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PROVERBS CHAPTERS 11-20

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11

ΖΥΓΟΙ δόλιοι βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, στάθμιον δὲ δίκαιον δεκτὸν αὐτῷ.

2 οὗ ἐὰν εἰσέλθῃ ὕβρις, ἐκεῖ καὶ ἀτιμία· στόμα δὲ ταπεινῶν μελετᾷ σοφίαν

3 ἀποθανὼν δίκαιος ἔλιπε μετάμελον, πρόχειρος δὲ γίνεται καὶ ἐπίχαρτος ἀσεβῶν ἀπώλεια.

4 οὐκ ὠφελήσει ὑπάρχοντα ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θυμοῦ, δικαιοσύνη δὲ ῥύσεται ἀπὸ θανάτου.

5 δικαιοσύνη ἀμώμους ὀρθοτομεῖ ὁδούς, ἀσέβεια δὲ περιπίπτει ἀδικίᾳ.

6 δικαιοσύνη ἀνδρῶν ὀρθῶν ρύεται αὐτούς, τῇ δὲ ἀπωλείᾳ αὐτῶν ἁλίσκονται παράνομοι.

7 τελευτήσαντος ἀνδρὸς δικαίου οὐκ ὄλλυται ἐλπίς, τὸ δὲ καύχημα τῶν ἀσεβῶν ὄλλυται.

8 δίκαιος ἐκ θήρας ἐκδύνει, ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ δὲ παραδίδοται ὁ ἀσεβής.

9 ἐν στόματι ἀσεβῶν παγὶς πολίταις, αἴσθησις δὲ δικαίων εὔοδος.

10 ἐν ἀγαθοῖς δικαίων κατώρθωσε πόλις,

11 στόμασι δὲ ἀσεβῶν κατεσκάφη.

12 μυκτηρίζει πολίτας ἐνδεὴς φρενῶν, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος ἡσυχίαν ἄγει.

13 ἀνὴρ δίγλωσσος ἀποκαλύπτει βουλὰς ἐν συνεδρίῳ, πιστὸς δὲ πνοῇ κρύπτει πράγματα.

14 οἷς μὴ ὑπάρχει κυβέρνησις, πίπτουσιν ὥπερ φύλλα, σωτηρία δὲ ὑπάρχει ἐν πολλῇ βουλῇ.

15 πονηρὸς κακοποιεῖ ὅταν συμμίξῃ δικαίῳ, μισεῖ δὲ ἦχον ἀσφαλείας.

16 γυνὴ εὐχάριστος ἐγείρει ἀνδρὶ δόξαν, θρόνος δὲ ἀτιμίας γυνὴ μισοῦσα δίκαια. πλούτου ὀκνηροὶ ἐνδεεῖς γίνονται, οἱ δὲ ἀνδρεῖοι ἐρείδονται πλούτῳ.

17 τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ ἀγαθὸν ποιεῖ ἀνὴρ ἐλεήμων, ἐξολλύει δὲ αὐτοῦ σῶμα ὁ ἀνελεήμων.

18 ἀσεβεῖς ποιεῖ ἔργα ἄδικα, σπέρμα δὲ δικαίων μισθὸς ἀληθείας.

19 υἱὸς δίκαιος γεννᾶται εἰς ζωήν, διωγμὸς δὲ ἀσεβοῦς εἰς θάνατον.

20 βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ διεστραμμέναι ὁδοί, προσδεκτοὶ δὲ αὐτῷ πάντες ἄμωμοι ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτῶν.

21 χειρὶ χεῖρας ἐμβαλὼν ἀδίκως οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, ὁ δὲ σπείρων δικαιοσύνην λήψεται μισθὸν πιστόν.

22 ὥσπερ ἐνώτιον ἐν ρινὶ ὑός, οὕτως γυναικὶ κακόφρονι κάλλος.

23 ἐπιθυμία δικαίων πᾶσα ἀγαθή, ἐλπὶς δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἀπολεῖται.

24 εἰσὶν οἳ τὰ ἴδια σπείροντες πλείονα ποιοῦσιν, εἰσὶ δὲ καὶ οἳ συνάγοντες ἐλαττονοῦνται.

25 ψυχὴ εὐλογουμένη πᾶσα ἁπλῆ, ἀνὴρ δὲ θυμώδης οὐκ εὐσχήμων.

26 ὁ συνέχων σῖτον ὑπολείποιτο αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εὐλογίαν δὲ εἰς κεφαλὴν τοῦ μεταδιδόντος.

27 τεκταινόμενος ἀγαθὰ ζητεῖ χάριν ἀγαθήν, ἐκζητοῦντα δὲ κακά, καταλήψεται αὐτόν.

28 ὁ πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ πλούτῳ οὗτος πεσεῖται, ὁ δὲ ἀντιλαμβανόμενος δικαίων οὗτος ἀνατελεῖ.

29 ὁ μὴ συμπεριφερόμενος τῷ ἑαυτοῦ οἴκῳ κληρονομήσει ἄνεμον, δουλεύσει δὲ ἄφρων φρονίμῳ.

30 ἐκ καρποῦ δικαιοσύνης φύεται δένδρον ζωῆς, ἀφαιροῦνται δὲ ἄωροι ψυχαὶ παρανόμων.

