1
Ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ἐνδελεχήσει μάστιγας αὐτῷ, ἵνα εὐφρανθῇ ἐπʼ ἐσχάτῳ αὐτοῦ.
He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, That he may have joy of him in the end.
2
יסר בנך לבל תבוש, ואם תשחק עמו יכלימך.
Discipline your son so that you are not shamed; if you play with him, he will disgrace you.
Ὁ παιδεύων τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ὀνήσεται ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀναμέσον γνωρίμων ἐπʼ αὐτῷ καυχήσεται.
He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him, And shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.
3
Ὁ διδάσκων τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ παραζηλώσει τὸν ἐχθρὸν, καὶ ἔναντι φίλων ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἀγαλλιάσεται.
He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy: And before his friends he shall rejoice of him.
4
Ἐτελεύτησεν αὐτοῦ ὁ πατὴρ, καὶ ὡς οὐκ ἀπέθανεν, ὅμοιον γὰρ αὐτῷ κατέλιπε μετʼ αὐτόν.
Though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead: For he hath left one behind him that is like himself.
5
Ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ εἶδε καὶ εὐφράνθη, καὶ ἐν τῇ τελευτῇ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐλυπήθη.
While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him: And when he died, he was not sorrowful.
6
Ἐναντίον ἐχθρῶν κατέλιπεν ἔκδικον, καὶ τοῖς φίλοις ἀνταποδιδόντα χάριν.
He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, And one that shall requite kindness to his friends.
7
Περιψύχων υἱὸν καταδεσμεύσει τραύματα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ πάσῃ βοῇ ταραχθήσεται σπλάγχνα αὐτοῦ.
He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; And his bowels will be troubled at every cry.
8
Ἵππος ἀδάμαστος ἀποβαίνει σκληρὸς, καὶ υἱὸς ἀνειμένος ἐκβαίνει προαλής.
A horse not broken becometh headstrong: And a child left to himself will be willful.
9
Τιθήνησον τέκνον καὶ ἐκθαμβήσει σε, σύμπαιζον αὐτῷ καὶ λυπήσει σε.
Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid: Play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness.
10
Μὴ συγγελάσῃς αὐτῷ ἵνα μὴ συνοδυνηθῇς, καὶ ἐπʼ ἐσχάτῳ γομφιάσεις τοὺς ὀδόντας σου.
Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him, And lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.
11
אל תמשילהו בנעוריו, ואל תשא לשחיתותיו.
Let him not have rule in his youth; And bear not with his mischiefs.
Μὴ δῷς αὐτῷ ἐξουσίαν ἐν νεότητι.
Give him not liberty in youth.
12
כוף ראשו בנערותו, ובקע מתניו כשהוא קטן. למה ישקה ומרה בך, ונולד ממנו מפח נפש.
Beat his shoulder while it is yet tender (?); Bruise (?) his loins while he is yet a youth. Bow down his head in his youth; And smite through his loins when he is a little one. Wherefore should he harden himself (M), and rebel against thee; That thou shouldest have (?) faintness of spirit because of him?
Θλάσον τὰς πλευρὰς αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἔστι νήπιος, μήποτε σκληρυνθεὶς ἀπειθήσῃ σοι.
Beat his sides while he is still young, Lest becoming stubborn, he disobey thee.
13
יסר בנך והכבד עולו, פן באולתו יבלע בך.
Chastise ( or Train) thy son, and make his yoke heavy; Lest in his folly he lift himself up (M) against thee.
Παίδευσον τὸν υἱόν σου, καὶ ἔργασαι ἐναὐτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐν τῇ ἀσχημοσύνῃ σου προσκόψῃ. 13aΚαὶ μὴ παρίδῃς τὰς ἀγνοίας αὐτοῦ. 13bΚάμψον τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ ἐν νεότητι. ΠΕΡΙ ʼΥΓΙΕΙΑΣ.
Train up thy son, and exercise him with work, Lest by thy looseness thou stumble.
14
טוב מסכן וחי בעצמו, מעשיר ונגע בבשרו.
Better is one that is poor, and healthy in his body; Than a rich man that is plagued in his flesh.
Κρείσσων πτωχὸς ὑγιὴς καὶ ἰσχύων τῇ ἕξει, ἢ πλούσιος μεμαστιγωμένος εἰς σῶμα αὐτοῦ.
Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, Than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.
15
חיי שר איביתי מפז, ורוח טובה מפנינים.
Health of flesh (?) have I desired more than fine gold; And a joyful spirit more than rubies.
