Proverbs

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

1 Αὗται αἱ παιδεῖαι Σαλωμῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι, ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι Ἐζεκίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας.	1 Αὗται αἱ παιδεῖαι Σολομῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι, ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι Ἐζεκίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας. -
1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.	1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

2 Δόξα θεοῦ κρύπτει λόγον, δόξα δὲ βασιλέως τιμᾷ πράγματα.	2 Δόξα Θεοῦ κρύπτει λόγον, δόξα δὲ βασιλέως τιμᾷ πράγματα.
2 The glory of God conceals a matter; but the glory of a king honours business.	2 The glory of God conceals a matter; but the glory of a king honours business.

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

3 οὐρανὸς ὑψηλός, γῆ δὲ βαθεῖα, καρδία δὲ βασιλέως ἀνεξέλεγκτος.	3 οὐρανὸς ὑψηλός, γῆ δὲ βαθεῖα, καρδία δὲ βασιλέως ἀνεξέλεγκτος.
3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king’s heart is unsearchable.	3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king’s heart is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

4 τύπτε ἀδόκιμον ἀργύριον, καὶ καθαρισθήσεται καθαρὸν ἅπαν·	4 τύπτε ἀδόκιμον ἀργύριον, καὶ καθαρισθήσεται καθαρὸν ἅπαν·
4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.	4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

5 κτεῖνε ἀσεβεῖς ἐκ προσώπου βασιλέως, καὶ κατορθώσει ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ.	5 κτεῖνε ἀσεβεῖς ἐκ προσώπου βασιλέως, καὶ κατορθώσει ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ.
5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.	5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.

6 Don’t put forth yourself in the presence of the king, and don’t stand in the place of great men.

6 Μὴ ἀλαζονεύου ἐνώπιον βασιλέως μηδὲ ἐν τόποις δυναστῶν ὑφίστασο·	6 μὴ ἀλαζονεύου ἐνώπιον βασιλέως, μηδὲ ἐν τόποις δυναστῶν ὑφίστασο·
6 Don’t be boastful in the presence of the king, and don’t remain in the places of princes;	6 Don’t be boastful in the presence of the king, and don’t remain in the places of princes;

7 For it is better that it be said to you, Come up here; than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen.

7 κρεῖσσον γάρ σοί τὸ ῥηθῆναι, ἀνάβαινε πρός με, ἢ ταπεινῶσαί σὲ ἐν προσώπῳ δυνάστου. ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου, λέγε.	7 κρεῖσσον γάρ σοι τὸ ῥηθῆναι· ἀνάβαινε πρός με ἢ ταπεινῶσαί σε ἐν προσώπῳ δυνάστου. ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου, λέγε.
7 for it is better for you to whom it should be said, Come up to me, than that one should humble you in the presence of the prince; speak of what your eyes have seen.	7 for it is better for you to whom it should be said, Come up to me, than that one should humble you in the presence of the prince; speak of what your eyes have seen.

8 Don’t go forth hastily to quarrel, lest you don’t know what to do in the end of it, when your neighbour has put you to shame.

8 Μὴ πρόσπιπτε εἰς μάχην ταχέως, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθῇς ἐπ’ ἐσχάτων.	8 μὴ πρόσπιπτε εἰς μάχην ταχέως, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθῇς ἐπ’ ἐσχάτων. ἡνίκα ἄν σε ὀνειδίσῃ ὁ σὸς φίλος,
8 Don’t get suddenly into a quarrel, lest you repent at last.	8 Don’t get suddenly into a quarrel, lest you repent at last.

9 Debate your cause with your neighbour himself; and don’t reveal a secret to another.

9 ἡνίκα ἄν σὲ ὀνειδίσῃ ὁ σὸς φίλος, ἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, μὴ καταφρόνει,	9 ἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω μὴ καταφρόνει,
9 Whenever your friend shall reproach you, retreat backward, don’t despise him;	9 Whenever your friend shall reproach you, retreat backward, don’t despise him;

10 Lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.

10 μή σὲ ὀνειδίσῃ μὲν ὁ φίλος, ἡ δὲ μάχη σου καὶ ἡ ἔχθρα οὐκ ἀπέσται, ἀλλ’ ἔσται σοί ἴση θανάτῳ.	10 μή σε ὀνειδίσῃ μὲν ὁ φίλος, ἡ δὲ μάχη σου καὶ ἡ ἔχθρα οὐκ ἀπέσται, ἀλλὰ ἔσται σοι ἴση θανάτῳ.
10 lest your friend continue to reproach you, so your quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to you like death.	10 lest your friend continue to reproach you, so your quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to you like death.