31 εἰ ὁ μὲν δίκαιος μόλις σώζεται, ὁ ἀσεβὴς καὶ ἁμαρτωλὸς ποὺ φανεῖται;

12

Ο ἀγαπῶν παιδείαν, ἀγαπᾷ αἴσθησιν, ὁ δὲ μισῶν ἐλέγχους ἄφρων.

2 κρείσων ὁ εὑρὼν χάριν παρὰ Κυρίῳ, ἀνὴρ δὲ παράνομος παρασιωπηθήσεται.

3 οὐ κατορθώσει ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἀνόμου, αἱ δὲ ρίζαι τῶν δικαίων οὐκ ἐξαρθήσονται.

4 γυνὴ ἀνδρεία στέφανος τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς· ὥσπερ δὲ ἐν ξύλῳ σκώληξ, οὕτως ἄνδρα ἀπόλλυσι γυνὴ κακοποιός.

5 λογισμοὶ δικαίων κρίματα, κυβερνῶσι δὲ ἀσεβεῖς δόλους.

6 λόγοι ἀσεβῶν δόλιοι, στόμα δὲ ὀρθῶν ρύσεται αὐτούς.

7 οὗ ἐὰν στραφῇ ὁ ἀσεβής, ἀφανίζεται, οἶκοι δὲ δικαίων παραμένουσι.

8 στόμα συνετοῦ ἐγκωμιάζεται ὑπὸ ἀνδρός, νωθροκάρδιος δὲ μυκτηρίζεται.

9 κρείσσων ἀνὴρ ἐν ἀτιμίᾳ δουλεύων ἑαυτῷ ἢ τιμὴν ἑαυτῷ περιτιθεὶς καὶ προσδεόμενος ἄρτου.

10 δίκαιος οἰκτείρει ψυχὰς κτηνῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἀσεβῶν ἀνελεήμονα.

11 ὁ ἐργαζόμενος τὴν ἑαυτοῦ γῆν ἐμπλησθήσεται ἄρτων, οἱ δὲ διώκοντες μάταια ἐνδεεῖς φρενῶν.

11α ὅς ἐστιν ἡδὺς ἐν οἴνων διατριβαῖς, ἐν τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ ὀχυρώμασι καταλείψει ἀτιμίαν.

12 ἐπιθυμίαι ἀσεβῶν κακαί, αἱ δὲ ρίζαι τῶν εὐσεβῶν ἐν ὀχυρώμασι.

13 δι᾿ ἁμαρτίαν χειλέων ἐμπίπτει εἰς παγίδας ἁμαρτωλός, ἐκφεύγει δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν δίκαιος.

13α ὁ βλέπων λεῖα ἐλεηθήσεται, ὁ δὲ συναντῶν ἐν πύλαις ἐκθλίψει ψυχάς.

14 ἀπὸ καρπῶν στόματος ψυχὴ ἀνδρὸς πλησθήσεται ἀγαθῶν, ἀνταπόδομα δὲ χειλέων αὐτοῦ δοθήσεται αὐτῷ.

15 ὁδοὶ ἀφρόνων ὀρθαὶ ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν, εἰσακούει δὲ συμβουλίας σοφός.

16 ἄφρων αὐθημερὸν ἐξαγγέλλει ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ, κρύπτει δὲ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀτιμίαν ἀνὴρ πανοῦργος.

17 ἐπιδεικνυμένην πίστιν ἀπαγγέλλει δίκαιος, ὁ δὲ μάρτυς τῶν ἀδίκων δόλιος.

18 εἰσὶν οἳ λέγοντες τιτρώσκουσι μαχαίρᾳ, γλῶσσαι δὲ σοφῶν ἰῶνται.

19 χείλη ἀληθινὰ κατορθοῖ μαρτυρίαν, μάρτυς δὲ ταχὺς γλῶσσαν ἔχει ἄδικον.

20 δόλος ἐν καρδίᾳ τεκταινομένου κακά, οἱ δὲ βουλόμενοι εἰρήνην εὐφρανθήσονται.

21 οὐκ ἀρέσει τῷ δικαίῳ οὐδὲν ἄδικον, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς πλησθήσονται κακῶν.

22 βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ, ὁ δὲ ποιῶν πίστεις δεκτὸς παρ᾿ αὐτῷ.

23 ἀνὴρ συνετὸς θρόνος αἰσθήσεως, καρδία δὲ ἀφρόνων συναντήσεται ἀραῖς.

24 χεὶρ ἐκλεκτῶν κρατήσει εὐχερῶς, δόλιοι δὲ ἔσονται ἐν προνομῇ.

25 φοβερὸς λόγος καρδίαν ταράσσει ἀνδρὸς δικαίου, ἀγγελία δὲ ἀγαθὴ εὐφραίνει αὐτόν.

26 ἐπιγνώμων δίκαιος ἑαυτοῦ φίλος ἔσται, αἱ δὲ γνῶμαι τῶν ἀσεβῶν ἀνεπιεικεῖς. ἁμαρτάνοντας καταδιώξεται κακὰ ἡ δὲ ὁδὸς τῶν ἀσεβῶν πλανήσει αὐτούς.

27 οὐκ ἐπιτεύξεται δόλιος θήρας, κτῆμα δὲ τίμιον ἀνὴρ καθαρός.

28 ἐν ὁδοῖς δικαιοσύνης ζωή, ὁδοὶ δὲ μνησικάκων εἰς θάνατον.

