1
אַל־תִּתְהַלֵּל בְּיוֹם מָחָר כִּי לֹא־תֵדַע מַה־יֵּלֶד יוֹם
Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Μὴ καυχῶ τὰ εἰς αὔριον, οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται ἡ ἐπιοῦσα.
Boast not of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what the next day shall bring forth.
2
יְהַלֶּלְךָ זָר וְלֹא־פִיךָ נָכְרִי וְאַל־שְׂפָתֶיךָ
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Ἐγκωμιαζέτω σε ὁ πέλας καὶ μὴ τὸ σὸν στόμα, ἀλλότριος καὶ μὴ τὰ σὰ χείλη.
Let thy neighbor, and not thine own mouth, praise thee; A stranger, and not thine own lips.
3
כֹּבֶד־אֶבֶן וְנֵטֶל הַחוֹל וְכַעַס אֱוִיל כָּבֵד מִשְּׁנֵיהֶם
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's vexation is heavier than they both.
Βαρὺ λίθος καὶ δυσβάστακτον ἄμμος, ὀργὴ δὲ ἄφρονος βαρυτέρα ἀμφοτέρων.
A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome; But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both.
4
אַכְזְרִיּוּת חֵמָה וְשֶׁטֶף אָף וּמִי יַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי קִנְאָה
Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Ἀνελεήμων θυμὸς καὶ ὀξεῖα ὀργὴ, ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν ὑφίσταται ζῆλος.
Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp: But envy can bear nothing.
5
טוֹבָה תּוֹכַחַת מְגֻלָּה מֵאַהֲבָה מְסֻתָּרֶת
Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden.
Κρείσσους ἔλεγχοι ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι κρυπτομένης φιλίας.
Open reproofs are better than secret love.
6
נֶאֱמָנִים פִּצְעֵי אוֹהֵב וְנַעְתָּרוֹת נְשִׁיקוֹת שׂוֹנֵא
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are importunate.
Ἀξιοπιστότερά ἐστι τραύματα φίλου, ἢ ἑκούσια φιλήματα ἐχθροῦ.
The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted Than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy.
7
נֶפֶשׁ שְׂבֵעָה תָּבוּס נֹפֶת וְנֶפֶשׁ רְעֵבָה כָּל־מַר מָתוֹק
The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Ψυχὴ ἐν πλησμονῇ οὖσα κηρίοις ἐμπαίζει, ψυχῇ δὲ ἐνδεεῖ καὶ τὰ πικρὰ γλυκέα φαίνεται.
A full soul scorns honeycombs; But to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet.
8
כְּצִפּוֹר נוֹדֶדֶת מִן־קִנָּהּ כֵּן־אִישׁ נוֹדֵד מִמְּקוֹמוֹ
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
Ὥσπερ ὅταν ὄρνεον καταπετασθῇ ἐκ τῆς ἰδίας νοσσιᾶς, οὕτως ἄνθρωπος δουλοῦται ὅταν ἀποξενωθῇ ἐκ τῶν ἰδίων τόπων.
As when a bird flies down from its own nest, So a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place.
9
שֶׁמֶן וּקְטֹרֶת יְשַׂמַּח־לֵב וּמֶתֶק רֵעֵהוּ מֵעֲצַת־נָפֶשׁ
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Μύροις καὶ οἴνοις καὶ θυμιάμασι τέρπεται καρδία, καταῤῥήγνυται δὲ ὑπὸ συμπτωμάτων ψυχή.
The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: But the soul is broken by calamities.
10
רֵעֲךָ ורעה וְרֵעַ אָבִיךָ אַל־תַּעֲזֹב וּבֵית אָחִיךָ אַל־תָּבוֹא בְּיוֹם אֵידֶךָ טוֹב שָׁכֵן קָרוֹב מֵאָח רָחוֹק
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity; better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
Φίλον σὸν ἢ φίλον πατρῷον μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς, εἰς δὲ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου μὴ εἰσέλθῃς ἀτυχῶν· κρείσσων φίλος ἐγγὺς, ἢ ἀδελφὸς μακρὰν οἰκῶν.
