meta: {"file": "/data/tomer/Sefaria-Export/txt/Tanakh/Writings/Proverbs/English/The Koren Jerusalem Bible.txt"}
text: Proverbs
  משלי
  The Koren Jerusalem Bible
  
  
  Proverbs
  
  
  
  
  
  The proverbs of Shelomo the son of David, king of Yisra᾽el;
  to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
  to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
  to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
  A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels:
  to understand a proverb, and a figure; the words of the wise, and their riddles.
  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
  My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and do not forsake the Tora of thy mother:
  for they shall be a graceful garland for thy head, and chains about thy neck.
  My son, if sinners entice thee, do not consent.
  If they say, Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us lurk for the innocent without cause:
  let us swallow them up alive like She᾽ol; and whole, like those who go down into the pit:
  we shall find all precious goods; we shall fill our houses with spoil:
  throw in thy lot among us; we shall all have one purse:
  my son, do not walk in the way with them; restrain thy foot from their path:
  for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
  For no heed is taken of the net which is spread in the sight of any bird.
  And they lie in wait for their blood; they lurk for their lives.
  So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain; it takes away the life of its owner.
  Wisdom cries aloud in the street; she utters her voice in the squares:
  she cries in the chief place of concourse, at the entrances of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying,
  How long, you simple ones, will you love being simple? and how long, O scorners, will you delight in scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?
  turn at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make known to you my words.
  Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
  but you have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes upon you;
  when your fear comes like a storm, and your calamity comes like a tempest; when distress and anguish come upon you.
  Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they will not find me:
  for they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
  they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
  Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
  For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the erring of fools shall destroy them.
  But he who listens to me shall dwell safely, and shall be at ease without fear of evil.
  
  
  
  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and treasure up my commandments with thee;
  so that thou incline thy ear to wisdom, and apply thy heart to understanding indeed,
  if thou criest after wisdom, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
  if thou seekest her like silver, and searchest for her as for hidden treasures;
  then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
  For the Lord gives wisdom: out of his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
  He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a shield to those who walk uprightly,
  to keep the paths of justice; and he preserves the way of his pious ones.
  Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and justice and equity, every good path:
  for wisdom shall enter thy heart, and knowledge be pleasant to thy soul;
  discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
  to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man who speaks perverse things;
  who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
  who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of the wicked;
  whose ways are crooked, and who are underhand in their paths:
  to deliver thee from the strange woman, from the alien woman who speaks so smoothly;
  who forsakes the friend of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God.
  For her house inclines to death, and her paths to the dead.
  None that go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life:
  that thou mayst walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
  For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the innocent shall remain in it.
  But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the faithless shall be rooted out of it.
  
  
  
  My son, forget not my Tora; but let thy heart keep my commandments:
  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
  Let not loyal love and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thy heart:
  so shalt thou find grace and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
  Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and do not lean upon thy own understanding.
  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
  Be not wise in thy own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
  Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thy increase:
  so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall burst with new wine.
  My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord; nor be weary of his correction:
  for the Lord reproves him whom he loves: even as a father the son in whom he delights.
  Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.
  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and its gain than fine gold.
  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her.
  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and honour.
  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her: and happy are those who hold her fast.
  The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he estab­lished the heavens.
  By his knowledge the depths were broken up, and the clouds drop down dew.
  My son, let them not depart from thy eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
  so shall they be life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
  Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: indeed, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
  Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes.
  For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being caught.
  Withhold not good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
  Say not to thy neighbour, Go, and come back, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
  Do not devise evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by thee.
  Do not strive with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
  Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
  For the underhand man is abomination to the Lord: and he shares his counsel with the righteous.
  The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.
  Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace to the humble.
  The wise shall inherit honour: but fools shall get shame.
  
  
  
  Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
  For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my Tora.
  For I was my father’s son, tender and the only one in the sight of my mother.
  He taught me also, and said to me, Let thy heart hold fast to my words: keep my commandments, and live.
  Get wisdom, get understanding: do not forget it; nor decline from the words of my mouth.
  Do not forsake her, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
  The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom: therefore use all your means to acquire understanding.
  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
  She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she bestow on thee.
  Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
  I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of rectitude.
  When thou goest, thy steps shall not be confined; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
  Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
  Do not enter into the path of the wicked, and do not go in the way of evil men.
  Avoid it, do not pass by it, turn from it, and pass on.
  For they sleep not, unless they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
  For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
  But the path of just men is like the gleam of sunlight, that shines ever more brightly until the height of noonday.
  The way of the wicked is like darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
  My son, attend to my words; incline thy ear to my sayings.
  Let them not depart from thy eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.
  For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
  Keep thy heart with the greatest vigilance; for out of it are the issues of life.
  Put away from thee a dissembling mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
  Let thy eyes look right on, and let thy eyelids look straight before thee.
  Make even the path of thy foot, and let all thy ways be firm.
  Do not turn to the right hand or to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
  
