1  THE PROVERBS of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2  To know wisdom and instruction; to comprehend the words of understanding;

2  in order to know wisdom and discipline,

3  To receive the discipline of wisdom, justice, and right, and equity;

3  to receive also hard saying, and to understand true justice, and how to direct judgement;

3  to understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equity,

4  To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion;

4  that he might give subtlety to the simple, and to the young man discernment and understanding.

4  so as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescents.

5  That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning, and the man of understanding may attain unto wise counsels;

5  By listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governments.

6  To understand a proverb, and a figure; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

6  and will understand a parable, and a dark speech; the saying of the wise also, and riddles.

6  He shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmas.

7  The fear of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.

7  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and there is good understanding to all that practise it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction.

7  The reverence of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise knowledge and instruction.

8  Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother;

8  Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother,

9  For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

9  For thou shalt receive for thine head a crown of graces, and a chain of gold round thy neck.

9  so that grace may be added to your head and a collar to your neck.

10  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

10  My son, let not ungodly men lead thee astray, neither consent thou to them.

11  If they say: 'Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us lurk for the innocent without cause;

11  If they should exhort thee, saying, Come with us, partake in blood, and let us unjustly hide the just man in the earth

11  If they should say: “Come with us. We will lie in wait for blood. We will lay traps against the innocent, without cause.

12  Let us swallow them up alive as the grave, and whole, as those that go down into the pit;

12  and let us swallow him alive, as Hades would, and remove the memorial of him from the earth

12  Let us swallow him alive, like Hell, and whole, like one descending into the pit.

13  We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil;

13  let us seize on his valuable property, and let us fill our houses with spoils

13  We will discover every precious substance. We will fill our houses with spoils.

14  Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse'--

14  but do thou cast in thy lot with us, and let us all provide a common purse, and let us have one pouch

14  Cast your lot with us. One purse will be for us all.”

15  My son, walk not thou in the way with them, restrain thy foot from their path;

15  go not in the way with them, but turn aside thy foot from their paths

15  My son, do not walk with them. Preclude your feet from their paths.

16  For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

17  For in vain the net is spread in the eyes of any bird;

17  for nets are not without cause spread for birds.

18  And these lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk for their own lives.

18  For they that are concerned in murder store up evils for themselves; and the overthrow of transgressors is evil.

18  Likewise, they lie in ambush against their own blood, and they undertake deceits against their own souls.

19  So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; it taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

19  These are the ways of all that perform lawless deeds; for by ungodliness they destroy their own life.

19  Thus, the ways of all those who are greedy seize the souls of those who possess.

20  Wisdom crieth aloud in the streets, she uttereth her voice in the broad places;

20  Wisdom sings aloud in passages, and in the broad places speaks boldly.

20  Wisdom forewarns far and wide; she bestows her voice in the streets.

21  She calleth at the head of the noisy streets, at the entrances of the gates, in the city, she uttereth her words

21  And she makes proclamation on the top of the walls, and sits by the gates of princes; and at the gates of the city boldly says,

21  She preaches in the chief places of the concourse; in the openings of the gates of the city, she utters her words, saying,

22  'How long, ye thoughtless, will ye love thoughtlessness? And how long will scorners delight them in scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

22  So long as the simple cleave to justice, they shall not be ashamed: but the foolish being lovers of haughtiness, having become ungodly have hated knowledge, and are become subject to reproofs.

22  “Little ones, how long will you choose to be childish, and how long will the foolish desire what is harmful to themselves, and how long will the imprudent hate knowledge?

23  Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

23  Behold, I will bring forth to you the utterance of my breath, and I will instruct you in my speech.

23  Be converted by my correction. Lo, I will offer my spirit to you, and I will reveal my words to you.

24  Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man attended,

24  Since I called, and ye did not hearken; and I spoke at length, and ye gave no heed;

24  For I called, and you refused. I extended my hand, and there was no one who watched.

25  But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof;

25  You have despised all my counsels, and you have neglected my rebukes.

26  I also, in your calamity, will laugh, I will mock when your dread cometh;

26  therefore I also will laugh at your destruction; and I will rejoice against you when ruin comes upon you

26  Similarly, I will ridicule you at your demise, and I will mock you, when that which you feared shall overcome you.

27  When your dread cometh as a storm, and your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; when trouble and distress come upon you.

27  yea when dismay suddenly comes upon you, and your overthrow shall arrive like a tempest; and when tribulation and distress shall come upon you, or when ruin shall come upon you.

28  Then will they call me, but I will not answer, they will seek me earnestly, but they shall not find me.

28  For it shall be that when ye call upon me, I will not hearken to you: wicked men shall seek me, but shall not find me.

29  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of YHWH;

29  For they hated wisdom, and did not choose the word of the Lord

29  Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the worship of the LORD.

30  They would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof.

30  neither would they attend to my counsels, but derided my reproofs.

30  They were not pleased with my counsels; they rejected all of my reproof.

31  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

31  Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way, and they shall have their fill of their own counsels.

32  For the waywardness of the thoughtless shall slay them, and the confidence of fools shall destroy them.

32  For because they wronged the simple, they shall be slain; and an inquisition shall ruin the ungodly.

33  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, and shall be quiet without fear of evil.'

33  But whoever will listen to me shall rest without terror, and shall have full enjoyment of abundance, without fear of evils.”

33  But he who listens to me shall live in hope, and shall refrain from many evils.

2:1  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and lay up my commandments with thee;

1  My son, if you would accept my words, and conceal my commandments within you,

2:2  So that thou make thine ear attend unto wisdom, and thy heart incline to discernment;

2  thine ear shall hearken to wisdom; thou shalt also apply thine heart to understanding, and shalt apply it to the instruction of thy son.

2  And incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding,

2:3  Yea, if thou call for understanding, and lift up thy voice for discernment;

3  For it thou shalt call to wisdom, and utter thy voice for understanding;

3  For if you would call upon wisdom and bend your heart to prudence,

2:4  If thou seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;

4  and if thou shalt seek it as silver, and search diligently for it as for treasures;

4  if you will seek her like money, and dig for her as if for treasure,

2:5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of YHWH, and find the knowledge of God.

5  then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and you will discover the knowledge of God.

2:6  For YHWH giveth wisdom, out of His mouth cometh knowledge and discernment;

6  For the Lord gives wisdom; and from his presence come knowledge and understanding,

6  For it is the LORD who gives wisdom; out of his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

2:7  He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright, He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;

7  and he treasures up salvation for them that walk uprightly: he will protect their way;

7  He stores up hope for the upright; he helps those who walk without blemish.

2:8  That He may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of His godly ones.

