Proverbs

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of Yahweh, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.

פַּלְגֵי ־ מַיִם לֶב ־ מֶלֶךְ בְּיַד ־ יְהוָה עַל ־ כָּל ־ אֲשֶׁר יַחְפֹּץ יַטֶּנּוּ׃

1 ὥσπερ ὁρμὴ ὕδατος, οὕτως καρδία βασιλέως ἐν χειρὶ θεοῦ· οὗ ἐὰν θέλων νεύσῃ, ἐκεῖ ἔκλινεν αὐτήν.	1 Ὥσπερ ὁρμὴ ὕδατος, οὕτως καρδία βασιλέως ἐν χειρὶ Θεοῦ· οὗ ἐὰν θέλων νεύσῃ, ἐκεῖ ἔκλινεν αὐτήν.
1 As a rush of water, so is the king’s heart in God’s hand: he turns it wherever he may desire to point out.	1 As a rush of water, so is the king’s heart in God’s hand: he turns it wherever he may desire to point out.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Yahweh knows the hearts.

כָּל ־ דֶּרֶךְ ־ אִישׁ יָשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו וְתֹכֵן לִבֹּות יְהוָה׃

2 πᾶς ἀνὴρ φαίνεται ἑαυτῷ δίκαιος, κατευθύνει δὲ καρδίας κύριος.	2 πᾶς ἀνὴρ φαίνεται ἑαυτῷ δίκαιος, κατευθύνει δὲ καρδίας Κύριος.
2 Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.	2 Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

עֲשֹׂה צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט נִבְחָר לַיהוָה מִזָּבַח׃

3 ποιεῖν δίκαια καὶ ἀληθεύειν ἀρεστὰ παρὰ θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θυσιῶν αἷμα.	3 ποιεῖν δίκαια καὶ ἀληθεύειν ἀρεστὰ παρὰ Θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θυσιῶν αἷμα.
3 To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.	3 To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.

4 A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

רוּם ־ עֵינַיִם וּרְחַב ־ לֵב נִר רְשָׁעִים חַטָּאת׃

4 μεγαλόφρων ἐφ’ ὕβρει θρασυκάρδιος, λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἁμαρτία.	4 μεγαλόφρων ἐν ὕβρει θρασυκάρδιος, λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἁμαρτία.
4 A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.	4 A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of everyone who is hasty only to want.

מַחְשְׁבֹות חָרוּץ אַךְ ־ לְמֹותָר וְכָל ־ אָץ אַךְ ־ לְמַחְסֹור׃

5 N/A	5 N/A
5 N/A	5 N/A

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of those who seek death.

פֹּעַל אֹוצָרֹות בִּלְשֹׁון שָׁקֶר הֶבֶל נִדָּף מְבַקְשֵׁי ־ מָוֶת׃

6 ὁ ἐνεργῶν θησαυρίσματα γλώσσῃ ψεύδει μάταια διώκει ἐπὶ παγίδας θανάτου.	6 ὁ ἐνεργῶν θησαυρίσματα γλώσσῃ ψευδεῖ μάταια διώκει καὶ ἔρχεται ἐπὶ παγίδας θανάτου.
6 He who gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.	6 He who gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

שֹׁד ־ רְשָׁעִים יְגֹורֵם כִּי מֵאֲנוּ לַעֲשֹׂות מִשְׁפָּט׃

7 ὄλεθρος ἀσεβέσιν ἐπιξενωθήσεται· οὐ γὰρ βούλονται βούλονται πράσσειν τὰ δίκαια.	7 ὄλεθρος ἀσεβέσιν ἐπιξενωθήσεται, οὐ γὰρ βούλονται πράσσειν τὰ δίκαια.
7 Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.	7 Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.

8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.