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; And when thou art in distress go not into thy brother’s house: Better is a friend [that is] near than a brother living far off.
11
חֲכַם בְּנִי וְשַׂמַּח לִבִּי וְאָשִׁיבָה חֹרְפִי דָבָר
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that taunteth me.
Σοφὸς γίνου υἱὲ, ἵνα σου εὐφραίνηται ἡ καρδία, καὶ ἀπόστρεψον ἀπὸ σοῦ ἐπονειδίστους λόγους.
Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; And remove thou from thyself reproachful words.
12
עָרוּם רָאָה רָעָה נִסְתָּר פְּתָאיִם עָבְרוּ נֶעֱנָשׁוּ
A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.
Πανοῦργος κακῶν ἐπερχομένων ἀπεκρύβη, ἄφρονες δὲ ἐπελθόντες ζημίαν τίσουσιν.
A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; But fools pass on, and will be punished.
13
קַח־בִּגְדוֹ כִּי־עָרַב זָר וּבְעַד נָכְרִיָּה חַבְלֵהוּ
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
Ἀφελοῦ τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ, παρῆλθε γὰρ ὑβριστὴς, ὅστις τὰ ἀλλότρια λυμαίνεται.
Take away the man’s garment (for a scorner has passed by), Whoever lays waste another’s goods.
14
מְבָרֵךְ רֵעֵהוּ בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל בַּבֹּקֶר הַשְׁכֵּים קְלָלָה תֵּחָשֶׁב לוֹ
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Ὃς ἂν εὐλογῇ θίλον τοπρωῒ μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ, καταρωμένου οὐδὲν διαφέρειν δόξει.
Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, Shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses [him].
15
דֶּלֶף טוֹרֵד בְּיוֹם סַגְרִיר וְאֵשֶׁת מדונים מִדְיָנִים נִשְׁתָּוָה
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike;
Σταγόνες ἐκβάλλουσιν ἄνθρωπον ἐν ἡμέρᾳ χειμερινῇ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, ὡσαύτως καὶ γυνὴ λοίδορος ἐκ τοῦ ἰδίου οἴκου.
On a stormy day drops [of rain] drive a man out of his house; So also does a railing woman [drive a man] out of his own house.
16
צֹפְנֶיהָ צָפַן־רוּחַ וְשֶׁמֶן יְמִינוֹ יִקְרָא
He that would hide her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand betrayeth itself.
Βορέας σκληρὸς ἄνεμος, ὀνόματι δὲ ἐπιδέξιος καλεῖται.
The north wind is sharp, But it is called by name propitious.
17
בַּרְזֶל בְּבַרְזֶל יָחַד וְאִישׁ יַחַד פְּנֵי־רֵעֵהוּ
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Σίδηρος σίδηρον ὀξύνει, ἀνὴρ δὲ παροξύνει πρόσωπον ἑταίρου.
Iron sharpens iron; And a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
18
נֹצֵר תְּאֵנָה יֹאכַל פִּרְיָהּ וְשֹׁמֵר אֲדֹנָיו יְכֻבָּד
Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; and he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Ὃς φυτεύει συκὴν φάγεται τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς, ὃς δὲ φυλάσσει τὸν ἑαυτοῦ κύριον τιμηθήσεται.
He that plants a fig tree shall eat the fruits of it: So he that waits on his own master shall be honored.
19
כַּמַּיִם הַפָּנִים לַפָּנִים כֵּן לֵב־הָאָדָם לָאָדָם
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
Ὥσπερ οὐχ ὅμοια πρόσωπα προσώποις, οὕτως οὐδὲ αἱ διάνοιαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
As faces are not like [other] faces, So neither are the thoughts of men.