10a N/A

10a χάρις καὶ φιλία ἐλευθεροῖ, ἃς τήρησον σεαυτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐπονείδιστος γένῃ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξον τὰς ὁδούς σου εὐσυναλλάκτως.	10a χάρις καὶ φιλία ἐλευθεροῖ, ἃς τήρησον σεαυτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐπονείδιστος γένῃ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξον τὰς ὁδούς σου εὐσυναλλάκτως.
10a Favour and friendship set a man free, which do you keep for yourself, lest you be made liable to reproach; but take heed to your ways peaceably.	10a Favour and friendship set a man free, which do you keep for yourself, lest you be made liable to reproach; but take heed to your ways peaceably.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

11 Μῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον.	11 μῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον.
11 As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.	11 As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.

12 εἰς ἐνώτιον χρυσοῦν σάρδιον πολυτελὲς δέδεται, λόγος σοφὸς εἰς εὐήκοον οὖς.	12 εἰς ἐνώτιον χρυσοῦν καὶ σάρδιον πολυτελὲς δέδεται, λόγος σοφὸς εἰς εὐήκοον οὖς.
12 In an earring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so is a wise word to an obedient ear.	12 In an earring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so is a wise word to an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

13 ὥσπερ ἔξοδος χιόνος ἐν ἀμήτῳ κατὰ καῦμα ὠφελεῖ, οὕτως ἄγγελος πιστὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτόν· ψυχὰς γὰρ τῶν αὐτῷ χρωμένων ὠφελεῖ.	13 ὥσπερ ἔξοδος χιόνος ἐν ἀμήτῳ κατὰ καῦμα ὠφελεῖ, οὕτως ἄγγελος πιστὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτόν· ψυχὰς γὰρ τῶν αὐτῷ χρωμένων ὠφελεῖ.
13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger refreshes those who send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.	13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger refreshes those who send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.

14 Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

14 Ὥσπερ ἄνεμοι καὶ νέφη καὶ ὑετοὶ ἐπιφανέστατοι, οὕτως οἱ καυχώμενοι ἐπὶ δόσει ψεύδει.	14 ὥσπερ ἄνεμοι καὶ νέφη καὶ ὑετοὶ ἐπιφανέστατα, οὕτως ὁ καυχώμενος ἐπὶ δόσει ψευδεῖ.
14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so is he who boasts of a false gift.	14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so is he who boasts of a false gift.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

15 ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ εὐοδία βασιλεῦσιν, γλῶσσα δὲ μαλακὴ συντρίβει ὀστᾶ.	15 ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ εὐοδία βασιλεῦσι, γλῶσσα δὲ μαλακὴ συντρίβει ὀστᾶ.
15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.	15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

16 Have you found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled with it, and vomit it.

16 μέλι εὑρὼν φάγε τὸ ἱκανόν, μήποτε πλησθεὶς ἐξεμέσῃς.	16 μέλι εὑρὼν φάγε τὸ ἱκανόν, μήποτε πλησθεὶς ἐξεμέσῃς.
16 Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest perhaps you be filled, and vomit it up.	16 Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest perhaps you be filled, and vomit it up.

17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.

