1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.

1  Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them.

1  It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.

2  The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.

2  Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.

3  It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.

3  It is a glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters.

3  Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.

4  The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

4  A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest.

5  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

5  The counsel in a king's heart is deep; but a wise man will draw it out.

6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?

6  A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but it is hard to find a faithful man.

6  Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?

7  He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.

7  He that walks blameless in justice, shall leave his children blessed.

7  The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.

8  A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

8  Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence.

8  The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.

9  Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?

9  Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins.

9  Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”

10  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to YHWH.

10  A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and so is he that makes them.

10  Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.

11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

11  A youth when in company with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and then his way will be straight.

11  A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.

12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, YHWH hath made even both of them.

12  The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the Lord’s work.

13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.

13  Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled with bread.

13  Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.

14  'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

14  “It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.

14  A friend says to his friend, I have made a gain; then he boasts.

15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

15  Again he says, Here is gold and a multitude of precious stones and precious vessels; but the lips of knowledge are precious jewels.

16  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

16  Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.

16  Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger; and take his pledge for the sake of a stranger.

17  Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

17  The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.

17  He who becomes surety for a man by means of deceitful gain will afterwards have his mouth filled with gravel.

18  Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.

18  Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.

18  A good purpose is established by counsel; but by provocation war is made.

19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

19  Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.

19  He who reveals a secret causes slander; therefore do not meddle with him who is hasty with his lips.

20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.

20  The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness.

20  Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.

21  An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

21  A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be blessed in the end.

21  When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.

22  Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for YHWH, and He will save thee.

22  Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy; but wait on the Lord, that he may help thee.

22  Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.

23  Divers weights are an abomination to YHWH; and a false balance is not good.

23  A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good in his sight.

23  Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.

24  A man's goings are of YHWH; how then can man look to his way?

24  The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?

25  It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.

25  It is a snare to a man hastily to consecrate some of his own property: for in that case repentance comes after vowing.

25  It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.

26  A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.

26  A wise king utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.

26  A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.

27  The spirit of man is the lamp of YHWH, searching all the inward parts.

27  The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.

27  The soul of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the heart.

28  Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.

28  Mercy and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness.

29  The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

29  Wisdom is an ornament to young men; and grey hairs are the glory of old men.

29  The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.

30  Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.

30  Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues shall come in the inward parts of their belly.

21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of YHWH as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.

1  As a rush of water, so is the king’s heart in God’s hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.

1  Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.

21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but YHWH weigheth the hearts.

2  Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.

21:3  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to YHWH than sacrifice.

3  To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.

3  He who does righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than he who offers a sacrifice.

21:4  A haughty look, and a proud heart--the tillage of the wicked is sin.

4  A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.

4  To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.

21:5  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.

5  The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.

21:6  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.

6  He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.

6  Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.

21:7  The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.

7  Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.

21:8  The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.

8  To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.

8  He who perverts his own way acts strangely; but he who is pure, his works are right.

21:9  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

21:10  The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

10  The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.

10  The soul of a wicked man is hidden from his neighbor's eyes.

21:11  When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

21:12  The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.

12  A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.

12  The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.

21:13  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.

13  He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him.

13  Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded.

21:14  A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.

14  A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.

14  A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.

21:15  To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.

15  It is the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.

15  It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.

21:16  The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.

16  A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.

21:17  He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

17  A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;

17  Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.

21:18  The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.

18  and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.

18  The impious is given over instead of the just, and the iniquitous is given over in place of the upright.

21:19  It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

21:20  There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

20  A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.

20  A coveted treasure and ointment are in a dwelling place; but the wisdom and understanding of men shall dispense it.

21:21  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.

21  The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.

21  Whoever follows justice and mercy shall discover life, justice, and glory.

21:22  A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.

22  A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.

22  The wise has ascended the city of the strong, and he has torn down the bulwark of its confidence.

21:23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

23  Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish.

21:24  A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.

24  A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.

24  In his wrath a hasty and proud man commits iniquity.

21:25  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

25  Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.

21:26  There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

26  An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.

26  He covets and desires all day long. But whoever is just shall distribute and shall not cease.

21:27  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?

27  The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.

21:28  A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.

28  A lying witness will perish. An obedient man shall speak of victory.

21:29  A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.

29  An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.

29  The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.

21:30  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against YHWH.

30  There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.

21:31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of YHWH.

31  A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.

31  The horse may be prepared for the day of battle; but salvation is of the LORD.

22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

1  A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.

22:2  The rich and the poor meet together--YHWH is the maker of them all.

22:3  A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.

3  An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.

3  The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.

22:4  The reward of humility is the fear of YHWH, even riches, and honour, and life.

4  The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.

22:5  Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward; he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.

5  Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.

22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

6  The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.

22:7  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

7  The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.

7  The rich shall be ruled by the poor, and the servant shall loan to his former lender.

22:8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his wrath shall fail.

8  He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works.

8  Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.

22:9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

9  He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory and honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses them.

9  Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.

22:10  Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; yea, strife and shame will cease.

10  Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.

10  Destroy evil, cast out strife, do away with contention and reproach, lest they sit in the assembly and reproach all who are present.

22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, that hath grace in his lips, the king shall be his friend.

