Proverbs

1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke to Ithiel, even to Ithiel and Ucal,

1 Τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους, υἱέ, φοβήθητι καὶ δεξάμενος αὐτοὺς μετανόει· τάδε λέγει ὁ ἀνὴρ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν θεῷ, καὶ παύομαι·	1 τάδε λέγει ὁ ἀνὴρ τοῖς πιστεύουσι Θεῷ, καὶ παύομαι·
1 These things says the man to those who trust in God; and I cease.	1 These things says the man to those who trust in God; and I cease.

2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and haven’t the understanding of a man.

2 Ἀφρονέστατος γάρ εἰμι πάντων ἀνθρώπων, καὶ φρόνησις ἀνθρώπων οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἐμοί·	2 ἀφρονέστατος γάρ εἰμι ἁπάντων ἀνθρώπων, καὶ φρόνησις ἀνθρώπων οὐκ ἐστιν ἐν ἐμοί·
2 For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men.	2 For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men.

3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

3 θεὸς δεδίδαχέν με σοφίαν, καὶ γνῶσιν ἁγίων ἔγνωκα.	3 Θεὸς δεδίδαχέ με σοφίαν, καὶ γνῶσιν ἁγίων ἔγνωκα.
3 God has taught me wisdom, and I know the knowledge of the holy.	3 God has taught me wisdom, and I know the knowledge of the holy.

4 Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you can tell?

4 τίς ἀνέβη εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ κατέβη; τίς συνήγαγεν ἀνέμους ἐν κόλπῳ τίς συνέστρεψεν ὕδωρ ἐν ἱματίῳ; τίς ἐκράτησεν πάντων τῶν ἄκρων τῆς γῆς; τί ὄνομα αὐτῷ, ἢ τί ὄνομα τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτοῦ, ἵνα γνῷς;	4 τίς ἀνέβη εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ κατέβη; τίς συνήγαγεν ἀνέμους ἐν κόλπῳ; τίς συνέστρεψεν ὕδωρ ἐν ἱματίῳ; τίς ἐκράτησε πάντων τῶν ἄκρων τῆς γῆς; τί ὄνομα αὐτῷ, ἢ τί ὄνομα τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτοῦ;
4 Who has gone up to heaven, and come down? Who has gathered the winds in his bosom? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has dominion of all the ends of the earth? What is his name? Or what is the name of his children?	4 Who has gone up to heaven, and come down? Who has gathered the winds in his bosom? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has dominion of all the ends of the earth? What is his name? Or what is the name of his children?

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to those who put their trust in him.

5 πάντες λόγοι θεοῦ πεπυρωμένοι, ὑπερασπίζει δὲ αὐτὸς τῶν εὐλαβουμένων αὐτόν·	5 πάντες γὰρ λόγοι Θεοῦ πεπυρωμένοι, ὑπερασπίζει δὲ αὐτὸς τῶν εὐλαβουμένων αὐτόν.
5 For all the words of God are tried in the fire, and he defends those who reverence him.	5 For all the words of God are tried in the fire, and he defends those who reverence him.

6 Don’t add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.

6 μὴ προσθῇς τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἐλέγξῃ σὲ καὶ ψευδὴς γένῃ.	6 μὴ προσθῇς τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἐλέγξῃ σε καὶ ψευδὴς γένῃ.
6 Add not to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be made a liar.	6 Add not to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be made a liar.

7 Two things have I required of you; don’t deny them to me before I die.

7 Δύο αἰτοῦμαι παρὰ σου, μὴ ἀφέλῃς μου χάριν πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν με·	7 δύο αἰτοῦμαι παρὰ σοῦ, μὴ ἀφέλῃς μου χάριν πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν με·
7 Two things I ask of you; don’t take favour from me before I die.	7 Two things I ask of you; don’t take favour from me before I die.

8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.

