by Septuagint
[4] He who trusts quickly is light in heart, and he who sins will do wrong to his soul.
[5] ὁ εὐφραινόμενος καρδίᾳ καταγνωσθήσεται,
[5] Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned:
[6] καὶ ὁ μισῶν λαλιὰν ἐλαττονοῦται κακίᾳ.
[6] and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.
[7] μηδέποτε δευτερώσῃς λόγον, καὶ οὐθέν σοι οὐ μὴ ἐλαττονωθῇ.
[7] Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.
[8] ἐν φίλῳ καὶ ἐν ἐχθρῷ μὴ διηγοῦ, καὶ εἰ μή ἔστι σοι ἁμαρτία, μὴ ἀποκάλυπτε·
[8] Whether it be to friend or foe, do not recount; and unless it is a sin for thee, do not disclose.
[9] ἀκήκοε γάρ σου καὶ ἐφυλάξατό σε, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ μισήσει σε.
[9] For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.
[10] ἀκήκοας λόγον, συναποθανέτω σοι· θάρσει, οὐ μή σε ρήξει.
[10] If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.
[11] ἀπὸ προσώπου λόγου ὠδινήσει μωρὸς ὡς ἀπὸ προσώπου βρέφους ἡ τίκτουσα.
[11] A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.
[12] βέλος πεπηγὸς ἐν μηρῷ σαρκός, οὕτως λόγος ἐν κοιλίᾳ μωροῦ.
[12] As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a word within a fool’s belly.
[13] ῎Ελεγξον φίλον, μήποτε οὐκ ἐποίησε, καὶ εἴ τι ἐποίησε, μήποτε προσθῇ.
[13] Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.
[14] ἔλεγξον τὸν πλησίον, μήποτε οὐκ εἶπε, καὶ εἰ εἴρηκεν, ἵνα μὴ δευτερώσῃ.
[14] Admonish thy neighbour, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.
[15] ἔλεγξον φίλον, πολλάκις γὰρ γίνεται διαβολή, καὶ μὴ παντὶ λόγῳ πίστευε.
[15] Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.
[16] ἔστιν ὀλισθαίνων καὶ οὐκ ἀπὸ ψυχῆς, καὶ τίς οὐχ ἡμάρτησεν ἐν τῇ γλώσσῃ αὐτοῦ;
[16] There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?
[17] ἔλεγξον τὸν πλησίον σου πρὶν ἢ ἀπειλῆσαι, καὶ δὸς τόπον νόμῳ ῾Υψίστου. γινόμενος ἄμηνις.
[17] Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; give place to the law of the most High. Be thou without anger.
[18] φόβος Κυρίου ἀρχὴ προσλήψεως, σοφία δὲ παρ’ αὐτοῦ ἀγάπησιν περιποιεῖ.
[18] The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted of him, and wisdom obtaineth his love.
[19] γνῶσις ἐντολῶν Κυρίου παιδεία ζωῆς, οἱ δὲ ποιοῦντες τὰ ἀρεστὰ αὐτῷ ἀθανασίας δένδρον καρποῦνται.
[19] The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.
[20] Πᾶσα σοφία φόβος Κυρίου, καὶ ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ ποίησις νόμου· καὶ γνῶσις τῆς παντοδυναμίας αὐτοῦ.
[20] The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.
[21] οἰκέτης λέγων τῷ δεσπότῃ· ὡς ἀρέσκει οὐ ποιήσω, ἐὰν μετὰ ταῦτα ποιήσῃ, παροργίζει τὸν τρέφοντα αὐτόν.
[21] If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.
[22] καὶ οὐκ ἔστι σοφία πονηρίας ἐπιστήμη, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅπου βουλὴ ἁμαρτωλῶν φρόνησις.
[22] The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.
[23] ἔστι πονηρία καὶ αὕτη βδέλυγμα, καὶ ἔστιν ἄφρων ἐλαττούμενος σοφίᾳ.
[23] There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.
[24] κρείττων ἡττώμενος ἐν συνέσει ἔμφοβος ἢ περισσεύων ἐν φρονήσει καὶ παραβαίνων νόμον.
[24] He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
[25] ἔστι πανουργία ἀκριβὴς καὶ αὕτη ἄδικος, καὶ ἔστι διαστρέφων χάριν τοῦ ἐκφᾶναι κρίμα.
[25] There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear;
[26] ἔστι πονηρευόμενος συγκεκυφὼς μελανίᾳ, καὶ τὰ ἐντὸς αὐτοῦ πλήρης δόλου·
[26] There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
[27] συγκύφων πρόσωπον καὶ ἑτεροκωφῶν, ὅπου οὐκ ἐπεγνώσθη, προφθάσει σε·
[27] As he lowers his countenance and feigns deafness, when no one observes, he will outrun you.
