Proverbs

1 Better is a dry morsel, with quietness, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.

טֹוב פַּת חֲרֵבָה וְשַׁלְוָה ־ בָהּ מִבַּיִת מָלֵא זִבְחֵי ־ רִיב׃

1 κρείσσων ψωμὸς μεθ’ ἡδονῆς ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἢ οἶκος πλήρης πολλῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἀδίκων θυμάτων μετὰ μάχης.	1 κρείσσων ψωμὸς μεθ’ ἡδονῆς ἐν εἰρήνη ἢ οἶκος πλήρης πολλῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἀδίκων θυμάτων μετὰ μάχης.
1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.	1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brothers.

עֶבֶד ־ מַשְׂכִּיל יִמְשֹׁל בְּבֵן מֵבִישׁ וּבְתֹוךְ אַחִים יַחֲלֹק נַחֲלָה׃

2 οἰκέτης νοήμων κρατήσει δεσποτῶν ἀφρόνων, ἐν δὲ ἀδελφοῖς διελεῖται μέρη.	2 οἰκέτης νοήμων κρατήσει δεσποτῶν ἀφρόνων, ἐν δὲ ἀδελφοῖς διελεῖται μέρη.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brothers.	2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brothers.

3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Yahweh tries the hearts.

מַצְרֵף לַכֶּסֶף וְכוּר לַזָּהָב וּבֹחֵן לִבֹּות יְהוָה׃

3 ὥσπερ δοκιμάζεται ἐν καμίνῳ ἄργυρος καὶ χρυσός, οὕτως ἐκλεκταὶ καρδίαι παρὰ κυρίῳ.	3 ὥσπερ δοκιμάζεται ἐν καμίνῳ ἄργυρος καὶ χρυσός, οὕτως ἐκλεκταὶ καρδίαι παρὰ Κυρίῳ.
3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.	3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.

4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue.

מֵרַע מַקְשִׁיב עַל ־ שְׂפַת ־ אָוֶן שֶׁקֶר מֵזִין עַל ־ לְשֹׁון הַוֹּת׃

4 κακὸς ὑπακούει γλώσσης παρανόμων, δίκαιος δὲ οὐ προσέχει χείλεσιν ψευδέσιν.	4 κακὸς ὑπακούει γλώσσης παρανόμων, δίκαιος δὲ οὐ προσέχει χείλεσι ψευδέσιν.
4 A bad man listens to the tongue of transgressors; but a righteous man attends not to false lips.	4 A bad man listens to the tongue of transgressors; but a righteous man attends not to false lips.

5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; and he who is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

לֹעֵג לָרָשׁ חֵרֵף עֹשֵׂהוּ שָׂמֵחַ לְאֵיד לֹא יִנָּקֶה׃

5 ὁ καταγελῶν πτωχοῦ παροξύνει τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ ἐπιχαίρων ἀπολλυμένῳ οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται· ὁ δὲ ἐπισπλαγχνιζόμενος ἐλεηθήσεται.	5 ὁ καταγελῶν πτωχοῦ παροξύνει τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ ἐπιχαίρων ἀπολλυμένῳ οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται· ὁ δὲ ἐπισπλαγχνιζόμενος ἐλεηθήσεται.
5 He who laughs at the poor provokes him who made him; and he who rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless; but he who has mercy shall find mercy.	5 He who laughs at the poor provokes him who made him; and he who rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless; but he who has mercy shall find mercy.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

עֲטֶרֶת זְקֵנִים בְּנֵי בָנִים וְתִפְאֶרֶת בָּנִים אֲבֹותָם׃

6 στέφανος γερόντων τέκνα τέκνων, καύχημα δὲ τέκνων πατέρες αὐτῶν.	6 στέφανος γερόντων τέκνα τέκνων, καύχημα δὲ τέκνων πατέρες αὐτῶν.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children.	6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children.

6a N/A

6a τοῦ πιστοῦ ὅλος ὁ κόσμος τῶν χρημάτων, τοῦ δὲ ἀπίστου οὐδὲ ὀβολός.	6a τοῦ πιστοῦ ὅλος ὁ κόσμος τῶν χρημάτων, τοῦ δὲ ἀπίστου οὐδὲ ὀβολός.
6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even an obol coin.	6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even an obol coin.