11  The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.

11  Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.

22:12  The eyes of YHWH preserve him that hath knowledge, but He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.

12  But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words.

12  The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.

22:13  The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.'

13  The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

13  When he is sent on an errand, the sluggard says, There is a lion on the road! and, Behold, there is murder in the streets!

22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of YHWH shall fall therein.

14  The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.

14  The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who will fall into it.

22:15  Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

15  Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.

15  Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.

22:16  One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; one may give to the rich, yet will want come.

16  He who oppresses the poor adds to his evil; and he who gives to the rich, shall suffer a loss.

22:17  Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

17  Incline your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Then apply your heart to my doctrine.

22:18  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; let them be established altogether upon thy lips.

18  that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.

18  It shall be beautiful to you, if you preserve it in your inner self, and it shall overflow from your lips,

22:19  That thy trust may be in YHWH, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.

19  so that your confidence may be in the Lord. Therefore, I also have revealed it to you this day.

19  That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made these things known to you this day, even to you.

22:20  Have not I written unto thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge;

20  And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.

20  Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations and knowledge,

22:21  That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest bring back words of truth to them that send thee?

21  so that I might reveal to you, firmly and with words of truth, in order to respond about these things to those who sent you.

22:22  Rob not the weak, because he is weak, neither crush the poor in the gate;

22  Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the gates.

22  Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate.

22:23  For YHWH will plead their cause, and despoil of life those that despoil them.

23  For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.

22:24  Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a wrathful man thou shalt not go;

24  Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man

24  Do not be willing to be a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man,

22:25  Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

25  lest perhaps you learn his ways, and take up a stumbling block to your soul.

25  Lest you learn his ways and find a stumbling block to your soul.

22:26  Be thou not of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts;

26  Become not surety from respect of a man’s person.

26  Do not be willing to be with those who certify with their hands, and who offer themselves as a guarantee against debts.

22:27  If thou hast not wherewith to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

27  For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed that is under thee.

22:28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

28  Do not cross beyond the ancient limits that your fathers have set.

22:29  Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

29  It is fit that an observant man and one diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.

29  Have you seen a man swift in his work? He shall stand in the sight of kings, and not before those who are disreputable.

23:1  When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider well him that is before thee;

1  If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before thee

1  When you sit down to eat with a leader, pay close attention to what has been set before your face,

23:2  And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

2  and put a knife to your throat, if, in such a way, you could hold your soul in your own power.

2  That you may not put poison in your mouth. And if you are a man given to excessive appetite,

23:3  Be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they are deceitful food.

3  desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life.

3  Do not desire his foods, in which is the bread of deceit.

23:4  Weary not thyself to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom.

4  If thou art poor, measure not thyself with a rich man; but refrain thyself in thy wisdom.

4  Do not be willing to labor so that you may be enriched. But set limits by your prudence.

23:5  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon it? it is gone; for riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

5  For if you should fix your eye on him, you cannot see him; for he makes for himself wings like an eagle and flies away toward the sky.

23:6  Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainties;

6  Sup not with an envious man, neither desire thou his meats

6  Do not eat with an envious man, and do not desire his foods.

23:7  For as one that hath reckoned within himself, so is he: 'Eat and drink', saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

7  so he eats and drinks as if any one should swallow a hair, and do not bring him in to thyself, nor eat thy morsel with him

7  For he is like him that swallows pitch; in like manner you will eat and drink with him, but his heart is not with you.

23:8  The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

8  for he will vomit it up, and spoil thy fair words.

8  The foods that you had eaten, you will vomit up. And you will lose the beauty in your words.

23:9  Speak not in the ears of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

9  Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at thy wise words.

9  Do not speak into the ears of the unwise. They will despise the doctrine of your eloquence.

23:10  Remove not the ancient landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless;

10  Do not touch the boundaries of little ones, and do not enter into the field of the fatherless.

23:11  For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause with thee.

11  For their close relative is strong, and he will judge their case against you.

11  For their saviour is mighty; he will plead their cause with you.

23:12  Apply thy heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

12  Apply thine heart to instruction, and prepare thine ears for words of discretion.

12  Let your heart enter into doctrine, and let your ears enter into words of knowledge.

23:13  Withhold not correction from the child; for though thou beat him with the rod, he will not die.

13  Do not be willing to take away discipline from a child. For if you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

23:14  Thou beatest him with the rod, and wilt deliver his soul from the nether-world.

14  For thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from death.

14  You will strike him with the rod, and so shall you deliver his soul from Hell.

23:15  My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart will be glad, even mine;

15  Son, if thy heart be wise, thou shalt also gladden my heart;

15  My son, if your soul will become wise, my heart will be glad with you.

23:16  Yea, my reins will rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

16  and thy lips shall converse with my lips, if they be right.

16  And my temperament will exult, when your lips will have spoken what is upright.

23:17  Let not thy heart envy sinners, but be in the fear of YHWH all the day;

17  Let not your heart compete with sinners. But be in the fear of the Lord all day long.

23:18  For surely there is a future; and thy hope shall not be cut off.

18  For if thou shouldest keep these things, thou shalt have posterity; and thine hope shall not be removed.

18  For you will have hope in the end, and your expectation will not be taken away.

23:19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.