8 μάταιον λόγον καὶ ψευδῆ μακράν μου ποίησον, πλοῦτον δὲ καὶ πενίαν μή μοι δῷς, σύνταξον δέ μοι τὰ δέοντα καὶ τὰ αὐτάρκη,	8 μάταιον λόγον καὶ ψευδῆ μακράν μου ποίησον, πλοῦτον δὲ καὶ πενίαν μή μοι δῷς, σύνταξον δέ μοι τὰ δέοντα καὶ τὰ αὐτάρκη,
8 Remove far from me vanity and falsehood; and don’t give me wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient.	8 Remove far from me vanity and falsehood; and don’t give me wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient.

9 Lest I be full, and deny you, and say, Who is Yahweh? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

9 ἵνα μὴ πλησθεὶς ψευδὴς γένωμαι καὶ εἴπω, τίς με ὁρᾷ; ἢ πενηθεὶς κλέψω καὶ ὀμόσω τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ.	9 ἵνα μὴ πλησθεὶς ψευδὴς γένωμαι καὶ εἴπω· τίς με ὁρᾷ; ἢ πενηθεὶς κλέψω καὶ ὀμόσω τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ.
9 lest I be filled and become false, and say, Who sees me? Or be poor and steal, and swear vainly by the name of God.	9 lest I be filled and become false, and say, Who sees me? Or be poor and steal, and swear vainly by the name of God.

10 Don’t accuse a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.

10 Μὴ παραδῷς οἰκέτην εἰς χεῖρας δεσπότου. μήποτε καταράσηταί σὲ καὶ ἀφανισθῇς.	10 μὴ παραδῷς οἰκέτην εἰς χεῖρας δεσπότου, μήποτε καταράσηταί σε καὶ ἀφανισθῇς.
10 Don’t deliver a servant into the hands of his master, lest he curse you, and you be utterly destroyed.	10 Don’t deliver a servant into the hands of his master, lest he curse you, and you be utterly destroyed.

11 There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother.

11 ἔκγονον κακὸν πατέρα καταρᾶται, τὴν δὲ μητέρα οὐκ εὐλογεῖ·	11 ἔκγονον κακὸν πατέρα καταρᾶται, τὴν δὲ μητέρα οὐκ εὐλογεῖ.
11 A wicked generation curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother.	11 A wicked generation curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother.

12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filth.

12 ἔκγονον κακὸν δίκαιον ἑαυτὸν κρίνει, τὴν δὲ ἔξοδον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπένιψεν·	12 ἔκγονον κακὸν δίκαιον ἑαυτὸν κρίνει. τὴν δ’ ἔξοδον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπένιψεν.
12 A wicked generation judge themselves to be just, but don’t cleanse their way.	12 A wicked generation judge themselves to be just, but don’t cleanse their way.

13 There is a generation, Oh how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

13 ἔκγονον κακὸν ὑψηλοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχει, τοῖς δὲ βλεφάροις αὐτοῦ ἐπαίρεται·	13 ἔκγονον κακὸν ὑψηλοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχει, τοῖς δὲ βλεφάροις αὐτοῦ ἐπαίρεται.
13 A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves with their eyelids.	13 A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves with their eyelids.

14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

14 ἔκγονον κακὸν μαχαίρας τοὺς ὀδόντας ἔχει καὶ τὰς μύλας τομίδας, ὥστε ἀναλίσκειν καὶ κατεσθίειν τοὺς ταπεινοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ τοὺς πένητας αὐτῶν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων.	14 ἔκγονον κακὸν μαχαίρας τοὺς ὀδόντας ἔχει καὶ τὰς μύλας τομίδας, ὥστε ἀναλίσκειν καὶ κατεσθίειν τοὺς ταπεινοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ τοὺς πένητας αὐτῶν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων.
14 A wicked generation has swords for teeth and jaw-teeth as knives, so as to destroy and devour the lowly from the earth, and the poor of them from among men.	14 A wicked generation has swords for teeth and jaw-teeth as knives, so as to destroy and devour the lowly from the earth, and the poor of them from among men.