13

ΥΙΟΣ πανοῦργος ὑπήκοος πατρί, υἱὸς δὲ ἀνήκοος ἐν ἀπωλείᾳ.

2 ἀπὸ καρπῶν δικαιοσύνης φάγεται ἀγαθός, ψυχαὶ δὲ παρανόμων ὀλοῦνται ἄωροι.

3 ὃς φυλάσσει τὸ ἑαυτοῦ στόμα, τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν, ὁ δὲ προπετὴς χείλεσι πτοήσει ἑαυτόν.

4 ἐν ἐπιθυμίαις ἐστὶ πᾶς ἀεργός, χεῖρες δὲ ἀνδρείων ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ.

5 λόγον ἄδικον μισεῖ δίκαιος, ἀσεβὴς δὲ αἰσχύνεται καὶ οὐχ ἕξει παρρησίαν.

7 εἰσὶν οἱ πλουτίζοντες ἑαυτοὺς μηδὲν ἔχοντες, καί εἰσιν οἱ ταπεινοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ἐν πολλῷ πλούτῳ.

8 λύτρον ἀνδρὸς ψυχῆς ὁ ἴδιος πλοῦτος, πτωχὸς δὲ οὐχ ὑφίσταται ἀπειλήν.

9 φῶς δικαίοις διαπαντός, φῶς δὲ ἀσεβῶν σβέννυται.

9α ψυχαὶ δόλιαι πλανῶνται ἐν ἁμαρτίαις, δίκαιοι δὲ οἰκτείρουσι καὶ ἐλεοῦσι.

10 κακὸς μεθ᾿ ὕβρεως πράσσει κακά, οἱ δὲ ἑαυτῶν ἐπιγνώμονες σοφοί.

11 ὕπαρξις ἐπισπουδαζομένη μετὰ ἀνομίας ἐλάσσων γίνεται, ὁ δὲ συνάγων ἑαυτῷ μετ᾿ εὐσεβείας πληθυνθήσεται· δίκαιος οἰκτείρει καὶ κιχρᾷ.

12 κρείσσων ἐναρχόμενος βοηθῶν καρδίᾳ τοῦ ἐπαγγελλομένου καὶ εἰς ἐλπίδα ἄγοντος· δένδρον γὰρ ζωῆς ἐπιθυμία ἀγαθή.

13 ὃς καταφρονεῖ πράγματος, καταφρονηθήσεται ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ· ὁ δὲ φοβούμενος ἐντολήν, οὗτος ὑγιαίνει.

13α υἱῷ δολίῳ οὐδὲν ἔσται ἀγαθόν, οἰκέτῃ δὲ σοφῷ εὔοδοι ἔσονται πράξεις, καὶ κατευθυνθήσεται ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτοῦ.

14 νόμος σοφοῦ πηγὴ ζωῆς, ὁ δὲ ἄνους ὑπὸ παγίδος θανεῖται.

15 σύνεσις ἀγαθὴ δίδωσι χάριν, τὸ δὲ γνῶναι νόμον διανοίας ἐστὶν ἀγαθῆς, ὁδοὶ δὲ καταφρονούντων ἐν ἀπωλείᾳ.

16 πᾶς πανοῦργος πράσσει μετὰ γνώσεως, ὁ δὲ ἄφρων ἐξεπέτασεν ἑαυτοῦ κακίαν.

17 βασιλεὺς θρασὺς ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά, ἄγγελος δὲ σοφὸς ρύσεται αὐτόν.

18 πενίαν καὶ ἀτιμίαν ἀφαιρεῖται παιδεία, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων ἐλέγχους δοξασθήσεται.

19 ἐπιθυμίαι εὐσεβῶν ἡδύνουσι ψυχήν, ἔργα δὲ ἀσεβῶν μακρὰν ἀπὸ γνώσεως.

20 ὁ συμπορευόμενος σοφοῖς σοφὸς ἔσται, ὁ δὲ συμπορευόμενος ἄφροσι γνωσθήσεται.

21 ἁμαρτάνοντας καταδιώξεται κακά, τοὺς δὲ δικαίους καταλήψεται ἀγαθά.

22 ἀγαθὸς ἀνὴρ κληρονομήσει υἱοὺς υἱῶν, θησαυρίζεται δὲ δικαίοις πλοῦτος ἀσεβῶν.

23 δίκαιοι ποιήσουσιν ἐν πλούτῳ ἔτη πολλά, ἄδικοι δὲ ἀπολοῦνται συντόμως.

24 ὃς φείδεται τῆς βακτηρίας μισεῖ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ ἀγαπῶν ἐπιμελῶς παιδεύει.

25 δίκαιος ἔσθων ἐμπιπλᾷ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ, ψυχαὶ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἐνδεεῖς.

14

ΣΟΦΑΙ γυναῖκες ᾠκοδόμησαν οἴκους, ἡ δὲ ἄφρων κατέσκαψε ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῆς.

2 ὁ πορευόμενος ὀρθῶς φοβεῖται τὸν Κύριον, ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ ἀτιμασθήσεται.

3 ἐκ στόματος ἀφρόνων βακτηρία ὕβρεως, χείλη δὲ σοφῶν φυλάσσει αὐτούς.

4 οὗ μή εἰσι βόες, φάτναι καθαραί· οὗ δὲ πολλὰ γεννήματα, φανερὰ βοὸς ἰσχύς.