Ὑγιεία καὶ εὐεξία βέλτιον παντὸς χρυσίου, καὶ σῶμα εὔρωστον ἢ ὄλβος ἀμέτρητος.
Health and good estate of body are above all gold, And a strong body above infinite wealth.
16
אין עושר על עושר שר עצם, ואין טובה על טוב לבב.
There is no wealth above wealth of sound flesh (?); And no good above goodness of heart.
Οὐκ ἔστι πλοῦτος βελτίων ὑγιείας σώματος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν εὐφροσύνη ὑπὲρ χαρὰν καρδίας.
There is no riches above a sound body, And no joy above the joy of the heart.
17
טוב למות מחיי שוא, ונוחת עולם מכאב נאמן.
Better is to die than a life of vanity; And eternal rest than continual pain. Better is to die than life that is evil; And to go down to Sheol than lasting pain.
Κρείσσων θάνατος ὑπὲρ ζωὴν πικρὰν, ἢ ἀῤῥώστημα ἔμμονον.
Death is better than a bitter life Or continual sickness.
18
טובה שפוכה על פה סתום, תנופה מצגת לפני גלול.
Goodness poured upon a mouth that is closed Is as an offering laid before a gravestone (?).
Ἀγαθὰ ἐκκεχυμένα ἐπὶ στόματι κεκλεισμένῳ, θέματα βρωμάτων παρακείμενα ἐπὶ τάφῳ.
Delicacies poured upon a mouth shut up Are as messes of meat set upon a grave.
19
מה יעריכו לאלילי הגוים, אשר לא יאכלון ולא יריחון. כן מי שיש לו עושר, ואין נהנה ממנו.
What can it profit idols of the nations, Which eat not, neither do they smell? So whoso hath wealth, And enjoyeth not of his substance (?).
Τί συμφέρει κάρπωσις εἰδώλῳ; οὔτε γὰρ ἔδεται οὔτε μὴ ὀσφρανθῇ· οὕτως ὁ ἐκδιωκόμενος ὑπὸ Κυρίου.
What good doeth the offering unto an idol? For neither can it eat nor smell: So is he that is persecuted of the Lord.
20
ראה בעיניו ומתאנח, כאשר סריס יחבק נערה. כנאמן לן עם בתולה, כן עושה באונס משפט, ויהוה מבקש מידו.
With his eye . . . . . As an eunuch (?) embraceth a maiden and groaneth. So is he that doeth judgement with violence (?). So is an eunuch (?) that lieth with a virgin. And the Lord requireth at his hand.
Βλέπων ἐν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ στενάζων, ὥσπερ εὐνοῦχος περιλαμβάνων παρθένον καὶ στενάζων.
He seeth with his eyes and groaneth, As a eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth.
21
אל תתן לדין נפשך, ואל תכשל בעונך.
Give not thy soul to sorrow; And stumble not by thine iniquity (M counsel).
Μὴ δῷς εἰς λύπην τὴν ψυχήν σου, καὶ μὴ θλίψῃς σεαυτὸν ἐν βουλῇ σου.
Give not over thy mind to heaviness, And afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.
22
שמחת לב הם חיי איש, וגיל אדם האריך אפו.
Joy of heart, that is the life of a man; And a man's cheerfulness lengthens his days (G).
Εὐφροσύνη καρδίας ζωὴ ἀνθρώπου, καὶ ἀγαλλίαμα ἀνδρὸς μακροημέρευσις.
The gladness of the heart is the life of man, And the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days.
23
פוג נפשך ופיג לבך, וקצפון הרחק ממך. כי רבים הרג דין, ואין תעלה בקצפון.
Rejoice thy soul, and make thine heart joyful (?); And put vexation far from thee: For sorrow hath slain many; And there is no profit in vexation.
Ἀγάπα τὴν ψυχήν σου, καὶ παρακάλει τὴν καρδίαν σου, καὶ λύπην μακρὰν ἀπόστησον ἀπὸ σοῦ· πολλοὺς γὰρ ἀπέκτεινεν ἡ λύπη, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὠφέλεια ἐν αὐτῇ.
Love thine own soul, And comfort thy heart, Remove sorrow far from thee: For sorrow hath killed many, And there is no profit therein.
24
קנאה ודין יקצרו ימים, ובלא עת תזקין דאגה.
Envy and sorrow (G wrath) shorten days; And care maketh old untimely.
Ζῆλος καὶ θυμὸς ἐλαττοῦσιν ἡμέρας, καὶ πρὸ καιροῦ γῆρας ἄγει μέριμνα.
Envy and wrath shorten the life, And carefulness bringeth age before the time.
