Proverbs

1 My son, don’t forget my law; but let your heart keep my commandments.

1 Υἱέ, ἐμῶν νομίμων μὴ ἐπιλανθάνου, τὰ δὲ ῥήματά μου τηρείτω σὴ καρδία·	1 υἱέ, ἐμῶν νομίμων μὴ ἐπιλανθάνου, τὰ δὲ ῥήματά μου τηρείτω σὴ καρδία·
1 My son, don’t forget my laws; but let your heart keep my words.	1 My son, don’t forget my laws; but let your heart keep my words.

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.

2 μῆκος γὰρ βίου καὶ ἔτη ζωῆς καὶ εἰρήνην προσθήσουσίν σοι.	2 μῆκος γὰρ βίου καὶ ἔτη ζωῆς καὶ εἰρήνην προσθήσουσί σοι.
2 for length of existence, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.	2 for length of existence, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.

3 Don’t let mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart.

3 ἐλεημοσύναι καὶ πίστεις μὴ ἐκλιπέτωσάν σε, ἄφαψαι δὲ αὐτὰς ἐπὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ, καὶ εὑρήσεις χάριν·	3 ἐλεημοσύναι καὶ πίστεις μὴ ἐκλιπέτωσάν σε, ἄφαψαι δὲ αὐτὰς ἐπὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ, καὶ εὑρήσεις χάριν·
3 Don’t let mercy and truth forsake you; but fasten them on your neck; and you will find grace.	3 Don’t let mercy and truth forsake you; but fasten them on your neck; and you will find grace.

4 So you shall find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

4 καὶ προνοοῦ καλὰ ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἀνθρώπων.	4 καὶ προνοοῦ καλὰ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου καὶ ἀνθρώπων.
4 and think good in the sight of the Lord and men.	4 and think good in the sight of the Lord and men.

5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.

5 ἴσθι πεποιθὼς ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ ἐπὶ θεῷ, ἐπὶ δὲ σῇ σοφίᾳ μὴ ἐπαίρου·	5 ἴσθι πεποιθὼς ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ καρδίᾳ ἐπὶ Θεῷ ἐπὶ δὲ σῇ σοφίᾳ μὴ ἐπαίρου·
5 Have trust on God with all the heart; but don’t be exalted in your wisdom.	5 Have trust on God with all the heart; but don’t be exalted in your wisdom.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.

6 ἐν πάσαις ὁδοῖς σου γνώριζε αὐτήν, ἵνα ὀρθοτομῇ τὰς ὁδούς σου, [ὁ δὲ πούς σου οὐ μὴ προσκόπτῃ. ]	6 ἐν πάσαις ὁδοῖς σου γνώριζε αὐτήν, ἵνα ὀρθοτομῇ τὰς ὁδούς σου, ὁ δὲ πούς σου μὴ προσκόψῃ.
6 In all your ways be acquainted with her, in order that she may make your paths straight, [and your foot won’t stumble].	6 In all your ways be acquainted with her, in order that she may make your paths straight, and your foot won’t stumble.

7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes: fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.

7 μὴ ἴσθι φρόνιμος παρὰ σεαυτῷ, φοβοῦ δὲ τὸν θεὸν καὶ ἔκκλινε ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ·	7 μὴ ἴσθι φρόνιμος παρὰ σεαυτῷ, φοβοῦ δὲ τὸν Θεὸν καὶ ἔκκλινε ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ·
7 Don’t be wise in yourself; but fear God, and turn away from all evil.	7 Don’t be wise in yourself; but fear God, and turn away from all evil.

8 It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.

8 τότε ἴασις ἔσται τῷ σώματί σου καὶ ἐπιμέλεια τοῖς ὀστέοις σου.	8 τότε ἴασις ἔσται τῷ σώματί σου καὶ ἐπιμέλεια τοῖς ὀστέοις σου.
8 Then shall there be health for your body, and refreshment for your bones.	8 Then shall there be health for your body, and refreshment for your bones.

9 Honour Yahweh with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.

9 τίμα τὸν κύριον ἀπὸ σῶν δικαίων πόνων καὶ ἀπάρχου αὐτῷ ἀπὸ σῶν καρπῶν δικαιοσύνης,	9 τίμα τὸν Κύριον ἀπὸ σῶν δικαίων πόνων καὶ ἀπάρχου αὐτῷ ἀπὸ σῶν καρπῶν δικαιοσύνης,
9 Honour the Lord by your righteous labours, and offer him your fruits of righteousness.	9 Honour the Lord by your righteous labours, and offer him your fruits of righteousness.