7 Excellent speech doesn’t become a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

לֹא ־ נָאוָה לְנָבָל שְׂפַת ־ יֶתֶר אַף כִּי ־ לְנָדִיב שְׂפַת ־ שָׁקֶר׃

7 οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστὰ οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ.	7 οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστά, οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ.
7 Faithful lips won’t suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.	7 Faithful lips won’t suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it: wherever it turns, it prospers.

אֶבֶן ־ חֵן הַשֹּׁחַד בְּעֵינֵי בְעָלָיו אֶל ־ כָּל ־ אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה יַשְׂכִּיל׃

8 μισθὸς χαρίτων ἡ παιδεία τοῖς χρωμένοις, οὗ δ’ ἄν ἐπιστρέψῃ εὐοδωθήσεται.	8 μισθὸς χαρίτων ἡ παιδεία τοῖς χρωμένοις, οὗ δ’ ἄν ἐπιστρέψῃ εὐοδωθήσεται.
8 Instruction is to those who use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.	8 Instruction is to those who use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.

9 He who covers a transgression seeks love; but he who repeats a matter separates very friends.

מְכַסֶּה ־ פֶּשַׁע מְבַקֵּשׁ אַהֲבָה וְשֹׁנֶה בְדָבָר מַפְרִיד אַלּוּף׃

9 ὃς κρύπτει ἀδικήματα ζητεῖ φιλίαν· ὃς δὲ μισεῖ κρύπτειν διίστησιν φίλους καὶ οἰκείους.	9 ὃς κρύπτει ἀδικήματα, ζητεῖ φιλίαν, ὃς δὲ μισεῖ κρύπτειν, διΐστησι φίλους καὶ οἰκείους.
9 He who conceals injuries seeks love; but he who hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.	9 He who conceals injuries seeks love; but he who hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.

10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than 100 stripes into a fool.

תֵּחַת גְּעָרָה בְמֵבִין מֵהַכֹּות כְּסִיל מֵאָה׃

10 συντρίβει ἀπειλὴ καρδίαν φρονίμου, ἄφρων δὲ μαστιγωθεὶς οὐκ αἰσθάνεται.	10 συντρίβει ἀπειλὴ καρδίαν φρονίμου, ἄφρων δὲ μαστιγωθεὶς οὐκ αἰσθάνεται.
10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, doesn’t understand.	10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, doesn’t understand.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

אַךְ ־ מְרִי יְבַקֶּשׁ ־ רָע וּמַלְאָךְ אַכְזָרִי יְשֻׁלַּח ־ בֹּו׃

11 ἀντιλογίας ἐγείρει πᾶς κακός, ὁ δὲ κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ.	11 ἀντιλογίας ἐγείρει πᾶς κακός, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ.
11 Every bad man stirs up strifes; but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.	11 Every bad man stirs up strifes; but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

פָּגֹושׁ דֹּב שַׁכּוּל בְּאִישׁ וְאַל ־ כְּסִיל בְּאִוַּלְתֹּו׃

12 ἐμπεσεῖται μέριμνα ἀνδρὶ νοήμονι, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες διαλογιοῦνται κακά.	12 ἐμπεσεῖται μέριμνα ἀνδρὶ νοήμονι, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες διαλογιοῦνται κακά.
12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.	12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.

13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

מֵשִׁיב רָעָה תַּחַת טֹובָה לֹא ־ תָמִישׁ רָעָה מִבֵּיתֹו׃

13 ὃς ἀποδίδωσιν κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, οὐ κινηθήσεται κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ.	13 ὃς ἀποδίδωσι κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, οὐ κινηθήσεται κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.	13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water; therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

פֹּוטֵר מַיִם רֵאשִׁית מָדֹון וְלִפְנֵי הִתְגַּלַּע הָרִיב נְטֹושׁ׃

14 ἐξουσίαν δίδωσιν λόγοις ἀρχὴ δικαιοσύνης, προηγεῖται δὲ τῆς ἐνδείας στάσις καὶ μάχη.	14 ἐξουσίαν δίδωσι λόγοις ἀρχὴ δικαιοσύνης, προηγεῖται δὲ τῆς ἐνδείας στάσις καὶ μάχη.
14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.	14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.

15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, even they both are abomination to Yahweh.

מַצְדִּיק רָשָׁע וּמַרְשִׁיעַ צַדִּיק תֹּועֲבַת יְהוָה גַּם ־ שְׁנֵיהֶם׃

15 ὃς δίκαιον κρίνει τὸν ἄδικον ἄδικον δὲ τὸν δίκαιον, ἀκάθαρτος καὶ βδελυκτὸς παρὰ θεῷ.	15 ὃς δίκαιον κρίνει τὸν ἄδικον, ἄδικον δὲ τὸν δίκαιον, ἀκάθαρτος καὶ βδελυκτὸς παρὰ Θεῷ.
15 He who pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.	15 He who pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.