19  Hear, my son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of thine heart.

19  Listen, my son, and be wise, and direct your soul along the way.

23:20  Be not among winebibbers; among gluttonous eaters of flesh;

20  Do not be willing to be in the feasts of great drinkers, nor in the carousings of those who gather to feed on flesh.

23:21  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

21  for every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments.

21  For those who waste time drinking, and who surrender themselves to symbols, will be consumed. And those who sleep will be clothed in rags.

23:22  Hearken unto thy father that begot thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

22  Hearken, my son, to thy father which begot thee, and despise not thy mother because she is grown old.

22  Listen to your father, who conceived you. And do not despise your mother, when she is old.

23:23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

23  Purchase truth, and do not sell wisdom, or doctrine, or understanding.

23:24  The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; and he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.

24  A righteous father brings up his children well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son.

24  The father of a righteous man shall greatly rejoice; and he who begets a wise child shall be glad.

23:25  Let thy father and thy mother be glad, and let her that bore thee rejoice.

25  Let your father and your mother be joyful, and may she who conceived you exult.

25  Your father and your mother shall rejoice in you; and the one who bore you shall be happy.

23:26  My son, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

26  My son, offer me your heart, and let your eyes keep to my ways.

23:27  For a harlot is a deep ditch; and an alien woman is a narrow pit.

27  For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow.

27  For a loose woman is a deep pit, and a foreign woman is a constricted well.

23:28  She also lieth in wait as a robber, and increaseth the faithless among men.

28  For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off.

28  She destroys men suddenly, and increases iniquity among men.

23:29  Who crieth: 'Woe'? who: 'Alas'? who hath contentions? who hath raving? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

29  Who has woe? who trouble? who has quarrels? and who vexations and disputes? who has bruises without a cause? whose eyes are livid?

29  Who has woe? Who has trouble? Who has contentions? Who has hardships? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

23:30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to try mixed wine.

30  Are not those of them that stay long at wine? are not those of them that haunt the places where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse with them openly.

30  Is it not those who linger over wine, and who strive to be drinking from their cups?

23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup, when it glideth down smoothly;

31  For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups, thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle.

31  Do not gaze into the wine when it turns gold, when its color shines in the glass. It enters pleasantly,

23:32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like a basilisk.

32  But at last such a one stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent.

32  but in the end, it will bite like a snake, and it will spread poison like a king of snakes.

23:33  Thine eyes shall behold strange things, and thy heart shall utter confused things.

33  Your eyes will see women who are outsiders, and your heart will utter perversities.

23:34  Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

34  And thou shalt lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm.

34  And you will be like someone sleeping in the middle of the sea, and like a pilot, fast asleep, who has lost his hold on the helm.

23:35  'They have struck me, and I felt it not, they have beaten me, and I knew it not; when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.'

35  And thou shalt say, They smote me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I knew it not: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company?

35  And you will say: “They have beaten me, but I did not feel pain. They have dragged me, and I did not realize it. When will I awaken and find more wine?”

24:1  Be not thou envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them.

1  My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.

1  Do not imitate evil men, nor desire to be among them.

24:2  For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

2  For their mind meditates on robberies, and their lips speak deceptions.

24:3  Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established;

3  A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.

3  By wisdom shall a house be built, and by prudence shall it be strengthened.

24:4  And by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

4  By doctrine, the storerooms shall be filled with every substance that is precious and most beautiful.

24:5  A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

5  A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.

24:6  For with wise advice thou shalt make thy war; and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

24:7  Wisdom is as unattainable to a fool as corals; he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

7  Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,

24:8  He that deviseth to do evil, men shall call him a mischievous person.

8  but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed men.

8  Whoever intends to do evil shall be called foolish.

24:9  The thought of foolishness is sin; and the scorner is an abomination to men.

9  The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness attaches to a pestilent man.

9  The intention of the foolish is sin. And the detractor is an abomination among men.

24:10  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small indeed.

10  He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.

10  The wicked shall be driven away by evil in the day of affliction.

24:11  Deliver them that are drawn unto death; and those that are ready to be slain wilt thou forbear to rescue?

11  Rescue those who are led away to death. And do not cease from delivering those who are dragged away to a violent death.

11  Deliver those who are led away to death, and spare not to redeem those who are held to be slain.

24:12  If thou sayest: 'Behold, we knew not this', doth not He that weigheth the hearts consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?

12  But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.

12  If you would say: “I do not have sufficient strength.” He who inspects the heart, the same one understands, and nothing slips past the one who preserves your soul. And he shall repay a man according to his works.

24:13  My son, eat thou honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to thy taste;

13  My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the honeycomb, because it is so sweet to your throat.

24:14  So know thou wisdom to be unto thy soul; if thou hast found it, then shall there be a future, and thy hope shall not be cut off.

14  Thus shall wisdom find your soul; and you will have good prospects, and your hope shall not be cut off.

24:15  Lie not in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous, spoil not his resting-place;

15  Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.

15  Do not lie in wait, and do not seek impiety in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.

24:16  For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the wicked stumble under adversity.