  
  
  My son, attend to my wisdom, and bend thy ear to my understanding:
  that thou mayst preserve discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
  For the lips of a strange woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
  but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword.
  Her feet go down to death: her steps take hold of She᾽ol.
  She is far from measuring her way of life; her paths wander, and she is ignorant.
  Hear me now therefore, O children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
  Remove thy way far from her, and do not come near the door of her house:
  lest thou give thy vigour to others, and thy years to the cruel one:
  lest strangers be filled with thy strength; and thy labours go to the house of a stranger:
  and thou moan when thy end comes, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
  and thou say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof!
  And I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor bent my ear to those who instructed me!
  I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
  Drink waters out of thy own cistern, and running waters out of thy own well.
  So will thy spring be dispersed abroad, and streams of water will flow in the broad places.
  Let them be only thy own, and not strangers’ with thee.
  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
  A loving hind and a pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
  And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of an alien?
  For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his goings.
  His own iniquities shall trap the wicked man, and he shall be caught fast in the cords of his sins.
  He shall die for want of instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
  
  
  
  My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast struck thy palms for a stranger,
  if thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, caught with the sayings of thy mouth:
  do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy neighbour; go, abase thyself, and importune thy neighbour.
  Give no sleep to thy eyes, nor slumber to thy eyelids.
  Deliver thyself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
  which having no guide, overseer, or ruler;
  provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
  so shall thy poverty come like a marauder, and thy want like an armed man.
  A base person, a wicked man, is one that walks with a crowed mouth,
  that winks with his eyes, that taps with his feet, that points with his fingers;
  perverseness is in his heart; he devises mischief continually; he sows discord.
  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
  There are six things which the Lord hates, and seven which are an abomination to him:
  a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
  a heart that devises wicked thoughts, feet that are swift in running to mischief,
  a false witness that breathes out lies, and one that sows discord among brethren.
  My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the Tora of thy mother:
  bind them continually upon thy heart, and tie them about thy neck.
  When thou walkest, it shall lead thee; when thou liest down, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
  For the commandment is a lamp; and Tora is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
  to keep thee from the evil woman, from the smoothness of the tongue of an alien.
  Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; nor let her take thee with her eyelids.
  For by means of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
  Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
  Can one walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?
  So he that goes in to his neighbour’s wife; whoever touches her shall not go unpunished.
  Do not men despise a thief, even if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry?
  And if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
  He who commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he who does that destroys his soul.
  A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
  For jealousy is the rage of a man: and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
  He will not regard any ransom; nor will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
  
  
  
  My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
  Keep my commandments, and live; and my Tora as the apple of thy eye.
  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the tablet of thy heart.
  Say to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
  that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the alien woman who makes smooth her words.
  For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice,
  and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
  passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
  in the twilight, in the evening, in the blackness of a dark night:
  and, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.
  (She is noisy and ungovernable: her feet do not remain in her house:
  now is she outside, now in the streets, and she lies in wait at every corner.)
  So she caught hold of him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said to him,
  I have had to sacrifice peace offerings; this day have I paid my vows.
  So I came out to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
  I have decked my bed with coverings, with tapestry of Miżrian yarn.
  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us delight ourselves with loves.
  For my husband is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
  he has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the full moon.
  With her much fair speech she causes him to yield, with the smoothness of her lips she seduces him.
  He goes after her at once, as an ox goes to the slaughter, and as a man in chains to the chastisement of a fool;
  till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare, and knows not that it is for his life.
  Hearken to me now therefore, O you children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
  Let not thy heart decline to her ways, do not go astray in her paths.
  For she has cast down many wounded: and many strong men have been slain by her.
  Her house is the way to She᾽ol, going down to the chambers of death.
  
