Proverbs

1 My son, if you be surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger,

1 Υἱέ, ἐὰν ἐγγυήσῃ σὸν φίλον, παραδώσεις σὴν χεῖρα ἐχθρῷ·	1 υἱέ, ἐὰν ἐγγυήσῃ σὸν φίλον, παραδώσεις σὴν χεῖρα ἐχθρῷ·
1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, you shall deliver your hand to an enemy.	1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, you shall deliver your hand to an enemy.

2 You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.

2 παγὶς γὰρ ἰσχυρὰ ἀνδρὶ τὰ ἴδια χείλη, καὶ ἁλίσκεται χείλεσιν ἰδίου στόματος.	2 παγὶς γὰρ ἰσχυρὰ ἀνδρὶ τὰ ἴδια χείλη, καὶ ἁλίσκεται χείλεσιν ἰδίου στόματος.
2 For a man’s own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth.	2 For a man’s own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth.

3 Do this now, my son, deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend.

3 ποίει, υἱέ, ἃ ἐγώ σοί ἐντέλλομαι, καὶ σῴζου — ἥκεις γὰρ εἰς χεῖρας κακῶν διὰ σὸν φίλον — ἴθι μὴ ἐκλυόμενος, παρόξυνε δὲ καὶ τὸν φίλον σου ὃν ἐνεγυήσω·	3 ποίει, υἱέ, ἃ ἐγώ σοι ἐντέλλομαι, καὶ σώζου· ἥκεις γὰρ εἰς χεῖρας κακῶν διὰ σὸν φίλον. ἴσθι μὴ ἐκλυόμενος, παρόξυνε δὲ καὶ τὸν φίλον σου, ὃν ἐνεγυήσω.
3 My son, do what I command you, and deliver yourself; for on your friend’s account you are come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even your friend for whom you are become surety.	3 My son, do what I command you, and deliver yourself; for on your friend’s account you are come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even your friend for whom you are become surety.

4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.

4 μὴ δῷς ὕπνον σοῖς ὄμμασιν μηδὲ ἐπινυστάξῃς σοῖς βλεφάροις,	4 μὴ δῷς ὕπνον σοῖς ὄμμασι, μηδὲ ἐπινυστάξῃς σοῖς βλεφάροις,
4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber with your eyelids;	4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber with your eyelids;

5 Deliver yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

5 ἵνα σῴζῃ ὥσπερ δορκὰς ἐκ βρόχων καὶ ὥσπερ ὄρνεον ἐκ παγίδος.	5 ἵνα σώζῃ ὥσπερ δορκὰς ἐκ βρόχων καὶ ὥσπερ ὄρνεον ἐκ παγίδος.
5 that you may deliver yourself as a doe out of the toils, and as a bird out of a snare.	5 that you may deliver yourself as a doe out of the toils, and as a bird out of a snare.

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

6 Ἴθι πρὸς τὸν μύρμηκα, ὦ ὀκνηρέ, καὶ ζήλωσον ἰδὼν τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ γενοῦ ἐκείνου σοφώτερος·	6 Ἴθι πρὸς τὸν μύρμηκα, ὦ ὀκνηρέ, καὶ ζήλωσον ἰδὼν τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ γενοῦ ἐκείνου σοφώτερος·
6 Go to the ant, Oh sluggard; and see, and emulate his ways, and become wiser than he.	6 Go to the ant, Oh sluggard; and see, and emulate his ways, and become wiser than he.

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

7 ἐκείνῳ γὰρ γεωργίου μὴ ὑπάρχοντος μηδὲ τὸν ἀναγκάζοντα ἔχων μηδὲ ὑπὸ δεσπότην ὢν	7 ἐκείνῳ γὰρ γεωργίου μὴ ὑπάρχοντος, μηδὲ τὸν ἀναγκάζοντα ἔχων, μηδὲ ὑπὸ δεσπότην ὤν,
7 For whereas he has no farm, nor anyone to compel him, and is under no master,	7 For whereas he has no farm, nor anyone to compel him, and is under no master,

8 Provides her food in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.

8 ἑτοιμάζεται θέρους τὴν τροφὴν πολλήν τε ἐν τῷ ἀμήτῳ ποιεῖται τὴν παράθεσιν.	8 ἑτοιμάζεται θέρους τὴν τροφὴν πολλήν τε ἐν τῷ ἀμητῷ ποιεῖται τὴν παράθεσιν.
8 he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest.	8 he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest.