10 So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine.

10 ἵνα πίμπληται τὰ ταμίειά σου πλησμονῆς σίτου, οἴνῳ δὲ αἱ ληνοί σου ἐκβλύζωσιν.	10 ἵνα πίμπληται τὰ ταμιεῖά σου πλησμονῆς σίτῳ, οἴνῳ δὲ αἱ ληνοί σου ἐκβλύζωσιν.
10 in order that your storehouses may be filled with plenty of corn, and that your wine-vats may gush out with wine.	10 in order that your storehouses may be filled with plenty of corn, and that your wine-vats may gush out with wine.

11 My son, don’t despise the chastening of Yahweh; neither be weary of his correction.

11 Υἱέ, μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας κυρίου μηδὲ ἐκλύου ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος·	11 Υἱέ, μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας Κυρίου, μηδὲ ἐκλύου ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος·
11 My son, don’t despise the correction of the Lord; nor faint when you are rebuked by him.	11 My son, don’t despise the correction of the Lord; nor faint when you are rebuked by him.

12 For whom Yahweh loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.

12 ὃν γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ κύριος παιδεύει, μαστιγοῖ δὲ πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται.	12 ὃν γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ Κύριος παιδεύει, μαστιγοῖ δὲ πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται.
12 for whom the Lord loves, he corrects, and punishes every son whom he receives.	12 for whom the Lord loves, he corrects, and punishes every son whom he receives.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.

13 μακάριος ἄνθρωπος ὃς εὗρεν σοφίαν καὶ θνητὸς ὃς εἶδεν φρόνησιν·	13 μακάριος ἄνθρωπος ὃς εὗρε σοφίαν καὶ θνητὸς ὃς εἶδε φρόνησιν·
13 Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the mortal who knows prudence.	13 Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the mortal who knows prudence.

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

14 κρεῖττον γὰρ αὐτὴν ἐμπορεύεσθαι ἢ χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου θησαυρούς.	14 κρεῖσσον γὰρ αὐτὴν ἐμπορεύεσθαι ἢ χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου θησαυρούς.
14 For it is better to trade for her, than for treasures of gold and silver.	14 For it is better to trade for her, than for treasures of gold and silver.

15 She is more precious than rubies; and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to her.

15 τιμιωτέρα δέ ἐστιν λίθων πολυτελῶν, οὐκ ἀντιτάξεται αὐτῇ οὐδὲν πονηρόν· εὔγνωστός ἐστιν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐγγίζουσιν αὐτῇ, πᾶν δὲ τίμιον οὐκ ἄξιον αὐτῆς ἐστιν.	15 τιμιωτέρα δέ ἔστι λίθων πολυτελῶν, οὐκ ἀντιτάξεται αὐτῇ οὐδὲν πονηρόν· εὔγνωστός ἔστι πᾶσι τοῖς ἐγγίζουσιν αὐτῇ, πᾶν δὲ τίμιον οὐκ ἄξιον αὐτῆς ἔστι.
15 And she is more valuable than precious stones. no evil thing shall resist her. she is well known to all who approach her, and every precious thing isn’t equal to her in value.	15 And she is more valuable than precious stones. no evil thing shall resist her. she is well known to all who approach her, and every precious thing isn’t equal to her in value.

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

16 μῆκος γὰρ βίου καὶ ἔτη ζωῆς ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτῆς, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἀριστερᾷ αὐτῆς πλοῦτος καὶ δόξα· ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτῆς ἐκπορεύεται δικαιοσύνη, νόμον δὲ καὶ ἔλεον ἐπὶ γλώσσης φορεῖ.	16 μῆκος γὰρ βίου καὶ ἔτη ζωῆς ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτῆς, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἀριστερᾷ αὐτῆς πλοῦτος καὶ δόξα· ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτῆς ἐκπορεύεται δικαιοσύνη, νόμον δὲ καὶ ἔλεον ἐπὶ γλώσσης φορεῖ.
16 For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory. out of her mouth proceeds righteousness, and she carries law and mercy on her tongue.	16 For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory. out of her mouth proceeds righteousness, and she carries law and mercy on her tongue.

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

17 αἱ ὁδοὶ αὐτῆς ὁδοὶ καλαί, καὶ πάντες οἱ τρίβοι αὐτῆς ἐν εἰρήνῃ·	17 αἱ ὁδοὶ αὐτῆς ὁδοὶ καλαί, καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ τρίβοι αὐτῆς ἐν εἰρήνῃ·
17 Her ways are good ways, and all her paths are in peace.	17 Her ways are good ways, and all her paths are in peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy is everyone who retains her.