5 μάρτυς πιστὸς οὐ ψεύδεται, ἐκκαίει δὲ ψευδῆ μάρτυς ἄδικος.

6 ζητήσεις σοφίαν παρὰ κακοῖς καὶ οὐχ εὑρήσεις, αἴσθησις δὲ παρὰ φρονίμοις εὐχερής.

7 πάντα ἐναντία ἀνδρὶ ἄφρονι, ὅπλα δὲ αἰσθήσεως χείλη σοφά.

8 σοφία πανούργων ἐπιγνώσεται τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῶν, ἄνοια δὲ ἀφρόνων ἐν πλάνῃ.

9 οἰκίαι παρανόμων ὀφειλήσουσι καθαρισμόν, οἰκίαι δὲ δικαίων δεκταί.

10 καρδία ἀνδρὸς αἰσθητική, λυπηρὰ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ· ὅταν δὲ εὐφραίνηται, οὐκ ἐπιμίγνυται ὕβρει.

11 οἰκίαι ἀσεβῶν ἀφανισθήσονται, σκηναὶ δὲ κατορθούντων στήσονται.

12 ἔστιν ὁδός, ἣ δοκεῖ παρὰ ἀνθρώποις ὀρθὴ εἶναι, τὰ δὲ τελευταῖα αὐτῆς ἔρχεται εἰς πυθμένα ᾄδου.

13 ἐν εὐφροσύναις οὐ προσμίγνυται λύπη, τελευταῖα δὲ χαρὰ εἰς πένθος ἔρχεται.

14 τῶν ἑαυτοῦ ὁδῶν πλησθήσεται θρασυκάρδιος, ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν διανοημάτων αὐτοῦ ἀνὴρ ἀγαθός.

15 ἄκακος πιστεύει παντὶ λόγῳ, πανοῦργος δὲ ἔρχεται εἰς μετάνοιαν.

16 σοφὸς φοβηθεὶς ἐξέκλινεν ἀπὸ κακοῦ, ὁ δὲ ἄφρων ἑαυτῷ πεποιθὼς μίγνυται ἀνόμῳ.

17 ὀξύθυμος πράσσει μετὰ ἀβουλίας, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος πολλὰ ὑποφέρει.

18 μεριοῦνται ἄφρονες κακίαν, οἱ δὲ πανοῦργοι κρατήσουσιν αἰσθήσεως.

19 ὀλισθήσουσι κακοὶ ἔναντι ἀγαθῶν, καὶ ἀσεβεῖς θεραπεύσουσι θύρας δικαίων.

20 φίλοι μισήσουσι φίλους πτωχούς, φίλοι δὲ πλουσίων πολλοί.

21 ὁ ἀτιμάζων πένητας ἁμαρτάνει, ἐλεῶν δὲ πτωχοὺς μακαριστός.

22 πλανώμενοι τεκταίνουσι κακά, ἔλεον δὲ καὶ ἀλήθειαν τεκταίνουσιν ἀγαθοί. οὐκ ἐπίστανται ἔλεον καὶ πίστιν τέκτονες κακῶν, ἐλεημοσύναι δὲ καὶ πίστεις παρὰ τέκτοσιν ἀγαθοῖς.

23 ἐν παντὶ μεριμνῶντι ἔνεστι περισσόν, ὁ δὲ ἡδὺς καὶ ἀνάλγητος ἐν ἐνδείᾳ ἔσται.

24 στέφανος σοφῶν πλοῦτος αὐτῶν, ἡ δὲ διατριβὴ ἀφρόνων κακή.

25 ρύσεται ἐκ κακῶν ψυχὴν μάρτυς πιστός, ἐκκαίει δὲ ψεύδη δόλιος.

26 ἐν φόβῳ Κυρίου ἐλπὶς ἰσχύος, τοῖς δὲ τέκνοις αὐτοῦ καταλείπει ἔρεισμα.

27 πρόσταγμα Κυρίου πηγὴ ζωῆς, ποιεῖ δὲ ἐκκλίνειν ἐκ παγίδος θανάτου.

28 ἐν πολλῷ ἔθνει δόξα βασιλέως, ἐν δὲ ἐκλείψει λαοῦ συντριβὴ δυνάστου.

29 μακρόθυμος ἀνὴρ πολὺς ἐν φρονήσει, ὁ δὲ ὀλιγόψυχος ἰσχυρῶς ἄφρων.

30 πραΰθυμος ἀνὴρ καρδίας ἰατρός, σὴς δὲ ὀστέων καρδία αἰσθητική.

31 ὁ συκοφαντῶν πένητα παροξύνει τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ τιμῶν αὐτὸν ἐλεεῖ πτωχόν.

32 ἐν κακίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἀπωσθήσεται ἀσεβής, ὁ δὲ πεποιθὼς τῇ ἑαυτοῦ ὁσιότητι δίκαιος.

33 ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀγαθῇ ἀνδρὸς ἀναπαύσεται σοφίᾳ, ἐν δὲ καρδίᾳ ἀφρόνων οὐ διαγινώσκεται.

34 δικαιοσύνη ὑψοῖ ἔθνος, ἐλασσονοῦσι δὲ φυλὰς ἁμαρτίαι.