  
  
  Does not wisdom call? and understanding put forth her voice?
  She stands at the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet.
  She cries out at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in of the doors.
  To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
  O you simple, understand prudence: and, you fools, be of an understanding heart.
  Hear; for I will speak excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be rectitude.
  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
  They are all plain to him that understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
  I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find knowledge and discretion.
  The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the sly mouth I hate.
  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
  By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
  I love those who love me; and those who seek me early shall find me.
  Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my produce than choice silver.
  I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice:
  That I may cause those who love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
  The Lord created me as the beginning of his way, the first of his works of old.
  I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth was.
  When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
  Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
  while as yet he had not made the earth, or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world.
  When he established the heavens, I was there: when he drew a circle over the surface of the deep:
  when he established the clouds above: when the fountains of the deep became strong:
  when he gave to the sea its decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
  then I was by him, as a nurseling: and I was daily his delight, playing always before him;
  playing with the universe, his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
  Now therefore hearken to me, O you children: for happy are they who keep my ways.
  Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
  Happy is the man who hearkens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
  For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favour of the Lord.
  But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they who hate me love death.
  
  
  
  Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars:
  she has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table.
  She has sent forth her maidens: she calls upon the highest places of the city, Whoever is simple, let him turn in here:
  as for him that lacks understanding, she says to him,
  Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
  Forsake foolishness, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
  He who corrects a scorner brings shame on himself: and he who rebukes a wicked man brings on himself his blemish.
  Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of holy matters is understanding.
  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
  If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself: and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
  The woman Folly is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing.
  For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city.
  Calling out to passers by who are going straight on their ways:
  Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: and as for him that lacks understanding, she says to him,
  Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
  But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of She᾽ol.
  
  
  
  The proverbs of Shelomo. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death.
  The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
  A slack hand causes poverty: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
  He that gathers in summer is a wise son: but a son that sleeps in harvest brings shame.
  Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
  The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
  The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall be punished.
  He that walks uprightly walks surely: but he that perverts his ways shall be found out.
  He that winks with the eye causes sorrow: and a prating fool shall fall.
  The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
  Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.
  In the lips of him that has understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
  Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the fool brings ruin near.
  The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the ruin of the poor is their poverty.
  The wage of the righteous brings life: the gain of the wicked leads to sin.
  He that keeps instruction is in the way of life: but he that refuses reproof leads astray.
  He who hides hatred uses lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool.
  In the multitude of words sin is not lacking: but he who restrains his lips is wise.
  The tongue of the just is like choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
  The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
  The blessing of the Lord, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
  It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: and likewise is it to a man of understanding to practise wisdom.
  What the wicked dreads shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
  When the storm wind passes, the wicked is no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
  As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
  The fear of the Lord prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
  The hope of the righteous is gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
  The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright, but destruction to the workers of iniquity.
  The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
  The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the perverse tongue shall be cut off.
  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked is crookedness.
  
  
  
  A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
  When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
  The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of the faithless shall destroy them.
  Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.
  The righteousness of the innocent shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but the faithless shall be caught in their own malice.
  When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perishes.
  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead.
  A hypocrite destroys his neighbour with his mouth: but the just shall be delivered through knowledge.
  When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: but when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
  By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
  He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbour: but a man of understanding holds his peace.
  A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
  Where there is no counsel, a people falls: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
  He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: but he that hates suretyship is safe.
  A woman of charm obtains honour: and powerful men obtain wealth.
  The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.
  The wicked man earns wages of deceit: but he that sows righteousness has a sure reward.
  He that is firm in righteousness achieves life; but he that pursues evil comes to his own death.
  They that are of a crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
  They who join hands for wicked ends shall not go unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
  Like a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman without discretion.
  The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
  There is one who gives freely, and yet increases, another spares unjustly, but comes to want.
  The liberal soul shall be made rich: and he who waters shall be nourished also himself.
  He who holds back corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells freely.
  He who diligently seeks good procures favour: but he who seeks mischief, it shall come to him.
  He who trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish like foliage.
  He who troubles his own house shall inherit wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.
  Behold, the just man shall be recompensed on earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner!
  
  
  
  Whoever loves knowledge loves discipline: but he who hates reproof is stupid.
  A good man obtains favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
  A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that acts shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.
  The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
  The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
  The wicked are overthrown, and are no more: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
  A man shall be commended according to his intelligence: but he that is of perverse mind shall be despised.
  Better is one lightly esteemed who owns a servant, than one who pranks himself but lacks bread.
  A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the heart of the wicked is cruel.
  He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.
  The wicked man craves – he is snared by mischief: but the righteous strike root.
  The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
  A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered to him.
  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise.
  A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man conceals disgrace.
  He who utters truth gives just evidence: but a false witness utters deceit.
  There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
  Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil: but the counsellors of peace have joy.
  No evil shall happen to the just: but the wicked are filled with mischief.
  Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they who deal truly are his delight.
  A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims his foolishness.
  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
  Anxiety in a man’s heart dejects it: but a good word gladdens it.
  The righteous guides his neighbour aright: but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
  The slothful man does not roast his catch: but the industrious man arrives at precious wealth.
  In the way of righteousness is life; and in its path there is no death.
  