8a N/A

8a ἢ πορεύθητι πρὸς τὴν μέλισσαν καὶ μάθε ὡς ἐργάτις ἐστὶν τήν τε ἐργασίαν ὡς σεμνὴν ποιεῖται,	8a ἢ πορεύθητι πρὸς τὴν μέλισσαν καὶ μάθε ὡς ἐργάτις ἐστὶ τήν τε ἐργασίαν ὡς σεμνὴν ποιεῖται·
8a Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work;	8a Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work;

8b N/A

8b ἧς τοὺς πόνους βασιλεῖς καὶ ἰδιῶται πρὸς ὑγίειαν προσφέρονται, ποθεινὴ δέ ἐστιν πᾶσιν καὶ ἐπίδοξος·	8b ἦς τοὺς πόνους βασιλεῖς καὶ ἰδιῶται πρὸς ὑγίειαν προσφέρονται· ποθεινὴ δέ ἔστι πᾶσι καὶ ἐπίδοξος·
whose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all.	whose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all.

8c N/A

8c καίπερ οὖσα τῇ ῥώμῃ ἀσθενής, τὴν σοφίαν τιμήσασα προήχθη.	8c καίπερ οὖσα τῇ ῥώμῃ ἀσθενής, τὴν σοφίαν τιμήσασα προήχθη.
though weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom.	though weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom.

9 How long will you sleep, Oh sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?

9 ἕως τίνος, ὀκνηρέ, κατάκεισαι; πότε δὲ ἐξ ὕπνου ἐγερθήσῃ;	9 ἕως τίνος, ὀκνηρέ, κατάκεισαι; πότε δὲ ἐξ ὕπνου ἐγερθήσῃ;
9 How long will you lie down, Oh sluggard? And when will you awake out of sleep?	9 How long will you lie down, Oh sluggard? And when will you awake out of sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.

10 ὀλίγον μὲν ὑπνοῖς, ὀλίγον δὲ κάθησαι, μικρὸν δὲ νυστάζεις, ὀλίγον δὲ ἐναγκαλίζῃ χερσὶν στήθη·	10 ὀλίγον μὲν ὑπνοῖς, ὀλίγον δὲ κάθησαι, μικρὸν δὲ νυστάζεις, ὀλίγον δὲ ἐναγκαλίζῃ χερσὶ στήθη·
10 You sleep a little, and you rest a little, and you slumber a short time, and you fold your arms over your breast a little.	10 You sleep a little, and you rest a little, and you slumber a short time, and you fold your arms over your breast a little.

11 So shall your poverty come as one who prowls, and your want as an armed man.

11 εἶτ’ ἐμπαραγίνεταί σοί ὥσπερ κακὸς ὁδοιπόρος ἡ πενία καὶ ἡ ἔνδεια ὥσπερ ἀγαθὸς δρομεύς.	11 εἶτ’ ἐμπαραγίνεταί σοι ὥσπερ κακὸς ὁδοιπόρος ἡ πενία καὶ ἡ ἔνδεια ὥσπερ ἀγαθὸς δρομεύς.
11 Then poverty comes on you as a highway bandit, and poverty as a swift courier.	11 Then poverty comes on you as a highway bandit, and poverty as a swift courier.

11a N/A

11a ἐὰν δὲ ἄοκνος ᾖς, ἥξει ὥσπερ πηγὴ ὁ ἀμητός σου, ἡ δὲ ἔνδεια ὥσπερ κακὸς δρομεὺς ἀπαυτομολήσει.	11a ἐὰν δὲ ἄοκνος ᾖς, ἥξει ὥσπερ πηγὴ ὁ ἀμητός σου, ἡ δὲ ἔνδεια ὥσπερ κακὸς δρομεὺς ἀπαυτομολήσει.
11a but if you be diligent, your harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.	11a but if you be diligent, your harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.