35 δεκτὸς βασιλεῖ ὑπηρέτης νοήμων, τῇ δὲ ἑαυτοῦ εὐστροφίᾳ ἀφαιρεῖται ἀτιμίαν.

15

ΟΡΓΗ ἀπόλλυσι καὶ φρονίμους, ἀπόκρισις δὲ ὑποπίπτουσα ἀποστρέφει θυμόν, λόγος δὲ λυπηρὸς ἐγείρει ὀργάς.

2 γλῶσσα σοφῶν καλὰ ἐπίσταται, στόμα δὲ ἀφρόνων ἀναγγέλλει κακά.

3 ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου, σκοπεύουσι κακούς τε καὶ ἀγαθούς.

4 ἴασις γλώσσης δένδρον ζωῆς, ὁ δὲ συντηρῶν αὐτὴν πλησθήσεται πνεύματος,

5 ἄφρων μυκτηρίζει παιδείαν πατρός, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων ἐντολὰς πανουργότερος.

6 ἐν πλεοναζούσῃ δικαιοσύνῃ ἰσχὺς πολλή, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ὁλόρριζοι ἐκ γῆς ἀπολοῦνται. οἴκοις δικαίων ἰσχὺς πολλή, καρποὶ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἀπολοῦνται.

7 χείλη σοφῶν δέδεται αἰσθήσει, καρδία δὲ ἀφρόνων οὐκ ἀσφαλεῖς.

8 θυσίαι ἀσεβῶν βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ, εὐχαὶ δὲ κατευθυνόντων δεκταὶ παρ᾿ αὐτῷ.

9 βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ ὁδοὶ ἀσεβοῦς, διώκοντας δὲ δικαιοσύνην ἀγαπᾷ.

10 παιδεία ἀκάκου γνωρίζεται ὑπὸ τῶν παριόντων, οἱ δὲ μισοῦντες ἐλέγχους τελευτῶσιν αἰσχρῶς.

11 ᾅδης καὶ ἀπώλεια φανερὰ παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ· πῶς οὐχὶ καὶ αἱ καρδίαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων;

12 οὐκ ἀγαπήσει ἀπαίδευτος τοὺς ἐλέγχοντας αὐτόν, μετὰ δὲ σοφῶν οὐχ ὁμιλήσει.

13 καρδίας εὐφραινομένης πρόσωπον θάλλει, ἐν δὲ λύπαις οὔσης σκυθρωπάζει.

14 καρδία ὀρθὴ ζητεῖ αἴσθησιν, στόμα δὲ ἀπαιδεύτων γνώσεται κακά.

15 πάντα τὸν χρόνον οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τῶν κακῶν προσδέχονται κακά, οἱ δὲ ἀγαθοὶ ἡσυχάζουσι διαπαντός.

16 κρεῖσσον μικρὰ μερὶς μετὰ φόβου Κυρίου ἢ θησαυροὶ μεγάλοι μετὰ ἀφοβίας.

17 κρείσσων ξενισμὸς μετὰ λαχάνων πρὸς φιλίαν καὶ χάριν ἢ παράθεσις μόσχων μετὰ ἔχθρας.

18 ἀνὴρ θυμώδης παρασκευάζει μάχας, μακρόθυμος δὲ καὶ τὴν μέλλουσαν καταπραΰνει.

18α μακρόθυμος ἀνὴρ κατασβέσει κρίσεις, ὁ δὲ ἀσεβὴς ἐγείρει μᾶλλον.

19 ὁδοὶ ἀεργῶν ἐστρωμέναι ἀκάνθαις, αἱ δὲ τῶν ἀνδρείων τετριμμέναι.

20 υἱὸς σοφὸς εὐφραίνει πατέρα, υἱὸς δὲ ἄφρων μυκτηρίζει μητέρα αὐτοῦ.

21 ἀνοήτου τρίβοι ἐνδεεῖς φρενῶν, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος κατευθύνων πορεύεται.

22 ὑπερτίθενται λογισμοὺς οἱ μὴ τιμῶντες συνέδρια, ἐν δὲ καρδίαις βουλευομένων μένει βουλή.

23 οὐ μὴ ὑπακούσῃ ὁ κακὸς αὐτῇ, οὐδὲ μὴ εἴπῃ καίριόν τι καὶ καλὸν τῷ κοινῷ.

24 ὁδοὶ ζωῆς διανοήματα συνετοῦ, ἵνα ἐκκλίνας ἐκ τοῦ ᾅδου σωθῇ.

25 οἴκους ὑβριστῶν κατασπᾷ Κύριος, ἐστήρισε δὲ ὅριον χήρας.

26 βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ λογισμὸς ἄδικος, ἁγνῶν δὲ ρήσεις σεμναί.

27 ἐξόλλυσιν ἑαυτὸν ὁ δωρολήπτης, ὁ δὲ μισῶν δώρων λήψεις σώζεται.

27α ἐλεημοσύναις καὶ πίστεσιν ἀποκαθαίρονται ἁμαρτίαι, τῷ δὲ φόβῳ Κυρίου ἐκκλίνει πᾶς ἀπὸ κακοῦ.

28 καρδίαι δικαίων μελετῶσι πίστεις, στόμα δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἀποκρίνεται κακά.

28α δεκταὶ παρὰ Κυρίῳ ὁδοὶ ἀνθρώπων δικαίων, διὰ δὲ αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ ἐχθροὶ φίλοι γίνονται.