8  serving the paths of justice, and guarding the ways of sanctity.

8  He keeps the paths of justice, and preserves the ways of his saints.

2:9  Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, and equity, yea, every good path.

9  Then you shall understand justice and judgment, and equity, and every good path.

9  Then you will understand righteousness and justice and the uprightness of all good ways.

2:10  For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;

10  If wisdom is to enter into your heart, and if knowledge is to become pleasing to your soul,

2:11  Discretion shall watch over thee, discernment shall guard thee;

11  then counsel must guard you, and prudence must serve you,

11  Intelligence shall preserve you, and the understanding of the pious men shall deliver you;

2:12  To deliver thee from the way of evil, from the men that speak froward things;

12  so that you may be rescued from the evil way, and from the man who speaks perversities,

12  That you might be delivered from evil ways, from men who speak perverse things,

2:13  Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

13  Alas for those who forsake right paths, to walk in ways of darkness;

13  from those who leave the straight path to walk in dark ways,

2:14  Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of evil;

14  who rejoice in evils, and delight in wicked perverseness;

14  who rejoice when they have done evil, and who exult in the most wicked things.

2:15  Who are crooked in their ways, and perverse in their paths;

2:16  To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the alien woman that maketh smooth her words;

16  So may you be rescued from the foreign woman, and from the outsider, who softens her speech,

16  Wisdom shall deliver you from a strange woman who flatters with her words,

2:17  That forsaketh the lord of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

17  of her who has forsaken the instruction of her youth, and forgotten the covenant of God.

17  and who leaves behind the Guide of her youth,

2:18  For her house sinketh down unto death, and her paths unto the shades;

18  For she has fixed her house near death, and guided her wheels near Hades with the giants.

18  and who has forgotten the covenant of her God. For her household inclines toward death, and her paths toward Hell.

2:19  None that go unto her return, neither do they attain unto the paths of life;

19  None that go by her shall return, neither shall they take hold of right paths, for they are not apprehended of the years of life.

19  All those who enter to her will not return again, nor will they take hold of the paths of life.

2:20  That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

20  For had they gone in good paths, they would have found the paths of righteousness easy.

20  So may you walk in the good way, and keep to the difficult paths of the just.

2:21  For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the whole-hearted shall remain in it.

21  For those who are upright shall live upon the earth, and the simple shall continue upon it.

2:22  But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, and the faithless shall be plucked up out of it.

22  The paths of the ungodly shall perish out of the earth, and transgressors shall be driven away from it.

22  Yet truly, the impious shall perish from the earth, and those who act unjustly shall be taken away from it.

3:1  My son, forget not my teaching; but let thy heart keep my commandments;

1  My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart guard my precepts.

3:2  For length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to thee.

2  For they shall set before you length of days, and years of life, and peace.

2  For the length of days and long life will they add to you;

3:3  Let not kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thy heart;

3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; but bind them about thy neck

3  And peace, mercy, and truth will not forsake you; bind them about your neck; write them upon the tablets of your heart

3:4  So shalt thou find grace and good favour in the sight of God and man.

4  And so shall you discover grace and good discipline, in the sight of God and men.

3:5  Trust in YHWH with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding.

5  Have confidence in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend upon your own prudence.

3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths.

6  In all thy ways acquaint thyself with her, that she may rightly direct thy paths.

6  In all your ways, consider him, and he himself will direct your steps.

3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear YHWH, and depart from evil;

7  Do not seem wise to yourself. Fear God, and withdraw from evil.

3:8  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

8  Then shall there be health to thy body, and good keeping to thy bones.

8  Certainly, it shall be health to your navel, and refreshment to your bones.

3:9  Honour YHWH with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase;

9  Honour the Lord with thy just labours, and give him the first of thy fruits of righteousness

9  Honor the Lord with your substance, and give to him from the first of all your fruits,

3:10  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.

10  that thy storehouses may be completely filled with corn, and that thy presses may burst forth with wine.

10  and then your storehouses will be filled with abundance, and your presses shall overflow with wine.

3:11  My son, despise not the chastening of YHWH, neither spurn thou His correction;

11  My son, do not discard the discipline of the Lord, and do not fall away when you are corrected by him.

3:12  For whom YHWH loveth He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

12  for whom the Lord loves, he rebukes, and scourges every son whom he receives.

12  For whomever the Lord loves, he corrects, and just as a father does with a son, he wins him over.

3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that obtaineth understanding.

13  Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the mortal who knows prudence.

3:14  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

14  For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver.

14  Her acquisition is better than trading in silver, and her fruit is better than the first and purest gold.

3:15  She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

15  And she is more valuable than precious stones: no evil thing shall resist her: she is well known to all that approach her, and no precious thing is equal to her in value.

3:16  Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour.

16  For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth proceeds righteousness, and she carries law and mercy upon her tongue.

3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

3:18  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that holdest her fast.

3:19  YHWH by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens.

19  God by wisdom founded the earth, and by prudence he prepared the heavens.

19  The Lord founded the earth on wisdom. He secured the heavens with prudence.

3:20  By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

20  By understanding were the depths broken up, and the clouds dropped water.

20  By his wisdom, the abyss erupted and the clouds increased with dew.

3:21  My son, let not them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion;

21  My son, let not these things move away from your eyes. Preserve law as well as counsel.

3:22  So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

22  that thy soul may live, and that there may be grace round thy neck; and it shall be health to thy flesh, and safety to thy bones

22  And so shall there be life in your soul and grace in your voice.

3:23  Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thou shalt not dash thy foot.

23  that thou mayest go confidently in peace in all thy ways, and that thy foot may not stumble.

23  Then you shall walk confidently in your way, and your feet will not stumble.

3:24  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

24  For if thou rest, thou shalt be undismayed; and if thou sleep, thou shalt slumber sweetly.

24  When you slumber, you shall not fear. When you rest, your sleep also will be sweet.

3:25  Be not afraid of sudden terror, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;

25  And thou shalt not be afraid of alarm coming upon thee, neither of approaching attacks of ungodly men.

25  Do not fear unexpected terror, nor the power of the impious falling upon you.

3:26  For YHWH will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being caught.

26  For the Lord shall be over all thy ways, and shall establish thy foot that thou be not moved.

26  For the Lord will be at your side, and he will guard your feet, so that you may not be seized.

3:27  Withhold not good from him to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

27  Forbear not to do good to the poor, whensoever thy hand may have power to help him.

27  Do not prevent him who is able from doing good. When you are able, do good yourself too.

3:28  Say not unto thy neighbour: 'Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give'; when thou hast it by thee.