12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a deceitful mouth.

12 Ἀνὴρ ἄφρων καὶ παράνομος πορεύεται ὁδοὺς οὐκ ἀγαθάς·	12 Ἀνὴρ ἄφρων καὶ παράνομος πορεύεται ὁδοὺς οὐκ ἀγαθάς·
12 A foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good.	12 A foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good.

13 He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers;

13 ὁ δ’ αὐτὸς ἐννεύει ὀφθαλμῷ, σημαίνει δὲ ποδί, διδάσκει δὲ ἐννεύμασιν δακτύλων,	13 ὁ δ’ αὐτὸς ἐννεύει ὀφθαλμῷ, σημαίνει δὲ ποδί, διδάσκει δὲ ἐννεύμασι δακτύλων.
13 And the same winks with the eye, and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the signaling of his fingers.	13 And the same winks with the eye, and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the signaling of his fingers.

14 Frowardness is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he sows discord.

14 διεστραμμένῃ δὲ καρδίᾳ τεκταίνεται κακὰ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ· ὁ τοιοῦτος ταραχὰς συνίστησιν πόλει.	14 διεστραμμένῃ καρδίᾳ τεκταίνεται κακά, ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ὁ τοιοῦτος ταραχὰς συνίστησι πόλει.
14 His perverse heart devises evils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a city.	14 His perverse heart devises evils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a city.

15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

15 διὰ τοῦτο ἐξαπίνης ἔρχεται ἡ ἀπώλεια αὐτοῦ, διακοπὴ καὶ συντριβὴ ἀνίατος.	15 διὰ τοῦτο ἐξαπίνης ἔρχεται ἡ ἀπώλεια αὐτοῦ, διακοπὴ καὶ συντριβὴ ἀνίατος·
15 Therefore his destruction shall come suddenly; overthrow and irretrievable ruin.	15 Therefore his destruction shall come suddenly; overthrow and irretrievable ruin.

16 These six things does Yahweh hate: yes, seven are an abomination to him.

16 ὅτι χαίρει πᾶσιν, οἷς μισεῖ ὁ κύριος, συντρίβεται δὲ δι’ ἀκαθαρσίαν ψυχῆς·	16 ὅτι χαίρει πᾶσιν, οἷς μισεῖ ὁ Θεός, συντρίβεται δὲ δι’ ἀκαθαρσίαν ψυχῆς.
16 For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul.	16 For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul.

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

17 ὀφθαλμὸς ὑβριστοῦ, γλῶσσα ἄδικος, χεῖρες ἐκχέουσαι αἷμα δικαίου	17 ὀφθαλμὸς ὑβριστοῦ, γλῶσσα ἄδικος, χεῖρες ἐκχέουσαι αἷμα δικαίου
17 The eye of the haughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood of the just;	17 The eye of the haughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood of the just;

18 A heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

18 καὶ καρδία τεκταινομένη λογισμοὺς κακοὺς καὶ πόδες ἐπισπεύδοντες κακοποιεῖν·	18 καὶ καρδία τεκταινομένη λογισμοὺς κακοὺς καὶ πόδες ἐπισπεύδοντες κακοποιεῖν.
18 and a heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hurrying to do evil, —are hateful to God.	18 and a heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hurrying to do evil, —are hateful to God.

19 A false witness who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

19 ἐκκαίει ψεύδη μάρτυς ἄδικος καὶ ἐπιπέμπει κρίσεις ἀνὰ μέσον ἀδελφῶν.	19 ἐκκαίει ψεύδη μάρτυς ἄδικος καὶ ἐπιπέμπει κρίσεις ἀνὰ μέσον ἀδελφῶν.
19 An unjust witness kindles falsehoods, and brings on quarrels between brothers.	19 An unjust witness kindles falsehoods, and brings on quarrels between brothers.

20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake the law of your mother.

20 Υἱέ, φύλασσε νόμους πατρός σου καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ θεσμοὺς μητρός σου·	20 Υἱέ, φύλασσε νόμους πατρός σου καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ θεσμοὺς μητρός σου·
20 My son, keep the laws of your father, and don’t reject the ordinances of your mother.	20 My son, keep the laws of your father, and don’t reject the ordinances of your mother.