29 μακρὰν ἀπέχει ὁ Θεὸς ἀπὸ ἀσεβῶν, εὐχαῖς δὲ δικαίων ἐπακούει.

29α κρείσσων ὀλίγη λῆψις μετὰ δικαιοσύνης ἢ πολλὰ γεννήματα μετὰ ἀδικίας.

29β καρδία ἀνδρὸς λογιζέσθω δίκαια, ἵνα ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ διορθωθῇ τὰ διαβήματα αὐτοῦ.

30 θεωρῶν ὀφθαλμὸς καλὰ εὐφραίνει καρδίαν, φήμη δὲ ἀγαθὴ πιαίνει ὀστᾶ.

32 ὃς ἀπωθεῖται παιδείαν, μισεῖ ἑαυτόν, ὁ δὲ τηρῶν ἐλέγχους ἀγαπᾷ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.

33 φόβος Θεοῦ παιδεία καὶ σοφία, καὶ ἀρχὴ δόξης ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτῇ.

16

ΠΑΝΤΑ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ταπεινοῦ φανερὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ ὀλοῦνται.

5 ἀκάθαρτος παρὰ Θεῷ πᾶς ὑψηλοκάρδιος, χειρὶ δὲ χεῖρας ἐμβαλὼν ἀδίκως οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται.

7 ἀρχὴ ὁδοῦ ἀγαθῆς τὸ ποιεῖν τὰ δίκαια, δεκτὰ δὲ παρὰ Θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θύειν θυσίας.

8 ὁ ζητῶν τὸν Κύριον εὑρήσει γνῶσιν μετὰ δικαιοσύνης, οἱ δὲ ὀρθῶς ζητοῦντες αὐτὸν εὑρήσουσιν εἰρήνην.

9 πάντα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Κυρίου μετὰ δικαιοσύνης· φυλάσσεται δὲ ὁ ἀσεβὴς εἰς ἡμέραν κακήν.

10 μαντεῖον ἐπὶ χείλεσι βασιλέως, ἐν δὲ κρίσει οὐ μὴ πλανηθῇ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ.

11 ροπὴ ζυγοῦ δικαιοσύνη παρὰ Κυρίῳ, τὰ δὲ ἔργα αὐτοῦ στάθμια δίκαια.

12 βλέλυγμα βασιλεῖ ὁ ποιῶν κακά, μετὰ γὰρ δικαιοσύνης ἑτοιμάζεται θρόνος ἀρχῆς.

13 δεκτὰ βασιλεῖ χείλη δίκαια, λόγους δὲ ὀρθοὺς ἀγαπᾷ.

14 θυμὸς βασιλέως ἄγγελος θανάτου, ἀνὴρ δὲ σοφὸς ἐξιλάσεται αὐτόν.

15 ἐν φωτὶ ζωῆς υἱὸς βασιλέως, οἱ δὲ προσδεκτοὶ αὐτῷ ὥσπερ νέφος ὄψιμον.

16 νοσσιαὶ σοφίας αἱρετώτεραι χρυσίου, νοσσιαί δὲ φρονήσεως αἱρετώτεραι ὑπὲρ ἀργύριον.

17 τρίβοι ζωῆς ἐκκλίνουσιν ἀπὸ κακῶν, μῆκος δὲ βίου ὁδοὶ δικαιοσύνης. ὁ δεχόμενος παιδείαν ἐν ἀγαθοῖς ἔσται, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων ἐλέγχους σοφισθήσεται. ὅς φυλάσσει τὰς ἑαυτοῦ ὁδούς, τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν, ἀγαπῶν δὲ ζωὴν αὐτοῦ φείσεται στόματος αὐτοῦ.

18 πρὸ συντριβῆς ἡγεῖται ὕβρις, πρὸ δὲ πτώματος κακοφροσύνη.

19 κρείσσων πραΰθυμος μετὰ ταπεινώσεως ἢ ὃς διαιρεῖται σκῦλα μετὰ ὑβριστῶν.

20 συνετὸς ἐν πράγμασιν εὑρετὴς ἀγαθῶν, πεποιθὼς δὲ ἐπὶ Θεῷ μακαριστός.

21 τοὺς σοφοὺς καὶ συνετοὺς φαύλους καλοῦσιν, οἱ δὲ γλυκεῖς ἐν λόγῳ πλείονα ἀκούσονται.

22 πηγὴ ζωῆς ἔννοια τοῖς κεκτημένοις, παιδεία δὲ ἀφρόνων κακή.

23 καρδία σοφοῦ νοήσει τὰ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου στόματος, ἐπὶ δὲ χείλεσι φορέσει ἐπιγνωμοσύνην.

24 κηρία μέλιτος λόγοι καλοί, γλύκασμα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἴασις ψυχῆς.

25 εἰσὶν ὁδοὶ δοκοῦσαι εἶναι ὀρθαὶ ἀνδρί, τὰ μέντοι τελευταῖα αὐτῶν βλέπει εἰς πυθμένα ᾅδου.

26 ἀνὴρ ἐν πόνοις πονεῖ ἑαυτῷ καὶ ἐκβιάζεται τὴν ἀπώλειαν ἑαυτοῦ, ὁ μέντοι σκολιὸς ἐπὶ τῷ ἑαυτοῦ στόματι φορεῖ τὴν ἀπώλειαν.

