1  Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and a fool at the same time.

1  Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.

2  Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

2  Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.

2  He who has no knowledge of his own soul, it is not good for him; and he who is hasty with his feet sins.

3  The foolishness of man perverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against YHWH.

3  The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.

3  The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.

4  Wealth addeth many friends; but as for the poor, his friend separateth himself from him.

4  Riches adds many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.

4  Wealth makes many friends; but a poor man is deserted by his friends.

5  A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall not escape.

6  Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man; and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

6  Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to another man.

6  Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.

7  All the brethren of the poor do hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He that pursueth words, they turn against him.

7  Every one who hates his poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.

7  The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing.

8  He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

8  But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.

9  A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall perish.

10  Luxury is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

10  Delight does not suit a fool, nor is it seemly if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.

10  Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.

11  It is the discretion of a man to be slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

11  A merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.

11  The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.

12  The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

12  The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.

12  Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon the grass.

13  A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14  House and riches are the inheritance of fathers; but a prudent wife is from YHWH.

14  Fathers divide house and substance to their children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.

14  A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.

15  Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

15  Cowardice possesses the effeminate man; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.

15  Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.

16  He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; but he that despiseth His ways shall die.

16  Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.

16  He who keeps the law keeps his own soul; but he who despises right ways shall die.

17  He that is gracious unto the poor lendeth unto YHWH; and his good deed will He repay unto him.

17  Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.

17  He who has pity upon the poor is a companion of the LORD; and he shall be repaid according to his works.

18  Chasten thy son, for there is hope; but set not thy heart on his destruction.

18  Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.

18  Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul share his dishonor.

19  A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou interpose, thou wilt add thereto.

19  A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.

19  Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.

20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

20  Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end.

20  Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.

21  There are many devices in a man's heart; but the counsel of YHWH, that shall stand.

21  There are many thoughts in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.

21  There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

22  The lust of a man is his shame; and a poor man is better than a liar.

22  An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.

23  The fear of YHWH tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied, he shall not be visited with evil.

23  The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.

23  Reverence for the LORD leads to life; and he who is satisfied with it shall abide; he shall not be visited with evil.

24  The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it back to his mouth.

24  He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even bring them up to his mouth.

24  A sluggard hides his hands in his bosom and will not even try to bring them to his mouth again.

25  When thou smitest a scorner, the simple will become prudent; and when one that hath understanding is reproved, he will understand knowledge.

26  A son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully will despoil his father, and chase away his mother.

26  He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.

26  Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.

27  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

27  A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.

27  Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.

28  An ungodly witness mocketh at right; and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

28  He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgement.

28  An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.

29  Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

29  Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.

29  Grief is prepared for those who scoff at justice, and a scourge for foolish people.

20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.

1  Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them.

1  It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.

20:2  The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.

2  Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.

20:3  It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.

3  It is a glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters.

3  Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.

20:4  The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

4  A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest.

20:5  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

5  The counsel in a king's heart is deep; but a wise man will draw it out.

20:6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?

6  A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but it is hard to find a faithful man.

6  Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?

20:7  He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.

7  He that walks blameless in justice, shall leave his children blessed.

7  The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.

20:8  A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

8  Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence.

8  The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.

20:9  Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?

9  Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins.

9  Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”

20:10  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to YHWH.

10  A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and so is he that makes them.

10  Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.

20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

11  A youth when in company with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and then his way will be straight.

11  A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.

20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, YHWH hath made even both of them.

12  The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the Lord’s work.

20:13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.

13  Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be filled with bread.

13  Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.

20:14  'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

14  “It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.

14  A friend says to his friend, I have made a gain; then he boasts.

20:15  There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

15  Again he says, Here is gold and a multitude of precious stones and precious vessels; but the lips of knowledge are precious jewels.

20:16  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

16  Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.

16  Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger; and take his pledge for the sake of a stranger.

20:17  Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

17  The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.

17  He who becomes surety for a man by means of deceitful gain will afterwards have his mouth filled with gravel.

20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.

18  Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.

18  A good purpose is established by counsel; but by provocation war is made.

20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

19  Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.

19  He who reveals a secret causes slander; therefore do not meddle with him who is hasty with his lips.

20:20  Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.

20  The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness.

20  Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.

20:21  An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

21  A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be blessed in the end.

21  When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.

20:22  Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for YHWH, and He will save thee.