16  For the just one will fall seven times, and he shall rise again. But the impious will fall into evil.

24:17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth;

17  If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.

17  When your enemy will fall, do not be glad, and do not let your heart exult in his ruin,

24:18  Lest YHWH see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

18  For the Lord will see it, and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.

18  lest perhaps the Lord see, and it displease him, and he may take away his wrath from him.

24:19  Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

19  Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.

19  Do not contend with the most wicked, and do not be a rival to the impious.

24:20  For there will be no future to the evil man, the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

20  For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.

24:21  My son, fear thou YHWH and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change;

21  My son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.

24:22  For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin from them both?

22  For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance inflicted by both? A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for such an one has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king’s tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to it shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men’s bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not even fit to be eaten by the young eagles. My son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.

22  For their perdition shall up rise suddenly. And who knows what ruin will be for each of them?

24:23  These also are sayings of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.

23  And this thing I say to you that are wise for you to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgement.

23  These things I say to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment,

24:24  He that saith unto the wicked: 'Thou art righteous', peoples shall curse him, nations shall execrate him;

24  Those who say to the impious, “You are just,” shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall detest them.

24  Nor to say to a wicked man, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, and nations shall abhor him.

24:25  But to them that decide justly shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

25  But they that reprove him shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;

25  Those who argue against the impious shall be praised, and a blessing shall come upon them.

24:26  He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer.

26  and men will kiss lips that answer well.

26  The people shall kiss the lips of those who give admonition.

24:27  Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thy house.

27  Prepare your outdoor work, and diligently cultivate your field, so that afterward, you may build your house.

24:28  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

28  Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips.

28  Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor. And do not mislead anyone with your lips.

24:29  Say not: 'I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.'

29  Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.

24:30  I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

30  A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.

30  I passed by the field of a lazy man, and by the vineyard of a foolish man,

24:31  And, lo, it was all grown over with thistles, the face thereof was covered with nettles, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

31  If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.

31  and behold, it was entirely filled with nettles, and thorns had covered its surface, and the stonewall was destroyed.

24:32  Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction.

32  Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.

32  When I had seen this, I laid it up in my heart, and by this example, I received discipline.

24:33  'Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep'--

33  The sluggard says, I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across my breast.

33  You will sleep a little,” I said. “You will slumber briefly. You will fold your hands a little, so as to rest.

24:34  So shall thy poverty come as a runner, and thy want as an armed man.

34  But if thou do this, thy poverty will come speedily; and thy want like a swift courier.

34  And destitution will overtake you like a runner, and begging will overtake you like an armed man.”

25:1  These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

1  These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.

1  These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.

25:2  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

2  The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.

2  It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.

25:3  The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

3  Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king’s heart is unsearchable.

3  Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.

25:4  Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;

4  Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.

4  Purge dross from silver that it may come forth a pure vessel.

25:5  Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

5  Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.

5  Let wicked men be driven from the presence of the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

25:6  Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

6  Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;

6  Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.

25:7  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.

7  For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.

7  For it is better that it be said to you, Come up higher, than that you should be put lower. In the presence of the ruler report what your eyes have seen.

25:8  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.

8  Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.

8  The things that your eyes have seen, do not offer hastily in a quarrel, lest afterward you may not be able to make amends, when you have dishonored your friend.

25:9  Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;

9  Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise him not;

9  Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,

25:10  Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.

10  lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and friendship set a man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.

10  Lest he who hears it reproach you and many people mock you.

25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

11  As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.

11  Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.

25:12  As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

12  Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.

12  Like an earring of gold, and a precious sardius, so is the reproof of the wise men to a listening ear.

25:13  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.

13  Just like the cold of snow in a time of harvest, so also is a faithful messenger to him who sent him: he causes his soul to rest.

25:14  As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.

14  A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.

25:15  By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

15  In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

15  By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

25:16  Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

16  Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.

16  You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.

25:17  Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.

17  Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.

25:18  As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.

18  A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.

25:19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

19  The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.

19  Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,

25:20  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.

20  As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.

20  and like one who loosens his garment in cold weather. Whoever sings verses to a wicked heart is like vinegar on baking soda. Just like a moth to a garment, and a worm to wood, so too does the sadness of a man do harm to the heart.

25:21  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;

21  If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;

21  If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

25:22  For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and YHWH will reward thee.

22  for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee with good.

25:23  The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

23  The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.

23  Like the north wind which brings forth rain, so are an evil countenance and a backbiting tongue.

25:24  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

25:25  As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.

25  As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.

25  Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.

25:26  As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

26  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.

26  The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.

25:27  It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.

27  Just as whoever eats too much honey, it is not good for him, so also whoever is an investigator of what is majestic will be overwhelmed by glory.

25:28  Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.

28  As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.

28  Just like a city lying in the open and without surrounding walls, so also is a man who is unable to restrain his own spirit in speaking.

26:1  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

1  In the manner of snow in the summer, and rain at the harvest, so also is glory unfit for the foolish.

26:2  As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.

2  Like a bird flying away to another place, and like a sparrow that hurries away freely, so also a curse uttered against someone without cause will pass away.

26:3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

3  As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation.

3  A whip is for a horse, and a muzzle is for donkey, and a rod is for the back of the imprudent.

26:4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

4  Do not respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest you become like him.

26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

5  Respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

5  But answer a fool according to your wisdom, lest he think in himself that he is wise.

26:6  He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.

