Proverbs

1 Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring forth.

1 Μὴ καυχῶ τὰ εἰς αὔριον· οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται ἡ ἐπιοῦσα.	1 μὴ καυχῶ τὰ εἰς αὔριον, οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται ἡ ἐπιοῦσα.
1 Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what the next day shall bring forth.	1 Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what the next day shall bring forth.

2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

2 ἐγκωμιαζέτω σὲ ὁ πέλας καὶ μὴ τὸ σὸν στόμα, ἀλλότριος καὶ μὴ τὰ σὰ χείλη.	2 ἐγκωμιαζέτω σε ὁ πέλας καὶ μὴ τὸ σὸν στόμα, ἀλλότριος καὶ μὴ τὰ σὰ χείλη.
2 Let your neighbour, and not your own mouth, praise you; a stranger, and not your own lips.	2 Let your neighbour, and not your own mouth, praise you; a stranger, and not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

3 βαρὺ λίθος καὶ δυσβάστακτον ἄμμος, ὀργὴ δὲ ἄφρονος βαρυτέρα ἀμφοτέρων.	3 βαρὺ λίθος καὶ δυσβάστακτον ἄμμος, ὀργὴ δὲ ἄφρονος βαρυτέρα ἀμφοτέρων.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both.	3 A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both.

4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

4 ἀνελεήμων θυμὸς καὶ ὀξεῖα ὀργή, ἀλλ’ οὐδένα ὑφίσταται ζῆλος.	4 ἀνελεήμων θυμὸς καὶ ὀξεῖα ὀργή, ἀλλ’ οὐδένα ὑφίσταται ζῆλος.
4 Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp; but envy can bear nothing.	4 Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp; but envy can bear nothing.

5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.

5 κρείσσους ἔλεγχοι ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι κρυπτομένης φιλίας.	5 κρείσσους ἔλεγχοι ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι κρυπτομένης φιλίας.
5 Open reproofs are better than secret love.	5 Open reproofs are better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

6 ἀξιοπιστότερά ἐστιν τραύματα φίλου ἢ ἑκούσια φιλήματα ἐχθροῦ.	6 ἀξιοπιστότερά εἰσι τραύματα φίλου ἢ ἑκούσια φιλήματα ἐχθροῦ.
6 The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy.	6 The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy.

7 The full soul hates a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

7 Ψυχὴ ἐν πλησμονῇ οὖσα κηρίοις ἐμπαίζει, ψυχῇ δὲ ἐνδεεῖ καὶ τὰ πικρὰ γλυκεῖα φαίνεται.	7 ψυχὴ ἐν πλησμονῇ οὖσα κηρίοις ἐμπαίζει, ψυχῇ δὲ ἐνδεεῖ καὶ τὰ πικρὰ γλυκέα φαίνεται.
7 A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet.	7 A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet.

8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his place.

8 ὥσπερ ὅταν ὄρνεον καταπετασθῇ ἐκ τῆς ἰδίας νοσσιᾶς, οὕτως ἄνθρωπος δουλοῦται, ὅταν ἀποξενωθῇ ἐκ τῶν ἰδίων τόπων.	8 ὥσπερ ὅταν ὄρνεον καταπετασθῇ ἐκ τῆς ἰδίας νοσσιᾶς, οὕτως ἄνθρωπος δουλοῦται ὅταν ἀποξενωθῇ ἐκ τῶν ἰδίων τόπων.
8 As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he banishes himself from his own place.	8 As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he banishes himself from his own place.

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

9 μύροις καὶ οἴνοις καὶ θυμιάμασιν τέρπεται καρδία, καταρρήγνυται δὲ ὑπὸ συμπτωμάτων ψυχή.	9 μύροις καὶ οἴνοις καὶ θυμιάμασι τέρπεται καρδία, καταρρήγνυται δὲ ὑπὸ συμπτωμάτων ψυχή.
9 The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes; but the soul is broken by calamities.	9 The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes; but the soul is broken by calamities.

10 Don’t forsake your own friend and your father’s friend; neither go into your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

10 Φίλον σὸν ἢ φίλον πατρῷον μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς, εἰς δὲ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου μὴ εἰσέλθῃς ἀτυχῶν· κρείσσων φίλος ἐγγὺς ἢ ἀδελφὸς μακρὰν οἰκῶν.	10 φίλον σὸν ἢ φίλον πατρῷον μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς, εἰς δὲ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου μὴ εἰσέλθῃς ἀτυχῶν· κρείσσων φίλος ἐγγὺς ἢ ἀδελφὸς μακρὰν οἰκῶν.
10 Don’t forsake your own friend and your father’s friend; and when you are in distress don’t go into your brother’s house: better is a friend that is near than a brother living far off.	10 Don’t forsake your own friend and your father’s friend; and when you are in distress don’t go into your brother’s house: better is a friend that is near than a brother living far off.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.

