Chapter 28
1: The wicked flees when no one is pursuing, the upright is bold as a lion.
2: A country in revolt throws up many leaders: with one person wise and experienced, you have stability.
3: The wicked oppresses the weak: here is a devastating rain -- and farewell, bread!
4: Those who forsake the law sing the praises of the wicked, those who observe the law are angered by them.
5: The wicked do not know what justice means, those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6: Better someone poor living an honest life than someone of devious ways however rich.
7: An intelligent child is one who keeps the Law; an associate of profligates brings shame on his father.
8: Whoever increases wealth by usury and interest amasses it for someone else who will bestow it on the poor.
9: Whoever refuses to listen to the Law, such a one's very prayer is an abomination.
10: Whoever seduces the honest to evil ways will fall into his own pit. The blameless are the heirs to happiness.
11: The rich may think himself wise, but the intelligent poor will unmask him.
12: When the upright triumph, there is great exultation: when the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover.
13: No one who conceals his sins will prosper, whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14: Blessed the person who is never without fear, whoever hardens his heart will fall into distress.
15: Like a roaring lion or a springing bear is a wicked ruler of a powerless people.
16: An unenlightened ruler is rich in rapacity, one who hates greed will lengthen his days.
17: A man guilty of murder will flee till he reaches his tomb: let no one halt him!
18: Whoever lives an honest life will be safe, whoever wavers between two ways falls down in one of them.
19: Whoever works his land shall have bread and to spare, but no one who chases fantasies has any sense.
20: A trustworthy person will be overwhelmed with blessings, but no one who tries to get rich quickly will go unpunished.
21: It is not good to show partiality, but people will do wrong for a mouthful of bread.
22: The person of greedy eye chases after wealth, not knowing that want will be the result.
23: Anyone who reproves another will enjoy more favour in the end than the flatterer.
24: Whoever robs father and mother saying, 'Nothing wrong in that!' is comrade for a brigand.
25: The covetous provokes disputes, whoever trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26: Whoever trusts his own wit is a fool, anyone whose ways are wise will be safe.
27: No one who gives to the poor will ever go short, but whoever closes his eyes will have curses in plenty.
28: When the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover, but when they perish, the upright multiply.
1: Whoever is stiff-necked under reproof will be suddenly and irremediably broken.
2: When the upright are on the increase, the people rejoice; when the wicked are in power, the people groan.
3: The lover of Wisdom makes his father glad, but the patron of prostitutes fritters his wealth away.
4: A king gives a country stability by justice, an extortioner brings it to ruin.
5: Whoever flatters his companion spreads a net for his feet.
6: In the sin of the wicked lies a snare, but the upright exults and rejoices.
7: The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it.
8: Scoffers set a city in ferment, but the wise moderate anger.
9: Let someone wise argue with a fool, anger and good humour alike will be wasted.
10: The bloodthirsty hate the honest, but the upright seek them out.
11: The fool blurts out every angry feeling, but the wise subdues and restrains them.
12: When a ruler listens to false reports, all his ministers will be scoundrels.
13: Poor and oppressor are found together, Yahweh gives light to the eyes of both.
14: The king who judges the weak with equity sees his throne set firm for ever.
15: The stick and the reprimand bestow wisdom, a young man left to himself brings shame on his mother.
16: When the wicked are on the increase, sin multiplies, but the upright will witness their downfall.
17: Correct your child, and he will give you peace of mind; he will delight your soul.
18: Where there is no vision the people get out of hand; happy are they who keep the law.
19: Not by words is a slave corrected: even if he understands, he will take no notice.
20: You see someone too ready of speech? There is more to be hoped for from a fool!
21: If a slave is pampered from childhood, he will prove ungrateful in the end.
22: The hot-head provokes disputes, someone in a rage commits all sorts of sins.
23: Pride brings humiliation, whoever humbles himself will win honour.
24: To hear the curse and disclose nothing is to share with the thief and to hate oneself.
25: To be afraid of human beings is a snare, whoever trusts in Yahweh is secure.
26: Many people seek a ruler's favour, but the rights of each come from Yahweh.
27: Abhorrent to the upright is the sinful, abhorrent to the wicked is one whose way is straight.
1: The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh, of Massa. Prophecy of this man for Ithiel, for Ithiel and for Ucal.
2: I am myself the stupidest of people, bereft of human intelligence,
3: I have not learnt wisdom, and I lack the knowledge of the holy ones.
4: Who has mounted to the heavens, then come down again? Who has gathered the wind in the clasp of his hand? Who has wrapped the waters in his cloak? Who has set all the ends of the earth firm? What is his name? What is his child's name? Do you know?
5: Every word of God is unalloyed, a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6: To his words make no addition, lest he reprove you and account you a liar.
7: Two things I beg of you, do not grudge me them before I die:
8: keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of food,
9: for fear that, surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, 'Yahweh-who is Yahweh?' or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of my God.
10: Do not blacken a slave's name to his master, lest he curse you, and you suffer for it.