  
  
  A wise son hears his father’s instruction: but a scorner does not accept rebuke.
  A man shall eat good from the fruit of his mouth: but the desire of the faithless is for violence.
  He who guards his mouth keeps his life: but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
  The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be richly supplied.
  A righteous man hates lying: but a wicked man is vile, and comes to shame.
  Righteousness keeps him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
  There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing: there is another who pretends to be poor, yet has great riches.
  The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor hears no threat.
  The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
  Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
  Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase.
  Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
  He who despises the word shall be punished; but he who fears the commandment shall be rewarded.
  The Tora of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
  Good understanding gives grace: but the way of the faithless is rough.
  In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge: but a fool lays bare his folly.
  A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
  Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction: but he who heeds reproof shall be honoured.
  A desire subdued is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
  He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall suffer harm.
  Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
  A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: but the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
  Much food is in the well tilled acre of the poor: but sometimes ruin comes for want of judgment.
  He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastises him early.
  The righteous eats to satisfy his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall feel want.
  
  
  
  The wisdom of women builds her house: but Folly plucks it down with her hands.
  He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord: but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
  In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase comes by the strength of the ox.
  A trusty witness is he that does not lie: but he that utters lies is a false witness.
  A scorner seeks wisdom, and does not find it: but knowledge is easy to him who understands.
  Go from the presence of a foolish man, for thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
  Guilt mocks fools: but the favour of God is among the upright.
  The heart knows its own bitterness; and no stranger shares its joy.
  The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
  There is a way which seems right to a man, but at its end are the ways of death.
  Even in laughter the heart aches: and the end of that mirth is grief.
  The dissembler shall have enough of his own ways: but a good man shall find satisfaction in himself.
  The simple man believes everything: but the prudent man looks well to his step.
  A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident.
  He that is soon angry acts foolishly: but a man of wicked devices is hated.
  The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
  The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
  The poor man is hated even by his own neighbour: but the rich has many friends.
  He that despises his neighbour sins: but he that is kind to the poor, happy is he.
  Do not they who devise evil go astray? and do not they who devise good enjoy loyalty and truth?
  In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury.
  The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
  A true witness saves lives: but a deceitful witness utters lies.
  In the fear of the Lord a man has strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
  The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
  In the multitude of people is the king’s glory: but in the lack of people is the downfall of the prince.
  He that is slow to anger is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
  He that oppresses the poor blasphemes his maker: but he that honours him is gracious to the poor.
  The wicked is thrust down in his calamity: but the righteous has hope in his death.
  Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of the judicious: but the folly in the breast of fools shall easily be known.
  Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
  The king’s favour is turned towards a wise servant: but his anger falls on one who acts shamefully.
  
  
  
  A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
  The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
  The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a wound to the spirit.
  A fool despises his father’s correction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
  In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
  The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish is vanity.
  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
  The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he who follows after righteousness He will love.
  There is a severe correction for him who forsakes the way: he who hates re- proof shall die.
  She᾽ol and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
  A scorner does not like to be reproved; nor will he go to the wise.
  A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
  The heart of the judicious seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
  All the days of the poor are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
  Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble with it.
  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
  A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.
  The way of a sluggard is as hedged in with thorns: but the path of the righteous is level.
  A Wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.
  Folly is joy to him who is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks straight forward.
  Without counsel purposes are frustrated: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
  A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word in due season, how good it is!
  The way of life for the wise leads upward, that he may depart from She᾽ol beneath.
  The Lord will pluck up the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but pleasant words are pure.
  He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.
  The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
  The Lord is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
  The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
  The ear that listens to the reproof of life abides among the wise.
  He that refuses correction despises his own soul: but he that listens to reproof gets understanding.
  The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom; and humility goes before honour.
  
  
  
  The thoughts of the heart are man’s, but from the Lord comes the utterance of the tongue.
  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weighs the spirits.
  Commit thy works to the Lord, and thy plans shall be established.
  The Lord has made every thing for his own purpose: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
  Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: those who join hands in an evil cause shall not go unpunished.
  By loyalty and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
  When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
  A man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.
  A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth does not transgress in judgment.
  A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights in the bag are his work.
  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for a throne is established by righteousness.
  Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him who speaks what is right.
  The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
  In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud bringing the spring rain.
  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding is preferable to silver!
  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that guards his path preserves his soul.
  Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness of spirit before a fall.
  Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
  He who considers his words shall find good: and he who trusts in the Lord shall be happy.
  The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.
  Intelligence is a wellspring of life to him who has it: but folly is a chastisement to fools.
  The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
  Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
  There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end are the ways of death.
  The hunger of the labourer labours for him; for his mouth presses upon him.
  An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is a kind of burning fire.
  A perverse man sows strife: and a whisperer separates close friends.
  A violent man entices his neighbour, and leads him into a way that is not good:
  he winks his eyes to devise crooked things: pursing his lips he brings evil to pass.
  The hoary head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.
  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than one who captures a city.
  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole of its decision is from the Lord.
  
