Proverbs

1 My son, attend to my wisdom, and bow your ear to my understanding.

בְּנִי לְחָכְמָתִי הַקְשִׁיבָה לִתְבוּנָתִי הַט ־ אָזְנֶךָ׃

1 Υἱέ, ἐμῇ σοφίᾳ πρόσεχε, ἐμοῖς δὲ λόγοις παράβαλλε σὸν οὖς,	1 υἱέ, ἐμῇ σοφίᾳ πρόσεχε, ἐμοῖς δὲ λόγοις παράβαλλε σὸν οὖς,
1 My son, attend to my wisdom, and apply your ear to my words;	1 My son, attend to my wisdom, and apply your ear to my words;

2 That you may regard discretion, and that your lips may keep knowledge.

לִשְׁמֹר מְזִמֹּות וְדַעַת שְׂפָתֶיךָ יִנְצֹרוּ׃

2 ἵνα φυλάξῃς ἔννοιαν ἀγαθήν· αἴσθησιν δὲ ἐμῶν χειλέων ἐντέλλομαί σοι.	2 ἵνα φυλάξῃς ἔννοιαν ἀγαθήν· αἴσθησις δὲ ἐμῶν χειλέων ἐντέλλεταί σοι.
2 that you may keep good understanding, and the discretion of my lips gives you a charge.	2 that you may keep good understanding, and the discretion of my lips gives you a charge.

3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil.

כִּי נֹפֶת תִּטֹּפְנָה שִׂפְתֵי זָרָה וְחָלָק מִשֶּׁמֶן חִכָּהּ׃

3 μὴ πρόσεχε φαύλῃ γυναικί· μέλι γὰρ ἀποστάζει ἀπὸ χειλέων γυναικὸς πόρνης, ἣ πρὸς καιρὸν λιπαίνει σὸν φάρυγγα,	3 μὴ πρόσεχε φαύλῃ γυναικί· μέλι γὰρ ἀποστάζει ἀπὸ χειλέων γυναικὸς πόρνης, ἣ πρὸς καιρὸν λιπαίνει σὸν φάρυγγα,
3 Give no heed to a worthless woman; for honey drops from the lips of a prostitute, who for a season pleases your palate.	3 Give no heed to a worthless woman; for honey drops from the lips of a prostitute, who for a season pleases your palate.

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

וְאַחֲרִיתָהּ מָרָה כַלַּעֲנָה חַדָּה כְּחֶרֶב פִּיֹּות׃

4 ὕστερον μέντοι πικρότερον χολῆς εὑρήσεις καὶ ἠκονημένον μᾶλλον μαχαίρας διστόμου.	4 ὕστερον μέντοι πικρότερον χολῆς εὑρήσεις καὶ ἠκονημένον μᾶλλον μαχαίρας διστόμου.
4 but afterwards you will find her more bitter than gall, and sharper than a two-edged sword.	4 but afterwards you will find her more bitter than gall, and sharper than a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

רַגְלֶיהָ יֹרְדֹות מָוֶת שְׁאֹול צְעָדֶיהָ יִתְמֹכוּ׃

5 τῆς γὰρ ἀφροσύνης οἱ πόδες κατάγουσιν τοὺς χρωμένους αὐτῇ μετὰ θανάτου εἰς τὸν ᾅδην, τὰ δὲ ἴχνη αὐτῆς οὐκ ἐρείδεται·	5 τῆς γὰρ ἀφροσύνης οἱ πόδες κατάγουσι τοὺς χρωμένους αὐτῇ μετὰ θανάτου εἰς τὸν ᾅδην, τὰ δὲ ἴχνη αὐτῆς οὐκ ἐρείδεται·
5 For the feet of folly lead those who deal with her down to the grave with death; and her steps are not established.	5 For the feet of folly lead those who deal with her down to the grave with death; and her steps are not established.