11: There is a breed of person that curses his father and does not bless his mother;
12: a breed that, laying claim to purity, has not yet been cleansed of its filth;
13: a breed haughty of eye, with disdain in every glance;
14: a breed with swords for teeth, with knives for jaws, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from the land.
15: The leech has two daughters: 'Give! Give!' There are three insatiable things, four, indeed, that never say, 'Enough!'
16: Sheol, the barren womb, earth which can never have its fill of water, fire which never says, 'Enough!'
17: The eye which looks jeeringly on a father, and scorns the obedience due to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, and eaten by the vultures.
18: There are three things beyond my comprehension, four, indeed, that I do not understand:
19: the way of an eagle through the skies, the way of a snake over the rock, the way of a ship in mid-ocean, the way of a manwith a girl.
20: This is how an adulteress behaves: she eats, then wipes her mouth and says, 'I have done nothing wrong!'
21: There are three things at which the earth trembles, four, indeed, which it cannot endure:
22: a slave become king, a brute gorged with food,
23: a hateful woman wed at last, a servant girl inheriting from her mistress.
24: There are four creatures little on the earth, though they are wisest of the wise:
25: ants, a race with no strength, yet in the summer they make sure of their food;
26: the coneys, a race without defences, yet they make their home in the rocks;
27: locusts, which have no king, yet they all march in good order;
28: lizards, which you can catch in your hand, yet they frequent the palaces of kings.
29: There are three things of stately tread, four, indeed, of stately walk:
30: the lion, bravest of beasts, he will draw back from nothing;
31: a vigorous cock, a he-goat, and the king when he harangues his people.
32: If you have been foolish enough to fly into a passion and now have second thoughts, lay your hand on your lips.
33: For by churning the milk you produce butter, by wringing the nose you produce blood, and by whipping up anger you produce strife.
1: The sayings of Lemuel king of Massa, taught him by his mother:
2: What, my son! What, son of my womb! What, son of my vows!
3: Do not expend your energy on women nor your wealth on those who ruin kings.
4: Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings the drinking of wine, not for princes the love of liquor,
5: for fear that in liquor they forget what they have decreed and pervert the course of justice against all the poor.
6: Procure strong drink for someone about to die, wine for him whose heart is heavy:
7: let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more.
8: Make your views heard, on behalf of the dumb, on behalf of all the unwanted;
9: make your views heard, pronounce an upright verdict, defend the cause of the poor and the wretched.
10: The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
11: Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
12: Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.
13: She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.
14: She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.
15: She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.
16: She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
17: She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.
18: She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night.
19: She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
20: She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
21: Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.
22: She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.
23: Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
24: She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25: She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.
26: When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.
27: She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.
28: Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:
29: 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'
30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.
31: Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.
2: A country in revolt throws up many leaders: with one person wise and experienced, you have stability.
3: The wicked oppresses the weak: here is a devastating rain -- and farewell, bread!
4: Those who forsake the law sing the praises of the wicked, those who observe the law are angered by them.
5: The wicked do not know what justice means, those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6: Better someone poor living an honest life than someone of devious ways however rich.
7: An intelligent child is one who keeps the Law; an associate of profligates brings shame on his father.
8: Whoever increases wealth by usury and interest amasses it for someone else who will bestow it on the poor.
9: Whoever refuses to listen to the Law, such a one's very prayer is an abomination.
10: Whoever seduces the honest to evil ways will fall into his own pit. The blameless are the heirs to happiness.
11: The rich may think himself wise, but the intelligent poor will unmask him.
12: When the upright triumph, there is great exultation: when the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover.
13: No one who conceals his sins will prosper, whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14: Blessed the person who is never without fear, whoever hardens his heart will fall into distress.
15: Like a roaring lion or a springing bear is a wicked ruler of a powerless people.
16: An unenlightened ruler is rich in rapacity, one who hates greed will lengthen his days.
17: A man guilty of murder will flee till he reaches his tomb: let no one halt him!
18: Whoever lives an honest life will be safe, whoever wavers between two ways falls down in one of them.
19: Whoever works his land shall have bread and to spare, but no one who chases fantasies has any sense.
20: A trustworthy person will be overwhelmed with blessings, but no one who tries to get rich quickly will go unpunished.
21: It is not good to show partiality, but people will do wrong for a mouthful of bread.
22: The person of greedy eye chases after wealth, not knowing that want will be the result.
23: Anyone who reproves another will enjoy more favour in the end than the flatterer.
24: Whoever robs father and mother saying, 'Nothing wrong in that!' is comrade for a brigand.
25: The covetous provokes disputes, whoever trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26: Whoever trusts his own wit is a fool, anyone whose ways are wise will be safe.
27: No one who gives to the poor will ever go short, but whoever closes his eyes will have curses in plenty.
28: When the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover, but when they perish, the upright multiply.
Chapter 29
2: When the upright are on the increase, the people rejoice; when the wicked are in power, the people groan.
3: The lover of Wisdom makes his father glad, but the patron of prostitutes fritters his wealth away.
4: A king gives a country stability by justice, an extortioner brings it to ruin.