21 Bind them continually on your heart, and tie them about your neck.

21 ἄφαψαι δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ σῇ ψυχῇ διὰ παντὸς καὶ ἐγκλοίωσαι ἐπὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ.	21 ἄφαψαι δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ σῇ ψυχῇ διαπαντὸς καὶ ἐγκλοίωσαι περὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ.
21 but bind them on your soul continually, and hang them as a chain about your neck.	21 but bind them on your soul continually, and hang them as a chain about your neck.

22 When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you.

22 ἡνίκα ἄν περιπατῇς, ἐπάγου αὐτήν, καὶ μετὰ σου ἔστω· ὡς δ’ ἄν καθεύδῃς, φυλασσέτω σε, ἵνα ἐγειρομένῳ συλλαλῇ σοι·	22 ἡνίκα ἄν περιπατῇς, ἐπάγου αὐτὴν καὶ μετὰ σοῦ ἔστω· ὡς δ’ ἄν καθεύδῃς, φυλασσέτω σε, ἵνα ἐγεγόνει συλλαλῇ σοι.
22 Whenever you walk, lead this along and let it be with you; that it may talk with you when you awaken.	22 Whenever you walk, lead this along and let it be with you; that it may talk with you when you awaken.

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

23 ὅτι λύχνος ἐντολὴ νόμου καὶ φῶς, καὶ ὁδὸς ζωῆς ἔλεγχος καὶ παιδεία	23 ὅτι λύχνος ἐντολὴ νόμου καὶ φῶς, ὁδὸς ζωῆς καὶ ἔλεγχος καὶ παιδεία
23 For the commandment of the law is a lamp and a light; a way of life; reproof also and correction.	23 For the commandment of the law is a lamp and a light; a way of life; reproof also and correction.

24 To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

24 τοῦ διαφυλάσσειν σὲ ἀπὸ γυναικὸς ὑπάνδρου καὶ ἀπὸ διαβολῆς γλώσσης ἀλλοτρίας.	24 τοῦ διαφυλάσσειν σὲ ἀπὸ γυναικὸς ὑπάνδρου καὶ ἀπὸ διαβολῆς γλώσσης ἀλλοτρίας.
24 to keep you continually from a married woman, and from the calumny of a strange tongue.	24 to keep you continually from a married woman, and from the calumny of a strange tongue.

25 Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids.

25 μή σὲ νικήσῃ κάλλους ἐπιθυμία, μηδὲ ἀγρευθῇς σοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς μηδὲ συναρπασθῇς ἀπὸ τῶν αὐτῆς βλεφάρων·	25 μή σε νικήσῃ κάλλους ἐπιθυμία, μηδὲ ἀγρευθῇς σοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς, μηδὲ συναρπασθῇς ἀπὸ τῶν αὐτῆς βλεφάρων·
25 Don’t let the desire of beauty overcome you, neither be caught by your eyes, neither be captivated with her eyelids.	25 Don’t let the desire of beauty overcome you, neither be caught by your eyes, neither be captivated with her eyelids.

26 For by means of a prostituting woman a man is brought to a piece of bread; and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

26 τιμὴ γὰρ πόρνης ὅση καὶ ἑνὸς ἄρτου, γυνὴ δὲ ἀνδρῶν τιμίας ψυχὰς ἀγρεύει.	26 τιμὴ γὰρ πόρνης ὅση καὶ ἑνὸς ἄρτου, γυνὴ δὲ ἀνδρῶν τιμίας ψυχὰς ἀγρεύει.
26 For the value of a prostitute is as much as of one loaf; and a woman hunts for the precious souls of men.	26 For the value of a prostitute is as much as of one loaf; and a woman hunts for the precious souls of men.

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

27 ἀποδήσει τις πῦρ ἐν κόλπῳ, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια οὐ κατακαύσει;	27 ἀποδήσει τις πῦρ ἐν κόλπῳ, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια οὐ κατακαύσει;
27 Shall anyone bind fire in his bosom, and not burn his garments?	27 Shall anyone bind fire in his bosom, and not burn his garments?