6 Lest you should ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that you cannot know them.

אֹרַח חַיִּים פֶּן ־ תְּפַלֵּס נָעוּ מַעְגְּלֹתֶיהָ לֹא תֵדָע׃ פ

6 ὁδοὺς γὰρ ζωῆς οὐκ ἐπέρχεται, σφαλεραὶ δὲ αἱ τροχιαὶ αὐτῆς καὶ οὐκ εὔγνωστοι.	6 ὁδοὺς γὰρ ζωῆς οὐκ ἐπέρχεται, σφαλεραὶ δὲ αἱ τροχιαὶ αὐτῆς καὶ οὐκ εὔγνωστοι.
6 For she doesn’t go on the paths of life; but her ways are slippery, and not easily known.	6 For she doesn’t go on the paths of life; but her ways are slippery, and not easily known.

7 Hear me now therefore, Oh you children, and don’t depart from the words of my mouth.

וְעַתָּה בָנִים שִׁמְעוּ ־ לִי וְאַל ־ תָּסוּרוּ מֵאִמְרֵי ־ פִי׃

7 νῦν οὖν, υἱέ, ἄκουέ μου καὶ μὴ ἀκύρους ποιήσῃς ἐμοὺς λόγους·	7 νῦν οὖν, υἱέ, ἄκουέ μου καὶ μὴ ἀκύρους ποιήσῃς ἐμοὺς λόγους.
7 Now then, my son, hear me, and don’t make my words of none effect.	7 Now then, my son, hear me, and don’t make my words of none effect.

8 Remove your way far from her, and don’t come near the door of her house.

הַרְחֵק מֵעָלֶיהָ דַרְכֶּךָ וְאַל ־ תִּקְרַב אֶל ־ פֶּתַח בֵּיתָהּ׃

8 μακρὰν ποίησον ἀπ’ αὐτῆς σὴν ὁδόν, μὴ ἐγγίσῃς πρὸς θύραις οἴκων αὐτῆς,	8 μακρὰν ποίησον ἀπ’ αὐτῆς σὴν ὁδόν, μὴ ἐγγίσῃς πρὸς θύραις οἴκων αὐτῆς,
8 Remove your way far from her; don’t draw near to the doors of her house.	8 Remove your way far from her; don’t draw near to the doors of her house.

9 Lest you give your honour to others, and your years to the cruel.

פֶּן ־ תִּתֵּן לַאֲחֵרִים הֹודֶךָ וּשְׁנֹתֶיךָ לְאַכְזָרִי׃

9 ἵνα μὴ πρόῃ ἄλλοις ζωήν σου καὶ σὸν βίον ἀνελεήμοσιν,	9 ἵνα μὴ πρόῃ ἄλλοις ζωήν σου καὶ σὸν βίον ἀνελεήμοσιν·
9 lest you give away your life to others, and your substance to the merciless.	9 lest you give away your life to others, and your substance to the merciless.

10 Lest strangers be filled with your wealth; and your labours be in the house of a stranger;

פֶּן ־ יִשְׂבְּעוּ זָרִים כֹּחֶךָ וַעֲצָבֶיךָ בְּבֵית נָכְרִי׃

10 ἵνα μὴ πλησθῶσιν ἀλλότριοι σῆς ἰσχύος, οἱ δὲ σοί πόνοι εἰς οἴκους ἀλλοτρίων εἰσέλθωσιν,	10 ἵνα μὴ πλησθῶσιν ἀλλότριοι σῆς ἰσχύος, οἱ δὲ σοί πόνοι εἰς οἴκους ἀλλοτρίων ἔλθωσι
10 lest strangers be filled with your strength, and your labours come into the houses of strangers;	10 lest strangers be filled with your strength, and your labours come into the houses of strangers;

11 And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and your body are consumed,

וְנָהַמְתָּ בְאַחֲרִיתֶךָ בִּכְלֹות בְּשָׂרְךָ וּשְׁאֵרֶךָ׃

11 καὶ μεταμεληθήσῃ ἐπ’ ἐσχάτων, ἡνίκα ἄν κατατριβῶσιν σάρκες σώματός σου,	11 καὶ μεταμεληθήσῃ ἐπ’ ἐσχάτων, ἡνίκα ἄν κατατριβῶσι σάρκες σώματός σου,
11 And you repent at last, when the flesh of your body is consumed,	11 And you repent at last, when the flesh of your body is consumed,

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

וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵיךְ שָׂנֵאתִי מוּסָר וְתֹוכַחַת נָאַץ לִבִּי׃

12 καὶ ἐρεῖς, Πῶς ἐμίσησα παιδείαν, καὶ ἐλέγχους ἐξέκλινεν ἡ καρδία μου·	12 καὶ ἐρεῖς· πῶς ἐμίσησα παιδείαν, καὶ ἐλέγχους ἐξέκλινεν ἡ καρδία μου;
12 and you shall say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart avoided reproofs!	12 and you shall say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart avoided reproofs!