28  Say not, Come back another time, to-morrow I will give; while thou art able to do him good: for thou knowest not what the next day will bring forth.

28  Do not say to your friend: “Go away, and then return. Tomorrow I will give to you.” When you are able to do so, give in the present.

3:29  Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

29  Do not undertake evil against your friend, even though he has trust in you.

29  Do not devise evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells in peace beside you.

3:30  Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

30  Be not ready to quarrel with a man without a cause, lest he do thee some harm.

30  Do not contend against a man without cause, even though he has done no evil to you.

3:31  Envy thou not the man of violence, and choose none of his ways.

31  Procure not the reproaches of bad men, neither do thou covet their ways.

31  Do not rival an unjust man, and do not imitate his ways.

3:32  For the perverse is an abomination to YHWH; but His counsel is with the upright.

32  For every transgressor is unclean before the Lord; neither does he sit among the righteous.

32  For everyone who ridicules is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is for the simple.

3:33  The curse of YHWH is in the house of the wicked; but He blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

33  Destitution in the house of the impious is from the Lord. But the habitations of the just shall be blessed.

3:34  If it concerneth the scorners, He scorneth them, but unto the humble He giveth grace.

34  The Lord resists the proud; but he gives grace to the humble.

34  He will ridicule those who ridicule, but he will bestow grace upon the mild.

3:35  The wise shall inherit honour; but as for the fools, they carry away shame.

35  The wise will possess glory. The exaltation of the foolish is disgraceful.

35  Wise men shall inherit glory; but fools shall receive disgrace.

4:1  Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

1  Listen, sons, to the discipline of a father, and pay attention, so that you may know prudence.

1  HEAR, O my children, the instruction of a father, and give ear to knowledge and understanding.

4:2  For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my teaching.

2  I will bestow upon you a good gift. Do not relinquish my law.

2  Because I give you good doctrine, do not forsake my law.

4:3  For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.

4:4  And he taught me, and said unto me: 'Let thy heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments, and live;

4  who spoke and instructed me, saying, Let our speech be fixed in thine heart, keep our commandments, forget them not

4  He taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live; and let my law be as the pupil of the eye.

4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding; forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;

5  and do not neglect the speech of my mouth.

5  Obtain wisdom, obtain prudence. May you neither forget, nor turn away from, the words of my mouth.

4:6  Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; love her, and she will keep thee.

6  And forsake it not, and it shall cleave to thee: love it, and it shall keep thee.

6  Do not send her away, and she will guard you. Love her, and she will preserve you.

4:7  The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom; yea, with all thy getting get understanding.

7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all your substance get understanding.

4:8  Extol her, and she will exalt thee; she will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

8  Secure it, and it shall exalt thee: honour it, that it may embrace thee;

8  Love her, and she shall exalt you; embrace her, and she shall honor you.

4:9  She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow on thee.'

9  that it may give unto thy head a crown of graces, and may cover thee with a crown of delight.

9  She shall put upon your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she bestow upon you.

4:10  Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

10  Hear, my son, and receive my words; and the years of thy life shall be increased, that the resources of thy life may be many.

10  Listen, my son, and accept my words, so that years of life may be multiplied for you.

4:11  I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.

11  For I teach thee the ways of wisdom; and I cause thee to go in right paths.

11  I will demonstrate to you the way of wisdom. I will lead you along the paths of equity.

4:12  When thou goest, thy step shall not be straitened; and if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

12  When you have entered by these, your steps will not be constrained, and when running, you will have no obstacle.

12  When you walk, your steps will not be unsteady; and when you run, you will not stumble.

4:13  Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go; keep her, for she is thy life.

13  Take hold of my instruction; let it not go, —but keep it for thyself for thy life.

13  Take hold of discipline. Do not dismiss it. Guard it, for it is your life.

4:14  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and walk not in the way of evil men.

14  Go not in the ways of the ungodly, neither covet the ways of transgressors.

14  Do not delight in the paths of the impious, nor permit the way of evil-doers to please you.

4:15  Avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass on.

15  In whatever place they shall pitch their camp, go not thither; but turn from them, and pass away.

4:16  For they sleep not, except they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

16  For they do not sleep, unless they have done evil. And their sleep is quickly taken away from them, unless they have overthrown.

4:17  For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

17  For these live upon the bread of ungodliness, and are drunken with wine of transgression.

17  They eat the bread of impiety, and they drink the wine of iniquity.

4:18  But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

18  But the ways of the righteous shine like light; they go on and shine, until the day be fully come.

4:19  The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.

19  But the ways of the ungodly are dark; they know not how they stumble.

4:20  My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

20  My son, pay attention to my sermons, and incline your ear to my eloquent words.

4:21  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.

21  that thy fountains may not fail thee; keep them in thine heart.

21  Do not let them depart from your eyes; but keep them in the midst of your heart.

4:22  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

4:23  Above all that thou guardest keep thy heart; for out of it are the issues of life.

23  Preserve your heart with all watchfulness, for life proceeds from this.

4:24  Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

24  Remove from thee a froward mouth, and put far away from thee unjust lips.

4:25  Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

25  Let your eyes look straight ahead, and let your eyelids precede your steps.

4:26  Make plain the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

26  Make straight paths for thy feet, and order thy ways aright.

26  Direct the path of your feet, and all your ways shall be secure.

4:27  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.

27  Turn not aside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away thy foot from an evil way: for God knows the ways on the right hand, but those on the left are crooked: and he will make thy ways straight, and will guide thy steps in peace.

27  Turn aside, neither to the right, nor to the left; yet turn your foot away from evil. For the Lord knows the ways that are on the right, and truly, those that are on the left are perverse. But he himself will make your courses straight. Then your journey will advance in peace.

5:1  My son, attend unto my wisdom; incline thine ear to my understanding;

1  My son, pay attention to my wisdom, and incline your ear to my prudence,

5:2  That thou mayest preserve discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

2  that thou mayest keep good understanding, and the discretion of my lips gives thee a charge. Give no heed to a worthless woman;

2  so that you may guard your thinking, and so that your lips may preserve discipline. Do not pay attention to the deceit of a woman.

5:3  For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil;

3  for honey drops from the lips of a harlot, who for a season pleases thy palate

5:4  But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

4  but afterwards thou wilt find her more bitter than gall, and sharper than a two-edged sword.