6  He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

6  Whoever sends words by a foolish messenger has lame feet and drinks iniquity.

26:7  The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

7  In the manner of a lame man who has beautiful legs to no purpose, so also is a parable unfit for the mouth of the foolish.

26:8  As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

26:9  As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

9  Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

9  In the manner of a thorn, if it were to spring up from the hand of a drunkard, so also is a parable in the mouth of the foolish.

26:10  A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.

10  Judgment determines cases. And whoever imposes silence on the foolish mitigates anger.

26:11  As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.

11  As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame that is glory and grace.

11  Like a dog that returns to his vomit, so also is the imprudent who repeats his foolishness.

26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

12  If you should see a man wise in his own eyes, a fool is much better than he.

26:13  The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'

13  A sluggard when sent on a journey says, There is a lion in the ways, and there are murderers in the streets.

13  The lazy one says, “There is a lion along the way, and a lioness in the roads.”

26:14  The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.

14  As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.

14  Just as a door turns upon its hinges, so also does the lazy one turn upon his bed.

26:15  The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.

15  A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.

15  The lazy one conceals his hand under his arms, and it is a labor for him to move it to his mouth.

26:16  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.

16  A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

16  The lazy one seems wiser to himself than seven men speaking judgments.

26:17  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

17  As he that lays hold of a dog’s tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another’s cause.

17  Just like one who takes hold of a dog by the ears, so also is he who crosses impatiently and meddles in the quarrels of another.

26:18  As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;

18  As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

18  Just as he is guilty who let loose the arrows and the lances unto death,

26:19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'

19  so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

19  so also is the man who harms his friend by deceitfulness. And when he has been apprehended, he says, “I did it jokingly.”

26:20  Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

20  With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

20  When the wood fails, the fire will be extinguished. And when the gossiper is taken away, conflicts will be quelled.

26:21  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

21  A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

21  Just as charcoals are to burning coals, and wood is to fire, so also is an angry man who stirs up quarrels.

26:22  The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

22  The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels.

22  The words of the malicious stir up trouble; they go down into the innermost parts of the heart.

26:23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

23  Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.

23  In the same manner as an earthen vessel, if it were adorned with impure silver, conceited lips are allied with a wicked heart.

26:24  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.

24  A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

24  He who hates is known by his own speech; in his heart he entertains deceit;

26:25  When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

25  Though thine enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

25  When he will have lowered his voice, do not believe him, for there are seven vices in his heart.

26:26  Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.

26  He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.

26  Whoever covers hatred with deceit, his malice shall be revealed in the assembly.

26:27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

27  He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.

27  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever rolls a stone, it will roll back to him.

26:28  A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

28  A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.

28  A false tongue does not love truth. And a slippery mouth works ruin.

27:1  Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

1  Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what the future day may bring.

27:2  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

2  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth: an outsider, and not your own lips.

27:3  A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's vexation is heavier than they both.

27:4  Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?

4  Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing.

4  Anger holds no mercy, nor does fury when it erupts. And who can bear the assault of one who has been provoked?

27:5  Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden.

5  Open reproofs are better than secret love.

27:6  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are importunate.

6  The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy.

6  Better are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy.

27:7  The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

7  A sated soul will trample the honeycomb. And a hungry soul will accept even bitter in place of sweet.

27:8  As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

8  As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place.

8  Just like a bird migrating from her nest, so also is a man who abandons his place.

27:9  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

9  The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: but the soul is broken by calamities.

9  Ointment and various perfumes delight the heart. And the good advice of a friend is sweet to the soul.

27:10  Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity; better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

10  Do not dismiss your friend or your father’s friend. And do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your affliction. A close neighbor is better than a distant brother.

10  Your own friend and your father's friend forsake not; neither go into your brother's house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far off.

27:11  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that taunteth me.

11  Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words.

11  My son, study wisdom, and rejoice my heart, so that you may be able to respond to the one who reproaches.

27:12  A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.

12  A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished.

12  The discerning man, seeing evil, hides himself. The little ones, continuing on, sustain losses.

27:13  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

13  Take away the man’s garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another’s goods.

27:14  He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

27:15  A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike;

15  On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house.

15  A roof leaking on a cold day, and an argumentative woman, are comparable.

27:16  He that would hide her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand betrayeth itself.

16  The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious.

16  He who would restrain her, he is like one who would grasp the wind, or who would gather together oil with his right hand.

27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

27:18  Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; and he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

18  Whoever maintains the fig tree shall eat its fruit. And whoever is the keeper of his master shall be glorified.

18  He who guards his fig tree shall eat its fruit; and he who is careful of his master shall be honored.

27:19  As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

19  As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men.

19  In the manner of faces looking into shining water, so are the hearts of men made manifest to the prudent.

27:20  The nether-world and Destruction are never satiated; so the eyes of man are never satiated.

20  Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable. He that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue.

20  Hell and perdition are never filled; similarly the eyes of men are insatiable.

27:21  The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man is tried by his praise.

21  Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him. The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge.