13 And haven’t obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!

וְלֹא ־ שָׁמַעְתִּי בְּקֹול מֹורָי וְלִמְלַמְּדַי לֹא ־ הִטִּיתִי אָזְנִי׃

13 οὐκ ἤκουον φωνὴν παιδεύοντός με καὶ διδάσκοντός με οὐδὲ παρέβαλλον τὸ οὖς μου·	13 οὐκ ἤκουον φωνὴν παιδεύοντός με καὶ διδάσκοντός με, οὐδὲ παρέβαλλον τὸ οὖς μου·
13 I didn’t hear the voice of him who instructed me, and taught me, neither did I apply my ear.	13 I didn’t hear the voice of him who instructed me, and taught me, neither did I apply my ear.

14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

כִּמְעַט הָיִיתִי בְכָל ־ רָע בְּתֹוךְ קָהָל וְעֵדָה׃

14 παρ’ ὀλίγον ἐγενόμην ἐν παντὶ κακῷ ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας καὶ συναγωγῆς.	14 παρ’ ὀλίγον ἐγενόμην ἐν παντὶ κακῷ ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας καὶ συναγωγῆς.
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.	14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

15 Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well.

שְׁתֵה ־ מַיִם מִבֹּורֶךָ וְנֹזְלִים מִתֹּוךְ בְּאֵרֶךָ׃

15 πῖνε ὕδατα ἀπὸ σῶν ἀγγείων καὶ ἀπὸ σῶν φρεάτων πηγῆς.	15 πῖνε ὕδατα ἀπὸ σῶν ἀγγείων καὶ ἀπὸ σῶν φρεάτων πηγῆς.
15 Drink waters out of your own vessels, and out of your own springing wells.	15 Drink waters out of your own vessels, and out of your own springing wells.

16 Let your fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

יָפוּצוּ מַעְיְנֹתֶיךָ חוּצָה בָּרְחֹבֹות פַּלְגֵי ־ מָיִם׃

16 μὴ ὑπερεκχείσθω σοί τὰ ὕδατα ἐκ τῆς σῆς πηγῆς, εἰς δὲ σὰς πλατείας διαπορευέσθω τὰ σὰ ὕδατα·	16 μὴ ὑπερεκχείσθω σοι ὕδατα ἐκ τῆς σῆς πηγῆς, εἰς δὲ σὰς πλατείας διαπορευέσθω τὰ σὰ ὕδατα·
16 Don’t let waters out of your fountain be spilt by you, but let your waters go into your streets.	16 Don’t let waters out of your fountain be spilt by you, but let your waters go into your streets.

17 Let them be only your own, and not strangers’ with you.

יִהְיוּ ־ לְךָ לְבַדֶּךָ וְאֵין לְזָרִים אִתָּךְ׃

17 ἔστω σοί μόνῳ ὑπάρχοντα, καὶ μηδεὶς ἀλλότριος μετασχέτω σοι·	17 ἔστω σοι μόνῳ ὑπάρχοντα, καὶ μηδεὶς ἀλλότριος μετασχέτω σοι·
17 Let them be only your own, and let no stranger partake with you.	17 Let them be only your own, and let no stranger partake with you.

18 Let your fountain be blessed; and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

יְהִי ־ מְקֹורְךָ בָרוּךְ וּשְׂמַח מֵאֵשֶׁת נְעוּרֶךָ׃

18 ἡ πηγή σου τοῦ ὕδατος ἔστω σοί ἰδία, καὶ συνευφραίνου μετὰ γυναικὸς τῆς ἐκ νεότητός σου.	18 ἡ πηγή σου τοῦ ὕδατος ἔστω σοι ἰδία, καὶ συνευφραίνου μετὰ γυναικὸς τῆς ἐκ νεότητός σου.
18 Let your fountain of water be truly your own; and rejoice with the wife of your youth.	18 Let your fountain of water be truly your own; and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and be ravished always with her love.