28 Can one go on hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

28 ἢ περιπατήσει τις ἐπ’ ἀνθράκων πυρός, τοὺς δὲ πόδας οὐ κατακαύσει;	28 ἢ περιπατήσει τις ἐπ’ ἀνθράκων πυρός, τοὺς δὲ πόδας οὐ κατακαύσει;
28 or will anyone walk on coals of fire, and not burn his feet?	28 or will anyone walk on coals of fire, and not burn his feet?

29 So he who goes in to his neighbour’s wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent.

29 οὕτως ὁ εἰσελθὼν πρὸς γυναῖκα ὕπανδρον, οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται οὐδὲ πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος αὐτῆς.	29 οὕτως ὁ εἰσελθὼν πρὸς γυναῖκα ὕπανδρον, οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται, οὐδὲ πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος αὐτῆς.
29 So is he who goes in to a married woman; he shall not be held guiltless, neither anyone who touches her.	29 So is he who goes in to a married woman; he shall not be held guiltless, neither anyone who touches her.

30 Men don’t despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

30 οὐ θαυμαστὸν ἐὰν ἁλῷ τις κλέπτων, κλέπτει γὰρ ἵνα ἐμπλήσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν πεινῶν·	30 οὐ θαυμαστὸν ἐὰν ἁλῷ τις κλέπτων, κλέπτει γὰρ ἵνα ἐμπλήσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν πεινῶν·
30 It is not to be wondered at if one should be taken stealing, for he steals that when hungry he may satisfy his soul.	30 It is not to be wondered at if one should be taken stealing, for he steals that when hungry he may satisfy his soul.

31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

31 ἐὰν δὲ ἁλῷ ἀποτείσει ἑπταπλάσια καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ δοὺς ῥύσεται ἑαυτόν.	31 ἐὰν δὲ ἁλῷ, ἀποτίσει ἑπταπλάσια καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ δοὺς ῥύσεται ἑαυτόν.
31 but if he should be taken, he shall repay sevenfold, and shall deliver himself by giving all his goods.	31 but if he should be taken, he shall repay sevenfold, and shall deliver himself by giving all his goods.

32 But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he who does it destroys his own soul.

32 ὁ δὲ μοιχὸς δι’ ἔνδειαν φρενῶν ἀπώλειαν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ περιποιεῖται,	32 ὁ δὲ μοιχὸς δι’ ἔνδειαν φρενῶν ἀπώλειαν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ περιποιεῖται,
32 But the adulterer through want of sense procures destruction to his soul.	32 But the adulterer through want of sense procures destruction to his soul.

33 A wound and dishonour he shall get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

33 ὀδύνας τε καὶ ἀτιμίας ὑποφέρει, τὸ δὲ ὄνειδος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐξαλειφθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.	33 ὀδύνας τε καὶ ἀτιμίας ὑποφέρει, τὸ δὲ ὄνειδος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐξαλειφθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
33 He endures both pain and disgrace, and his reproach shall never be wiped off.	33 He endures both pain and disgrace, and his reproach shall never be wiped off.

34 For jealousy is the rage of a man; therefore he won’t spare in the day of vengeance.

34 μεστὸς γὰρ ζήλου θυμὸς ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς· οὐ φείσεται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως,	34 μεστὸς γὰρ ζήλου θυμὸς ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς· οὐ φείσεται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως,
34 For the soul of her husband is full of jealousy: he won’t spare in the day of vengeance.	34 For the soul of her husband is full of jealousy: he won’t spare in the day of vengeance.

35 He won’t regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

35 οὐκ ἀνταλλάξεται οὐδενὸς λύτρου τὴν ἔχθραν οὐδὲ μὴ διαλυθῇ πολλῶν δώρων.	35 οὐκ ἀνταλλάξεται οὐδενὸς λύτρου τὴν ἔχθραν, οὐδὲ μὴ διαλυθῇ πολλῶν δώρων.
35 He won’t forego his enmity for any ransom: neither will he be reconciled for many gifts.	35 He won’t forego his enmity for any ransom: neither will he be reconciled for many gifts.