  
  
  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
  A wise servant shall control a son who acts shamefully, and shall share the inheritance among the brethren.
  The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord tries the hearts.
  A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
  One who mocks the poor insults his maker: and one who is glad at calamity shall not go unpunished.
  Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
  Haughty speech does not befit a churl: much less do lying lips a prince.
  A bribe is a fair jewel to the eyes of him who dispenses it: wherever it turns it brings success.
  He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates close friends.
  A reproof enters more into a wise man than a hundred blows into a fool.
  An evil man seeks only to be insolent: but a stern messenger shall be sent against him.
  Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
  Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
  The beginning of strife is like letting out water: therefore leave off contention, before it breaks out.
  He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them are abomination to the Lord.
  Why is the purchase price of wisdom in the hand of a fool, seeing he has no sense?
  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
  A man who strikes the palm is void of understanding, in becoming surety in the presence of his friend.
  He loves transgression that loves strife: and he that makes high his door seeks destruction.
  He that has a crooked heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
  He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a churl has no joy.
  A merry heart is a good medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.
  A wicked man takes a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.
  Wisdom is before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
  A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
  Neither is it good to punish an innocent man, nor to give blows to noble men for their integrity.
  He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is slow to anger.
  Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
  
  
  
  He who keeps himself apart seeks to satisfy his own vanity: he breaks out against all sound policy.
  A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may lay itself bare.
  When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
  The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters, a flowing wadi, a fountain of wisdom.
  It is not good to favour the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside justice from the righteous.
  A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
  A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
  The words of a talebearer are like dainties, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
  He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
  The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.
  The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but before honour goes humility.
  He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
  The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
  A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
  The one who pleads first seems to be in the right: then his neighbour comes forward, and sifts his case.
  The lot causes contentions to cease, and it decides between the mighty.
  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
  A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat its fruit.
  He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the Lord.
  The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers with impudence.
  There are friends who merely pretend friendship: and there is a true friend who is closer than a brother.
  
  
  
  Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
  Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hastens with his feet sins.
  The foolishness of a man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the Lord.
  Wealth makes many friends; but as for the poor, his neighbour keeps himself apart.
  A false witness shall not go unpunished, and he that utters lies shall not escape.
  Many will entreat the favour of the generous man: and every man is a friend to him that gives gifts.
  All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? Their word for him is, Pursuer.
  He that gets wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good.
  A false witness shall not go unpunished, and he that utters lies shall perish.
  Luxury is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
  The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
  The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion; and his favour is like dew upon the grass.
  A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual drip.
  House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
  Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
  He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall die.
  He that gives graciously to the poor makes a loan to the Lord; and that which he has given he will pay him back.
  Chastise thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
  A man of great anger shall suffer the penalty; for if thou interpose, that shall only add to it.
  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayst be wise in thy latter end.
  There are many devices in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
  The attraction of a man is his kindness: but a poor man is better than a liar.
  The fear of the Lord tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
  A lazy man hides his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it back to his mouth.
  Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: but rebuke one that has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
  A son of scandalous and shameful ways shall ruin his father, and drive his mother away.
  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction only to stray from the words of knowledge.
  An ungodly witness scorns justice: and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
  Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
  
  
  
  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous, and whoever is misled thereby is not wise.
  The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will burst out.
  The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
  Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
  The just man walks in his integrity: happy are his children after him.
  A king that sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
  Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike an abomination to the Lord.
  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
  Do not love sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thy eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
  It is bad, it is bad, says the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
  Take his garment when he has become surely for a stranger: and take his pledge on behalf of an alien woman.
  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice conduct war.
  He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore meddle not with him who prates with his lips.
  He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in utter darkness.
  An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but its end shall not be blessed.
  Do not say, I will repay evil; but wait on the Lord, and he will save thee.
  Divers weights are an abomination to the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
  Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
  It is a snare to a man rashly to declare, It is holy; and afterwards to probe his vows.
  A wise king scatters the wicked, and drives the wheel over them.
  The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
  Love and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by loyalty.
  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
  Bruises and wounds purge away evil: so do stripes which reach the inward parts.
  