21  In the manner of silver being tested in the refinery, and gold in the furnace, so also is a man tested by the mouth of one who praises. The heart of the iniquitous inquires after evils, but the heart of the righteous inquires after knowledge.

27:22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle among groats, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

22  Even if you were to crush the foolish with a mortar, as when a pestle strikes over pearled barley, his foolishness would not be taken from him.

22  Though you should beat a fool in the midst of an assembly, you will not do him any good, nor will you cause his foolishness to depart from him.

27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds;

23  When you are feeding the sheep, know their faces and set your mind on the flock.

27:24  For riches are not for ever; and doth the crown endure unto all generations?

24  For a man has not strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation.

24  for you will not always hold this power. But a crown shall be awarded from generation to generation.

27:25  When the hay is mown, and the tender grass showeth itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in;

25  Take care of the herbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, and gather the mountain hay;

25  The meadows are open, and the green plants have appeared, and the hay has been collected from the mountains.

27:26  The lambs will be for thy clothing, and the goats the price for a field.

26  that thou mayest have wool of sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that thou mayest have lambs.

27:27  And there will be goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household; and maintenance for thy maidens.

27  My son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.

27  Let the milk of goats be sufficient for your food, and for the necessities of your household, and for the provisions of your handmaids.

28:1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are secure as a young lion.

1  The ungodly man flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.

1  The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.

28:2  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue.

2  By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.

2  Because of the sins of the land, it has many princes. And because of the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the leader shall be prolonged.

28:3  A poor man that oppresseth the weak is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

3  A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and unprofitable rain,

3  A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.

28:4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.

4  so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.

4  Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.

28:5  Evil men understand not justice; but they that seek YHWH understand all things.

5  Evil men will not understand judgement: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.

5  Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.

28:6  Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

6  A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.

6  Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.

28:7  A wise son observeth the teaching; but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.

7  Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.

28:8  He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.

8  Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.

8  He who increases his wealth by usury and unjust means shall leave it for him who is kind to the poor.

28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

9  Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.

9  He who closes his ears from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

28:10  Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit; but the whole-hearted shall inherit good.

10  He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.

10  Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.

28:11  The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.

11  A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.

11  The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.

28:12  When the righteous exult, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.

12  By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.

28:13  He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

13  Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.

13  He who hides his transgression shall not prosper; but he who confesses his sins and forsakes them, God will have mercy upon him.

28:14  Happy is the man that feareth alway; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.

14  Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.

28:15  As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

15  A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf is he, who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.

15  An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.

28:16  The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

16  A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.

16  A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.

28:17  A man that is laden with the blood of any person shall hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support him.

17  He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.

17  A man who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate him.

28:18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

18  He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled therein.

18  Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.

28:19  He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.

19  Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.

28:20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

20  A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.

20  A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.

28:21  To have respect of persons is not good; for a man will transgress for a piece of bread.

21  He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.

21  A man who shows partiality is not good; for a piece of bread a man will become a traitor.

28:22  He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches, and knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

22  A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.

28:23  He that rebuketh a man shall in the end find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

23  He that reproves a man’s ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.

23  Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.

28:24  Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith: 'It is no transgression', the same is the companion of a destroyer.

24  He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.

24  Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, “This is not a sin,” is the associate of a murderer.

28:25  He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; but he that putteth his trust in YHWH shall be abundantly gratified.

25  An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.

25  Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.

28:26  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape.

26  He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.

26  Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.

28:27  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

27  Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.

28:28  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.

28  In the places of ungodly men the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.

28  When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.

29:1  He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be broken, and that without remedy.

1  A reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be no remedy.

1  The man who, with a stiff neck, treats the one who corrects him with contempt will be suddenly overwhelmed to his own destruction, and reason shall not follow him.

29:2  When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh.

2  When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.

29:3  Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

3  When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth.

3  The man who loves wisdom rejoices his father. But whoever nurtures promiscuous women will lose his substance.

29:4  The king by justice establisheth the land; but he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.

4  A righteous king establishes a country: but a transgressor destroys it.

4  A just king guides the land. A man of avarice will destroy it.

29:5  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps.

5  He that prepares a net in the way of his own friend, entangles his own feet in it.

5  A man who speaks to his friend with flattering and feigned words spreads a net for his own feet.

29:6  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

6  A great snare is spread for a sinner: but the righteous shall be in joy and gladness.

29:7  The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; the wicked understandeth not knowledge.

7  A righteous man knows how to judge for the poor: but the ungodly understands not knowledge; and the poor man has not an understanding mind.

7  The just knows the case of the poor. The impious is ignorant of knowledge.

29:8  Scornful men set a city in a blaze; but wise men turn away wrath.

8  Lawless men burn down a city: but wise men turn away wrath.

8  Pestilent men squander a city. Yet truly, the wise avert fury.

29:9  If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.

9  A wise man shall judge nations: but a worthless man being angry laughs and fears not.

9  A wise man, if he were to contend with the foolish, whether in anger or in laughter, would find no rest.

29:10  The men of blood hate him that is sincere; and as for the upright, they seek his life.

10  Bloody men hate a holy person, but the upright will seek his soul.

10  Bloodthirsty men hate the simple one; but the just seek out his soul.

29:11  A fool spendeth all his spirit; but a wise man stilleth it within him.