4  But in the end, she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword.

5:5  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on the nether-world;

5  For the feet of folly lead those who deal with her down to the grave with death; and her steps are not established.

5  Her feet descend into death, and her steps reach even to Hell.

5:6  Lest she should walk the even path of life, her ways wander, but she knoweth it not.

6  For she goes not upon the paths of life; but her ways are slippery, and not easily known.

6  They do not walk along the path of life; her steps are wandering and untraceable.

5:7  Now therefore, O ye children, hearken unto me, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

7  Now then, my son, hear me, and make not my words of none effect.

7  Therefore, my son, listen to me now, and do not withdraw from the words of my mouth.

5:8  Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house;

8  Make your way at a distance from her, and do not approach the doors of her house.

5:9  Lest thou give thy vigour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel;

9  Do not give your honor to foreigners, and your years to the cruel.

5:10  Lest strangers be filled with thy strength, and thy labours be in the house of an alien;

10  Otherwise, outsiders may be filled with your strength, and your labors may be in a foreign house,

5:11  And thou moan, when thine end cometh, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

11  and you may mourn in the end, when you will have consumed your flesh and your body. And so you may say

11  And you have remorse in your old age, when the flesh of your body is consumed,

5:12  And say: 'How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

12  and thou shalt say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart avoided reproofs!

12  “Why have I detested discipline, and why has my heart not been quieted by correction?

5:13  Neither have I hearkened to the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

13  I heard not the voice of him that instructed me, and taught me, neither did I apply mine ear.

13  And why have I not listened to the voice of those who guided me? And why has my ear not inclined to my teachers?

5:14  I was well nigh in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.'

14  I have almost been with all evil in the midst of the church and of the assembly.”

5:15  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

15  Drink water from your own cistern and from the springs of your own well.

5:16  Let thy springs be dispersed abroad, and courses of water in the streets.

16  Let not waters out of thy fountain be spilt by thee, but let thy waters go into thy streets.

16  Let your water overflow into your streets, let it be disbursed abroad.

5:17  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

17  Hold them for yourself alone, and do not let strangers be partakers with you.

17  Let it be for yourself alone, let not strangers be partners with you.

5:18  Let thy fountain be blessed; and have joy of the wife of thy youth.

18  Let your spring be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth

5:19  A lovely hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; with her love be thou ravished always.

19  Let thy loving hart and thy graceful colt company with thee, and let her be considered thine own, and be with thee at all times; for ravished with her love thou shalt be greatly increased.

5:20  Why then wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of an alien?

5:21  For the ways of man are before the eyes of YHWH, and He maketh even all his paths.

21  The Lord beholds the ways of man, and he considers all his steps.

5:22  His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.

22  Iniquities ensnare a man, and every one is bound in the chains of his own sins.

22  The wicked shall be caught by his own iniquities, and he will be bound with the cords of his sins.

5:23  He shall die for lack of instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall reel.

23  Such a man dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly.

23  He shall die, for he has not held to discipline. And by the multitude of his foolishness, he shall be deceived.

6:1  My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbour, if thou hast struck thy hands for a stranger--

1  My son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou shalt deliver thine hand to an enemy.

1  My son, if you have taken a pledge on behalf of your friend, then you have bound your hand to an outsider,

6:2  Thou art snared by the words of thy mouth, thou art caught by the words of thy mouth--

2  For a man’s own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth.

2  then you are ensnared by the words of your own mouth, and taken captive by your own words.

6:3  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbour; go, humble thyself, and urge thy neighbour.

3  My son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend’s account thou art come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety.

3  Therefore, my son, do what I say, and free yourself, for you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor. Run, hurry, awaken your friend.

6:4  Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

4  Do not grant sleep to your eyes, nor let your eyelids slumber.

4  You shall not give sleep to your eyes nor slumber to your eyelids.

6:5  Deliver thyself as a gazelle from the hand of the hunter , and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

5  that thou mayest deliver thyself as a doe out of the toils, and as a bird out of a snare.

6:6  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise;

6  Be like the ant, consider her ways, and be wise;

6:7  Which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,

7  For whereas he has no husbandry, nor any one to compel him, and is under no master,

6:8  Provideth her bread in the summer, and gatherest her food in the harvest.

8  he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work; whose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all: though weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom.

8  she provides meals for herself in the summer, and she gathers at the harvest what she may eat.

6:9  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

6:10  'Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep'--

10  Thou sleepest a little, and thou restest a little, and thou slumberest a short time, and thou foldest thine arms over thy breast a little.

10  You will sleep a little, you will slumber a little, you will fold your hands a little to sleep,

6:11  So shall thy poverty come as a runner, and thy want as an armed man.

11  Then poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveller, and want as a swift courier: but if thou be diligent, thine harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.

11  And then poverty shall come upon you, and distress shall overtake you; become a successful man.

6:12  A base person, a man of iniquity, is he that walketh with a froward mouth;

12  A foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good.

12  A fool, a wicked man, is unscrupulous.

6:13  That winketh with his eyes, that scrapeth with his feet, that pointeth with his fingers;

13  And the same winks with the eye, and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the beckonings of his fingers.

13  he winks with the eyes, touches with the foot, speaks with the finger.

6:14  Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth evil continually; he soweth discord.

14  His perverse heart devises evils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a city.

14  With a depraved heart he devises evil, and at all times he sows conflict.

6:15  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; on a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.

15  Therefore his destruction shall come suddenly; overthrow and irretrievable ruin.

15  To this one, his perdition will arrive promptly, and he shall be crushed suddenly: he will no longer have any remedy.

6:16  There are six things which YHWH hateth, yea, seven which are an abomination unto Him

16  For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul.

16  Six things there are that the Lord hates, and the seventh, his soul detests

6:17  Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;

17  The eye of the haughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood of the just;

6:18  A heart that deviseth wicked thoughts, feet that are swift in running to evil;

18  and a heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hastening to do evil, —are hateful to God.

6:19  A false witness that breatheth out lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

19  An unjust witness kindles falsehoods, and brings on quarrels between brethren.

19  a deceitful witness bringing forth lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

6:20  My son, keep the commandment of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother;

20  My son, preserve the precepts of your father, and do not dismiss the law of your mother.

6:21  Bind them continually upon thy heart, tie them about thy neck.

21  but bind them upon thy soul continually, and hang them as a chain about thy neck.

21  Impress them firmly on your heart and tie them about your neck.

6:22  When thou walkest, it shall lead thee, when thou liest down, it shall watch over thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

22  Whensoever thou walkest, lead this along and let it be with thee; that it may talk with thee when thou wakest.

22  When you walk, let them keep step with you. When you sleep, let them guard you. And when you keep watch, speak with them.