16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?

לָמָּה ־ זֶּה מְחִיר בְּיַד ־ כְּסִיל לִקְנֹות חָכְמָה וְלֶב ־ אָיִן׃

16 ἵνα τί ὑπῆρξεν χρήματα ἄφρονι; κτήσασθαι γὰρ σοφίαν ἀκάρδιος οὐ δυνήσεται.	16 ἱνατί ὑπῆρξε χρήματα ἄφρονι; κτήσασθαι γὰρ σοφίαν ἀκάρδιος οὐ δυνήσεται.
16 Why has the fool wealth? For a senseless man won’t be able to purchase wisdom.	16 Why has the fool wealth? For a senseless man won’t be able to purchase wisdom.

16a N/A

16a ὃς ὑψηλὸν ποιεῖ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ οἶκον, ζητεῖ συντριβήν· ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων τοῦ μαθεῖν ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά.	16a ὃς ὑψηλὸν ποιεῖ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ οἶκον, ζητεῖ συντριβήν, ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων τοῦ μαθεῖν ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά.
16a He who exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he who turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.	16a He who exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he who turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

בְּכָל ־ עֵת אֹהֵב הָרֵעַ וְאָח לְצָרָה יִוָּלֵד׃

17 εἰς πάντα καιρὸν φίλος ὑπαρχέτω σοι, ἀδελφοὶ δὲ ἐν ἀνάγκαις χρήσιμοι ἔστωσαν· τούτου γὰρ χάριν γεννῶνται.	17 εἰς πάντα καιρὸν φίλος ὑπαρχέτω σοι, ἀδελφοὶ δὲ ἐν ἀνάγκαις χρήσιμοι ἔστωσαν· τούτου γὰρ χάριν γεννῶνται.
17 Have you a friend for every time, and let brothers be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.	17 Have you a friend for every time, and let brothers be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.

18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his friend.

אָדָם חֲסַר ־ לֵב תֹּוקֵעַ כָּף עֹרֵב עֲרֻבָּה לִפְנֵי רֵעֵהוּ׃

18 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ἐπικροτεῖ καὶ ἐπιχαίρει ἑαυτῷ ὡς καὶ ὁ ἐγγυώμενος ἐγγύῃ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ φίλον.	18 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ἐπικροτεῖ καὶ ἐπιχαίρει ἑαυτῷ, ὡς καὶ ὁ ἐγγυώμενος ἐγγύῃ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ φίλων.
18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.	18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.

19 He loves transgression that loves strife; and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

אֹהֵב פֶּשַׁע אֹהֵב מַצָּה מַגְבִּיהַּ פִּתְחֹו מְבַקֶּשׁ ־ שָׁבֶר׃

19 φιλαμαρτήμων χαίρει μάχαις,	19 φιλαμαρτήμων χαίρει μάχαις, [ ὑψῶν δὲ θύραν αὐτοῦ ζητεῖ συντριβήν ].
19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;	19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;

20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good; and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.

עִקֶּשׁ ־ לֵב לֹא יִמְצָא ־ טֹוב וְנֶהְפָּךְ בִּלְשֹׁונֹו יִפֹּול בְּרָעָה׃

20 ὁ δὲ σκληροκάρδιος οὐ συναντᾷ ἀγαθοῖς. ἀνὴρ εὐμετάβολος γλώσσῃ ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά,	20 ὁ δὲ σκληροκάρδιος οὐ συναντᾷ ἀγαθοῖς. ἀνὴρ εὐμετάβολος γλώσσῃ ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά,
20 and the hard-hearted man doesn’t come in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;	20 and the hard-hearted man doesn’t come in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;

21 He who fathers a fool does it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool has no joy.

יֹלֵד כְּסִיל לְתוּגָה לֹו וְלֹא ־ יִשְׂמַח אֲבִי נָבָל׃

21 καρδία δὲ ἄφρονος ὀδύνη τῷ κεκτημένῳ αὐτήν. οὐκ εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ ἐπὶ υἱῷ ἀπαιδεύτῳ, υἱὸς δὲ φρόνιμος εὐφραίνει μητέρα αὐτοῦ.	21 καρδία δὲ ἄφρονος ὀδύνη τῷ κεκτημένῳ αὐτήν. οὐκ εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ ἐπὶ υἱῷ ἀπαιδεύτῳ, υἱὸς δὲ φρόνιμος εὐφραίνει μητέρα αὐτοῦ.
21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.	21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.