17 σπάνιον εἴσαγε σὸν πόδα πρὸς τὸν σεαυτοῦ φίλον, μήποτε πλησθείς σου μισήσῃ σε.	17 σπάνιον εἴσαγε σὸν πόδα πρὸς σεαυτοῦ φίλον, μήποτε πλησθείς σου μισήσῃ σε.
17 Enter sparingly into your friend’s house, lest he be satiated with your company, and hate you.	17 Enter sparingly into your friend’s house, lest he be satiated with your company, and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

18 ῥόπαλον καὶ μάχαιρα καὶ τόξευμα ἀκιδωτόν, οὕτως καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ καταμαρτυρῶν τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ.	18 ῥόπαλον καὶ μάχαιρα καὶ τόξευμα ἀκιδωτόν, οὕτως καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ καταμαρτυρῶν τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ.
18 As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.	18 As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

19 ὁδοὺς κακοῦ καὶ ποὺς παρανόμου ὀλεῖται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ.	19 ὁδὸς κακοῦ καὶ ποὺς παρανόμου ὀλεῖται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ.
19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.	19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.

20 As he who takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar on nitre, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

20 Ὥσπερ ὄξος ἕλκει ἀσύμφορον, οὕτως προσπεσὸν πάθος ἐν σώματι καρδίαν λυπεῖ.	20 ὥσπερ ὄξος ἕλκει ἀσύμφορον, οὕτως προσπεσὸν πάθος ἐν σώματι καρδίαν λυπεῖ.
20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart.	20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart.

20a N/A

20a ὥσπερ σὴς ἱματίῳ καὶ σκώληξ ξύλῳ, οὕτως λύπη ἀνδρὸς βλάπτει καρδίαν.	20a ὥσπερ σὴς ἐν ἱματίῳ καὶ σκώληξ ξύλῳ, οὕτως λύπη ἀνδρὸς βλάπτει καρδίαν.
20a As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.	20a As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.

21 If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.

21 Ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, τρέφε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν·	21 ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν·
21 If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;	21 If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;

22 For you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh shall reward you.

22 τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοί ἀγαθά.	22 τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά.
22 for so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord shall reward you with good.	22 for so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord shall reward you with good.

23 The north wind drives away rain; so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

23 ἄνεμος βορέας ἐξεγείρει νέφη, πρόσωπον δὲ ἀναιδὲς γλῶσσαν ἐρεθίζει.	23 ἄνεμος Βορέας ἐξεγείρει νέφη, πρόσωπον δὲ ἀναιδὲς γλῶσσαν ἐρεθίζει.
23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.	23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.

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

24 κρεῖττον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας δώματος ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς λοιδόρου ἐν οἰκίᾳ κοινῇ.	24 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας δώματος ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς λοιδόρου ἐν οἰκίᾳ κοινῇ.
24 It is better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.	24 It is better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25 ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ψυχρὸν ψυχῇ διψώσῃ προσηνές, οὕτως ἀγγελία ἀγαθὴ ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν.	25 ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ψυχρὸν ψυχῇ διψώσῃ προσηνές, οὕτως ἀγγελία ἀγαθὴ ἐκ γῆς μακροθυμεῖ.
25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.	25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

26 ὥσπερ εἴ τις πηγὴν φράσσοι καὶ ὕδατος ἔξοδον λυμαίνοιτο οὕτως ἄκοσμον δίκαιον πεπτωκέναι πεπτωκέναι ἐνώπιον ἀσεβοῦς.	26 ὥσπερ εἴ τις πηγὴ φράσσοι καὶ ὕδατος ἔξοδον λυμαίνοιτο, οὕτως ἄκοσμον δίκαιον πεπτωκέναι ἐνώπιον ἀσεβοῦς.
26 As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so is it unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.	26 As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so is it unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.

27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

27 ἐσθίειν μέλι πολὺ οὐ καλόν, τιμᾶν δὲ χρὴ λόγους ἐνδόξους.	27 ἐσθίειν μέλι πολὺ οὐ καλόν, τιμᾶ δὲ χρὴ λόγους ἐνδόξους.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.	27 It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.

28 He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

28 ὥσπερ πόλις τὰ τείχη καταβεβλημένη καὶ ἀτείχιστος, οὕτως ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐ μετὰ βουλῆς τι πράσσει.	28 ὥσπερ πόλις τὰ τείχει καταβεβλημένη καὶ ἀτείχιστος, οὕτως ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐ μετὰ βουλῆς τι πράσσει.
28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.	28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.