6:23  For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life;

23  For commandment is a lamp, and law is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.

6:24  To keep thee from the evil woman, from the smoothness of the alien tongue.

24  So may they guard you from an evil woman, and from the flattering tongue of the outsider.

6:25  Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; neither let her captivate thee with her eyelids.

25  Let not the desire of beauty overcome thee, neither be thou caught by thine eyes, neither be captivated with her eyelids.

25  Let not your heart desire her beauty; do not be captivated by her winks.

6:26  For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a loaf of bread, but the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.

26  For the value of a harlot is as much as of one loaf; and a woman hunts for the precious souls of men.

26  For the price of a prostitute is only one loaf. Yet the woman seizes the precious soul of a man.

6:27  Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

27  Shall any one bind fire in his bosom, and not burn his garments?

27  Would a man be able to conceal fire in his bosom, so that his garments would not burn?

6:28  Or can one walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?

28  or will any one walk on coals of fire, and not burn his feet?

28  Or could he walk over burning coals, so that his feet would not be burned?

6:29  So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not go unpunished.

29  So is he that goes in to a married woman; he shall not be held guiltless, neither any one that touches her.

29  So also, he who enters to the wife of his neighbor shall not be clean when he touches her.

6:30  Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

30  It is not to be wondered at if one should be taken stealing, for he steals that when hungry he may satisfy his soul

6:31  But if he be found, he must restore sevenfold, he must give all the substance of his house.

31  but if he should be taken, he shall repay sevenfold, and shall deliver himself by giving all his goods.

31  Also, if he is apprehended, he shall repay sevenfold and hand over all the substance of his house.

6:32  He that committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding; he doeth it that would destroy his own soul.

32  But the adulterer through want of sense procures destruction to his soul.

32  But whoever is an adulterer, because of the emptiness of his heart, will destroy his own soul.

6:33  Wounds and dishonour shall he get, and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

33  And he who does it brings dishonor upon himself; and his reproach shall not be wiped out.

6:34  For jealousy is the rage of a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

34  For the soul of her husband is full of jealousy: he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

34  For the jealousy and fury of the husband will not spare him on the day of vindication,

6:35  He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

35  He will not forego his enmity for any ransom: neither will he be reconciled for many gifts.

35  nor will he agree to the pleadings of anyone, nor will he accept, as repayment, a multitude of gifts.

7:1  My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

1  My son, keep my words, and hide with thee my commandments. My son, honour the Lord, and thou shalt be strong; and fear none but him

1  My son, guard my words and conceal my precepts within you.

7:2  Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of thine eye.

2  Son, preserve my commandments, and you shall live. And keep my law as the pupil of your eye.

7:3  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thy heart.

3  And bind them on thy fingers, and write them on the table of thine heart.

3  Bind it with your fingers; write it on the tablets of your heart.

7:4  Say unto wisdom: 'Thou art my sister', and call understanding thy kinswoman;

4  Say that wisdom is thy sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for thyself;

4  Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call prudence your friend.

7:5  That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the alien woman that maketh smooth her words.

5  So may she guard you from the woman who is an outsider, and from the stranger who sweetens her words.

7:6  For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice;

6  For she looks from a window out of her house into the streets, at one whom she may see of the senseless ones, a young man void of understanding,

6  For from the window of her house and from the balcony she looked out,

7:7  And I beheld among the thoughtless ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

7  passing by the corner in the passages near her house,

7  and I see little ones. I consider a frenzied youth,

7:8  Passing through the street near her corner, and he went the way to her house;

8  and speaking, in the dark of the evening,

8  who crosses the street at the corner and close to the way of that house.

7:9  In the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the blackness of night and the darkness.

9  when there happens to be the stillness of night and of darkness

9  He steps into shadows, as day becomes evening, into the darkness and gloom of the night.

7:10  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.

10  and the woman meets him having the appearance of a harlot, that causes the hearts of young men to flutter.

10  And behold, a woman meets him, dressed like a harlot, prepared to captivate souls: chattering and rambling,

7:11  She is riotous and rebellious, her feet abide not in her house;

11  And she is fickle, and debauched, and her feet abide not at home.

11  unwilling to bear silence, unable to keep her feet at home,

7:12  Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, and lieth in wait at every corner.

7:13  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face she said unto him

13  And overtaking the youth, she kisses him, and with a provocative face, she flatters him, saying

7:14  'Sacrifices of peace-offerings were due from me; this day have I paid my vows.

14  I have a peace-offering; today I pay my vows

14  This day I have paid my vows, I have peace offerings with me;

7:15  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

15  Because of this, I have gone out to meet you, desiring to see you, and I have found you.

15  Therefore I came out to meet you, for I have been waiting to see you, and now I have found you.

7:16  I have decked my couch with coverlets, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

16  I have spread my bed with sheets, and I have covered it with double tapestry from Egypt.

16  I have made my bed upon a carpet; I have covered it with fine linen of Egypt.

7:17  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

17  I have sprinkled my couch with saffron, and my house with cinnamon.

7:18  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves.

18  Come, and let us enjoy love until the morning; come, and let us embrace in love.

18  Come, let us be inebriated in abundance, and let us delight in the embraces of desire, until the day begins to dawn.

7:19  For my husband is not at home, he is gone a long journey;

7:20  He hath taken the bag of money with him; he will come home at the full moon.'

20  having taken in his hand a bundle of money: after many days he will return to his house.

7:21  With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield, with the blandishment of her lips she enticeth him away.

21  So with much converse she prevailed on him to go astray, and with the snares of her lips forced him from the right path.

21  She enmeshed him with many words, and she drew him forward with the flattery of her lips.

7:22  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox that goeth to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the correction of the fool;

22  And he followed her, being gently led on, and that as an ox is led to the slaughter, and as a dog to bonds, or as a hart shot in the liver with an arrow

7:23  Till an arrow strike through his liver; as a bird hasteneth to the snare--and knoweth not that it is at the cost of his life.

23  and he hastens as a bird into a snare, not knowing that he is running for his life.

23  until the arrow pierces his liver. It is just as if a bird were to hurry into the snare. And he does not know that his actions endanger his own soul.

7:24  Now therefore, O ye children, hearken unto me, and attend to the words of my mouth.