22 A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit dries the bones.

22 לֵב שָׂמֵחַ יֵיטִב גֵּהָה וְרוּחַ נְכֵאָה תְּיַבֶּשׁ ־ גָּרֶם׃

22 καρδία εὐφραινομένη εὐεκτεῖν ποιεῖ, ἀνδρὸς δὲ λυπηροῦ ξηραίνεται τὰ ὀστᾶ.	22 καρδία εὐφραινομένη εὐεκτεῖν ποιεῖ, ἀνδρὸς δὲ λυπηροῦ ξηραίνεται τὰ ὀστᾶ.
22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.	22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.

23 A wicked man takes a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

שֹׁחַד מֵחֵיק רָשָׁע יִקָּח לְהַטֹּות אָרְחֹות מִשְׁפָּט׃

23 λαμβάνοντος δῶρα ἐν κόλπῳ ἀδίκως οὐ κατευοδοῦνται ὁδοί, ἀσεβὴς δὲ ἐκκλίνει ὁδοὺς δικαιοσύνης.	23 λαμβάνοντος δῶρα ἀδίκως ἐν κόλποις οὐ κατευοδοῦνται ὁδοί, ἀσεβὴς δὲ ἐκκλίνει ὁδοὺς δικαιοσύνης.
23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives bribes in his bosom don’t prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.	23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives bribes in his bosom don’t prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.

24 Wisdom is before him who has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

אֶת ־ פְּנֵי מֵבִין חָכְמָה וְעֵינֵי כְסִיל בִּקְצֵה ־ אָרֶץ׃

24 πρόσωπον συνετὸν ἀνδρὸς σοφοῦ, οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ ἄφρονος ἐπ’ ἄκρα γῆς.	24 πρόσωπον συνετὸν ἀνδρὸς σοφοῦ, οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ ἄφρονος ἐπ’ ἄκρα γῆς.
24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.	24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who gave birth to him.

כַּעַס לְאָבִיו בֵּן כְּסִיל וּמֶמֶר לְיֹולַדְתֹּו׃

25 ὀργὴ πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων καὶ ὀδύνη τῇ τεκούσῃ αὐτοῦ.	25 ὀργὴ πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων καὶ ὀδύνη τῇ τεκούσῃ αὐτόν.
25 A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father, and grief to her who gave birth to him.	25 A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father, and grief to her who gave birth to him.

26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

גַּם עֲנֹושׁ לַצַּדִּיק לֹא ־ טֹוב לְהַכֹּות נְדִיבִים עַל ־ יֹשֶׁר׃

26 ζημιοῦν ἄνδρα δίκαιον οὐ καλόν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐπιβουλεύειν δυνάσταις δικαίοις.	26 ζημιοῦν ἄνδρα δίκαιον οὐ καλόν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐπιβουλεύειν δυνάσταις δικαίοις.
26 It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is it godly to plot against righteous princes.	26 It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is it godly to plot against righteous princes.

27 He who has knowledge spares his words; and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

חֹושֵׂךְ אֲמָרָיו יֹודֵעַ דָּעַת וְקַר רוּחַ אִישׁ תְּבוּנָה׃

27 ὃς φείδεται ῥῆμα προέσθαι σκληρόν, ἐπιγνώμων· μακρόθυμος δὲ ἀνὴρ φρόνιμος.	27 ὃς φείδεται ῥῆμα προέσθαι σκληρόν, ἐπιγνώμων, μακρόθυμος δὲ ἀνὴρ φρόνιμος.
27 He who refrains to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.	27 He who refrains to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.

28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise; and he who shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

גַּם אֱוִיל מַחֲרִישׁ חָכָם יֵחָשֵׁב אֹטֵם שְׂפָתָיו נָבֹון׃

28 ἀνοήτῳ ἐπερωτήσαντι σοφίαν σοφία λογισθήσεται, ἐνεὸν δέ τις ἑαυτὸν ποιήσας δόξει φρόνιμος εἶναι.	28 ἀνοήτῳ ἐπερωτήσαντι σοφίαν σοφία λογισθήσεται, ἐνεὸν δέ τις ἑαυτὸν ποιήσας δόξει φρόνιμος εἶναι.
28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom; and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.	28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom; and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.