20
שְׁאוֹל ואבדה וַאֲבַדּוֹ לֹא תִשְׂבַּעְנָה וְעֵינֵי הָאָדָם לֹא תִשְׂבַּעְנָה
The nether-world and Destruction are never satiated; so the eyes of man are never satiated.
Ἅδης καὶ ἀπώλεια οὐκ ἐμπίμπλανται, ὡσαύτως καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἄπληστοι· 20aβδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ στηρίζων ὀφθαλμὸν, καὶ οἱ ἀπαίδευτοι ἀκρατεῖς γλώσσῃ.
Hell and destruction are not filled; So also are the eyes of men insatiable.
21
מַצְרֵף לַכֶּסֶף וְכוּר לַזָּהָב וְאִישׁ לְפִי מַהֲלָלוֹ
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man is tried by his praise.
Δοκίμιον ἀργυρίῳ καὶ χρυσῷ πύρωσις, ἀνὴρ δὲ δοκιμάζεται διὰ στόματος ἐγκωμιαζόντων αὐτόν. 21aκαρδία ἀνόμου ἐκζητεῖ κακὰ, καρδία δὲ εὐθὴς ζητεῖ γνῶσιν.
Fire is the trial for silver and gold; And a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him.
22
אִם תִּכְתּוֹשׁ־אֶת־הָאֱוִיל בַּמַּכְתֵּשׁ בְּתוֹךְ הָרִיפוֹת בַּעֱלִי לֹא־תָסוּר מֵעָלָיו אִוַּלְתּוֹ
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle among groats, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Ἐὰν μαστιγοῖς ἄφρονα ἐν μέσῳ συνεδρίου ἀτιμάζων, οὐ μὴ περιέλῃς τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ.
Though thou scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, Thou wilt [still] in nowise remove his folly from him.
23
יָדֹעַ תֵּדַע פְּנֵי צֹאנֶךָ שִׁית לִבְּךָ לַעֲדָרִים
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds;
Γνωστῶς ἐπιγνώσῃ ψυχὰς ποιμνίου σου, καὶ ἐπιστήσεις καρδίαν σου σαῖς ἀγέλαις.
Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock, And pay attention to thy herds.
24
כִּי לֹא לְעוֹלָם חֹסֶן וְאִם־נֵזֶר לְדוֹר דור וָדוֹר
For riches are not for ever; and doth the crown endure unto all generations?
Ὅτι οὐκ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἀνδρὶ κράτος καὶ ἰσχὺς, οὐδὲ παραδίδωσιν ἐκ γενεᾶς εἰς γενεάν.
For a man [has] not strength and power forever; Neither does he transmit it from generation to generation.
25
גָּלָה חָצִיר וְנִרְאָה־דֶשֶׁא וְנֶאֶסְפוּ עִשְּׂבוֹת הָרִים
When the hay is mown, and the tender grass showeth itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in;
Ἐπιμελοῦ τῶν ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ χλωρῶν, καὶ κερεῖς πόαν, καὶ σύναγε χόρτον ὀρεινὸν,
Take care of the herbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, And gather the mountain hay;
26
כְּבָשִׂים לִלְבוּשֶׁךָ וּמְחִיר שָׂדֶה עַתּוּדִים
The lambs will be for thy clothing, and the goats the price for a field.
ἵνα ἔχῃς πρόβατα εἰς ἱματισμόν· τίμα πεδίον, ἵνα ὠσί σοι ἄρνες.
That thou mayest have [wool of] sheep for clothing: Pay attention to the land, that thou mayest have lambs.
27
וְדֵי חֲלֵב עִזִּים לְלַחְמְךָ לְלֶחֶם בֵּיתֶךָ וְחַיִּים לְנַעֲרוֹתֶיךָ
And there will be goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household; and maintenance for thy maidens.
Υἱὲ, παρʼ ἐμοῦ ἔχεις ῥήσεις ἰσχυρὰς εἰς τὴν ζωήν σου, καὶ εἰς τὴν ζωὴν σῶν θεραπόντων.
[My] son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, And for the life of thy servants.