps the right ways of life; but instruction unchastened goes astray.
[18] Righteous lips cover enmity; but they that utter railings are most foolish. [19] By a multitude of words thou shalt not escape sin; but if thou refrain thy lips thou wilt be prudent. [20] The tongue of the just is tried silver; but the heart of the ungodly shall fail. [21] The lips of the righteous know sublime truths: but the foolish die in want. [22] The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous; it enriches him, and grief of heart shall not be added to it.
[23] A fool does mischief in sport; but wisdom brings forth prudence for a man.
[24] The ungodly is engulphed in destruction; but the desire of the righteous is acceptable. [25] When the storm passes by, the ungodly vanishes away; but the righteous turns aside and escapes for ever. [26] As a sour grape is hurtful to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so iniquity hurt
s those that practise it. [27] The fear of the Lord adds length of days: but the years of the ungodly shall be shortened. [28] Joy rests long with the righteous: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish. [29] The fear of the Lord is a strong hold of the saints: but ruin comes to them that work wickedness.
[30] The righteous shall never fail: but the ungodly shall not dwell in the earth. [31] The mouth of the righteous drops wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. [32] The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse.
Chapter 11
[1] False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him. [2] Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom. [3] When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy. [4] 5 Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
[6] The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. [7] At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes. [8] A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. [9] In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. [10] In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: [11] but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.
[12] A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet. [13] A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters. [14] They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.