by Septuagint
[12] Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils. [13] Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house. [14] Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty. [15] He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God. [16] Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief. [17] Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born. [18] A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
[19] A lover of sin rejoices in strifes; [20] and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs; [21] and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother. [22] A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up. [23] The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in his bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness. [24] The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth. [25] A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
[26] It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is it holy to plot against righteous princes. [27] He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise. [28] Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
Chapter 18
[1] A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach. [2] A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly. [3] When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises them; but dishonour and reproach come upon him. [4] A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth. [5] It is not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor is it holy to pervert justice in judgment.
[6] The lips of a fool bring him into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death. [7] A fool’s mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul. [8] Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger. [9] A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself. [10] The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted. [11] The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow. [12] Before ruin a man’s heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble. [13] Whoso answers a word before he hears a cause, it is folly and reproach to him. [14] A wise servant calms a man’s anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man? [15] The heart of the sensible man purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding. [16] A man’s gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes. [17] A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
[18] A silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers. [19] A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace. [20] A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips. [21] Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof. [22] He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
Chapter 19
[1] 2 [3] The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
[4] Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has. [5] A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape. [6] Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to another man. [7] Every one who hates his poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.
[8] He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good. [9] A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it. [10] Delight does not suit a fool, nor is it seemly if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness. [11] A merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors. [12] The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
[13] A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows paid out of the hire of a harlot are not pure. [14] Fathers divide house and substance to their children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord. [15] Cowardice possesses the effeminate man; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger. [16] He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish. [17] He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift. [18] Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness. [19] A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
[20] Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end. [21] There are many thoughts in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever. [22] Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar. [23] The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen. [24] He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even bring them up to his mouth. [25] When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
[26] He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach. [27] A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs. [28] He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgement. [29] Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
Chapter 20
[1] Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them. [2] The threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul. [3] It is a glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters. [4] A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest.
[5] Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water; but a prudent man will draw it out. [6] A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but it is hard to find a faithful man. [7] He that walks blameless in justice, shall leave his children blessed. [8] Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence. [9] Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins? 14 15 16 17 18 19 [20] The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness.
[21] A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be blessed in the end. [22] Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy; but wait on the Lord, that he may help thee.
[10] A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and so is he that makes them. [11] A youth when in company with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and then his way will be straight. [12] The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the Lord’s work. [13] Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled with bread.
[23] A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good in his sight. [24] A man’s goings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortal understand his ways? [25] It is a snare to a man hastily to consecrate some of his own property: for in that case repentance comes after vowing. [26] A
wise king utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.
[27] The spirit of man is a light of the Lord, who searches the inmost parts of the belly. [28] Mercy and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness. [29] Wisdom is an ornament to young men; and grey hairs are the glory of old men. [30] Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues shall come in the inward parts of their belly.
Chapter 21
[1] As a rush of water, so is the king’s heart in God’s hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out. [2] Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts. [3] To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices. [4] A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin. 5 [6] He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death. [7] Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly. [8] To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right. [9] It is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house. [10] The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man. [11] When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge. [12] A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
[13] He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him. [14] A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath. [15] It is the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers. [16] A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants. [17] A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance; [18] and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man. [19] It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman. [20] A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up. [21] The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory. [22] A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted. [23] He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
[24] A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor. [25] Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything. [26] An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate. [27] The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly. [28] A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously. [29] An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways. [30] There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly. [31] A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
Chapter 22
[1] A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold. [2] The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both. [3] An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished. [4] The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life. [5] Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them. 6 [7] The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
[8] He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works. [9] He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses them. [10] Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.
[11] The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips. [12] But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words. [13] The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets. [14] The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way. [15] Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.
[16] He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
[17] Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart, [18] that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips. [19] That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee. [20] And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge. [21] I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.
[22] Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the gates. [23] For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.
[24] Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man: [25] lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul.
[26] Become not surety from respect of a man’s person. [27] For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed that is under thee. [28] Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.
[29] It is fit that an observant man and one diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
Chapter 23
[1] If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before thee: [2] and apply thine hand, knowing that it behoves thee to prepare such meats: but if thou art very insatiable, [3] desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life.
[4] If thou art poor, measure not thyself with a rich man; but refrain thyself in thy wisdom. [5] If thou shouldest fix thine eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle’s are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master. [6] Sup not with an envious man, neither desire thou his meats: [7] so he eats and drinks as if any one should swallow a hair, and do not bring him in to thyself, nor eat thy morsel with him: [8] for he will vomit it up, and spoil thy fair words.
[9] Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at thy wise words. [10] Remove not the ancient landmarks; and enter not upon the possession of the fatherless: [11] for the Lord is their redeemer; he is mighty, and will plead their cause with thee. [12] Apply thine heart to instruction, and prepare thine ears for words of discretion.
[13] Refrain not from chastening a child; for if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die. [14] For thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from death.
[15] Son, if thy heart be wise, thou shalt also gladden my heart; [16] and thy lips shall converse with my lips, if they be right. [17] Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day. [18] For if thou shouldest keep these things, thou shalt have posterity; and thine hope shall not be removed.
[19] Hear, my son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of thine heart. [20] Be not a wine-bibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh: [21] for every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments.
[22] Hearken, my son, to thy father which begot thee, and despise not thy mother because she is grown old. [23] 24 A righteous father brings up his children well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son. [25] Let thy father and thy mother rejoice over thee, and let her that bore thee be glad.
[26] My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. [27] For a strange h
ouse is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow. [28] For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off.
[29] Who has woe? who trouble? who has quarrels? and who vexations and disputes? who has bruises without a cause? whose eyes are livid? [30] Are not those of them that stay long at wine? are not those of them that haunt the places where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse with them openly. [31] For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups, thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle. [32] But at last such a one stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent.
[33] Whenever thine eyes shall behold a strange woman, then thy mouth shall speak perverse things. [34] And thou shalt lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm. [35] And thou shalt say, They smote me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I knew it not: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company?
Chapter 24
[1] My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them. [2] For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs. [3] A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding. [4] By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth. [5] A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate. [6] War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
[7] Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord, [8] but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed men. [9] The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness attaches to a pestilent man. [10] He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.