15 The horseleach has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four things don’t say, It is enough.

15 Τῇ βδέλλῃ τρεῖς θυγατέρες ἦσαν ἀγαπήσει ἀγαπώμεναι, καὶ αἱ τρεῖς αὗται οὐκ ἐνεπίμπλασαν αὐτήν, καὶ ἡ τετάρτη οὐκ ἠρκέσθη εἰπεῖν, ἱκανόν·	15 Τῇ βδέλλῃ τρεῖς θυγατέρες ἦσαν ἀγαπήσει ἀγαπώμεναι, καὶ αἱ τρεῖς αὗται οὐκ ἐνεπίμπλασαν αὐτήν, καὶ ἡ τετάρτη οὐκ ἠρκέσθη εἰπεῖν· ἱκανόν.
15 The horse-leech had three dearly-beloved daughters; and these three didn’t satisfy her; and the fourth was not contented so as to say, Enough.	15 The horse-leech had three dearly-beloved daughters; and these three didn’t satisfy her; and the fourth was not contented so as to say, Enough.

16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that doesn’t say, It is enough.

16 ᾅδης καὶ ἔρως γυναικὸς καὶ τάρταρος καὶ γῆ οὐκ ἐμπιπλαμένη ὕδατος καὶ ὕδωρ καὶ πῦρ οὐ μὴ εἴπωσιν, ἀρκεῖ.	16 ᾅδης καὶ ἔρως γυναικὸς καὶ γῆ οὐκ ἐμπιπλαμένη ὕδατος καὶ ὕδωρ καὶ πῦρ οὐ μὴ εἴπωσιν· ἀρκεῖ·
16 The grave, and the love of a woman, and the earth not filled with water; water also and fire won’t say, It is enough.	16 The grave, and the love of a woman, and the earth not filled with water; water also and fire won’t say, It is enough.

17 The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

17 Ὀφθαλμὸν καταγελῶντα πατρὸς καὶ ἀτιμάζοντα γῆρας μητρός, ἐκκόψαισαν αὐτὸν κόρακες ἐκ τῶν φαράγγων, καὶ καταφάγοισαν αὐτὸν νεοσσοὶ ἀετῶν.	17 ὀφθαλμὸν καταγελῶντα πατρὸς καὶ ἀτιμάζοντα γῆρας μητρός, ἐκκόψαισαν αὐτὸν κόρακες ἐκ τῶν φαράγγων καὶ καταφάγοισαν αὐτὸν νεοσσοὶ ἀετῶν.
17 The eye that laughs to scorn a father, and dishonours the old age of a mother, let the ravens of the valleys pick it out, and let the young eagles devour it.	17 The eye that laughs to scorn a father, and dishonours the old age of a mother, let the ravens of the valleys pick it out, and let the young eagles devour it.

18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I don’t know.

18 τρία δέ ἐστιν ἀδύνατά μοι νοῆσαι, καὶ τὸ τέταρτον οὐκ ἐπιγινώσκω·	18 τρία δέ ἔστι ἀδύνατά μοι νοῆσαι, καὶ τὸ τέταρτον οὐκ ἐπιγινώσκω·
18 Moreover there are three things impossible for me to understand, and the fourth I don’t know.	18 Moreover there are three things impossible for me to understand, and the fourth I don’t know.

19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

19 ἴχνη ἀετοῦ πετομένου καὶ ὁδοὺς ὄφεως ἐπὶ πέτρας καὶ τρίβους νηὸς ποντοπορούσης καὶ ὁδοὺς ἀνδρὸς ἐν νεότητι.	19 ἴχνη ἀετοῦ πετομένου καὶ ὁδοὺς ὄφεως ἐπὶ πέτρας καὶ τρίβους νηὸς ποντοπορούσης καὶ ὁδοὺς ἀνδρὸς ἐν νεότητι.
19 the track of a flying eagle; and the ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a ship passing through the sea; and the ways of a man with a girl.	19 the track of a flying eagle; and the ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a ship passing through the sea; and the ways of a man with a girl.

20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness.