27 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ὀρύσσει ἑαυτῷ κακά, ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ χειλέων θησαυρίζει πῦρ.

28 ἀνὴρ σκολιὸς διαπέμπεται κακά, καὶ λαμπτῆρα δόλου πυρσεύει κακοῖς καὶ διαχωρίζει φίλους.

29 ἀνὴρ παράνομος ἀποπειρᾶται φίλων καὶ ἀπάγει αὐτοὺς ὁδοὺς οὐκ ἀγαθάς.

30 στηρίζων δὲ ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ διαλογίζεται διεστραμμένα, ὁρίζει δὲ τοῖς χείλεσιν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ κακά· οὗτος κάμινός ἐστι κακίας.

31 στέφανος καυχήσεως γῆρας, ἐν δὲ ὁδοῖς δικαιοσύνης εὑρίσκεται.

32 κρείσσων ἀνὴρ μακρόθυμος ἰσχυροῦ, ὁ δὲ κρατῶν ὀργῆς κρείσσων καταλαμβανομένου πόλιν.

33 εἰς κόλπους ἐπέρχεται πάντα τοῖς ἀδίκοις, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου πάντα τὰ δίκαια.

17

ΚΡΕΙΣΣΩΝ ψωμὸς μεθ᾿ ἡδονῆς ἐν εἰρήνη ἢ οἶκος πλήρης πολλῶν ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἀδίκων θυμάτων μετὰ μάχης.

2 οἰκέτης νοήμων κρατήσει δεσποτῶν ἀφρόνων, ἐν δὲ ἀδελφοῖς διελεῖται μέρη.

3 ὥσπερ δοκιμάζεται ἐν καμίνῳ ἄργυρος καὶ χρυσός, οὕτως ἐκλεκταὶ καρδίαι παρὰ Κυρίῳ.

4 κακὸς ὑπακούει γλώσσης παρανόμων, δίκαιος δὲ οὐ προσέχει χείλεσι ψευδέσιν.

5 ὁ καταγελῶν πτωχοῦ παροξύνει τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ ἐπιχαίρων ἀπολλυμένῳ οὐκ ἀθῳωθήσεται· ὁ δὲ ἐπισπλαγχνιζόμενος ἐλεηθήσεται.

6 στέφανος γερόντων τέκνα τέκνων, καύχημα δὲ τέκνων πατέρες αὐτῶν.

6α τοῦ πιστοῦ ὅλος ὁ κόσμος τῶν χρημάτων, τοῦ δὲ ἀπίστου οὐδὲ ὀβολός.

7 οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστά, οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ.

8 μισθὸς χαρίτων ἡ παιδεία τοῖς χρωμένοις, οὗ δ᾿ ἂν ἐπιστρέψῃ εὐοδωθήσεται.

9 ὃς κρύπτει ἀδικήματα, ζητεῖ φιλίαν, ὃς δὲ μισεῖ κρύπτειν, διΐστησι φίλους καὶ οἰκείους.

10 συντρίβει ἀπειλὴ καρδίαν φρονίμου, ἄφρων δὲ μαστιγωθεὶς οὐκ αἰσθάνεται.

11 ἀντιλογίας ἐγείρει πᾶς κακός, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ.

12 ἐμπεσεῖται μέριμνα ἀνδρὶ νοήμονι, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες διαλογιοῦνται κακά.

13 ὃς ἀποδίδωσι κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, οὐ κινηθήσεται κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ.

14 ἐξουσίαν δίδωσι λόγοις ἀρχὴ δικαιοσύνης, προηγεῖται δὲ τῆς ἐνδείας στάσις καὶ μάχη.

15 ὃς δίκαιον κρίνει τὸν ἄδικον, ἄδικον δὲ τὸν δίκαιον, ἀκάθαρτος καὶ βδελυκτὸς παρὰ Θεῷ.

16 ἱνατί ὑπῆρξε χρήματα ἄφρονι; κτήσασθαι γὰρ σοφίαν ἀκάρδιος οὐ δυνήσεται.

16α ὃς ὑψηλὸν ποιεῖ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ οἶκον, ζητεῖ συντριβήν, ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων τοῦ μαθεῖν ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά.

17 εἰς πάντα καιρὸν φίλος ὑπαρχέτω σοι, ἀδελφοὶ δὲ ἐν ἀνάγκαις χρήσιμοι ἔστωσαν· τούτου γὰρ χάριν γεννῶνται.

18 ἀνὴρ ἄφρων ἐπικροτεῖ καὶ ἐπιχαίρει ἑαυτῷ, ὡς καὶ ὁ ἐγγυώμενος ἐγγύῃ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ φίλων.

19 φιλαμαρτήμων χαίρει μάχαις, [ὑψῶν δὲ θύραν αὐτοῦ ζητεῖ συντριβήν].

20 ὁ δὲ σκληροκάρδιος οὐ συναντᾷ ἀγαθοῖς. ἀνὴρ εὐμετάβολος γλώσσῃ ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακά,

21 καρδία δὲ ἄφρονος ὀδύνη τῷ κεκτημένῳ αὐτήν. οὐκ εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ ἐπὶ υἱῷ ἀπαιδεύτῳ, υἱὸς δὲ φρόνιμος εὐφραίνει μητέρα αὐτοῦ.