11  A fool utters all is mind: but the wise reserves his in part.

11  A foolish one offers everything on his mind. A wise one reserves and defers until later.

29:12  If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked.

12  When a king hearkens to unjust language, all his subjects are transgressors.

12  A leader who freely listens to lying words has only impious servants.

29:13  The poor man and the oppressor meet together; YHWH giveth light to the eyes of them both.

13  When the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord oversees them both.

13  The pauper and the creditor have met one another. The Lord is the illuminator of them both.

29:14  The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

14  When a king judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for a testimony.

14  The king who judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be secured in eternity.

29:15  The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.

15  Stripes and reproofs give wisdom: but an erring child disgraces his parents.

15  The rod and its correction distribute wisdom. But the child who is left to his own will brings shame to his mother.

29:16  When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; but the righteous shall gaze upon their fall.

16  When the ungodly abound, sins abound: but when they fall, the righteous are warned.

16  When the impious are multiplied, crimes will be multiplied. But the just shall see their ruin.

29:17  Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.

17  Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest; and he shall give honour to thy soul.

29:18  Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

18  There shall be no interpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the law is blessed.

18  When prophecy fails, the people will be scattered. Yet truly, whoever guards the law is blessed.

29:19  A servant will not be corrected by words; for though he understand, there will be no response.

19  A stubborn servant will not be reproved by words: for even if he understands, still he will not obey.

19  A servant cannot be taught by words, because he understands what you say, but he disdains to respond.

29:20  Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope for a fool than for him.

20  If thou see a man hasty in his words, know that the fool has hope rather than he.

20  Have you seen a man rushing to speak? Foolishness has more hope than his correction.

29:21  He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become master at the last.

21  Whoever nurtures his servant delicately from childhood, afterwards will find him defiant.

21  He who is given to pleasures from his youth will be a servant, and in the end will groan.

29:22  An angry man stirreth up strife, and a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.

22  A furious man stirs up strife, and a passionate man digs up sin.

22  A short-tempered man provokes quarrels. And whoever is easily angered is more likely to sin.

29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low; but he that is of a lowly spirit shall attain to honour.

23  Pride brings a man low, but the Lord upholds the humble-minded with honour.

23  Humiliation follows the arrogant. And glory shall uphold the humble in spirit.

29:24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

24  He who is a partner with a thief hates his own soul; they put him under oaths, but he does not confess.

29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in YHWH shall be set up on high.

25  they fearing and reverencing men unreasonably have been overthrown, but he that trusts in the Lord shall rejoice. Ungodliness causes a man to stumble: but he that trusts in his master shall be safe.

25  Whoever fears man will quickly fall. Whoever hopes in the Lord shall be lifted up.

29:26  Many seek the ruler's favour; but a man's judgment cometh from YHWH.

26  Many wait on the favour of rulers; but justice comes to a man from the Lord.

26  Many demand the face of the leader. But the judgment of each one proceeds from the Lord.

29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

27  A righteous man is an abomination to an unrighteous man, and the direct way is an abomination to the sinner.

27  The just abhor an impious man. And the impious abhor those who are on the right way. By keeping the word, the son shall be free from perdition.

30:1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the burden. The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal

1  These things says the man to them that trust in God; and I cease.

1  The words of the Gatherer, the son of the Vomiter. The vision that the man spoke. God is with him, and he, being strengthened by God and abiding with him, said

30:2  Surely I am brutish, unlike a man, and have not the understanding of a man;

2  For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men.

30:3  And I have not learned wisdom, that I should have the knowledge of the Holy One.

3  God has taught me wisdom, and I know the knowledge of the holy.

30:4  Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?

4  Who has gone up to heaven, and come down? who has gathered the winds in his bosom? who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? who has dominion of all the ends of the earth? what is his name? or what is the name of his children?

4  Tell me, Who has ascended up into heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a handkerchief? Who has established all the borders of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?

30:5  Every word of God is tried; He is a shield unto them that take refuge in Him.

5  For all the words of God are tried in the fire, and he defends those that reverence him.

30:6  Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

6  Do not add anything to his words, lest you be reproved and be discovered to be a liar.

30:7  Two things have I asked of Thee; deny me them not before I die

30:8  Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with mine allotted bread;

8  Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient

8  Remove, far from me, vanity and lying words. Give me neither begging, nor wealth. Apportion to me only the necessities of my life,

30:9  Lest I be full, and deny, and say: 'Who is YHWH?' Or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.

9  lest perhaps, being filled, I might be enticed into denial, and say: ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or, being compelled by destitution, I might steal, and then perjure myself in the name of my God.

30:10  Slander not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

10  Do not accuse a servant to his lord, lest he curse you, and you fall.

30:11  There is a generation that curse their father, and do not bless their mother.

11  A wicked generation curse their father, and do not bless their mother.

30:12  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

12  A wicked generation judge themselves to be just, but do not cleanse their way.

30:13  There is a generation, Oh how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

13  A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves with their eyelids.

30:14  There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their great teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

14  A wicked generation have swords for teeth and jaw-teeth as knives, so as to destroy and devour the lowly from the earth, and the poor of them from among men.