הֲפַכְפַּךְ דֶּרֶךְ אִישׁ וָזָר וְזַךְ יָשָׁר פָּעֳלֹו׃

8 πρὸς τοὺς σκολιοὺς σκολιὰς ὁδοὺς ἀποστέλλει ὁ θεός· ἁγνὰ γὰρ καὶ ὀρθὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.	8 πρὸς τοὺς σκολιοὺς σκολιὰς ὁδοὺς ἀποστέλλει ὁ Θεός, ἁγνὰ γὰρ καὶ ὀρθὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.
8 To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.	8 To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

טֹוב לָשֶׁבֶת עַל ־ פִּנַּת ־ גָּג מֵאֵשֶׁת מִדְיָנִים וּבֵית חָבֶר׃

9 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας ὑπαίθρου ἢ ἐν κεκονιαμένοις μετὰ ἀδικίας καὶ ἐν οἴκῳ κοινῷ.	9 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας ὑπαίθρου ἢ ἐν κεκονιαμένοις μετὰ ἀδικίας καὶ ἐν οἴκῳ κοινῷ.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house.	9 It is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.

נֶפֶשׁ רָשָׁע אִוְּתָה ־ רָע לֹא ־ יֻחַן בְּעֵינָיו רֵעֵהוּ׃

10 ψυχὴ ἀσεβοῦς οὐκ ἐλεηθήσεται ὑπ’ οὐδενὸς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.	10 ψυχὴ ἀσεβοῦς οὐκ ἐλεηθήσεται ὑπ’ οὐδενὸς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
10 The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.	10 The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

בַּעְנָשׁ ־ לֵץ יֶחְכַּם ־ פֶּתִי וּבְהַשְׂכִּיל לְחָכָם יִקַּח ־ דָּעַת׃

11 ζημιουμένου ἀκολάστου πανουργότερος γίνεται ὁ ἄκακος, συνίων δὲ σοφὸς δέξεται γνῶσιν	11 ζημιουμένου ἀκολάστου πανουργότερος γίνεται ὁ ἄκακος, συνίων δὲ σοφὸς δέξεται γνῶσιν.
11 When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser; and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.	11 When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser; and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.

12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked; but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.

מַשְׂכִּיל צַדִּיק לְבֵית רָשָׁע מְסַלֵּף רְשָׁעִים לָרָע׃

12 συνίει δίκαιος καρδίας ἀσεβῶν καὶ φαυλίζει ἀσεβεῖς ἐν κακοῖς.	12 συνίει δίκαιος καρδίας ἀσεβῶν καὶ φαυλίζει ἀσεβεῖς ἐν κακοῖς.
12 A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly; and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.	12 A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly; and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.

13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

אֹטֵם אָזְנֹו מִזַּעֲקַת ־ דָּל גַּם ־ הוּא יִקְרָא וְלֹא יֵעָנֶה׃

13 ὃς φράσσει τὰ ὦτα τοῦ μὴ ἐπακοῦσαι ἀσθενοῦς, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπικαλέσεται καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ εἰσακούων.	13 ὃς φράσσει τὰ ὦτα αὐτοῦ τοῦ μὴ ἐπακοῦσαι ἀσθενοῦς, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπικαλέσεται, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ εἰσακούων.
13 He who stops his ears from hearing the poor, shall himself also cry, and there shall be none to hear him.	13 He who stops his ears from hearing the poor, shall himself also cry, and there shall be none to hear him.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

מַתָּן בַּסֵּתֶר יִכְפֶּה ־ אָף וְשֹׁחַד בַּחֵק חֵמָה עַזָּה׃

14 δόσις λάθριος ἀνατρέπει ὀργάς, δώρων δὲ ὁ φειδόμενος θυμὸν ἐγείρει ἰσχυρόν.	14 δόσις λάθριος ἀνατρέπει ὀργάς, δώρων δὲ ὁ φειδόμενος θυμὸν ἐγείρει ἰσχυρόν.
14 A secret gift calms anger; but he who forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.	14 A secret gift calms anger; but he who forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment; but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

שִׂמְחָה לַצַּדִּיק עֲשֹׂות מִשְׁפָּט וּמְחִתָּה לְפֹעֲלֵי אָוֶן׃

15 εὐφροσύνη δικαίων ποιεῖν κρίμα, ὅσιος δὲ ἀκάθαρτος παρὰ κακούργοις.	15 εὐφροσύνη δικαίων ποιεῖν κρίμα, ὅσιος δὲ ἀκάθαρτος παρὰ κακούργοις.
15 It is the joy of the righteous to do judgment; but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.	15 It is the joy of the righteous to do judgment; but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.

