1. |
Better `is' a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife. |
2. |
A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance. |
3. |
A refining pot `is' for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts `is' Jehovah. |
4. |
An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue. |
5. |
Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted. |
6. |
Sons' sons `are' the crown of old men, And the glory of sons `are' their fathers. |
7. |
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood. |
8. |
A stone of grace `is' the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. |
9. |
Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend. |
10. |
Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool. |
11. |
An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him. |
12. |
The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly. |
13. |
Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house. |
14. |
The beginning of contention `is' a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife. |
15. |
Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these `are' an abomination to Jehovah. |
16. |
Why `is' this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none? |
17. |
At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born. |
18. |
A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend. |
19. |
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction. |
20. |
The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil. |
21. |
Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not. |
22. |
A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone. |
23. |
A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment. |
24. |
The face of the intelligent `is' to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth. |
25. |
A provocation to his father `is' a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him. |
26. |
Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness. |
27. |
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper `is' a man of understanding. |
28. |
Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent! |