1
כל אוהב אומר אהבתי, אך יש אהב שם אהב.
Every friend says, 'I am your friend', but there is a friend who is a friend only in name.
Πὰς φίλος ἐρεῖ, ἐφιλίασα αὐτῷ κᾷγώ· ἀλλʼ ἔστι φίλος ὀνόματι μόνον φίλος.
Every friend saith, I am his friend also: But there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
2
הלא דין מגיע אל מות, רע כנפשך נהפך לצר.
Is it not a grief close to death when a friend as dear as yourself turns into an enemy?
Οὐχὶ λύπη ἔνι ἕως θανάτου, ἑταῖρος καὶ φίλος τρεπόμενος εἰς ἔχθραν;
Is it not a grief unto death, When a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
3
הוי רע יאמר מדוע כן נוצרתי, למלא פני תבל תרמית.
Alas, evil one, why were you formed, to fill the world with deceit?
Ὦ πονηρὸν ἐνθύμημα, πόθεν ἐνεκυλίσθης καλύψαι τὴν ξηρὰν ἐν δολιότητι;
O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in To cover the earth with deceit?
4
מרע אוהב מביט אל שלחן, ובעת מצוקה מנגד יעמד.
A bad friend looks to the table, but in time of trouble he stands aloof.
Ἑταῖρος φίλου ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ ἥδεται, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως ἔσται ἀπέναντι·
There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, But in the time of trouble will be against him.
5
אוהב טוב נלחם עם זר, ונגד ערים יחזיק צנה.
A good friend fights against a stranger and holds up the shield against enemies.
Ἐταῖρος φίλῳ συμπονεῖ χάριν γαστρὸς, ἔναντι πολέμου λήψεται ἀσπίδα.
There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, And taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
6
אל תשכח חבר בקרב, ואל תעזבהן בשללך.
Do not forget a comrade in battle, and do not abandon him when you take spoil.
Μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ φίλου ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ μὴ ἀμνημονήσῃς αὐτοῦ ἐν χρήμασί σου.
Forget not thy friend in thy mind, And be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
7
כל יועץ יניף יד, אך יש יועץ דרך אל לץ.
Every counsellor waves his hand, but there is a counsellor who advises for his own ends.
Πᾶς σύμβουλος ἐξαίρει βουλὴν, ἀλλʼ ἔστι συμβουλεύων εἰς ἑαυτόν.
Every counselor extolleth counsel; But there is some that counseleth for himself.
8
כל יועץ אומר חזה, אך יש יועץ דורך עליו מיועץ שמור נפשך, ודע לפנים מה צרכו. כי גם הוא לנפשך יחשב, למה זה אליו יפול.
Every counsellor says, 'I have seen', but there is a counsellor who has his own interest. Guard yourself against a counsellor, and know beforehand what he needs. For he too is thinking of himself — why should it fall to him?
Ἀπὸ συμβούλου φύλαξον τὴν ψυχήν σου, καὶ γνῶθι πρότερον τίς αὐτοῦ χρεία· καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἑαυτῷ βουλεύσεται· μήποτε βάλῃ ἐπὶ σοὶ κλῆρον,
Beware of a counselor, And know before what need he hath; For he will counsel for himself; Lest he cast the lot upon thee,
9
ואמר לך מטוב דרכך, וקם מנגד להביט רישך.
And he tells you, 'Your way is good', and stands aloof to watch your poverty.
καὶ εἴπῃ σοι, καλὴ ἡ ὁδός σου· καὶ στήσεται ἐξ ἐναντίας ἰδεῖν τὸ συμβησόμενόν σοι.
And say unto thee, Thy way is good: And afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
10
אל תועץ עם חמיך, וממקנא העלים סוד.
Do not consult your father-in-law, and hide your secret from one who envies you.
Μὴ βουλεύου μετὰ τοῦ ὑποβλεπομένου σε, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ζηλούντων σε κρύψον βουλήν.
Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: And hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
11
עם אשה על צרתה, ומרד אל מלחמתו. עם סוחר אל תתגר, וממקנה על ממכר. עם איש רע על תגמול חסד, ואכזרי על טוב בשר. פועל שוא על מלאכתו, שומר שוא על מוציא רע. אך איש מפחד תמיד, אשר תדע שומר מצוה.
Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about his war, a merchant about trading, or a buyer about selling, a wicked man about repaying kindness, or a cruel man about doing good, a worthless worker about his work, or a worthless watchman about what goes out wrong. But keep with a man who always fears, one whom you know keeps the commandment,
Μετὰ γυναικὸς περὶ ἀντιζήλου αὐτῆς, καὶ μετὰ δειλοῦ περὶ πολέμου· μετὰ ἐμπόρου περὶ μεταβολίας, καὶ μετὰ ἀγοράζοντος περὶ πράσεως· μετὰ βασκάνου περὶ εὐχαριστίας, καὶ μετὰ ἀνελεήμονος περὶ χρηστοηθείας· μετὰ ὀκνηροῦ περὶ παντὸς ἔργου, καὶ μετὰ μισθίου ἐφεστίου περὶ συντελείας, οἰκέτῃ ἀργῷ περὶ πολλῆς ἐργασίας· μὴ ἔπεχε ἐπὶ τούτοις περὶ πάσης συμβουλίας.
Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; Neither with a coward in matters of war; Nor with a merchant concerning exchange; Nor with a buyer of selling; Nor with an envious man of thankfulness; Nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; Nor with the slothful for any work; Nor with a hireling for a year of finishing work; Nor with an idle servant of much business: Hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
12
אך עם לבבו כלבבך, אם תכשל יגיע אליו.
a man whose heart is like your heart: if you stumble, he will come to you.
Ἀλλʼ ἢ μετὰ ἀνδρὸς εὐσεβοῦς ἐνδελέχιζε, ὃν ἂν ἐπιγνῷς συντηροῦντα ἐντολάς· ὃς ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ κατὰ τὴν ψυχήν σου, καὶ ἐὰν πταίσῃς, συναλγήσει σοι.
But be continually with a godly man, Whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, Whose mind is according to thy mind, And will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
13
וגם עצת לבב הבין מי יאמן לך אמן ממנו.
And understand the counsel of your own heart: who is more faithful to you than it?
Καὶ βουλὴν καρδίας στῆσον, οὐ γάρ ἐστί σοι πιστότερος αὐτῆς·
And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: For there is no man more faithful unto thee than it;
14
לב אנוש יגיד שעיותיו, משבעה צופים על מצפה.
A man's heart tells him his situation better than seven watchmen on a watchtower.
ψυχὴ γὰρ ἀνδρὸς ἀπαγγέλλειν ἐνίοτε εἴωθεν, ἢ ἑπτὰ σκοποὶ ἐπὶ μετεώρου καθήμενοι ἐπὶ σκοπῆς.
For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him more Than seven watchmen, that sit above in a high tower.
15
ועם כל אלה עתר אל אל, אשר יכין באמת צעדיך.
And with all this pray to God, that he may direct your steps in truth.
Καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις δεήθητι ὑψίστου, ἵνα εὐθύνῃ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ τὴν ὁδόν σου.
And above all this pray to the most High, That he will direct thy way in truth.
16
ראש כל מעשה דבר, וראש כל פועל היא מחשבת. עקרת תחבולות לבב, ארבעה שכמים יפרחו.
The beginning of every deed is a word, and the beginning of every act is a thought. The root of the heart's plans: four branches spring from it —
Ἀρχὴ παντὸς ἔργου λόγος, καὶ πρὸ πάσης πράξεως βουλή.
Let reason go before every enterprize, And counsel before every action.
17
Ἴχνος ἀλλοιώσεως καρδίας.
The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
18
טוב ורעה וחיים ומות, ומושלת בם כליל לשון.
good and evil, life and death; and ruling them all is the tongue.
Τέσσαρα μέρη ἀνατέλλει, ἀγαθὸν καὶ κακὸν, ζωὴ καὶ θάνατος, καὶ κυριεύουσα ἐνδελεχῶς αὐτῶν γλῶσσά ἐστιν.
Four manners of things appear: good and evil, life and death: But the tongue ruleth over them continually.
19
Ἔστιν ἀνὴρ πανοῦργος καὶ πολλῶν παιδευτὴς, καὶ τῇ ἰδίᾳ ψυχῇ ἄχρηστός ἐστιν.
There is one that is wise and teacheth many, And yet is unprofitable to himself.
20
Ἔστι σοφιζόμενος ἐν λόγοις μισητὸς, οὗτος πάσης τροφῆς καθυστερήσει,
There is one that showeth wisdom in words, and is hated: He shall be destitute of all food.
21
οὐ γὰρ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ παρὰ Κυρίου χάρις, ὅτι πάσης σοφίας ἐστερήθη.
For grace is not given him from the Lord; Because he is deprived of all wisdom.
