1
טוֹב פַּת חֲרֵבָה וְשַׁלְוָה־בָהּ מִבַּיִת מָלֵא זִבְחֵי־רִיב
Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Κρείσσων ψωμὸς μεθʼ ἡδονῆς ἐν εἰρήνῃ, ἢ οἶκος πολλῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἀδίκων θυμάτων μετὰ μάχης.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, Than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2
עֶבֶד־מַשְׂכִּיל יִמְשֹׁל בְּבֵן מֵבִישׁ וּבְתוֹךְ אַחִים יַחֲלֹק נַחֲלָה
A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
Οἰκέτης νοήμων κρατήσει δεσποτῶν ἀφρόνων, ἐν δὲ ἀδελφοῖς διελεῖται μέρη.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, And shall divide portions among brethren.
3
מַצְרֵף לַכֶּסֶף וְכוּר לַזָּהָב וּבֹחֵן לִבּוֹת יְהוָה
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but HaShem trieth the hearts.
Ὥσπερ δοκιμάζεται ἐν καμίνῳ ἄργυρος καὶ χρυσὸς, οὕτως ἐκλεκταὶ καρδίαι παρὰ Κυρίῳ.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, So are choice hearts with the Lord.
4
מֵרַע מַקְשִׁיב עַל־שְׂפַת־אָוֶן שֶׁקֶר מֵזִין עַל־לְשׁוֹן הַוֺּת
A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Κακὸς ὑπακούει γλώσσης παρανόμων, δίκαιος δὲ οὐ προσέχει χείλεσι ψευδέσιν.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: But a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5
לֹעֵג לָרָשׁ חֵרֵף עֹשֵׂהוּ שָׂמֵחַ לְאֵיד לֹא יִנָּקֶה
Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Ὁ καταγελῶν πτωχοῦ παροξύνει τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτὸν, ὁ δὲ ἐπιχαίρων ἀπολλυμένῳ οὐκ ἀθωωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ἐπισπλαγχνιζόμενος ἐλεηθήσεται.
He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; And he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: But he that has compassion shall find mercy.
6
עֲטֶרֶת זְקֵנִים בְּנֵי בָנִים וְתִפְאֶרֶת בָּנִים אֲבוֹתָם
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Στέφανος γερόντων τέκνα τέκνων, καύχημα δὲ τέκνων πατέρες αὐτῶν· 6aτοῦ πιστοῦ ὅλος ὁ κόσμος τῶν χρημάτων, τοῦ δὲ ἀπίστου οὐδὲ ὀβολός.
Children’s children are the crown of old men; And their fathers are the glory of children.
7
לֹא־נָאוָה לְנָבָל שְׂפַת־יֶתֶר אַף כִּי־לְנָדִיב שְׂפַת־שָׁקֶר
Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.
Οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστὰ, οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; Nor lying lips a just man.
8
אֶבֶן־חֵן הַשֹּׁחַד בְּעֵינֵי בְעָלָיו אֶל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה יַשְׂכִּיל
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.
Μισθὸς χαρίτων παιδεία τοῖς χρωμένοις, οὗ δʼ ἂν ἐπιστρέψῃ εὐοδωθήσεται.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward: And whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9
מְכַסֶּה־פֶּשַׁע מְבַקֵּשׁ אַהֲבָה וְשֹׁנֶה בְדָבָר מַפְרִיד אַלּוּף
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.
Ὃς κρύπτει ἀδικήματα, ζητεῖ φιλίαν· ὃς δὲ μισεῖ κρύπτειν, διΐστησι φίλους καὶ οἰκείους.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; But he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10
תֵּחַת גְּעָרָה בְמֵבִין מֵהַכּוֹת כְּסִיל מֵאָה
A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
Συντρίβει ἀπειλὴ καρδίαν φρονίμου, ἄφρων δὲ μαστιγωθεὶς οὐκ αἰσθάνεται.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; But a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11
אַךְ־מְרִי יְבַקֶּשׁ־רָע וּמַלְאָךְ אַכְזָרִי יְשֻׁלַּח־בּוֹ
An rebellious man seeketh only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Ἀντιλογίας ἐγείρει πᾶς κακὸς, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: But the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12
פָּגוֹשׁ דֹּב שַׁכּוּל בְּאִישׁ וְאַל־כְּסִיל בְּאִוַּלְתּוֹ
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Ἐμπεσεῖται μέριμνα ἀνδρὶ νοήμονι, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες διαλογιοῦνται κακά.
Care may befall a man of understanding; But fools will meditate evils.
13
מֵשִׁיב רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה לֹא־תמיש תָמוּשׁ רָעָה מִבֵּיתוֹ
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Ὃς ἀποδίδωσι κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, οὐ κινηθήσεται κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ.
Whoso rewards evil for good, Evil shall not be removed from his house.
14
פּוֹטֵר מַיִם רֵאשִׁית מָדוֹן וְלִפְנֵי הִתְגַּלַּע הָרִיב נְטוֹשׁ
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before the quarrel break out.
Ἐξουσίαν δίδωσι λόγοις ἀρχὴ δικαιοσύνης, προηγεῖται δὲ τῆς ἐνδείας στάσις καὶ μάχη.
Rightful rule gives power to words; But sedition and strife precede poverty.
15
מַצְדִּיק רָשָׁע וּמַרְשִׁיעַ צַדִּיק תּוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה גַּם־שְׁנֵיהֶם
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are an abomination to HaShem.