24  Therefore, my son, hear me now, and attend to the words of my mouth.

7:25  Let not thy heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

25  Let not thine heart turn aside to her ways

25  Do not let your mind be pulled into her ways. And do not be deceived by her paths.

7:26  For she hath cast down many wounded; yea, a mighty host are all her slain.

26  for she has wounded and cast down many, and those whom she has slain are innumerable.

26  For she has tossed aside many wounded, and some of those who were very strong have been slain by her.

7:27  Her house is the way to the nether-world, going down to the chambers of death.

27  The ways to her house are the ways to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

8:1  Doth not wisdom call, and understanding put forth her voice?

1  Thou shalt proclaim wisdom, that understanding may be obedient to thee.

1  THEREFORE preach wisdom, and understanding will answer you.

8:2  In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she standeth;

2  For she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways.

2  At the summits and the tops of exalted places, standing above the ways, in the midst of the paths,

8:3  Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud

3  For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, saying,

3  She cries at the gates, at the entrance of the city; she cries aloud, saying,

8:4  'Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.

4  You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.

4  “O men, to you I call out, and my voice is to the sons of men.

8:5  O ye thoughtless, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

5  O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge.

5  O little ones, understand discernment. And you who are unwise, turn your souls.

8:6  Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

6  Hearken to me; for I will speak solemn truths; and will produce right sayings from my lips.

6  Listen, for I will speak about great things, and my lips will be opened, so as to foretell what is right.

8:7  For my mouth shall utter truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

7  For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me.

7  My throat shall practice truth, and my lips shall detest the impious.

8:8  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing perverse or crooked in them.

8  All my words are just. There is no depravity in them, and no perversity.

8:9  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

9  They are upright to those who understand, and equitable to those who discover knowledge.

8:10  Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

10  Accept my discipline, and not money. Choose the doctrine that is greater than gold.

10  Receive discipline and not silver; and choose for yourself knowledge rather than fine gold.

8:11  For wisdom is better than rubies, and all things desirable are not to be compared unto her.

11  For wisdom is much better than fine gold; yea, she is better than precious stones, and nothing can be compared to her.

8:12  I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of devices.

12  I, wisdom, dwell in counsel, and I am inside learned thoughts.

12  I wisdom have created prudence, and I posses knowledge and reason.

8:13  The fear of YHWH is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

13  The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness, and insolence, and pride, and the ways of wicked men; and I hate the perverse ways of bad men.

13  Reverence of the LORD despises evil; pride, arrogance, evil ways, and perverse speech do I hate.

8:14  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.

14  Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine.

8:15  By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

15  Through me, kings reign and legislators decree just conditions.

8:16  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

16  By me nobles become great, and monarchs by me rule over the earth.

16  Through me, princes rule and the powerful decree justice.

8:17  I love them that love me, and those that seek me earnestly shall find me.

17  I love those who love me. And those who stand watch for me until morning shall discover me.

8:18  Riches and honour are with me; yea, enduring riches and righteousness.

18  Wealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant possessions and righteousness.

18  With me, are wealth and glory, superb riches and justice.

8:19  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my produce than choice silver.

19  It is better to have my fruit than to have gold and precious stones; and my produce is better than choice silver.

19  For my fruit is better than gold and precious stones, and my progeny better than choice silver.

8:20  I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;

8:21  That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries.

21  that I may divide substance to them that love me, and may fill their treasures with good things. If I declare to you the things that daily happen, I will remember also to recount the things of old.

21  so that I may enrich those who love me, and thus complete their treasures.

8:22 The Lord had me (as) the beginning of his way,

before his works of yore.

22 The Lord made me the beginning of his ways

to/for his works.

22 The Lord possessed me the beginning of his ways,

before he made anything, from the beginning.

8:23 From antiquity I was fashioned,

from the start, from the origins of the earth.

23 Before (this) age, he firmly founded me,

in the beginning.

23 Before eternity I was brought into being,

from ancient times, before the earth was made.

8:24 When there were no depths I was brought forth;

when there were no springs abounding with water.

24 Before he made the earth and before he made the depths;

before the fountains of the waters came forth.

24 There were no watery depths yet, I had already been conceived,

nor had the fountains of the waters yet burst forth.

8:25 Before the mountains had been shaped,

before the hills, I was brought forth;

25 Before the mountains had been set in place,

and before all the hills, he begets me!

25 The mountains had not yet settled in their heavy bulk,

before the hills I was being brought forth.

8:26 before he had made the earth with its fields,

or the first of the dust of the world.

26 The Lord made both (populated) lands and (those) uninhabited,

and inhabited extremes of (what is) beneath the sky.

26 He had not as yet made the earth,

and the rivers and the pivots of the earth’s orb.

8:27 When he established the heavens I was there,

when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

27 At the time when he was readying the sky, I was present to him

and when he was marking off his throne upon the winds.

27 When he was equiping the skies, I was there,

when with fixed law and compass he was entrenching the watery depths,

8:28 when he made firm the skies above,

when he established the fountains of the deep,

28 At the time when he was making strong the clouds above,

and as he was rendering secure the fountains of (what is) beneath the sky,

28 when he was making firm the upper air

and giving slope to the fountains of the waters,

8:29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,

so that the waters might not transgress his command,

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

29 when he was making strong the foundations of the earth,

29 when he was making a boundary around the sea,

and setting a law for the waters that they not go past their limits,

when suspended the foundations of the earth,

8:30 then I was beside him faithfully;

and I was a delight, rejoicing before him always,

30 I was duly beside him: I was the one in whom he delighted,

and daily I was rejoicing before him at every moment,

30 I was with him arranging everything;

and I was delighted every day, playing before him always,

8:31 rejoicing in his inhabited world

and delighting in the sons of men.

31 when he was rejoicing after having brought the world to completion

and rejoicing in the sons of men.

31 playing in the world,

and my delight: to be with the children of men.

8:32  Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; for happy are they that keep my ways.

32  Now then, my son, hear me: blessed is the man who shall hearken to me, and the mortal who shall keep my ways;

32  Therefore, sons, hear me now. Blessed are those who preserve my ways.

8:33  Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

33  Listen to discipline, and become wise, and do not be willing to cast it aside.

8:34  Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

34  watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances.

34  Blessed is the man who listens to me, and who stands watch at my gates everyday, and who observes at the posts of my doors.

8:35  For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of YHWH.

35  For my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favour from the Lord.

35  He who finds me, finds life, and he will draw salvation from the Lord.

8:36  But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death.'

36  But they that sin against me act wickedly against their own souls: and they that hate me love death.

36  But he who sins against me will wound his own soul. All who hate me love death.”

9:1  Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;

1  Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.

