1
גַּם־אֵלֶּה מִשְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹה אֲשֶׁר הֶעְתִּיקוּ אַנְשֵׁי חִזְקִיָּה מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Αὗται αἱ παιδεῖαι Σαλωμῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι, ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι Ἐζεκίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας.
These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Hezekiah king of Judea copied out.
2
כְּבֹד אֱלֹהִים הַסְתֵּר דָּבָר וּכְבֹד מְלָכִים חֲקֹר דָּבָר
It is the glory of G-d to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Δόξα Θεοῦ κρύπτει λόγον, δόξα δὲ βασιλέως τιμᾷ πράγματα.
The glory of God conceals a matter: But the glory of a king honors business.
3
שָׁמַיִם לָרוּם וָאָרֶץ לָעֹמֶק וְלֵב מְלָכִים אֵין חֵקֶר
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Οὐρανὸς ὑψηλὸς, γῆ δὲ βαθεῖα, καρδία δὲ βασιλέως ἀνεξέλεγκτος.
Heaven is high, and earth is deep, And a king’s heart is unsearchable.
4
הָגוֹ סִיגִים מִכָּסֶף וַיֵּצֵא לַצֹּרֵף כֶּלִי
Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
Τύπτε ἀδόκιμον ἀργύριον, καὶ καθαρισθήσεται καθαρὸν ἅπαν.
Beat the drossy silver, And it shall be made entirely pure.
5
הָגוֹ רָשָׁע לִפְנֵי־מֶלֶךְ וְיִכּוֹן בַּצֶּדֶק כִּסְאוֹ
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Κτεῖνε ἀσεβεῖς ἐκ προσώπου βασιλέως, καὶ κατορθώσει ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ.
Slay the ungodly from before the king, And his throne shall prosper in righteousness.
6
אַל־תִּתְהַדַּר לִפְנֵי־מֶלֶךְ וּבִמְקוֹם גְּדֹלִים אַל־תַּעֲמֹד
Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
Μὴ ἀλαζονεύου ἐνώπιον βασιλέως, μηδὲ ἐν τόποις δυναστῶν ὑφίστασο·
Be not boastful in the presence of the king, And remain not in the places of princes;
7
כִּי טוֹב אֲמָר־לְךָ עֲלֵה הֵנָּה מֵהַשְׁפִּילְךָ לִפְנֵי נָדִיב אֲשֶׁר רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ
For better is it that it be said unto thee: 'Come up hither', than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
Κρεῖσσον γάρ σοι τὸ ῥηθῆναι, ἀνάβαινε πρὸς μὲ, ἢ ταπεινῶσαί σε ἐν προσώπῳ δυνάστου· ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου λέγε.
For [it is] better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, Than that [one] should humble thee in the presence of the prince; Speak of that which thine eyes have seen.
8
אַל־תֵּצֵא לָרִב מַהֵר פֶּן מַה־תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּאַחֲרִיתָהּ בְּהַכְלִים אֹתְךָ רֵעֶךָ
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Μὴ πρόσπιπτε εἰς μάχην ταχέως, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθῇς ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων· ἡνίκα ἄν σε ὀνειδίσῃ ὁ σὸς φίλος,
Get not suddenly into a quarrel, Lest thou repent at last.
9
רִיבְךָ רִיב אֶת־רֵעֶךָ וְסוֹד אַחֵר אַל־תְּגָל
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
ἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω· μὴ καταφρόνει,
Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, Retreat backward, despise [him] not;
10
פֶּן־יְחַסֶּדְךָ שֹׁמֵעַ וְדִבָּתְךָ לֹא תָשׁוּב
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
μή σε ὀνειδίσῃ μὲν ὁ φίλος, ἡ δὲ μάχη σου καὶ ἡ ἔχθρα οὐκ ἀπέσται, ἀλλὰ ἔσται σοι ἴση θανάτῳ· 10aχάρις καὶ φιλία ἐλευθεροῖ, ἃς τήρησον σεαυτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐπονείδιστος γένῃ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξον τὰς ὁδούς σου εὐσυναλλάκτως.
Lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, So thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, But shall be to thee like death.
11
תַּפּוּחֵי זָהָב בְּמַשְׂכִּיּוֹת כָּסֶף דָּבָר דָּבֻר עַל־אָפְנָיו
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Μῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον.
[As] a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, So [is it] to speak a [wise] word.
12
נֶזֶם זָהָב וַחֲלִי־כָתֶם מוֹכִיחַ חָכָם עַל־אֹזֶן שֹׁמָעַת
As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Εἰς ἐνώτιον χρυσοῦν καὶ σάρδιον πολυτελὲς δέδεται, λόγος σοφὸς εἰς εὐήκοον οὖς.
In an earring of gold a precious sardius is also set; [So is] a wise word to an obedient ear.
13
כְּצִנַּת־שֶׁלֶג בְּיוֹם קָצִיר צִיר נֶאֱמָן לְשֹׁלְחָיו וְנֶפֶשׁ אֲדֹנָיו יָשִׁיב
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
Ὥσπερ ἔξοδος χιόνος ἐν ἀμητῷ κατὰ καῦμα ὠφελεῖ, οὕτως ἄγγελος πιστὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτόν· ψυχὰς γὰρ τῶν αὐτῷ χρωμένων ὠφελεῖ.
As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, So a faithful messenger [refreshes] those that send him; For he helps the souls of his employers.