  
  
  Like water courses is the king’s heart in the hand of the Lord: he directs it wherever he wishes.
  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord weighs the heart.
  To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
  A haughty look, and a proud heart are the sinful growth of the wicked.
  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but everyone that is hasty comes to want.
  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour: they lead to death.
  The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do justice.
  The way of some men is crooked and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a roomy house.
  The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.
  When the scorner is punished, the simple man is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
  The righteous man who considers the house of the wicked, leads the wicked astray to greater evil.
  Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
  A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
  It is joy to the just to do judgment: but it is the downfall of the workers of iniquity.
  The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the shades.
  He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
  The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
  It is better to live in the wilderness, than with a contentious and shrewish woman.
  Costly things and oil are treasured up in the wise man’s dwelling: but a fool devours them.
  He that follows righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honour.
  A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the stronghold in which it trusts.
  He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
  The proud and haughty one, scorner is his name, acts in arrogant wrath.
  The desire of the lazy man kills him; for his hands refuse to labour;
  he covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.
  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with evil intent?
  A false witness shall perish: but the word of a man who truly attends shall endure.
  A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he considers his way.
  There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.
  The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but safety comes from the Lord.
  
  
  
  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and amiable grace rather than silver or gold.
  The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
  A prudent man foresees evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
  The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
  Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked man: he that guards his soul shall be far from them.
  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
  The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
  He that sows iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his arrogance shall fail.
  He that has a generous eye shall be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor.
  Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; yea, strife and disgrace will cease.
  He that loves pureness of heart, and grace is on his lips, the king shall be his friend.
  The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthrows the words of the transgressor.
  The lazy man says, There is a lion outside, I shall be slain in the streets.
  The mouth of strange woman is a deep pit: he who incurs the Lord’s indignation shall fall therein.
  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
  He that oppresses the poor may well bring him gain, and he that gives to the rich, may nevertheless come to want.
  Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.
  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; let them be firmly attached together to thy lips.
  That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
  Have I not written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
  that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those who send thee?
  Do not rob the poor, because he is poor: nor oppress the afflicted in the gate:
  for the Lord will plead their cause, and rob life those who rob them.
  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
  lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
  Be not thou one of those who strike the palm, or of those who are sureties for debts.
  If thou hast nothing with which to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
  Dost thou see a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before obscure men.
  
  
  
  When thou sittest to eat with a ruler consider diligently what is before thee:
  and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
  Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful food.
  Do not toil to be rich: because thou hast understanding, forbear.
  Wilt thou set thy eyes upon it? it is already gone: for riches suddenly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle towards the sky.
  Do not eat the bread of him who has an evil eye, nor desire his dainties.
  For as one that calculates in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
  The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
  Do not speak in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
  Do not remove the old landmark; and do not enter the fields of the fatherless:
  for their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
  Apply thy heart to instruction, and thy ears to the words of knowledge.
  Do not withhold correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he will not die.
  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from She᾽ol.
  My son, if thy heart is wise, my heart too shall rejoice:
  and my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
  Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
  For surely there is a future; and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
  Hear, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.
  Be not among winebibbers; among gluttonous eaters of meat:
  for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
  Hearken to thy father who begot thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he who begets a wise child shall have joy of him.
  Let thy father and thy mother be glad, and let her who bore thee rejoice.
  My son, give me thy heart, and let thy eyes observe my ways.
  For a harlot is a deep ditch; and an alien woman is a narrow pit.
  She also lies in wait like a robber, and increases the transgressors among men.
  Who cries, Woe? who cries, Alas? who has quarrels? who has complaints? who has causeless injuries? who has redness of eyes?
  They who tarry long at the wine; they who go to seek mixed wine.
  Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly:
  at the last it bites like a snake, and stings like a viper.
  Thy eyes shall behold strange things, and thy heart shall utter perverse words.
  Yea, thou shalt be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies upon the top of a mast.
  They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
  
  
  
  Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them.
  For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
  Through wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established:
  and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
  A wise man is strong; and a man of knowledge increases strength.
  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is victory.
  Wisdom it too high for a fool: he does not open his mouth in the gate.
  He who devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
  The devising of folly is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small:
  if thou forbear to rescue those who are drawn to death, and those who are ready to be slain;
  if thou sayst, Behold, we knew it not, does not he who ponders the heart consider it? and he who keeps thy soul, does he not know it? and shall he not render to every man according to his works?
  My son, eat honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
  know that such is wisdom for thy soul! when hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
  Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his resting place:
  for a just man falls seven times, and yet rises up again: but the wicked stumble into mischief.
  Do not rejoice when thy enemy falls, and do not let thy heart be glad when he stumbles:
  lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
  Fret not thyself because of evil men, nor be envious at the wicked;
  for there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
  My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and do not meddle with them who are given to change:
  for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?
  These words also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
  He who says to the wicked, Thou art in the right; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
  but those who rebuke the wicked shall have delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
  Like a kiss on the lips, it is when one gives a right answer.
  Prepare thy work outside, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thy house.
  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
  Do not say, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his deeds.
  I went by the field of a lazy man, and by the vineyard of a man void of understanding;
  and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered it over, and its stone wall was broken down.
  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep
  so shall thy poverty come like a marauder; and thy want like an armed man.
  
  
  
  These also are proverbs of Shelomo, which the men of Ĥizqiyya, king of Yehuda copied out.
  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
  The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
  Take away the dross from the silver, and a vessel emerges for the refiner.
  Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
  Do not give thyself airs in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: for better it is that it be said to thee.
  Come up here; than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thy eyes have seen.
  Do not proceed hastily to litigation, lest thou know not what to do in the end of it, when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.
  Debate thy cause with thy neighbour: and do not reveal the secret of another:
  lest he who hears thee betray thee; and lest thy calumny be carried back.
  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in ornaments of silver.
  Like an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
  Like the cold snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him: for he refreshes the soul of his master.
  One who boasts of gifts that he does not give is like clouds and wind without rain.
  By long forbearing is a ruler won over, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
  Hast thou found honey? eat as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be sated with it, and vomit it up.
  Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
  A man who bears false witness against his neighbour is like a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
  Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, and like acid upon nitre, is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
  If thy enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
  for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
  The north wind brings in the rain: so does an angry countenance, a back biting tongue.
  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a roomy house.
  As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
  A righteous man falling down before the wicked is like a muddied fountain, and a polluted spring.
  It is not good to eat much honey: so it is honour to set bounds to honour.
  He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
  
  
  
  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
  Like a wandering sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse that is causeless comes home to roost.
  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
  Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him thyself.
  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
  He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet, and drinks in damage.
  Like the legs of a lame man which hang useless, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
  As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.
  Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
  A master craftsman performs everything; but he who hires a fool is as he who hires the passersby.
  As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
  Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
  The lazy man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
  As the doors turns on its hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it grieves him to bring it back to his mouth.
  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that can give sensible reasons.
  He who passes by, and meddles with a strife not his own, is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
  As a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
  so is a man who tricks his neighbour, and says, But I was only joking!
  Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
  The words of a talebearer are like dainties, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthenware dish covered with silver dross.
  He who hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
  when he speaks fair, do not believe him: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
  He whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole congregation.
  The one who digs a pit shall fall into it: and if one rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
  A lying tongue hates its victims; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
  
  
  
  Do not boast thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowst not what today may bring forth.
  Let another man praise thee, and not thy own mouth; a stranger, and not thy own lips.
  A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.
  Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before envy?
  Open rebuke is better than hidden love.
  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
  The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
  As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his place.
  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
  Do not forsake thy own friend, and thy father’s friend; nor go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who taunts me.
  A prudent man sees the evil, and hides himself; but simpletons pass on, and are punished.
  Take his garment when he is surety for a stranger, and take his pledge on behalf of an alien woman.
  He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
  A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
  Whoever would hide her hides the wind, like the ointment of his right hand, which betrays itself.
  Iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another.
  He who guards the fig tree shall eat its fruit: so he who waits on his master shall be honoured.
  As in water face answers to face, so the heart of man to man.
  She᾽ol and Avaddon are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
  The refining pot is for silver, arid the furnace for gold; and a man is tried according to his praise.
  Though thou shouldst grind a fool in a mortar among crushed grain with a pestle, yet will his foolishness not depart from him.
  Be diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
  For riches are not forever: and does the crown endure to all generations?
  When the grass sprouts forth, and the young grass appears, and the herbs on the mountains are gathered in;
  lambs shall provide thy clothing, and goats the price of a field:
  and thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maidens.
  