16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

אָדָם תֹּועֶה מִדֶּרֶךְ הַשְׂכֵּל בִּקְהַל רְפָאִים יָנוּחַ׃

16 ἀνὴρ πλανώμενος ἐξ ὁδοῦ δικαιοσύνης, ἐν συναγωγῇ γιγάντων ἀναπαύσεται.	16 ἀνὴρ πλανώμενος ἐξ ὁδοῦ δικαιοσύνης ἐν συναγωγῇ γιγάντων ἀναπαύσεται.
16 A man who wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.	16 A man who wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.

17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

אִישׁ מַחְסֹור אֹהֵב שִׂמְחָה אֹהֵב יַיִן ־ וָשֶׁמֶן לֹא יַעֲשִׁיר׃

17 ἀνὴρ ἐνδεὴς ἀγαπᾷ εὐφροσύνην φιλῶν οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον εἰς πλοῦτον·	17 ἀνὴρ ἐνδεὴς ἀγαπᾷ εὐφροσύνην, φιλῶν οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον εἰς πλοῦτον·
17 A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;	17 A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

כֹּפֶר לַצַּדִּיק רָשָׁע וְתַחַת יְשָׁרִים בֹּוגֵד׃

18 περικάθαρμα δὲ δικαίου ἄνομος.	18 περικάθαρμα δὲ δικαίου ἄνομος.
18 and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.	18 and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

טֹוב שֶׁבֶת בְּאֶרֶץ ־ מִדְבָּר מֵאֵשֶׁת מְדֹונִים וָכָעַס׃

19 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐν γῇ ἐρήμῳ ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς μαχίμου καὶ γλωσσώδους καὶ ὀργίλου.	19 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐν γῇ ἐρήμῳ ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς μαχίμου καὶ γλωσσώδους καὶ ὀργίλου.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and short-tempered woman.	19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and short-tempered woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.

אֹוצָר נֶחְמָד וָשֶׁמֶן בִּנְוֵה חָכָם וּכְסִיל אָדָם יְבַלְּעֶנּוּ׃

20 θησαυρὸς ἐπιθυμητὸς ἀναπαύσεται ἐπὶ στόματος σοφοῦ, ἄφρονες δὲ ἄνδρες καταπίονται αὐτόν.	20 θησαυρὸς ἐπιθυμητὸς ἀναπαύσεται ἐπὶ στόματος σοφοῦ, ἄφρονες δὲ ἄνδρες καταπίονται αὐτόν.
20 A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.	20 A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.

21 He who follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.

רֹדֵף צְדָקָה וָחָסֶד יִמְצָא חַיִּים צְדָקָה וְכָבֹוד׃

21 ὁδὸς δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐλεημοσύνης εὑρήσει ζωὴν καὶ δόξαν.	21 ὁδὸς δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐλεημοσύνης εὑρήσει ζωὴν καὶ δόξαν.
21 The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.	21 The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the strength of the confidence of it.

עִיר גִּבֹּרִים עָלָה חָכָם וַיֹּרֶד עֹז מִבְטֶחָה׃

22 πόλεις ὀχυρὰς ἐπέβη σοφὸς καὶ καθεῖλεν τὸ ὀχύρωμα, ἐφ’ ᾧ ἐπεποίθεισαν οἱ ἀσεβεῖς.	22 πόλεις ὀχυρὰς ἐπέβη σοφὸς καὶ καθεῖλε τὸ ὀχύρωμα, ἐφ’ ᾧ ἐπεποίθεισαν οἱ ἀσεβεῖς.
22 A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.	22 A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.

23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

שֹׁמֵר פִּיו וּלְשֹׁונֹו שֹׁמֵר מִצָּרֹות נַפְשֹׁו׃

23 ὃς φυλάσσει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν, διατηρεῖ ἐκ θλίψεως τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.	23 ὃς φυλάσσει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν, διατηρεῖ ἐκ θλίψεως τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.	23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.