אַיֶּלֶת אֲהָבִים וְיַעֲלַת ־ חֵן דַּדֶּיהָ יְרַוֻּךָ בְכָל ־ עֵת בְּאַהֲבָתָהּ תִּשְׁגֶּה תָמִיד׃

19 ἔλαφος φιλίας καὶ πῶλος σῶν χαρίτων ὁμιλείτω σοι, ἡ δὲ ἰδία ἡγείσθω σου καὶ συνέστω σοί ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ἐν γὰρ τῇ ταύτης φιλίᾳ συμπεριφερόμενος πολλοστὸς ἔσῃ.	19 ἔλαφος φιλίας καὶ πῶλος σῶν χαρίτων ὁμιλείτω σοι· ἡ δὲ ἰδία ἡγείσθω σου καὶ συνέστω σοι ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ, ἐν γὰρ τῇ ταύτης φιλίᾳ συμπεριφερόμενος πολλοστὸς ἔσῃ.
19 Let your loving deer and your graceful colt company with you, and let her be considered your own, and be with you at all times; for ravished with her love you shall be greatly increased.	19 Let your loving deer and your graceful colt company with you, and let her be considered your own, and be with you at all times; for ravished with her love you shall be greatly increased.

20 And why will you, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

וְלָמָּה תִשְׁגֶּה בְנִי בְזָרָה וּתְחַבֵּק חֵק נָכְרִיָּה׃

20 μὴ πολὺς ἴσθι πρὸς ἀλλοτρίαν μηδὲ συνέχου ἀγκάλαις τῆς μὴ ἰδίας·	20 μὴ πολὺς ἴσθι πρὸς ἀλλοτρίαν, μηδὲ συνέχου ἀγκάλαις τῆς μὴ ἰδίας·
20 Don’t be intimate with a strange woman, neither fold yourself in the arms of a woman not your own.	20 Don’t be intimate with a strange woman, neither fold yourself in the arms of a woman not your own.

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh, and he ponders all his goings.

כִּי נֹכַח עֵינֵי יְהוָה דַּרְכֵי ־ אִישׁ וְכָל ־ מַעְגְּלֹתָיו מְפַלֵּס׃

21 ἐνώπιον γάρ εἰσιν τῶν τοῦ θεοῦ ὀφθαλμῶν ὁδοὶ ἀνδρός, εἰς δὲ πάσας τὰς τροχιὰς αὐτοῦ σκοπεύει.	21 ἐνώπιον γάρ εἰσι τῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ ὀφθαλμῶν ὁδοὶ ἀνδρός, εἰς δὲ πάσας τὰς τροχιὰς αὐτοῦ σκοπεύει.
21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, and he looks on all his paths.	21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, and he looks on all his paths.

22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with the cords of his sins.

עַוֹונֹותָיו יִלְכְּדֻנֹו אֶת ־ הָרָשָׁע וּבְחַבְלֵי חַטָּאתֹו יִתָּמֵךְ׃

22 παρανομίαι ἄνδρα ἀγρεύουσιν, σειραῖς δὲ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν ἕκαστος σφίγγεται·	22 παρανομίαι ἄνδρα ἀγρεύουσι, σειραῖς δὲ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν ἕκαστος σφίγγεται·
22 Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins.	22 Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins.

23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

הוּא יָמוּת בְּאֵין מוּסָר וּבְרֹב אִוַּלְתֹּו יִשְׁגֶּה׃ פ

23 οὗτος τελευτᾷ μετὰ ἀπαιδεύτων, ἐκ δὲ πλήθους τῆς ἑαυτοῦ βιότητος ἐξερρίφη καὶ ἀπώλετο δι’ ἀφροσύνην.	23 οὗτος τελευτᾷ μετὰ ἀπαιδεύτων, ἐκ δὲ πλήθους τῆς ἑαυτοῦ βιότητος ἐξερρίφη καὶ ἀπώλετο δι’ ἀφροσύνην.
23 Such a man dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly.	23 Such a man dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly.