Chapter 24
2: for their hearts are scheming violence, their lips talking mischief.
3: By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is made strong;
4: by knowledge its storerooms are filled with riches of every kind, rare and desirable.
5: The wise is mighty in power, strength is reinforced by science;
6: for it is by strategy that you wage war, and victory depends on having many counsellors.
7: For a fool wisdom is an inaccessible fortress: at the city gate he does not open his mouth.
8: Anyone intent on evil-doing is known as a master in cunning.
9: Folly dreams of nothing but sin, the mocker is abhorrent.
10: If you lose heart when things go wrong, your strength is not worth much.
11: Save those being dragged towards death, but can you rescue those on their way to execution?
12: If you say, 'But look, we did not know,' will the Weigher of the heart pay no attention? Will not the Guardian of your soul be aware and repay you as your deeds deserve?
13: Eat honey, my child, since it is good; honey that drips from the comb is sweet to the taste:
14: and so, for sure, will wisdom be to your soul: find it and you will have a future and your hope will not be cut short.
15: Do not lurk, wicked man, round the upright man's dwelling, do not despoil his house.
16: For though the upright falls seven times, he gets up again; the wicked are the ones who stumble in adversity.
17: Should your enemy fall, do not rejoice, when he stumbles do not let your heart exult:
18: for fear that Yahweh will be displeased at the sight and turn his anger away from him.
19: Do not be indignant about the wicked, do not be envious of the evil,
20: for there is no future for the evil, the lamp of the wicked will go out.
21: Fear Yahweh, my child, and fear the king; do not ally yourself with innovators;
22: for suddenly disaster will loom for them, and who knows what ruin will seize them and their friends?
23: The following are also taken from the sages: To show partiality in judgement is not good.
24: Whoever tells the wicked, 'You are upright,' peoples curse him, nations revile him;
25: but those who correct him, come out of it well, on them will come a happy blessing.
26: Whoever returns an honest answer, plants a kiss on the lips.
27: Plan what you want on the open ground, make your preparation in the field; then go and build your house.
28: Do not bear witness lightly against your neighbour, nor deceive with your lips.
29: Do not say, 'I will treat my neighbour as my neighbour treated me; I will repay everyone what each has earned.'
30: By the idler's field I was passing, by the vineyard of a man who had no sense,
31: there it all lay, deep in thorns, entirely overgrown with weeds, and its stone wall broken down.
32: And as I gazed I pondered, I drew this lesson from the sight,
33: 'A little sleep, a little drowsiness, a little folding of the arms to lie back
34: and poverty comes like a vagrant, and, like a beggar, dearth.'
Chapter 25
1: Here are some more of Solomon's proverbs, transcribed at the court of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2: To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.
3: The heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.
4: From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;
5: from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.
6: In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;
7: better to be invited, 'Come up here', than be humiliated in the presence of the prince.
8: What your eyes have witnessed do not produce too quickly at the trial, for what are you to do at the end should your neighbour confute you?
9: Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,
10: for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.
11: Like apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.
12: A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.
13: The coolness of snow in harvest time, such is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: he revives the soul of his master.
14: Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.
15: With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.
16: Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you will bring it up again.
17: Do not set foot too often in your neighbour's house, for fear the neighbour tire of you and come to hate you.
18: A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.
19: Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted in time of trouble:
20: as well take off your coat in bitter weather. You are pouring vinegar on a wound when you sing songs to a sorrowing heart.
21: If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.
22: By this you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23: The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.
24: Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
25: Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.
26: A churned -- up spring, a fountain fouled; such is the upright person trembling before the wicked.
27: It is not good to eat too much honey, nor to seek for glory on top of glory.
28: An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.
1: Snow no more befits the summer, nor rain the harvest-time, than honours befit a fool.
2: As the sparrow escapes, and the swallow flies away, so the undeserved curse will never hit its mark.
3: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and for the backs of fools, a stick.
4: Do not answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear you grow like him yourself.
5: Answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear he imagine himself wise.
6: He wounds himself, he takes violence for his drink, who sends a message by a fool.
7: Unreliable as the legs of the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8: As well tie the stone to the sling as pay honour to a fool.
9: A thorn branch in a drunkard's hand, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10: An archer wounding everyone, such is he who hires the passing fool and drunkard.
11: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his folly.
12: You see someone who thinks himself wise? More to be hoped for from a fool than from him!
13: 'A wild beast on the road!' says the idler, 'a lion in the streets!'
14: The door turns on its hinges, the idler on his bed.
15: Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.
16: The idler thinks himself wiser than seven people who answer with discretion.
17: He takes a stray dog by the ears, who meddles in someone else's quarrel.
18: Like a madman hurling firebrands, arrows and death,
19: so is anyone who lies to a companion and then says, 'Aren't I amusing?'
20: No wood, and the fire goes out; no slanderer, and quarrelling dies down.
21: Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire, and the quarrelsome for kindling strife.
22: The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.
23: Base silver-plate on top of clay: such are fervent lips and a wicked heart.
24: Whoever hates may hide it in speech, but deep within lies treachery;
25: do not trust such a person's pretty speeches, since in the heart lurk seven abominations.
26: Hatred may disguise itself with guile, to reveal its wickedness later in the assembly.
27: Whoever digs a pit falls into it, the stone comes back on him that rolls it.
28: The lying tongue hates its victims, the wheedling mouth causes ruin.
2: To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.
3: The heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.
4: From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;
5: from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.
6: In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;
7: better to be invited, 'Come up here', than be humiliated in the presence of the prince.
8: What your eyes have witnessed do not produce too quickly at the trial, for what are you to do at the end should your neighbour confute you?
9: Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,
10: for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.
11: Like apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.
12: A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.
13: The coolness of snow in harvest time, such is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: he revives the soul of his master.
14: Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.
15: With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.
16: Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you will bring it up again.
17: Do not set foot too often in your neighbour's house, for fear the neighbour tire of you and come to hate you.
18: A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.
19: Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted in time of trouble:
20: as well take off your coat in bitter weather. You are pouring vinegar on a wound when you sing songs to a sorrowing heart.
21: If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.
22: By this you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23: The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.
24: Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
25: Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.
26: A churned -- up spring, a fountain fouled; such is the upright person trembling before the wicked.
27: It is not good to eat too much honey, nor to seek for glory on top of glory.
28: An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.
Chapter 26
2: As the sparrow escapes, and the swallow flies away, so the undeserved curse will never hit its mark.
3: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and for the backs of fools, a stick.
4: Do not answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear you grow like him yourself.
5: Answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear he imagine himself wise.
6: He wounds himself, he takes violence for his drink, who sends a message by a fool.
7: Unreliable as the legs of the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8: As well tie the stone to the sling as pay honour to a fool.
9: A thorn branch in a drunkard's hand, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10: An archer wounding everyone, such is he who hires the passing fool and drunkard.
11: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his folly.
12: You see someone who thinks himself wise? More to be hoped for from a fool than from him!
13: 'A wild beast on the road!' says the idler, 'a lion in the streets!'
14: The door turns on its hinges, the idler on his bed.
15: Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.
16: The idler thinks himself wiser than seven people who answer with discretion.
17: He takes a stray dog by the ears, who meddles in someone else's quarrel.
18: Like a madman hurling firebrands, arrows and death,
19: so is anyone who lies to a companion and then says, 'Aren't I amusing?'
20: No wood, and the fire goes out; no slanderer, and quarrelling dies down.
21: Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire, and the quarrelsome for kindling strife.
22: The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.
23: Base silver-plate on top of clay: such are fervent lips and a wicked heart.
24: Whoever hates may hide it in speech, but deep within lies treachery;
25: do not trust such a person's pretty speeches, since in the heart lurk seven abominations.
26: Hatred may disguise itself with guile, to reveal its wickedness later in the assembly.
27: Whoever digs a pit falls into it, the stone comes back on him that rolls it.
28: The lying tongue hates its victims, the wheedling mouth causes ruin.
Chapter 27
1: Do not congratulate yourself about tomorrow, since you do not know what today will bring forth.
2: Let someone else sing your praises, but not your own mouth, a stranger, but not your own lips.
3: Heavy is the stone, weighty is the sand; heavier than both -- a grudge borne by a fool.
4: Cruel is wrath, overwhelming is anger; but jealousy, who can withstand that?
5: Better open reproof than feigned love.
6: Trustworthy are blows from a friend, deceitful are kisses from a foe.
7: The gorged throat revolts at honey, the hungry throat finds all bitterness sweet.
8: Like a bird that strays from its nest, so is anyone who strays away from home.
9: Oil and perfume gladden the heart, and the sweetness of friendship rather than self-reliance.
10: Do not give up your friend or your father's friend; when trouble comes, do not go off to your brother's house, better a near neighbour than a distant brother.
11: Learn to be wise, my child, and gladden my heart, that I may have an answer for anyone who insults me.
12: The discreet sees danger and takes shelter, simpletons go ahead and pay the penalty.
13: Take the man's clothes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Take a pledge from him, for persons unknown.
14: Whoever at dawn loudly blesses his neighbour -- it will be reckoned to him as a curse.
15: The dripping of a gutter on a rainy day and a quarrelsome woman are alike;
16: whoever can restrain her, can restrain the wind, and take a firm hold on grease.
17: Iron is sharpened by iron, one person is sharpened by contact with another.
18: Whoever tends the fig tree eats its figs, whoever looks after his master will be honoured.
19: As water reflects face back to face, so one human heart reflects another.
20: Sheol and Perdition are never satisfied, insatiable, too, are human eyes.
21: A furnace for silver, a foundry for gold: a person is worth what his reputation is worth.
22: Pound a fool in a mortar, among grain with a pestle, his folly will not leave him.
23: Know your flocks' condition well, take good care of your herds;
24: for riches do not last forever, crowns do not hand themselves on from age to age.
25: The grass once gone, the aftergrowth appearing, the hay gathered in from the mountains,
26: you should have lambs to clothe you, goats to buy you a field,
27: goat's milk sufficient to feed you, to feed your household and provide for your serving girls.
2: Let someone else sing your praises, but not your own mouth, a stranger, but not your own lips.
3: Heavy is the stone, weighty is the sand; heavier than both -- a grudge borne by a fool.
4: Cruel is wrath, overwhelming is anger; but jealousy, who can withstand that?
5: Better open reproof than feigned love.
6: Trustworthy are blows from a friend, deceitful are kisses from a foe.
7: The gorged throat revolts at honey, the hungry throat finds all bitterness sweet.
8: Like a bird that strays from its nest, so is anyone who strays away from home.
9: Oil and perfume gladden the heart, and the sweetness of friendship rather than self-reliance.
10: Do not give up your friend or your father's friend; when trouble comes, do not go off to your brother's house, better a near neighbour than a distant brother.
11: Learn to be wise, my child, and gladden my heart, that I may have an answer for anyone who insults me.
12: The discreet sees danger and takes shelter, simpletons go ahead and pay the penalty.
13: Take the man's clothes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Take a pledge from him, for persons unknown.
14: Whoever at dawn loudly blesses his neighbour -- it will be reckoned to him as a curse.
15: The dripping of a gutter on a rainy day and a quarrelsome woman are alike;
16: whoever can restrain her, can restrain the wind, and take a firm hold on grease.
17: Iron is sharpened by iron, one person is sharpened by contact with another.
18: Whoever tends the fig tree eats its figs, whoever looks after his master will be honoured.
19: As water reflects face back to face, so one human heart reflects another.
20: Sheol and Perdition are never satisfied, insatiable, too, are human eyes.
21: A furnace for silver, a foundry for gold: a person is worth what his reputation is worth.
22: Pound a fool in a mortar, among grain with a pestle, his folly will not leave him.
23: Know your flocks' condition well, take good care of your herds;
24: for riches do not last forever, crowns do not hand themselves on from age to age.
25: The grass once gone, the aftergrowth appearing, the hay gathered in from the mountains,
26: you should have lambs to clothe you, goats to buy you a field,
27: goat's milk sufficient to feed you, to feed your household and provide for your serving girls.
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