[28] καὶ ἐὰν ὑπὸ ἐλαττώματος ἰσχύος κωλυθῇ ἁμαρτεῖν, ἐὰν εὕρῃ καιρόν, κακοποιήσει.
[28] And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.
[29] ἀπὸ ὁράσεως ἐπιγνωσθήσεται ἀνήρ, καὶ ἀπὸ ἀπαντήσεως προσώπου ἐπιγνωσθήσεται νοήμων.
[29] A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
[30] στολισμὸς ἀνδρὸς καὶ γέλως ὀδόντων καὶ βήματα ἀνθρώπου ἀναγγέλλει τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ.
[30] A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.
CHAPTER 20
ΕΣΤΙΝ ἔλεγχος ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ὡραῖος, καὶ ἔστι σιωπῶν καὶ αὐτὸς φρόνιμος.
There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
[2] ὡς καλὸν ἐλέγξαι ἢ θυμοῦσθαι, καὶ ὁ ἀνθομολογούμενος ἀπὸ ἐλαττώσεως κωλυθήσεται.
[2] It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
[4] ἐπιθυμία εὐνούχου ἀποπαρθενῶσαι νεάνιδα, οὕτως ὁ ποιῶν ἐν βίᾳ κρίματα.
[4] As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
[5] ἔστι σιωπῶν εὑρισκόμενος σοφός, καὶ ἔστι μισητὸς ἀπὸ πολλῆς λαλιᾶς.
[5] There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
[6] ἔστι σιωπῶν, οὐ γὰρ ἔχει ἀπόκρισιν, καὶ ἔσ
τι σιωπῶν εἰδὼς καιρόν.
[6] Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
[7] ἄνθρωπος σοφὸς σιγήσει ἕως καιροῦ, ὁ δὲ λαπιστὴς καὶ ἄφρων ὑπερβήσεται καιρόν.
[7] A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
[8] ὁ πλεονάζων λόγῳ βδελυχθήσεται, καὶ ὁ ἐνεξουσιαζόμενος μισηθήσεται.
[8] He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
[9] ἔστιν εὐοδία ἐν κακοῖς ἀνδρί, καὶ ἔστιν εὕρημα εἰς ἐλάττωσιν.
[9] There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
[10] ἔστι δόσις, ἣ οὐ λυσιτελήσει σοι, καὶ ἔστι δόσις, ἧς τὸ ἀνταπόδομα διπλοῦν.
[10] There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
[11] ἔστιν ἐλάττωσις ἕνεκεν δόξης, καὶ ἔστιν ὃς ἀπὸ ταπεινώσεως ᾖρε κεφαλήν.
[11] There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
[12] ἔστιν ἀγοράζων πολλὰ ὀλίγου καὶ ἀποτιννύων αὐτὰ ἑπταπλάσιον.
[12] There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
[13] ὁ σοφὸς ἐν λόγῳ ἑαυτὸν προσφιλῆ ποιήσει, χάριτες δὲ μωρῶν ἐκχυθήσονται.
[13] A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
[14] δόσις ἄφρονος οὐ λυσιτελήσει σοι, οἱ γὰρ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ἀνθ᾿ ἑνὸς πολλοί·
[14] The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; for he looketh to receive many things for one.
[15] ὀλίγα δώσει καὶ πολλὰ ὀνειδίσει καὶ ἀνοίξει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ὡς κῆρυξ· σήμερον δανιεῖ καὶ αὔριον ἀπαιτήσει, μισητὸς ἄνθρωπος ὁ τοιοῦτος.
[15] He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is hated.
[16] μωρὸς ἐρεῖ· οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι φίλος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι χάρις τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς μου· οἱ ἔσθοντες τὸν ἄρτον μου, φαῦλοι γλώσσῃ·
[16] The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
[17] ποσάκις καὶ ὅσοι καταγελάσονται αὐτοῦ;
[17] How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn!
[18] ᾿Ολίσθημα ἀπὸ ἐδάφους μᾶλλον ἢ ἀπὸ γλώσσης, οὕτως πτῶσις κακῶν κατὰ σπουδὴν ἥξει.
[18] To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
[19] ἄνθρωπος ἄχαρις, μῦθος ἄκαιρος· ἐν στόματι ἀπαιδεύτων ἐνδελεχισθήσεται.
[19] An ungracious person, an untimely story, it will persist in the mouth of the uneducated.
[20] ἀπὸ στόματος μωροῦ ἀποδοκιμασθήσεται παραβολή, οὐ γὰρ μὴ εἴπῃ αὐτὴν ἐν καιρῷ αὐτῆς.
[20] A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
[21] ῎Εστι κωλυόμενος ἁμαρτάνειν ἀπὸ ἐνδείας, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀναπαύσει αὐτοῦ οὐ κατανυγήσεται.
[21] There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
[22] ἔστιν ἀπολλύων τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ δι᾿ αἰσχύνην, καὶ ἀπὸ ἄφρονος προσώπου ἀπολεῖ αὐτήν.