18 ξύλον ζωῆς ἐστι πᾶσι τοῖς ἀντεχομένοις αὐτῆς, καὶ τοῖς ἐπερειδομένοις ἐπ’ αὐτὴν ὡς ἐπὶ κύριον ἀσφαλής.	18 ξύλον ζωῆς ἔστι πᾶσι τοῖς ἀντεχομένοις αὐτῆς, καὶ τοῖς ἐπερειδομένοις ἐπ’ αὐτὴν ὡς ἐπὶ Κύριον ἀσφαλής.
18 She is a tree of life to all who cling to her; and she is safe for those who lean themselves on her, as on the Lord.	18 She is a tree of life to all who cling to her; and she is safe for those who lean themselves on her, as on the Lord.

19 Yahweh by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens.

19 ὁ θεὸς τῇ σοφίᾳ ἐθεμελίωσεν τὴν γῆν, ἡτοίμασεν δὲ οὐρανοὺς ἐν φρονήσει·	19 ὁ Θεὸς τῇ σοφίᾳ ἐθεμελίωσε τὴν γῆν, ἡτοίμασε δὲ οὐρανοὺς φρονήσει·
19 By wisdom God established the earth, and he prepared the heavens by understanding.	19 By wisdom God established the earth, and he prepared the heavens by understanding.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

20 ἐν αἰσθήσει ἄβυσσοι ἐρράγησαν, νέφη δὲ ἐρρύησαν δρόσους.	20 ἐν αἰσθήσει ἄβυσσοι ἐρράγησαν, νέφη δὲ ἐρρύησαν δρόσους.
20 By discernment the depths were split apart, and the clouds flowed water.	20 By discernment the depths were split apart, and the clouds flowed water.

21 My son, don’t let them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion.

21 Υἱέ, μὴ παραρρυῇς, τήρησον δὲ ἐμὴν βουλὴν καὶ ἔννοιαν,	21 Υἱέ, μὴ παραρρυῇς, τήρησον δὲ ἐμὴν βουλὴν καὶ ἔννοιαν,
21 My son, don’t let them flow away, but keep my decision and thinking.	21 My son, don’t let them flow away, but keep my decision and thinking.

22 So shall they be life to your soul, and grace to your neck.

22 ἵνα ζήσῃ ἡ ψυχή σου, καὶ χάρις ᾖ περὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ. ἔσται δὲ ἴασις ταῖς σαρξί σου καὶ ἐπιμέλεια τοῖς σοῖς ὀστέοις,	22 ἵνα ζήσῃ ἡ ψυχή σου, καὶ χάρις ᾖ περὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ. ἔσται δὲ ἴασις ταῖς σαρξί σου καὶ ἐπιμέλεια τοῖς σοῖς ὀστέοις,
22 in order that your soul may live, and grace be around your neck; and it shall be health to your flesh, and refreshment to your bones.	22 in order that your soul may live, and grace be around your neck; and it shall be health to your flesh, and refreshment to your bones.

23 Then you shall walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.

23 ἵνα πορεύῃ πεποιθὼς ἐν εἰρήνῃ πάσας τὰς ὁδούς σου, ὁ δὲ πούς σου οὐ μὴ προσκόψῃ.	23 ἵνα πορεύῃ πεποιθὼς ἐν εἰρήνῃ πάσας τὰς ὁδούς σου, ὁ δὲ πούς σου οὐ μὴ προσκόψῃ·
23 in order that you may go confidently in peace in all your ways, and your foot may not stumble.	23 in order that you may go confidently in peace in all your ways, and your foot may not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

24 ἐὰν γὰρ κάθῃ, ἄφοβος ἔσῃ ἐὰν δὲ καθεύδῃς, ἡδέως ὑπνώσεις·	24 ἐὰν γὰρ κάθῃ, ἄφοβος ἔσῃ, ἐὰν δὲ καθεύδῃς, ἡδέως ὑπνώσεις·
24 For if you sit down, you will be unafraid; and if you lie down, you will sleep pleasantly.	24 For if you sit down, you will be unafraid; and if you lie down, you will sleep pleasantly.

25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.

25 καὶ οὐ φοβηθήσῃ πτόησιν ἐπελθοῦσαν οὐδὲ ὁρμὰς ἀσεβῶν ἐπερχομένας·	25 καὶ οὐ φοβηθήσῃ πτόησιν ἐπελθοῦσαν, οὐδὲ ὁρμὰς ἀσεβῶν ἐπερχομένας·
25 And you will not be afraid of terror coming, nor of coming attacks of impious men.	25 And you will not be afraid of terror coming, nor of coming attacks of impious men.

26 For Yahweh shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.

26 ὁ γὰρ κύριος ἔσται ἐπὶ πασῶν ὁδῶν σου καὶ ἐρείσει σὸν πόδα, ἵνα μὴ σαλευθῇς.	26 ὁ γὰρ Κύριος ἔσται ἐπὶ πασῶν ὁδῶν σου καὶ ἐρείσει σὸν πόδα, ἵνα μὴ σαλευθῇς.
26 For the Lord will be over all your ways, and will support your foot that it may not be shaken.	26 For the Lord will be over all your ways, and will support your foot that it may not be shaken.