זֵד יָהִיר לֵץ שְׁמֹו עֹושֶׂה בְּעֶבְרַת זָדֹון׃

24 θρασὺς καὶ αὐθάδης καὶ ἀλαζὼν λοιμὸς καλεῖται· ὃς δὲ μνησικακεῖ παράνομος.	24 θρασὺς καὶ αὐθάδης καὶ ἀλαζὼν λοιμὸς καλεῖται, ὃς δὲ μνησικακεῖ, παράνομος.
24 A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest; and he who remembers injuries is a transgressor.	24 A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest; and he who remembers injuries is a transgressor.

25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labour.

תַּאֲוַת עָצֵל תְּמִיתֶנּוּ כִּי ־ מֵאֲנוּ יָדָיו לַעֲשֹׂות׃

25 ἐπιθυμίαι ὀκνηρὸν ἀποκτείνουσιν· οὐ γὰρ προαιροῦνται αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ ποιεῖν τι.	25 ἐπιθυμίαι ὀκνηρὸν ἀποκτείνουσιν, οὐ γὰρ προαιροῦνται αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ ποιεῖν τι.
25 Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands don’t choose to do anything.	25 Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands don’t choose to do anything.

26 He covets greedily all the day long; but the righteous gives and spares not.

כָּל ־ הַיֹּום הִתְאַוָּה תַאֲוָה וְצַדִּיק יִתֵּן וְלֹא יַחְשֹׂךְ׃

26 ἀσεβὴς ἐπιθυμεῖ ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐπιθυμίας κακάς, ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐλεᾷ καὶ οἰκτίρει ἀφειδῶς.	26 ἀσεβὴς ἐπιθυμεῖ ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐπιθυμίας κακάς, ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐλεᾷ καὶ οἰκτείρει ἀφειδῶς.
26 An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day; but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.	26 An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day; but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?

זֶבַח רְשָׁעִים תֹּועֵבָה אַף כִּי ־ בְזִמָּה יְבִיאֶנּוּ׃

27 θυσίαι ἀσεβῶν βδέλυγμα κυρίῳ, καὶ γὰρ παρανόμως προσφέρουσιν αὐτάς.	27 θυσίαι ἀσεβῶν βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ, καὶ γὰρ παρανόμως προσφέρουσιν αὐτάς.
27 The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.	27 The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.

28 A false witness shall perish; but the man who hears speaks constantly.

עֵד ־ כְּזָבִים יֹאבֵד וְאִישׁ שֹׁומֵעַ לָנֶצַח יְדַבֵּר׃

28 μάρτυς ψευδὴς ἀπολεῖται, ἀνὴρ δὲ ὑπήκοος φυλασσόμενος λαλήσει.	28 μάρτυς ψευδὴς ἀπολεῖται, ἀνὴρ δὲ ὑπήκοος φυλασσόμενος λαλήσει.
28 A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.	28 A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.

29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he directs his way.

הֵעֵז אִישׁ רָשָׁע בְּפָנָיו וְיָשָׁר הוּא יָכִין דְּרָכָיו

29 ἀσεβὴς ἀνὴρ ἀναιδῶς ὑφίσταται προσώπῳ, ὁ δὲ εὐθὴς αὐτὸς συνίει τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ.	29 ἀσεβὴς ἀνὴρ ἀναιδῶς ὑφίσταται προσώπῳ, ὁ δὲ εὐθὴς αὐτὸς συνίει τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ.
29 An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.	29 An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

אֵין חָכְמָה וְאֵין תְּבוּנָה וְאֵין עֵצָה לְנֶגֶד יְהוָה׃ פ

30 οὐκ ἔστιν σοφία οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνδρεία, οὐκ ἔστιν βουλὴ πρὸς τὸν ἀσεβῆ.	30 οὐκ ἔστι σοφία, οὐκ ἐστιν ἀνδρεία, οὐκ ἔστι βουλὴ πρὸς τὸν ἀσεβῆ.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.	30 There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but safety is of Yahweh.

סוּס מוּכָן לְיֹום מִלְחָמָה וְלַיהוָה הַתְּשׁוּעָה׃

31 ἵππος ἑτοιμάζεται εἰς ἡμέραν πολέμου, παρὰ δὲ κυρίου ἡ βοήθεια.	31 ἵππος ἑτοιμάζεται εἰς ἡμέραν πολέμου, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου ἡ βοήθεια.
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.	31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.