9:2  She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

2  She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.

2  She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also prepared her table.

9:3  She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city

3  She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,

3  She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,

9:4  'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him

4  “If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said

4  Whosoever is simple, let him come to me; as for him who lacks understanding, she said to him,

9:5  'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

5  “Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.

9:6  Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding.

6  Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.

6  Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”

9:7  He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.

7  Correction for a bad man brings disgrace; the wicked man is rebuked by his own blemish.

9:8  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

8  Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

8  Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.

9:9  Give to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

9  Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction.

9  Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.

9:10  The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.

10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is the character of a sound mind.

10  The reverence of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the righteous is understanding.

9:11  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

11  For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.

11  For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.

9:12  If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'

12  Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.

12  If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.

9:13  The woman Folly is riotous; she is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.

13  A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel.

13  He who denies things falsely feeds on winds and pursues fowl of the air; for he has forsaken the way to his vineyard and the paths of his labor, to journey in the wilderness without water; in the places that are trodden he travels thirsty and gains nothing.

9:14  And she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

14  She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,

14  A foolish woman is enticing; she does not know what shame is; she sits at the door of her home on a high seat,

9:15  To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways

15  calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;

15  so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey

9:16  'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither'; and as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him

16  saying, Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,

16  “Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,

9:17  'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'

17  Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.

17  “Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”

9:18  But he knoweth not that the shades are there; that her guests are in the depths of the nether-world.

18  But he knows that mighty men die by her, and he falls in with a snare of hell. But hasten away, delay not in the place, neither fix thine eye upon her: for thus shalt thou go through strange water; but do thou abstain from strange water, and drink not of a strange fountain, that thou mayest live long, and years of life may be added to thee.

18  And he did not know that giants are there, and that her companions are in the depths of Hell.

10:1  The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

1  A wise son makes his father glad: but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

10:2  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death.

2  Treasures shall not profit the lawless: but righteousness shall deliver from death.

2  Treasures of impiety will profit nothing. Truly, justice shall liberate from death.

10:3  YHWH will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish; but He thrusteth away the desire of the wicked.

3  The Lord will not famish a righteous soul: but he will overthrow the life of the ungodly.

3  The Lord will not afflict with famine the soul of the just, and he will overthrow the treacheries of the impious.

10:4  He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

4  Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of the vigorous make rich. A son who is instructed shall be wise, and shall use the fool for a servant.

4  Poverty humbles a man; but the hands of diligent men make rich.

10:5  A wise son gathereth in summer; but a son that doeth shamefully sleepeth in harvest.

5  A wise son is saved from heat: but a lawless son is blighted of the winds in harvest.

5  He who gathers the harvest is a wise son. But he who snores in warm weather is a son of confusion.

10:6  Blessings are upon the head of the righteous; but the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence.

6  The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.

10:7  The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing; but the name of the wicked shall rot.

7  The memory of the just is praised; but the name of the ungodly man is extinguished.

7  The remembrance of the just is with praises. And the name of the impious shall decay.

10:8  The wise in heart will receive commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.

8  A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness.

8  The wise of heart accept precepts. The foolish are cut down by the lips.

10:9  He that walketh uprightly walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be found out.

9  He who walks in simplicity walks in confidence. But he who corrupts his ways shall be discovered.

10:10  He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; and a prating fool shall fall.

10  He that winks with his eyes deceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reproves boldly is a peacemaker.

10  He who winks with the eye gives sorrow. And the foolish in lips shall be beaten.

10:11  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence.

11  There is a fountain of life in the hand of a righteous man; but destruction shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.

11  The mouth of the just is a vein of life. And the mouth of the impious covers iniquity.

10:12  Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions.

12  Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all that do not love strife.

12  Hatred rises up from disputes. And charity covers all offenses.

10:13  In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

13  He that brings forth wisdom from his lips smites the fool with a rod.

10:14  Wise men lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish is an imminent ruin.

14  The wise will hide discretion; but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin.

14  The wise store away knowledge. But the mouth of the foolish is a neighbor to confusion.

10:15  The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the ruin of the poor is their poverty.

15  The wealth of rich men is a strong city; but poverty is the ruin of the ungodly.

15  The substance of the rich is the city of his strength. The fear of the poor is their destitution.

10:16  The wages of the righteous is life; the increase of the wicked is sin.

16  The works of the righteous produce life; but the fruits of the ungodly produce sins.

16  The work of the just is unto life. But the fruit of the impious is unto sin.

10:17  He is in the way of life that heedeth instruction; but he that forsaketh reproof erreth.

17  Instruction keeps the right ways of life; but instruction unchastened goes astray.

17  The way of life is for those who observe discipline. But whoever abandons correction wanders astray.

10:18  He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; and he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

18  Lying lips conceal hatred; whoever brings forth contempt is unwise.

10:19  In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

19  By a multitude of words thou shalt not escape sin; but if thou refrain thy lips thou wilt be prudent.

19  In a multitude of speaking, sin will not be lacking. But whoever tempers his lips is most prudent.

10:20  The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth.

10:21  The lips of the righteous feed many; but the foolish die for want of understanding.

10:22  The blessing of YHWH, it maketh rich, and toil addeth nothing thereto.

22  The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous; it enriches him, and grief of heart shall not be added to it.

22  The blessings of the LORD bring riches, and there shall be no sorrow in them.

10:23  It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness, and so is wisdom to a man of discernment.

23  A fool does mischief in sport; but wisdom brings forth prudence for a man.

23  The foolish work wickedness as if in jest. But wisdom is prudence to a man.

10:24  The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him; and the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

24  The ungodly is engulphed in destruction; but the desire of the righteous is acceptable.

24  What the impious fear will overwhelm them. The just shall be given their desire.

10:25  When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

25  Like a passing tempest, so the impious one will be no more. But the just one is like an everlasting foundation.

10:26  As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

26  As a sour grape is hurtful to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so iniquity hurts those that practise it.

26  As unripe grapes are hurtful to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so does wickedness hurt those who indulge in it.

10:27  The fear of YHWH prolongeth days; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

27  Reverence for the LORD prolongs life; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

10:28  The hope of the righteous is gladness; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

28  Joy rests long with the righteous: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

28  The expectation of the just is rejoicing. But the hope of the impious will perish.

10:29  The way of YHWH is a stronghold to the upright, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.

29  The fear of the Lord is a strong hold of the saints: but ruin comes to them that work wickedness.

29  The strength of the simple is the way of the Lord, and it is fear to those who work evil.

10:30  The righteous shall never be moved; but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.