27 Don’t withhold good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

27 μὴ ἀπόσχῃ εὖ ποιεῖν ἐνδεῆ, ἡνίκα ἄν ἔχῃ ἡ χείρ σου βοηθεῖν·	27 μὴ ἀπόσχῃ εὖ ποιεῖν ἐνδεῆ, ἡνίκα ἄν ἔχῃ ἡ χείρ σου βοηθεῖν·
27 Don’t abstain from doing good to the poor, every time your hand can help.	27 Don’t abstain from doing good to the poor, every time your hand can help.

28 Don’t say to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you.

28 μὴ εἴπης Ἐπανελθὼν ἐπάνηκε καὶ αὔριον δώσω, δυνατοῦ σου ὄντος εὖ ποιεῖν· οὐ γὰρ οἶδας τί τέξεται ἡ ἐπιοῦσα.	28 μὴ εἴπῃς· ἐπανελθὼν ἐπάνηκε, αὔριον δώσω, δυνατοῦ σου ὄντος εὖ ποιεῖν· οὐ γὰρ οἶδας τί τέξεται ἡ ἐπιοῦσα.
28 Don’t say, Go, come back tomorrow I will give, when you are able to do good; for you don’t know what the next day will bring.	28 Don’t say, Go, come back tomorrow I will give, when you are able to do good; for you don’t know what the next day will bring.

29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by you.

29 μὴ τεκτήνῃ ἐπὶ σὸν φίλον κακὰ παροικοῦντα καὶ πεποιθότα ἐπὶ σοί.	29 μὴ τέκταινε ἐπὶ σὸν φίλον κακὰ παροικοῦντα καὶ πεποιθότα ἐπὶ σοί.
29 Don’t contrive evil against your friend, living near you and trusting in you.	29 Don’t contrive evil against your friend, living near you and trusting in you.

30 Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

30 μὴ φιλεχθρήσῃς πρὸς ἄνθρωπον μάτην, μή τι εἰς σὲ ἐργάσηται κακόν.	30 μὴ φιλεχθρήσῃς πρὸς ἄνθρωπον μάτην, μήτι σε ἐργάσηται κακόν.
30 Don’t quarrel with a man causelessly, lest he does you some evil.	30 Don’t quarrel with a man causelessly, lest he does you some evil.

31 Don’t envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

31 μὴ κτήσῃ κακῶν ἀνδρῶν ὀνείδη μηδὲ ζηλώσῃς τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῶν·	31 μὴ κτήσῃ κακῶν ἀνδρῶν ὀνείδη, μηδὲ ζηλώσῃς τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῶν·
31 Don’t purchase the disgraceful things of evil men, nor be envious of their ways.	31 Don’t purchase the disgraceful things of evil men, nor be envious of their ways.

32 For the deceitful is abomination to Yahweh; but his secret is with the righteous.

32 ἀκάθαρτος γὰρ ἔναντι κυρίου πᾶς παράνομος, ἐν δὲ δικαίοις οὐ συνεδριάζει.	32 ἀκάθαρτος γὰρ ἔναντι Κυρίου πᾶς παράνομος, ἐν δὲ δικαίοις οὐ συνεδριάζει.
32 For every lawbreaker is unclean before the Lord; nor does he sit among the righteous.	32 For every lawbreaker is unclean before the Lord; nor does he sit among the righteous.

33 The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the wicked; but he blesses the habitation of the just.

33 κατάρα θεοῦ ἐν οἴκοις ἀσεβῶν, ἐπαύλεις δὲ δικαίων εὐλογοῦνται.	33 κατάρα Θεοῦ ἐν οἴκοις ἀσεβῶν, ἐπαύλεις δὲ δικαίων εὐλογοῦνται.
33 The curse of God is in the houses of the impious; but the dwellings of the just are blessed.	33 The curse of God is in the houses of the impious; but the dwellings of the just are blessed.

34 Surely he scorns the scorners; but he gives grace to the lowly.

34 κύριος ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν.	34 Κύριος ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν.
34 The Lord opposes the proud; but he gives grace to the humble.	34 The Lord opposes the proud; but he gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

35 δόξαν σοφοὶ κληρονομήσουσιν, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ὕψωσαν ἀτιμίαν.	35 δόξαν σοφοὶ κληρονομήσουσιν, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ὕψωσαν ἀτιμίαν.
35 The wise will inherit glory; but the impious exalted dishonour.	35 The wise will inherit glory; but the impious exalted dishonour.