  
  
  The wicked flee when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
  When the land is sinful, its princes are numerous: but when there is a judicious man, knowing what is right, he shall endure.
  A poor man that oppresses the weak is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
  They who forsake Tora praise the wicked: but such as keep Tora contend with them.
  Evil men understand not justice: but they who seek the Lord understand all things.
  Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness, than he who deals perversely in his ways, though he be rich.
  A wise son keeps Tora, but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father.
  He who by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, gathers it for him who will graciously regard the poor.
  He who turns away his ear from hearing Tora, even his prayer is abomination.
  He who causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the innocent shall inherit good.
  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that has understanding searches him out.
  When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
  He that covers up his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.
  Happy is the man who fears always: but he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.
  As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
  The prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor: but the one who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.
  A man that is burdened with the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let none support him.
  He who walks uprightly shall be saved: but he who takes crooked paths shall fall suddenly.
  He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he who follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he who makes haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.
  To have respect of persons is not good: for a man will transgress for a piece of bread.
  The man of evil eye is eager for wealth: he does not know that want will come upon him.
  He who rebukes a man shall find more favour afterwards than he who flatters with the tongue.
  He who robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression; he is companion of a destroyer.
  He that is of a greedy heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made rich.
  He who trusts in his own heart is a fool: but he who walks wisely, shall escape.
  He who gives to the poor shall not lack: but he who hides his eyes shall have many a curse.
  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
  
  
  
  He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be broken, beyond healing.
  When the righteous are on the increase, the people rejoice: but when the wicked man bears rule, the people mourn.
  He who loves wisdom gladdens his father: but he who keeps company with harlots wastes his substance.
  The king by justice establishes the land: but he who exacts gifts overthrows it.
  A man who flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.
  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous man sings and rejoices.
  The righteous man apprehends the cause of the poor: but the wicked man cannot grasp that knowledge.
  Scornful men stir up a city into strife: but wise men turn away wrath.
  If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
  The bloodthirsty hate the innocent: but the just seek his good.
  A fool vents all his anger: but a wise man keeping it in subdues it.
  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
  The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
  The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases: both the righteous shall witness their fall.
  Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; and he will give delight to thy soul.
  Where there is no vision, the people become unruly: but happy is he who keeps Tora.
  A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understands he will not answer.
  Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope for a fool than for him.
  He who pampers his servant from a child shall have him become his master at last.
  An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.
  A man’s pride shall bring him low: but the humble in spirit shall attain honour.
  Whoever is partner with a thief is his own enemy: he hears the adjuration of witnesses, but discloses nothing.
  The fear of man brings a snare: but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be protected.
  Many seek the ruler’s favour; but a man’s judgment comes from the Lord.
  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
  
  
  
  The words of Agur son of Yaqe, the burden. Thus says the man, I am weary, O God, I am weary, O God, and I am consumed:
  for I am more brutish than a man, and have not the understanding of a man.
  I have not learned wisdom; that I should desire to have the knowledge of the holy.
  Who has ascended up into heaven, and come down again? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
  Every word of God is proven: he is a shield to those who put their trust in him.
  Add not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
  Two things have I asked of thee; do not deny me them before I die:
  remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with my allotted portion:
  lest I become sated, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and violate the name of my God.
  Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
  There is a generation that curse their father, and do not bless their mother.
  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
  There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
  There is a generation, whose teeth are like swords, and their jaw teeth like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
  The leech has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied; four that never say, It is enough.
  She᾽ol; and the barren womb; the earth that is never sated with water; and the fire that never says, It is enough.
  The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young vultures shall eat it.
  There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
  the way of the vultures in the air; the way of a snake upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a young woman.
  Likewise the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done nothing wrong.
  For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four it cannot bear:
  for a slave when he becomes king; and a fool when he is filled with food;
  for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
  There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
  the ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their bread in the summer;
  the badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
  the locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
  The lizard clambers up with her hands, and she is in king’s palaces.
  There are three things which are stately in their tread; four are comely in their stride:
  a lion which is strongest among beasts, and does not turn away for anyone;
  a greyhound; a he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting thyself up, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
  Surely the wringing of milk brings forth curd, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.
  
  
  
  The words of king Lemu᾽el, the prophecy, that his mother taught him.
  What, my son? and what, son of my womb? and what, son of my vows?
  Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to those who destroy kings.
  It is not for kings, O Lemu᾽el, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
  Lest he drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
  Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those of heavy hearts.
  Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
  Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
  Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
  The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
  She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
  She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
  She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
  She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
  She girds her loins with strength, and she makes her arms strong.
  She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle does not go out by night.
  She lays her hands to the distaff, and her palms hold the spindle.
  She stretches out her palm to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
  She makes herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
  She makes garments, and sells them; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
  Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laughs at the time to come.
  She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is a Tora of steadfast love.
  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
  Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
  many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
  Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her deeds praise her in the gates.