25
Ὡς καλαμώμενος ὀπίσω τρυγητῶν, ἐν εὐλογίᾳ Κυρίου ἔφθασα,
I woke up last of all, As one that gathereth after the grape-gatherers: By the blessing of the Lord I profited,
26
καὶ ὡς τρυγῶν ἐπλήρωσα ληνόν. Κατανοήσατε ὅτι οὐκ ἐμοὶ μόνῳ ἐκοπίασα, ἀλλὰ πᾶσι τοῖς ζητοῦσι παιδείαν.
And filled my winepress like a gatherer of grapes. Consider that I labored not for myself only, But for all them that seek learning.
27
Ακούσατέ μου μεγιστᾶνες λαοῦ, καὶ οἱ ἡγούμενοι ἐκκλησίας ἐνωτίσασθε.
Hear me, O ye great men of the people, And hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.
28
שנות לב טוב תחת מטעמים, ומאכלו יעלה עליו.
The sleep of a good heart is instead of dainties; And his food is agreeable unto him.
Ὑιῷ καὶ γυναικὶ, ἀδελφῷ καὶ φίλῳ μὴ δῷς ἐξουσίαν ἐπὶ σὲ ἐν ζωῇ σου, καὶ μὴ δῷς ἑτέρῳ τὰ χρήματά σου, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθεὶς δέῃ περὶ αὐτῶν.
Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, And give not thy goods to another, Lest it repent thee, and thou entreat for the same again.
29
Ἕως ἔτι ζῇς καὶ πνοὴ ἐν σοὶ, μὴ ἀλλάξῃς σεαυτὸν πάσῃ σαρκί·
As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, Give not thyself over to any.
30
κρεῖσσον γάρ ἐστι τὰ τέκνα δεηθῆναί σου, ἢ σὲ ἐμβλέπειν εἰς χεῖρας υἱῶν σου.
For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, Than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.
31
Ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις σου γίνου ὑπεράγων· μὴ δῷς μῶμον ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου.
In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; Leave not a stain in thine honor.
32
Ἐν ἡμέρᾳ συντελείας ἡμερῶν ζωῆς σου καὶ ἐν καιρῷ τελευτῆς διάδος κληρονομίαν. ΠΕΡΙ ΔΟΥΛΩΝ.
At the time when thou shalt end thy days, And finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.
33
Χορτάσματα καί ῥάβδος καὶ φορτία ὄνῳ, ἄρτος καὶ παιδεία καὶ ἔργον οἱκέτῃ.
Fodder, a stick, and burdens, [are] for the ass; And bread, correction, and work, for a servant.
34
Ἔργασαι ἐν παιδὶ καὶ εὑρήσεις ἀνάπαυσιν, ἄνες χεῖρας αὐτῷ καὶ ζητήσει ἐλευθερίαν.
If thou set thy servant to labor, thou shalt find rest: But if thou let him go idle, he will seek liberty.
35
Ζυγὸς καὶ ἱμὰς κάμψουσι τράχηλον, καὶ οἰκέτῃ κακούργῳ στρέβλαι καὶ βάσανοι.
A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: So are tortures and torments for an evil servant.
36
Ἔμβαλε αὐτὸν εἰς ἐργασίαν, ἵνα μὴ ἀργῇ, πολλὴν γὰρ κακίαν ἐδίδαξεν ἡ ἀργία.
Send him to labor, that he be not idle; For idleness teacheth much evil.
37
Εἰς ἔργα κατάστησον καθὼς πρέπει αὐτῷ, κᾂν μὴ πειθαρχῇ, βάρυνον τὰς πέδας αὐτοῦ.
Set him to work, as is fit for him: If he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.
38
Καὶ μὴ περισσεύσῃς ἐν πάσῃ σαρκὶ, καὶ ἄνευ κρίσεως μὴ ποιήσῃς μηδέν.
But be not excessive toward any; And without discretion do nothing.
39
Εἰ ἔστι σοι οἰκέτης, ἔστω ὡς σὺ, ὅτι ἐν αἵματι ἐκτήσω αὐτόν.
If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, Because thou hast bought him with a price.
40
Εἰ ἔστι σοι οἰκέτῃς, ἄγε αὐτὸν ὡς σεαυτὸν, ὅτι ὡς ἡ ψυχή σου ἐπιδεήσεις αὐτοῦ· ἐὰν κακώσῃς αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀπάρας ἀποδρᾷ, ἐν ποίᾳ ὁδῷ ζητήσεις αὐτόν;
If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: For thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: If thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, Which way wilt thou go to seek him?