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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10  In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11:23  The desire of the righteous is only good; but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

23  All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

11:24  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.

24  There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less.

24  Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.

11:25  The beneficent soul shall be made rich, and he that satisfieth abundantly shall be satisfied also himself.

25  Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.

25  The liberal soul shall be enriched; and the accursed one shall be cursed more.

11:26  He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

26  Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.

26  He who holds back grain in the day of distress shall fall into the hands of his enemies; but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it.

11:27  He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for evil, it shall come unto him.

27  He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them.

27  He who diligently seeks good procures favor; but he who seeks mischief, it shall come upon him.

11:28  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as foliage.

28  Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf.

11:29  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

29  Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise.

29  He who builds his house with deceit shall leave to his children sorrows; and he who fails to make his household tranquil shall bequeath the wind to his children; and the fool shall be servant to the wise.

11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that is wise winneth souls.

30  Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.

11:31  Behold, the righteous shall be requited in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!

31  If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

31  If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner!

12:1  Whoso loveth knowledge loveth correction; but he that is brutish hateth reproof.

1  He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.

1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.

12:2  A good man shall obtain favour of YHWH; but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.

2  He that has found favour with the Lord is made better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.

2  Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously.

12:3  A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

3  Man will not be made strong from impiety. And the root of the just shall not be moved.

12:4  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.

4  A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones.

12:5  The thoughts of the righteous are right; but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

12:6  The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

6  The counsel of the wicked is to lie in wait for the shedding of the blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

12:7  The wicked are overthrown, and are not; but the house of the righteous shall stand.

7  When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.

7  Turn from the impious, and they will not be. But the house of the just shall stand firm.

12:8  A man shall be commended according to his intelligence; but he that is of a distorted understanding shall be despised.

8  A man will be known by his doctrine. But whoever is vain and heartless will suffer contempt.

12:9  Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.

9  Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and wanting bread.

9  Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.

12:10  A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

10  A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.

10  The just one knows the lives of his beasts. But the inner most parts of the impious are cruel.

12:11  He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.

11  Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever continually pursues leisure is most foolish. Whoever is soothed by lingering over wine leaves behind contempt in his strongholds.

12:12  The wicked desireth the prey of evil men; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

12  The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.

12  The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper.

12:13  In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; but the righteous cometh out of trouble.

13  For the sin of his lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.

12:14  A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

14  The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.

14  By the fruit of his own mouth, each one shall be filled with good things, and according to the works of his own hands, it will be distributed to him.

12:15  The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

12:16  A fool's vexation is presently known; but a prudent man concealeth shame.

16  A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.

16  The senseless immediately reveals his anger. But whoever ignores injuries is clever.

12:17  He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.

17  A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.

17  He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.

12:18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.

18  Some wound as they speak, like swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.

18  He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable.

12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

19  True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.

19  The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.

12:20  Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

20  There is deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.

12:21  There shall no mischief befall the righteous; but the wicked are filled with evil.

21  Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters.

12:22  Lying lips are an abomination to YHWH; but they that deal truly are His delight.

12:23  A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

23  An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.

23  A resourceful man conceals knowledge. And the heart of the unwise provokes foolishness.

12:24  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute.

24  The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.

12:25  Care in the heart of a man boweth it down; but a good word maketh it glad.

25  A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.

12:26  The righteous is guided by his friend; but the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.

26  A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.

26  He who ignores a loss for the sake of a friend is just. But the way of the impious will deceive them.

12:27  The slothful man shall not hunt his prey; but the precious substance of men is to be diligent.

27  A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.

27  The dishonest will not discover gain. But the substance of a man will be like precious gold.

12:28  In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

28  In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries lead to death.

28  In the path of justice, there is life. But the devious way leads to death.