20 τοιαύτη ὁδὸς γυναικὸς μοιχαλίδος, ἥ, ὅταν πράξῃ, ἀπονιψαμένη οὐδέν φησιν πεπραχέναι ἄτοπον.	20 τοιαύτη ὁδὸς γυναικὸς μοιχαλίδος, ἥ, ὅταν πράξῃ, ἀπονιψαμένη, οὐδέν φησι πεπραχέναι ἄτοπον.
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who having washed herself from what she has done, says she has done nothing amiss.	20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who having washed herself from what she has done, says she has done nothing amiss.

21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear.

21 διὰ τριῶν σείεται ἡ γῆ, τὸ δὲ τέταρτον οὐ δύναται φέρειν·	21 διὰ τριῶν σείεται ἡ γῆ, τὸ δὲ τέταρτον οὐ δύναται φέρειν·
21 By three thing the earth is troubled, and the fourth it cannot bear.	21 By three thing the earth is troubled, and the fourth it cannot bear.

22 For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with food;

22 ἐὰν οἰκέτης βασιλεύσῃ, καὶ ἄφρων πλησθῇ σιτίων,	22 ἐὰν οἰκέτης βασιλεύσῃ καὶ ἄφρων πλησθῇ σιτίων
22 if a servant reign; or a fool be filled with food;	22 if a servant reign; or a fool be filled with food;

23 For an odious woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

23 καὶ οἰκέτις ἐὰν ἐκβάλῃ τὴν ἑαυτῆς κυρίαν, καὶ μισητὴ γυνὴ ἐὰν τύχῃ ἀνδρὸς ἀγαθοῦ.	23 καὶ οἰκέτις ἐὰν ἐκβάλῃ τὴν ἑαυτῆς κυρίαν καὶ μισητὴ γυνὴ ἐὰν τύχῃ ἀνδρὸς ἀγαθοῦ.
23 or if a maid-servant should cast out her own mistress; and if a hateful woman should marry a good man.	23 or if a maid-servant should cast out her own mistress; and if a hateful woman should marry a good man.

24 There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceeding wise.

24 Τέσσαρα δέ ἐστιν ἐλάχιστα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ταῦτα δέ ἐστιν σοφώτερα τῶν σοφῶν·	24 τέσσαρα δὲ ἐλάχιστα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ταῦτα δέ ἔστι σοφώτερα τῶν σοφῶν·
24 And there are four very little things on the earth, but these are wiser than the wise.	24 And there are four very little things on the earth, but these are wiser than the wise.

25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;

25 οἱ μύρμηκες, οἷς μὴ ἔστιν ἰσχὺς καὶ ἑτοιμάζονται θέρους τὴν τροφήν·	25 οἱ μύρμηκες, οἷς μὴ ἐστιν ἰσχὺς καὶ ἑτοιμάζονται θέρους τὴν τροφήν·
25 the ants which are weak, and yet prepare their food in summer;	25 the ants which are weak, and yet prepare their food in summer;

26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

26 καὶ οἱ χοιρογρύλλιοι, ἔθνος οὐκ ἰσχυρόν, οἳ ἐποιήσαντο ἐν πέτραις τοὺς ἑαυτῶν οἴκους·	26 καὶ οἱ χοιρογρύλλιοι, ἔθνος οὐκ ἰσχυρόν, οἳ ἐποιήσαντο ἐν πέτραις τοὺς ἑαυτῶν οἴκους·
26 the rabbits also are a feeble race, who make their houses in the rocks.	26 the rabbits also are a feeble race, who make their houses in the rocks.

27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

27 ἀβασίλευτόν ἐστιν ἡ ἀκρὶς καὶ ἐκστρατεύει ἀφ’ ἑνὸς κελεύσματος εὐτάκτως·	27 ἀβασίλευτόν ἐστιν ἡ ἀκρὶς καὶ στρατεύει ἀφ’ ἑνὸς κελεύσματος εὐτάκτως·
27 The locusts have no king, and yet march orderly at one command.	27 The locusts have no king, and yet march orderly at one command.