11 σοφὸς γίνου, υἱέ, ἵνα εὐφραίνηταί μου ἡ καρδία, καὶ ἀπόστρεψον ἀπὸ σου ἐπονειδίστους λόγους.	11 σοφὸς γίνου, υἱέ, ἵνα σου εὐφραίνηται ἡ καρδία, καὶ ἀπόστρεψον ἀπὸ σοῦ ἐπονειδίστους λόγους.
11 Son, be wise, that your heart may rejoice; and remove from yourself reproachful words.	11 Son, be wise, that your heart may rejoice; and remove from yourself reproachful words.

12 A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

12 πανοῦργος κακῶν ἐπερχομένων ἀπεκρύβη, ἄφρονες δὲ ἐπελθόντες ζημίαν τείσουσιν.	12 πανοῦργος κακῶν ἐπερχομένων ἀπεκρύβη, ἄφρονες δὲ ἐπελθόντες ζημίαν τίσουσιν.
12 A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished.	12 A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished.

13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

13 ἀφελοῦ τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ, παρῆλθεν γάρ· ὑβριστὴς ὅστις τὰ ἀλλότρια λυμαίνεται.	13 ἀφελοῦ τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ, παρῆλθε γὰρ ὑβριστής, ὅστις τὰ ἀλλότρια λυμαίνεται.
13 Take away the man’s garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another’s goods.	13 Take away the man’s garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another’s goods.

14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

14 ὃς ἄν εὐλογῇ φίλον τὸ πρωῒ μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ, καταρωμένου οὐδὲν διαφέρειν δόξει.	14 ὃς ἄν εὐλογῇ φίλον τὸ πρωῒ μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ, καταρωμένου οὐδὲν διαφέρειν δόξει.
14 Whoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses him.	14 Whoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses him.

15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

15 Σταγόνες ἐκβάλλουσιν ἄνθρωπον ἐν ἡμέρᾳ χειμερινῇ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, ὡσαύτως καὶ γυνὴ λοίδορος ἐκ τοῦ ἰδίου οἴκου.	15 σταγόνες ἐκβάλλουσιν ἄνθρωπον ἐν ἡμέρᾳ χειμερινῇ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, ὡσαύτως καὶ γυνὴ λοίδορος ἐκ τοῦ ἰδίου οἴκου.
15 On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house.	15 On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house.

16 Whoever hides her hides the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which betrays itself.

16 βορέας σκληρὸς ἄνεμος, ὀνόματι δὲ ἐπιδέξιος καλεῖται.	16 Βορέας σκληρὸς ἄνεμος, ὀνόματι δὲ ἐπιδέξιος καλεῖται.
16 The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious.	16 The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious.

17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

17 σίδηρος σίδηρον ὀξύνει, ἀνὴρ δὲ παροξύνει πρόσωπον ἑταίρου.	17 σίδηρος σίδηρον ὀξύνει, ἀνὴρ δὲ παροξύνει πρόσωπον ἑταίρου.
17 Iron sharpens iron; and a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.	17 Iron sharpens iron; and a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

18 Whoever keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit of it; so he who waits on his master shall be honoured.

18 ὃς φυτεύει συκῆν, φάγεται τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς· ὃς δὲ φυλάσσει τὸν ἑαυτοῦ κύριον, τιμηθήσεται.	18 ὃς φυτεύει συκῆν φάγεται τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς, ὃς δὲ φυλάσσει τὸν ἑαυτοῦ κύριον, τιμηθήσεται.
18 He who plants a fig-tree shall eat the fruits of it; so he who waits on his own master shall be honoured.	18 He who plants a fig-tree shall eat the fruits of it; so he who waits on his own master shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answers to face, so the heart of man to man.

19 ὥσπερ οὐχ ὅμοια πρόσωπα προσώποις, οὕτως οὐδὲ αἱ καρδίαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων.	19 ὥσπερ οὐκ ὅμοια πρόσωπα προσώποις, οὕτως οὐδὲ αἱ διάνοιαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
19 As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men.	19 As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men.

20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

20 ᾅδης καὶ ἀπώλεια οὐκ ἐμπίμπλανται, ὡσαύτως καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἄπληστοι.	20 ᾅδης καὶ ἀπώλεια οὐκ ἐμπίμπλανται, ὡσαύτως καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἄπληστοι.
20 Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable.	20 Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable.