30:15  The horseleech hath two daughters: 'Give, give.' There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four that say not: 'Enough'

30:16  The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that saith not: 'Enough.'

16  Hell, and the mouth of the womb, and a land that is not filled with water. And truly, fire never says, ‘Enough.’

30:17  The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young vultures shall eat it.

17  The eye of one who mocks his father and who despises the childbearing of his mother, let the ravens of the torrent tear it out, and let the sons of the eagles consume it.

30:18  There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not

18  Moreover there are three things impossible for me to comprehend, and the fourth I know not

18  Three things are difficult for me, and about a fourth, I am nearly ignorant

30:19  The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a young woman.

19  the track of a flying eagle; and the ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a ship passing through the sea; and the ways of a man in youth.

30:20  So is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith: 'I have done no wickedness.'

20  Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who having washed herself from what she has done, says she has done nothing amiss.

20  Such is the way also of an adulterous woman, who eats, and wiping her mouth, says: “I have done no evil.”

30:21  For three things the earth doth quake, and for four it cannot endure

21  By three thing the earth is troubled, and the fourth it cannot bear

21  Under three things the earth quakes, and under four it cannot endure

30:22  For a servant when he reigneth; and a churl when he is filled with food;

22  if a servant reign; or a fool be filled with food;

22  by a slave when he reigns, by the foolish when he has been filled with food,

30:23  For an odious woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

23  or if a maid-servant should cast out her own mistress; and if a hateful woman should marry a good man.

23  by a hateful woman when she has been taken in matrimony, and by a handmaid when she has been heir to her mistress.

30:24  There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise

24  And there are four very little things upon the earth, but these are wiser than the wise

24  Four things are least upon the earth, and they are wiser than the wise

30:25  The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;

25  the ants which are weak, and yet prepare their food in summer;

25  the ants, an infirm people who provide food for themselves at the harvest,

30:26  The rock-badgers are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the crags;

26  the rabbits also are a feeble race, who make their houses in the rocks.

26  The conies who lack strength, and yet they make their houses in the rocks;

30:27  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

27  The locust has no king, but they all depart by their troops.

30:28  The spider thou canst take with the hands, yet is she in kings' palaces.

28  And the eft, which supports itself by its hands, and is easily taken, dwells in the fortresses of kings.

28  The lizard supports itself on hands and dwells in the buildings of kings.

30:29  There are three things which are stately in their march, yea, four which are stately in going

29  And there are three things which go well, and a fourth which passes along finely.

30:30  The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

30  A lion’s whelp, stronger than all other beasts, which turns not away, nor fears any beast;

30:31  The greyhound; the he-goat also; and the king, against whom there is no rising up.

31  and a cock walking in boldly among the hens, and the goat leading the herd; and a king publicly speaking before a nation.

31  a rooster prepared at the loins, likewise a ram, and a king, whom none can resist.

30:32  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast planned devices, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

32  There is one who has appeared foolish, after he was lifted up on high; for if he had understood, he would have placed his hand over his mouth.

32  Covet not that you may not be reproached; do not feed yourself by things acquired wrongfully.

30:33  For the churning of milk bringeth forth curd, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

33  Milk out milk, and there shall be butter, and if thou wing one’s nostrils there shall come out blood: so if thou extort words, there will come forth quarrels and strifes.

33  But whoever strongly squeezes the udder to bring out the milk, presses out butter. And whoever violently blows his nose, brings out blood. And whoever provokes wrath, brings forth discord.”

31:1  The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.

1  My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.

1  THE words of Moael, a king and prophet, which his mother taught him, saying,

31:2  What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?

2  What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?

2  Oh my son! Oh the son of my womb! Oh the son of my vows!

31:3  Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

3  Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.

3  Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.

31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'

4  Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine

31:5  Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

5  And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.

5  Lest you drink and forget the law and forsake the judgment of the afflicted.

31:6  Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul;

6  Let strong drink be given to those who mourn, and wine to those who are of heavy heart,

31:7  Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

7  that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.

7  Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.

31:8  Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

8  Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.

31:9  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

9  Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.

31:10  A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.

10  Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.

10  Who can find a diligent woman? For her price is far above rubies.

31:11  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.

31:12  She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.

12  For she employs all her living for her husband’s good.

12  She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

31:13  She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

13  Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.

13  She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.

31:14  She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

14  She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.

14  She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.

31:15  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

15  And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens.

15  And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.

31:16  She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

16  She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.

16  She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.

31:17  She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.

17  She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.

17  She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.

31:18  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.

18  And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.

18  She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.

31:19  She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

19  She reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle.

31:20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

20  And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.

20  She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.

31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

21  Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.

21  She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.

31:22  She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

22  She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.

22  She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.

31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

23  And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.

31:24  She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

24  She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.

24  She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.

31:25  Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.

25  She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.

25  Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.

31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

26  But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.

26  She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.

31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

27  The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.

27  She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.

31:28  Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her

28  And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.

28  Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.

31:29  'Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'

29  Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.

29  Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.

31:30  Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth YHWH, she shall be praised.

30  Charms are false, and woman’s beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.

30  Comeliness is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who reverences the LORD shall be praised.

31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.