22
יֵשׁ חָכָם לְרַבִּים הוּא נֶחְכָּם, וּלְנַפְשׁוֹ הוּא גוֹאָל. וְיֵשׁ חָכָם בִּדְבָרוֹ נִמְאָס, וּמִכָּל מַאֲכָל תַּעֲנוּג נִבְצָר. וְיֵשׁ חָכָם לְנַפְשׁוֹ יֶחְכָּם, פְּרִי דַעְתּוֹ עַל גְוִיָּתוֹ.
There is a wise man who is wise for many, and to himself he is a fool. And there is a wise man despised for his speech, who is deprived of all food and delight. And there is a wise man who is wise for himself; the fruit of his knowledge is on his own body.
Ἔστι σοφὸς τῇ ἰδίᾳ ψυχῇ, καὶ οἱ καρποὶ τῆς συνέσεως αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ στόματος πιστοί.
Another is wise to himself; And the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
23
וְיֵשׁ חָכָם לְעַמּוֹ יֶחְכָּם, פְּרִי דַעְתּוֹ בִּגְוִיָתָם.
And there is a wise man who is wise for his people; the fruit of his knowledge is in their bodies.
Ἀνὴρ σοφὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ λαὸν παιδεύσει, καὶ οἱ καρποὶ τῆς συνέσεως αὐτοῦ πιστοί.
A wise man instructeth his people; And the fruits of his understanding fail not.
24
Ἀνὴρ σοφὸς πλησθήσεται εὐλογίας, καὶ μακαριοῦσιν αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ ὁρῶντες.
A wise man shall be filled with blessing; And all they that see him shall count him happy.
25
חַיֵּי אִישׁ מִסְפַּר יָמִים, וְחַיֵּי עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְמֵי אֵין מִסְפָּר.
A man's life is a number of days, but the life of the people Israel is days without number.
Ζωὴ ἀνδρὸς ἐν ἀριθμῷ ἡμερῶν, καὶ αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ ἀναρίθμητοι.
The days of the life of man may be numbered; But the days of Israel are innumerable.
26
חכם לנפשו ישבע תענוג, ויאשרוהו כל רואינו. חכם עם ינחל כבוד, ושמו עומד בחיי עולם.
One who is wise for himself has his fill of delight, and all who see him call him happy. One who is wise for the people inherits honour, and his name endures in eternal life.
Ὁ σοφὸς ἐν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ κληρονομήσει πίστιν, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ζήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, And his name shall be perpetual.
27
בני בחייך גם נפשך, ראה מה רע לה, אל תתן לה.
My son, prove thy soul in thy life (M in wine); And see thou give it not that which is bad for it.
Τέκνον, ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου πείρασον τὴν ψυχήν σου, καὶ ἴδε τί πονηρὸν αὐτῇ, καὶ μὴ δῷς αὐτῇ.
My son, prove thy soul in thy life, And see what is evil for it, And give not that unto it.
28
כי לא הכל לכל טוב, לא כל נפש כל זן תבחר.
For not all is good for all: Not every soul chooseth every sort.
Οὐ γὰρ πάντα πᾶσι συμφέρει, καὶ οὐ πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐν παντὶ εὐδοκεῖ.
For all things are not profitable for all men, Neither hath every soul pleasure in everything.
29
אל תזרע לכל תענוג, ואל תשפך על כל מטעמים.
Be not insatiable (G) for every luxury; And be not effuse on all dainties.
Μὴ ἀπληστεύου ἐν πάσῃ τρυφῇ, καὶ μὴ ἐκχυθῇς ἐπὶ ἐδεσμάτων·
Be not insatiable in any dainty thing, Nor too greedy upon meats:
30
כי ברב תענוג יקנן חולי, והמרבה יגיע אל זרא.
For in much luxury (M food) nesteth sickness; And he that surfeiteth shall come nigh to loathing.
ἐν πολλοῖς γὰρ βρώμασιν ἔσται πόνος, καὶ ἡ ἀπληστία ἐγγιεῖ ἕως χολέρας.
For excess of meats bringeth sickness, And surfeiting will turn into choler.
31
בלא מוסר רבים יגועו ועועו, והנשמר יוסיף חיים.
By intemperance many perish utterly (?); But he that taketh heed shall add to life.
Διʼ ἀπληστίαν πολλοὶ ἐτελεύτησαν, ὁ δὲ προσέχων προσθήσει ζωήν.
By surfeiting have many perished; But he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.