22  Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy; but wait on the Lord, that he may help thee.

22  Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.

20:23  Divers weights are an abomination to YHWH; and a false balance is not good.

23  A double weight is an abomination to the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good in his sight.

23  Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.

20:24  A man's goings are of YHWH; how then can man look to his way?

24  The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?

20:25  It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.

25  It is a snare to a man hastily to consecrate some of his own property: for in that case repentance comes after vowing.

25  It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.

20:26  A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.

26  A wise king utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.

26  A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.

20:27  The spirit of man is the lamp of YHWH, searching all the inward parts.

27  The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.

27  The soul of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the heart.

20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.

28  Mercy and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness.

20:29  The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

29  Wisdom is an ornament to young men; and grey hairs are the glory of old men.

29  The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.

20:30  Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.

30  Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues shall come in the inward parts of their belly.

21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of YHWH as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.

1  As a rush of water, so is the king’s heart in God’s hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.

1  Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.

21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but YHWH weigheth the hearts.

2  Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.

21:3  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to YHWH than sacrifice.

3  To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.

3  He who does righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than he who offers a sacrifice.

21:4  A haughty look, and a proud heart--the tillage of the wicked is sin.

4  A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.

4  To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.

21:5  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.

5  The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.

21:6  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.

6  He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.

6  Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.

21:7  The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.

7  Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.

21:8  The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.

8  To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.

8  He who perverts his own way acts strangely; but he who is pure, his works are right.

21:9  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

21:10  The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

10  The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.

10  The soul of a wicked man is hidden from his neighbor's eyes.

21:11  When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

21:12  The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.

12  A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.

12  The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.

21:13  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.

13  He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him.

13  Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded.

21:14  A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.

14  A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.

14  A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.

21:15  To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.

15  It is the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.

15  It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.

21:16  The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.

16  A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.

21:17  He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

17  A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;

17  Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.

21:18  The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.

18  and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.

18  The impious is given over instead of the just, and the iniquitous is given over in place of the upright.

21:19  It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

21:20  There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

20  A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.

20  A coveted treasure and ointment are in a dwelling place; but the wisdom and understanding of men shall dispense it.

21:21  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.

21  The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.

21  Whoever follows justice and mercy shall discover life, justice, and glory.

21:22  A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.

22  A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.

22  The wise has ascended the city of the strong, and he has torn down the bulwark of its confidence.

21:23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

23  Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish.

21:24  A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.

24  A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.

24  In his wrath a hasty and proud man commits iniquity.

21:25  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

25  Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.

21:26  There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

26  An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.

26  He covets and desires all day long. But whoever is just shall distribute and shall not cease.

21:27  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?

27  The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.

21:28  A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.

28  A lying witness will perish. An obedient man shall speak of victory.

21:29  A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.

29  An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.

29  The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.

21:30  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against YHWH.

30  There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.

21:31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of YHWH.

31  A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.

31  The horse may be prepared for the day of battle; but salvation is of the LORD.

22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

1  A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.

22:2  The rich and the poor meet together--YHWH is the maker of them all.

22:3  A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.

3  An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.

3  The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.

22:4  The reward of humility is the fear of YHWH, even riches, and honour, and life.

4  The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.

22:5  Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward; he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.

5  Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.

22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

6  The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.

22:7  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

7  The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.

7  The rich shall be ruled by the poor, and the servant shall loan to his former lender.

22:8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his wrath shall fail.

8  He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works.

8  Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.

22:9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

9  He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory and honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses them.

9  Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.

22:10  Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; yea, strife and shame will cease.

10  Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.

10  Destroy evil, cast out strife, do away with contention and reproach, lest they sit in the assembly and reproach all who are present.

22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, that hath grace in his lips, the king shall be his friend.

11  The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.

11  Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.

22:12  The eyes of YHWH preserve him that hath knowledge, but He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.

12  But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words.

12  The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.

22:13  The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.'

13  The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

13  When he is sent on an errand, the sluggard says, There is a lion on the road! and, Behold, there is murder in the streets!

22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of YHWH shall fall therein.

14  The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.

14  The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who will fall into it.

22:15  Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

15  Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.

15  Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.

22:16  One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; one may give to the rich, yet will want come.

16  He who oppresses the poor adds to his evil; and he who gives to the rich, shall suffer a loss.