30  The just in eternity shall not be moved. But the impious will not live upon the earth.

10:31  The mouth of the righteous buddeth with wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut off.

10:32  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked is all frowardness.

32  The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse.

11:1  A false balance is an abomination to YHWH; but a perfect weight is His delight.

1  FALSE scales are an abomination to the LORD; but just weights are his delight.

11:2  When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.

2  Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.

2  Where baseness comes, then comes shame; but with the meek is wisdom.

11:3  The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness of the faithless shall destroy them.

3  When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.

3  The hope of the upright shall be granted; but the pride of the wicked shall be destroyed.

11:4  Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.

4  Wealth will not profit in the day of vengeance. But justice shall liberate from death.

11:5  The righteousness of the sincere shall make straight his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

5  Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

5  The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety.

11:6  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; but the faithless shall be trapped in their own crafty device.

6  The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.

6  The justice of the upright shall free them. And the iniquitous will be seized by their own treachery.

11:7  When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of strength perisheth.

7  At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.

7  When the impious man is dead, there will no longer be any hope. And the expectation of the anxious will perish.

11:8  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

8  A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.

8  The just one is freed from anguish. And the impious one will be handed over instead of him.

11:9  With his mouth the impious man destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

9  In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.

9  The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge.

11:10  When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is joy.

10  In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers

10  In the good of the just, the city shall exult. And in the perdition of the impious, there shall be praise.

11:11  By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

11  but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.

11:12  He that despiseth his neighbour lacketh understanding; but a man of discernment holdeth his peace.

12  A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

12  Whoever despises his friend is destitute in heart. But the prudent man will remain silent.

11:13  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.

13  A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.

13  An adversary reveals secrets; but he who is faithful in his spirit conceals the matter.

11:14  Where no wise direction is, a people falleth; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

14  They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

14  Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be.

11:15  He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; but he that hateth them that strike hands is secure.

11:16  A gracious woman obtaineth honour; and strong men obtain riches.

16  A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.

16  A gracious woman sustains the honor of her husband; a woman who hates the truth is the seat of dishonor. Lazy men are in want even when they are rich; and strong men retain knowledge.

11:17  The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

17  A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

17  A merciful man benefits his own soul. But whoever is cruel casts out even his close relatives.

11:18  The wicked earneth deceitful wages; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

18  An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.

18  The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness.

11:19  Stedfast righteousness tendeth to life; but he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

19  A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death.

19  Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares death.

11:20  They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to YHWH; but such as are upright in their way are His delight.

20  Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.

20  A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord. And his will is with those who walk in simplicity.

11:21  My hand upon it! the evil man shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall escape.

21  He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.

11:22  As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman that turneth aside from discretion.

22  As an ornament in a swine’s snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.

22  A beautiful and senseless woman is like a gold ring in the snout of a swine.

11:23  The desire of the righteous is only good; but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

23  All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

11:24  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.

24  There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less.

24  Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.

11:25  The beneficent soul shall be made rich, and he that satisfieth abundantly shall be satisfied also himself.

25  Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.

25  The liberal soul shall be enriched; and the accursed one shall be cursed more.

11:26  He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

26  Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.

26  He who holds back grain in the day of distress shall fall into the hands of his enemies; but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it.

11:27  He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for evil, it shall come unto him.

27  He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them.

27  He who diligently seeks good procures favor; but he who seeks mischief, it shall come upon him.

11:28  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as foliage.

28  Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf.

11:29  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

29  Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise.

29  He who builds his house with deceit shall leave to his children sorrows; and he who fails to make his household tranquil shall bequeath the wind to his children; and the fool shall be servant to the wise.

11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that is wise winneth souls.

30  Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.

11:31  Behold, the righteous shall be requited in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!

31  If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

31  If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner!

12:1  Whoso loveth knowledge loveth correction; but he that is brutish hateth reproof.

1  He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.

1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.

12:2  A good man shall obtain favour of YHWH; but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.

2  He that has found favour with the Lord is made better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.

2  Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously.

12:3  A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

3  Man will not be made strong from impiety. And the root of the just shall not be moved.

12:4  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.

4  A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones.

12:5  The thoughts of the righteous are right; but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

12:6  The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

6  The counsel of the wicked is to lie in wait for the shedding of the blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

12:7  The wicked are overthrown, and are not; but the house of the righteous shall stand.

7  When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.

7  Turn from the impious, and they will not be. But the house of the just shall stand firm.

12:8  A man shall be commended according to his intelligence; but he that is of a distorted understanding shall be despised.

8  A man will be known by his doctrine. But whoever is vain and heartless will suffer contempt.

12:9  Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.

9  Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and wanting bread.

9  Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.

12:10  A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

10  A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.

10  The just one knows the lives of his beasts. But the inner most parts of the impious are cruel.

12:11  He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.

11  Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever continually pursues leisure is most foolish. Whoever is soothed by lingering over wine leaves behind contempt in his strongholds.

12:12  The wicked desireth the prey of evil men; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

12  The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.

12  The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper.

12:13  In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; but the righteous cometh out of trouble.

13  For the sin of his lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.

12:14  A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

14  The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.

14  By the fruit of his own mouth, each one shall be filled with good things, and according to the works of his own hands, it will be distributed to him.

12:15  The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

12:16  A fool's vexation is presently known; but a prudent man concealeth shame.

16  A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.

16  The senseless immediately reveals his anger. But whoever ignores injuries is clever.

12:17  He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.

17  A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.

17  He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.

12:18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.

18  Some wound as they speak, like swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.

18  He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable.

12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

19  True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.

19  The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.

12:20  Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

20  There is deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.

12:21  There shall no mischief befall the righteous; but the wicked are filled with evil.

21  Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters.

12:22  Lying lips are an abomination to YHWH; but they that deal truly are His delight.

12:23  A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

23  An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.

23  A resourceful man conceals knowledge. And the heart of the unwise provokes foolishness.

12:24  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute.

24  The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.

12:25  Care in the heart of a man boweth it down; but a good word maketh it glad.

25  A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.

12:26  The righteous is guided by his friend; but the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.

26  A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.

26  He who ignores a loss for the sake of a friend is just. But the way of the impious will deceive them.

12:27  The slothful man shall not hunt his prey; but the precious substance of men is to be diligent.

27  A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.

27  The dishonest will not discover gain. But the substance of a man will be like precious gold.

12:28  In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

28  In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries lead to death.

28  In the path of justice, there is life. But the devious way leads to death.