5: Whoever flatters his companion spreads a net for his feet.
6: In the sin of the wicked lies a snare, but the upright exults and rejoices.
7: The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it.
8: Scoffers set a city in ferment, but the wise moderate anger.
9: Let someone wise argue with a fool, anger and good humour alike will be wasted.
10: The bloodthirsty hate the honest, but the upright seek them out.
11: The fool blurts out every angry feeling, but the wise subdues and restrains them.
12: When a ruler listens to false reports, all his ministers will be scoundrels.
13: Poor and oppressor are found together, Yahweh gives light to the eyes of both.
14: The king who judges the weak with equity sees his throne set firm for ever.
15: The stick and the reprimand bestow wisdom, a young man left to himself brings shame on his mother.
16: When the wicked are on the increase, sin multiplies, but the upright will witness their downfall.
17: Correct your child, and he will give you peace of mind; he will delight your soul.
18: Where there is no vision the people get out of hand; happy are they who keep the law.
19: Not by words is a slave corrected: even if he understands, he will take no notice.
20: You see someone too ready of speech? There is more to be hoped for from a fool!
21: If a slave is pampered from childhood, he will prove ungrateful in the end.
22: The hot-head provokes disputes, someone in a rage commits all sorts of sins.
23: Pride brings humiliation, whoever humbles himself will win honour.
24: To hear the curse and disclose nothing is to share with the thief and to hate oneself.
25: To be afraid of human beings is a snare, whoever trusts in Yahweh is secure.
26: Many people seek a ruler's favour, but the rights of each come from Yahweh.
27: Abhorrent to the upright is the sinful, abhorrent to the wicked is one whose way is straight.
Chapter 30
2: I am myself the stupidest of people, bereft of human intelligence,
3: I have not learnt wisdom, and I lack the knowledge of the holy ones.
4: Who has mounted to the heavens, then come down again? Who has gathered the wind in the clasp of his hand? Who has wrapped the waters in his cloak? Who has set all the ends of the earth firm? What is his name? What is his child's name? Do you know?
5: Every word of God is unalloyed, a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6: To his words make no addition, lest he reprove you and account you a liar.
7: Two things I beg of you, do not grudge me them before I die:
8: keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of food,
9: for fear that, surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, 'Yahweh-who is Yahweh?' or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of my God.
10: Do not blacken a slave's name to his master, lest he curse you, and you suffer for it.
11: There is a breed of person that curses his father and does not bless his mother;
12: a breed that, laying claim to purity, has not yet been cleansed of its filth;
13: a breed haughty of eye, with disdain in every glance;
14: a breed with swords for teeth, with knives for jaws, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from the land.
15: The leech has two daughters: 'Give! Give!' There are three insatiable things, four, indeed, that never say, 'Enough!'
16: Sheol, the barren womb, earth which can never have its fill of water, fire which never says, 'Enough!'
17: The eye which looks jeeringly on a father, and scorns the obedience due to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, and eaten by the vultures.
18: There are three things beyond my comprehension, four, indeed, that I do not understand:
19: the way of an eagle through the skies, the way of a snake over the rock, the way of a ship in mid-ocean, the way of a manwith a girl.
20: This is how an adulteress behaves: she eats, then wipes her mouth and says, 'I have done nothing wrong!'
21: There are three things at which the earth trembles, four, indeed, which it cannot endure:
22: a slave become king, a brute gorged with food,
23: a hateful woman wed at last, a servant girl inheriting from her mistress.
24: There are four creatures little on the earth, though they are wisest of the wise:
25: ants, a race with no strength, yet in the summer they make sure of their food;
26: the coneys, a race without defences, yet they make their home in the rocks;
27: locusts, which have no king, yet they all march in good order;
28: lizards, which you can catch in your hand, yet they frequent the palaces of kings.
29: There are three things of stately tread, four, indeed, of stately walk:
30: the lion, bravest of beasts, he will draw back from nothing;
31: a vigorous cock, a he-goat, and the king when he harangues his people.
32: If you have been foolish enough to fly into a passion and now have second thoughts, lay your hand on your lips.
33: For by churning the milk you produce butter, by wringing the nose you produce blood, and by whipping up anger you produce strife.
Chapter 31
2: What, my son! What, son of my womb! What, son of my vows!
3: Do not expend your energy on women nor your wealth on those who ruin kings.
4: Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings the drinking of wine, not for princes the love of liquor,
5: for fear that in liquor they forget what they have decreed and pervert the course of justice against all the poor.
6: Procure strong drink for someone about to die, wine for him whose heart is heavy:
7: let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more.
8: Make your views heard, on behalf of the dumb, on behalf of all the unwanted;
9: make your views heard, pronounce an upright verdict, defend the cause of the poor and the wretched.
10: The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
11: Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
12: Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.
13: She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.
14: She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.
15: She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.
16: She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
17: She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.
18: She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night.
19: She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
20: She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
21: Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.
22: She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.
23: Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
24: She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25: She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.
26: When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.
27: She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.
28: Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:
29: 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'
30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.
31: Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.
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