28 The spider takes hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.

28 καὶ καλαβώτης χερσὶν ἐρειδόμενος καὶ εὐάλωτος ὢν κατοικεῖ ἐν ὀχυρώμασιν βασιλέως.	28 καὶ καλαβώτης χερσὶν ἐρειδόμενος καὶ εὐάλωτος ὢν κατοικεῖ ἐν ὀχυρώμασι βασιλέως.
28 And the eft, which supports itself by its hands, and is easily taken, dwells in the fortresses of kings.	28 And the eft, which supports itself by its hands, and is easily taken, dwells in the fortresses of kings.

29 There are three things which go well, yes, four are comely in going.

29 Τρία δέ ἐστιν, ἃ εὐόδως πορεύεται, καὶ τὸ τέταρτον, ὃ καλῶς διαβαίνει·	29 τρία δέ ἐστιν, ἃ εὐόδως πορεύεται, καὶ τέταρτον, ὃν καλῶς διαβαίνει·
29 And there are three things which go well, and a fourth which passes along well.	29 And there are three things which go well, and a fourth which passes along well.

30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turns not away for any;

30 σκύμνος λέοντος ἰσχυρότερος κτηνῶν, ὃς οὐκ ἀποστρέφεται οὐδὲ καταπτήσσει κτῆνος,	30 σκύμνος λέοντος ἰσχυρότερος κτηνῶν, ὃς οὐκ ἀποστρέφεται οὐδὲ καταπτήσσει κτῆνος,
30 A lion’s whelp, stronger than all other beasts, which turns not away, nor fears any beast;	30 A lion’s whelp, stronger than all other beasts, which turns not away, nor fears any beast;

31 A greyhound; a he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

31 καὶ ἀλέκτωρ ἐμπεριπατῶν θηλείαις εὔψυχος καὶ τράγος ἡγούμενος αἰπολίου καὶ βασιλεὺς δημηγορῶν ἐν ἔθνει.	31 καὶ ἀλέκτωρ ἐμπεριπατῶν θηλείαις εὔψυχος καὶ τράγος ἡγούμενος αἰπολίου καὶ βασιλεὺς δημηγορῶν ἐν ἔθνει.
31 and a cock walking in boldly among the hens, and the goat leading the herd; and a king publicly speaking before a nation.	31 and a cock walking in boldly among the hens, and the goat leading the herd; and a king publicly speaking before a nation.

32 If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand on your mouth.

32 ἐὰν πρόῃ σεαυτὸν εἰς εὐφροσύνην καὶ ἐκτείνῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου μετὰ μάχης, ἀτιμασθήσῃ.	32 ἐὰν πρόῃ σεαυτὸν ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ καὶ ἐκτείνῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου μετὰ μάχης, ἀτιμασθήσῃ.
32 If you abandon yourself to mirth, and stretch forth your hand in a quarrel, you shall be disgraced.	32 If you abandon yourself to mirth, and stretch forth your hand in a quarrel, you shall be disgraced.

33 Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.

33 ἄμελγε γάλα, καὶ ἔσται βούτυρον· ἐὰν δὲ ἐκπιέζῃς μυκτῆρας, ἐξελεύσεται αἷμα· ἐὰν δὲ ἐξέλκῃς λόγους, ἐξελεύσονται κρίσεις καὶ μάχαι.	33 ἄμελγε γάλα, καὶ ἔσται βούτυρον· ἐὰν δὲ ἐκπιέζῃς μυκτῆρας, ἐξελεύσεται αἷμα· ἐὰν δὲ ἐξέλκῃς λόγους, ἐξελεύσονται κρίσεις καὶ μάχαι.
33 Milk out milk, and there shall be butter, and if you squeeze one’s nostrils there shall come out blood; so if you extort words, there will come forth quarrels and strifes.	33 Milk out milk, and there shall be butter, and if you squeeze one’s nostrils there shall come out blood; so if you extort words, there will come forth quarrels and strifes.