Ὃς δίκαιον κρίνει τὸν ἄδικον, ἄδικον δὲ τὸν δίκαιον, ἀκάθαρτος καὶ βδελυκτὸς παρὰ Θεῷ.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, Is unclean and abominable with God.
16
לָמָּה־זֶּה מְחִיר בְּיַד־כְּסִיל לִקְנוֹת חָכְמָה וְלֶב־אָיִן
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?
Ἱνατί ὑπῆρξε χρήματα ἄφρονι; κτήσασθαι γὰρ σοφίαν ἀκάρδιος οὐ δυνήσεται· 16aὃς ὑψηλὸν ποιεῖ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ οἶκον, ζητεῖ συντριβήν· ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων τοῦ μαθεῖν, ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά.
Why has the fool wealth? For a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom.
17
בְּכָל־עֵת אֹהֵב הָרֵעַ וְאָח לְצָרָה יִוָּלֵד
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Εἰς πάντα καιρὸν φίλος ὑπαρχέτω σοι, ἀδελφοὶ δὲ ἐν ἀνάγκαις χρήσιμοι ἔστωσαν, τούτου γὰρ χάριν γεννῶνται.
Have thou a friend for every time, And let brethren be useful in distress; For on this account are they born.
18
אָדָם חֲסַר־לֵב תּוֹקֵעַ כָּף עֹרֵב עֲרֻבָּה לִפְנֵי רֵעֵהוּ
A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.
Ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ἐπικροτεῖ καὶ ἐπιχαίρει ἑαυτῷ, ὡς καὶ ὁ ἐγγυώμενος ἐγγύῃ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ φίλων.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [As he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19
אֹהֵב פֶּשַׁע אֹהֵב מַצָּה מַגְבִּיהַּ פִּתְחוֹ מְבַקֶּשׁ־שָׁבֶר
He loveth transgression that loveth strife; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Φιλαμαρτήμων χαίρει μάχαις,
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20
עִקֶּשׁ־לֵב לֹא יִמְצָא־טוֹב וְנֶהְפָּךְ בִּלְשׁוֹנוֹ יִפּוֹל בְּרָעָה
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.
ὁ δὲ σκληροκάρδιος οὐ συναντᾷ ἀγαθοῖς· ἀνὴρ εὐμετάβολος γλώσσῃ ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακὰ,
And the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21
יֹלֵד כְּסִיל לְתוּגָה לוֹ וְלֹא־יִשְׂמַח אֲבִי נָבָל
He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a churl hath no joy.
καρδία δὲ ἄφρονος ὀδύνη τῷ κεκτημένῳ αὐτήν· οὐκ εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ ἐφʼ υἱῷ ἀπαιδεύτῳ, υἱὸς δὲ φρόνιμος εὐφραίνει μητέρα αὐτοῦ.
And the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; But a wise son gladdens his mother.
22
לֵב שָׂמֵחַ יֵיטִב גֵּהָה וְרוּחַ נְכֵאָה תְּיַבֶּשׁ־גָּרֶם
A merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Καρδία εὐφραινομένη εὐεκτεῖν ποιεῖ, ἀνδρὸς δὲ λυπηροῦ ξηραίνεται τὰ ὀστᾶ.
A glad heart promotes health; But the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23
שֹׁחַד מֵחֵיק רָשָׁע יִקָּח לְהַטּוֹת אָרְחוֹת מִשְׁפָּט
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
Λαμβάνοντος δῶρα ἀδίκως ἐν κόλποις οὐ κατευοδοῦνται ὁδοὶ, ἀσεβὴς δὲ ἐκκλίνει ὁδοὺς δικαιοσύνης.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; And an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24
אֶת־פְּנֵי מֵבִין חָכְמָה וְעֵינֵי כְסִיל בִּקְצֵה־אָרֶץ
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Πρόσωπον συνετὸν ἀνδρὸς σοφοῦ, οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ ἄφρονος ἐπʼ ἄκρα γῆς.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; But the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
25
כַּעַס לְאָבִיו בֵּן כְּסִיל וּמֶמֶר לְיוֹלַדְתּוֹ
A foolish son is vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
Ὀργὴ πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων, καὶ ὀδύνη τῇ τεκούσῃ αὐτόν.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, And grief to her that bore him.
26
גַּם עֲנוֹשׁ לַצַּדִּיק לֹא־טוֹב לְהַכּוֹת נְדִיבִים עַל־יֹשֶׁר
To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
Ζημιοῦν ἄνδρα δίκαιον οὐ καλὸν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐπιβουλεύειν δυνάσταις δικαίοις.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, Nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27
חוֹשֵׂךְ אֲמָרָיו יוֹדֵעַ דָּעַת וקר־יְקַר־רוּחַ אִישׁ תְּבוּנָה
He that spareth his words hath knowledge; and he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.
Ὃς φείδεται ῥῆμα προέσθαι σκληρὸν, ἐπιγνώμων· μακρόθυμος δὲ ἀνὴρ φρόνιμος.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, And a patient man is wise.
28
גַּם אֱוִיל מַחֲרִישׁ חָכָם יֵחָשֵׁב אֹטֵם שְׂפָתָיו נָבוֹן
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.
Ἀνοήτῳ ἐπερωτήσαντι σοφίαν σοφία λογισθήσεται, ἐνεὸν δέ τις ἑαυτὸν ποιήσας, δόξει φρόνιμος εἶναι.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: And he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.