20a N/A

20a βδέλυγμα κυρίῳ στηρίζων ὀφθαλμόν, καὶ οἱ ἀπαίδευτοι ἀκρατεῖς γλώσσῃ.	20a βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ στηρίζων ὀφθαλμόν, καὶ οἱ ἀπαίδευτοι ἀκρατεῖς γλώσσῃ.
20a He who fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed don’t restrain their tongue.	20a He who fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed don’t restrain their tongue.

21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

21 δοκίμιον ἀργύρῳ καὶ χρυσῷ πύρωσις, ἀνὴρ δὲ δοκιμάζεται διὰ στόματος ἐγκωμιαζόντων αὐτόν.	21 δοκίμιον ἀργύρῳ καὶ χρυσῷ πύρωσις, ἀνὴρ δὲ δοκιμάζεται διὰ στόματος ἐγκωμιαζόντων αὐτόν.
21 Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of those who praise him.	21 Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of those who praise him.

21a N/A

21a καρδία ἀνόμου ἐκζητεῖ κακά, καρδία δὲ εὐθὴς ἐκζητεῖ γνῶσιν.	21a καρδία ἀνόμου ἐκζητεῖ κακά, καρδία δὲ εὐθὴς ἐκζητεῖ γνῶσιν.
21a The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge.	21a The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge.

22 Though you should grind a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet his foolishness won’t depart from him.

22 ἐὰν μαστιγοῖς ἄφρονα ἐν μέσῳ συνεδρίου ἀτιμάζων, οὐ μὴ περιέλῃς τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ.	22 ἐὰν μαστιγοῖς ἄφρονα ἐν μέσῳ συνεδρίου ἀτιμάζων, οὐ μὴ περιέλῃς τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ.
22 Though you scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, you will still in no way remove his folly from him.	22 Though you scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, you will still in no way remove his folly from him.

23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.

23 Γνωστῶς ἐπιγνώσῃ ψυχὰς ποιμνίου σου καὶ ἐπιστήσεις καρδίαν σου σαῖς ἀγέλαις·	23 γνωστῶς ἐπιγνώσῃ ψυχὰς ποιμνίου σου καὶ ἐπιστήσεις καρδίαν σου σαῖς ἀγέλαις·
23 Thoroughly know the number of your flock, and pay attention to your herds.	23 Thoroughly know the number of your flock, and pay attention to your herds.

24 For riches are not for ever; and does the crown endure to every generation?

24 ὅτι οὐ τὸν αἰῶνα ἀνδρὶ κράτος καὶ ἰσχύς, οὐδὲ παραδίδωσιν ἐκ γενεᾶς εἰς γενεάν.	24 ὅτι οὐκ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἀνδρὶ κράτος καὶ ἰσχύς, οὐδὲ παραδίδωσιν ἐκ γενεᾶς εἰς γενεάν.
24 For a man hasn’t strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation.	24 For a man hasn’t strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation.

25 The hay appears, and the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

25 ἐπιμελοῦ τῶν ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ χλωρῶν καὶ κερεῖς πόαν καὶ σύναγε χόρτον ὀρεινόν,	25 ἐπιμελοῦ τῶν ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ χλωρῶν καὶ κερεῖς πόαν, καὶ σύναγε χόρτον ὀρεινόν,
25 Take care of the herbage in the field, and you shall cut grass, and gather the mountain hay;	25 Take care of the herbage in the field, and you shall cut grass, and gather the mountain hay;

26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

26 ἵνα ἔχῃς πρόβατα εἰς ἱματισμόν· τίμα πεδίον, ἵνα ὦσίν σοί ἄρνες.	26 ἵνα ἔχῃς πρόβατα εἰς ἱματισμόν· τίμα πεδίον, ἵνα ὦσί σοι ἄρνες.
26 that you may have wool of sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that you may have lambs.	26 that you may have wool of sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that you may have lambs.

27 And you shall have goats’ milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance for your maidens.

27 υἱέ παρ’ ἐμοῦ ἔχεις ῥήσεις ἰσχυρὰς εἰς τὴν ζωήν σου καὶ εἰς τὴν ζωὴν σῶν θεραπόντων.	27 υἱέ, παρ’ ἐμοῦ ἔχεις ῥήσεις ἰσχυρὰς εἰς τὴν ζωήν σου καὶ εἰς τὴν ζωὴν σῶν θεραπόντων.
27 My son, you have from me words very useful for your life, and for the life of your servants.	27 My son, you have from me words very useful for your life, and for the life of your servants.