14
נְשִׂיאִים וְרוּחַ וְגֶשֶׁם אָיִן אִישׁ מִתְהַלֵּל בְּמַתַּת־שָׁקֶר
As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
Ὥσπερ ἄνεμοι καὶ νέφη καὶ ὑετοὶ, ἐπιφανέστατα, οὕτως ὁ καυχώμενος ἐπὶ δόσει ψευδεῖ.
As winds and clouds and rains are most evident [objects], So is he that boasts of a false gift.
15
בְּאֹרֶךְ אַפַּיִם יְפֻתֶּה קָצִין וְלָשׁוֹן רַכָּה תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּרֶם
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ εὐοδία βασιλεῦσι, γλῶσσα δὲ μαλακὴ συντρίβει ὀστᾶ.
In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, And a soft tongue breaks the bones.
16
דְּבַשׁ מָצָאתָ אֱכֹל דַּיֶּךָּ פֶּן־תִּשְׂבָּעֶנּוּ וַהֲקֵאתוֹ
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Μέλι εὑρὼν φάγε τὸ ἱκανὸν, μή ποτε πλησθεὶς ἐξεμέσῃς.
Having found honey, eat [only] what is enough, Lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.
17
הֹקַר רַגְלְךָ מִבֵּית רֵעֶךָ פֶּן־יִשְׂבָּעֲךָ וּשְׂנֵאֶךָ
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
Σπάνιον εἴσαγε σὸν πόδα πρὸς σεαυτοῦ φίλον, μή ποτε πλησθείς σου μισήσῃ σε.
Enter sparingly into thy friend’s house, Lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.
18
מֵפִיץ וְחֶרֶב וְחֵץ שָׁנוּן אִישׁ עֹנֶה בְרֵעֵהוּ עֵד שָׁקֶר
As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
Ῥόπαλον καὶ μάχαιρα καὶ τόξευμα ἀκιδωτὸν, οὕτως καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ καταμαρτυρῶν τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ.
[As] a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, So also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.
19
שֵׁן רֹעָה וְרֶגֶל מוּעָדֶת מִבְטָח בּוֹגֵד בְּיוֹם צָר͏ָה
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Οδὸς κακοῦ καὶ ποὺς παρανόμου ὀλεῖται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ.
The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.
20
מַעֲדֶה בֶּגֶד בְּיוֹם קָרָה חֹמֶץ עַל־נָתֶר וְשָׁר בַּשִּׁרִים עַל לֶב־רָע
As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
Ὥσπερ ὄξος ἕλκει ἀσύμφορον, οὕτως προσπεσὸν πάθος ἐν σώματι καρδίαν λυπεῖ· 20aὥσπερ σὴς ἐν ἱματίῳ καὶ σκώληξ ξύλῳ, οὕτως λύπη ἀνδρὸς βλάπτει καρδίαν.
As vinegar is bad for a sore, So trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart.
21
אִם־רָעֵב שֹׂנַאֲךָ הַאֲכִלֵהוּ לָחֶם וְאִם־צָמֵא הַשְׁקֵהוּ מָיִם
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
Ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτὸν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν·
If thine enemy hunger, feed him; If he thirst, give him drink;
22
כִּי גֶחָלִים אַתָּה חֹתֶה עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ ו͏ַיהוָה יְשַׁלֶּם־לָךְ
For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and HaShem will reward thee.
Τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά.
For so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the Lord shall reward thee [with] good.
23
רוּחַ צָפוֹן תְּחוֹלֵל גָּשֶׁם וּפָנִים נִזְעָמִים לְשׁוֹן סָתֶר
The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Ἄνεμος Βορέας ἐξεγείρει νέφη, πρόσωπον δὲ ἀναιδὲς γλῶσσαν ἐρεθίζει·
The north wind raises clouds; So an impudent face provokes the tongue.
24
טוֹב שֶׁבֶת עַל־פִּנַּת־גָּג מֵאֵשֶׁת מדונים מִדְיָנִים וּבֵית חָבֶר
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
Κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας δώματος, ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς λοιδόρου ἐν οἰκίᾳ κοινῇ.
[It is] better to dwell on a corner of the roof, Than with a railing woman in an open house.
25
מַיִם קָרִים עַל־נֶפֶשׁ עֲיֵפָה וּשְׁמוּעָה טוֹבָה מֵאֶרֶץ מֶרְחָק
As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
Ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ψυχρὸν ψυχῇ διψώσῃ προσηνὲς, οὕτως ἀγγελία ἀγαθὴ ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν.
As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, So is a good message from a land far off.
26
מַעְיָן נִרְפָּשׂ וּמָקוֹר מָשְׁחָת צַדִּיק מָט לִפְנֵי־רָשָׁע
As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
Ὥσπερ εἴ τις πηγὴν φράσσοι καὶ ὕδατος ἔξοδον λυμαίνοιτο, οὕτως ἄκοσμον δίκαιον πεπτωκέναι ἐνώπιον ἀσεβοῦς.
As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, So [is it] unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.
27
אָכֹל דְּבַשׁ הַרְבּוֹת לֹא־טוֹב וְחֵקֶר כְּבֹדָם כָּבוֹד
It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
Ἐσθίειν μέλι πολὺ οὐ καλὸν, τιμᾷν δὲ χρὴ λόγους ἐνδόξους.
[It is] not good to eat much honey; But it is right to honor venerable sayings.
28
עִיר פְּרוּצָה אֵין חוֹמָה אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר אֵין מַעְצָר לְרוּחוֹ
Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
Ὥσπερ πόλις τὰ τείχη καταβεβλημένη καὶ ἀτείχιστος, οὕτως ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐ μετὰ βουλῆς τι πράσσει.
As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, So is a man who does anything without counsel.