[22] There exists a person who destroys his life through shame, and he will destroy it due to a fool.
[23] ἔστι χάριν αἰσχύνης ἐπαγγελόμενος φίλῳ, καὶ ἐκτήσατο αὐτὸν ἐχθρὸν δωρεάν.
[23] There exists a person who promises to a friend a favor out of shame and made him an enemy to no purpose.
[24] Μῶμος πονηρὸς ἐν ἀνθρώπῳ ψεῦδος, ἐν στόματι ἀπαιδεύτων ἐνδελεχισθήσεται.
[24] A lie is an evil blemish on a person; it will persist in the mouth of the uneducated.
[25] αἱρετὸν κλέπτης ἢ ὁ ἐνδελεχίζων ψεύδει, ἀμφότεροι δὲ ἀπώλειαν κληρονομήσουσιν.
[25] Preferable is a thief over one who persists in a lie, but both will inherit destruction.
[26] ἦθος ἀνθρώπου ψευδοῦς ἀτιμία, καὶ ἡ αἰσχύνη αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐνδελεχῶς.
[26] The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
ΛΟΓΟΙ ΠΑΡΑΒΟΛΩΝ.
WORDS IN PARABLES
[27] ῾Ο σοφὸς ἐν λόγοις προάξει ἑαυτόν, καὶ ἄνθρωπος φρόνιμος ἀρέσει μεγιστᾶσιν.
[27] A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
[28] ὁ ἐργαζόμενος γῆν ἀνυψώσει θημωνίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ ἀρέσκων μεγιστᾶσιν ἐξιλάσεται ἀδικίαν.
[28] He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
[29] ξένια καὶ δῶρα ἀποτυφλοῖ ὀφθαλμοὺς σοφῶν καὶ ὡς φιμὸς ἐν στόματι ἀποτρέπει ἐλεγμούς.
[29] Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and muzzle up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
[30] σοφία κεκρυμμένη καὶ θησαυρὸς ἀφανής, τίς ὠφέλεια ἐν ἀμφοτέροις;
[30] Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
[31] κρείσσων ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν μωρίαν αὐτοῦ ἢ ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν σοφίαν αὐτοῦ.
[31] Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
CHAPTER 21
ΤΕΚΝΟΝ, ἥμαρτες, μὴ προσθῇς μηκέτι καὶ περὶ τῶν προτέρων σου δεήθητι.
My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.
[2] ὡς ἀπὸ προσώπου ὄφεως φεῦγε ἀπὸ ἁμαρτίας, ἐὰν γὰρ προσέλθῃς, δήξεταί σε· ὀδόντες λέοντος οἱ ὀδόντες αὐτῆς ἀναιροῦντες ψυχὰς ἀνθρώπων.
[2] Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.
[3] ὡς ρομφαία δίστομος πᾶσα ἀνομία, τῇ πληγῇ αὐτῆς οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις.
[3] All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.
[4] καταπληγμὸς καὶ ὕβρις ἐρημώσουσι πλοῦτον· οὕτως οἶκος ὑπερ
ηφάνου ἐρημωθήσεται.
[4] To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.
[5] δέησις πτωχοῦ ἐκ στόματος ἕως ὠτίων αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ κρίμα αὐτοῦ κατὰ σπουδὴν ἔρχεται.
[5] A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.
[6] μισῶν ἐλεγμὸν ἐν ἴχνει ἁμαρτωλοῦ, καὶ ὁ φοβούμενος Κύριον ἐπιστρέψει ἐν καρδίᾳ.
[6] He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.
[7] γνωστὸς μακρόθεν ὁ δυνατὸς ἐν γλώσσῃ, ὁ δὲ νοήμων οἶδεν ἐν τῷ ὀλισθαίνειν αὐτόν.
[7] An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.
[8] ὁ οἰκοδομῶν τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ ἐν χρήμασιν ἀλλοτρίοις, ὡς ὁ συνάγων αὐτοῦ τοὺς λίθους εἰς χειμῶνα.
[8] He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.
[9] στυππεῖον συνηγμένον συναγωγὴ ἀνόμων, καὶ ἡ συντέλεια αὐτῶν φλὸξ πυρός.
[9] A gathering of the lawless is bundled flax, and a flame of fire is their end.
[10] ὁδὸς ἁμαρτωλῶν ὡμαλισμένη ἐκ λίθων, καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ αὐτῆς βόθρος ᾅδου.
[10] The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.
[11] ῾Ο φυλάσσων νόμον κατακρατεῖ τοῦ ἐννοήματος αὐτοῦ, καὶ συντέλεια τοῦ φόβου Κυρίου σοφία.
[11] He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
[12] οὐ παιδευθήσεται ὃς οὐκ ἔστι πανοῦργος· ἔστι πανουργία πληθύνουσα πικρίαν.