22 καρδία εὐφραινομένη εὐεκτεῖν ποιεῖ, ἀνδρὸς δὲ λυπηροῦ ξηραίνεται τὰ ὀστᾶ.

23 λαμβάνοντος δῶρα ἀδίκως ἐν κόλποις οὐ κατευοδοῦνται ὁδοί, ἀσεβὴς δὲ ἐκκλίνει ὁδοὺς δικαιοσύνης.

24 πρόσωπον συνετὸν ἀνδρὸς σοφοῦ, οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ ἄφρονος ἐπ᾿ ἄκρα γῆς.

25 ὀργὴ πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων καὶ ὀδύνη τῇ τεκούσῃ αὐτόν.

26 ζημιοῦν ἄνδρα δίκαιον οὐ καλόν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐπιβουλεύειν δυνάσταις δικαίοις.

27 ὃς φείδεται ρῆμα προέσθαι σκληρόν, ἐπιγνώμων, μακρόθυμος δὲ ἀνὴρ φρόνιμος.

28 ἀνοήτῳ ἐπερωτήσαντι σοφίαν σοφία λογισθήσεται, ἐνεὸν δέ τις ἑαυτὸν ποιήσας δόξει φρόνιμος εἶναι.

18

Προφάσεις ζητεῖ ἀνὴρ βουλόμενος χωρίζεσθαι ἀπὸ φίλων, ἐν παντὶ δὲ καιρῷ ἐπονείδιστος ἔσται.

2 οὐ χρείαν ἔχει σοφίας ἐνδεὴς φρενῶν, μᾶλλον γὰρ ἄγεται ἀφροσύνῃ.

3 ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἀσεβὴς εἰς βάθος κακῶν, καταφρονεῖ, επέρχεται δὲ αὐτῷ ἀτιμία καὶ ὄνειδος.

4 ὕδωρ βαθὺ λόγος ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀνδρός, ποταμὸς δὲ ἀναπηδύει καὶ πηγὴ ζωῆς.

5 θαυμάσαι πρόσωπον ἀσεβοῦς οὐ καλόν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐκκλίνειν τὸ δίκαιον ἐν κρίσει.

6 χείλη ἄφρονος ἄγουσιν αὐτὸν εἰς κακά, τὸ δὲ στόμα αὐτοῦ τὸ θρασὺ θάνατον ἐπικαλεῖται.

7 στόμα ἄφρονος συντριβὴ αὐτῷ, τὰ δὲ χείλη αὐτοῦ παγὶς τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ.

8 ὀκνηροὺς καταβάλλει φόβος, ψυχαὶ δὲ ἀνδρογύνων πεινάσουσιν.

9 ὁ μὴ ἰώμενος ἑαυτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις αὑτοῦ ἀδελφός ἐστι τοῦ λυμαινομένου ἑαυτόν.

10 ἐκ μεγαλωσύνης ἰσχύος ὄνομα Κυρίου, αὐτῷ δὲ προσδραμόντες δίκαιοι ὑψοῦνται.

11 ὕπαρξις πλουσίου ἀνδρὸς πόλις ὀχυρά, ἡ δὲ δόξα αὐτῆς μέγα ἐπισκιάζει.

12 πρὸ συντριβῆς ὑψοῦται καρδία ἀνδρός, καὶ πρὸ δόξης ταπεινοῦται.

13 ὃς ἀποκρίνεται λόγον πρὶν ἀκοῦσαι, ἀφροσύνη αὐτῷ ἐστι καὶ ὄνειδος.

14 θυμὸν ἀνδρὸς πραΰνει θεράπων φρόνιμος, ὀλιγόψυχον δὲ ἄνδρα τίς ὑποίσει;

15 καρδία φρονίμου κτᾶται αἴσθησιν, ὦτα δὲ σοφῶν ζητεῖ ἔννοιαν.

16 δόμα ἀνθρώπου ἐμπλατύνει αὐτὸν καὶ παρὰ δυνάσταις καθιζάνει αὐτόν.

17 δίκαιος ἑαυτοῦ κατήγορος ἐν πρωτολογίᾳ, ὡς δ’ ἂν ἐπιβάλῃ ὁ ἀντίδικος ἐλέγχεται.

18 ἀντιλογίας παύει σιγηρός, ἐν δὲ δυναστείαις ὁρίζει.

19 ἀδελφὸς ὑπὸ ἀδελφοῦ βοηθούμενος ὡς πόλις ὀχυρὰ καὶ ὑψηλή, ἰσχύει δὲ ὥσπερ τεθεμελιωμένον βασίλειον.

20 ἀπὸ καρπῶν στόματος ἀνὴρ πίμπλησι κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ δὲ καρπῶν χειλέων αὐτοῦ ἐμπλησθήσεται.

21 θάνατος καὶ ζωὴ ἐν χειρὶ γλώσσης, οἱ δὲ κρατοῦντες αὐτῆς ἔδονται τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς.

22 ὃς εὗρε γυναῖκα ἀγαθήν, εὗρε χάριτας, ἔλαβε δὲ παρὰ Θεοῦ ἱλαρότητα.

22α ὃς ἐκβάλλει γυναῖκα ἀγαθήν, ἐκβάλλει τὰ ἀγαθά, ὁ δὲ κατέχων μοιχαλίδα ἄφρων καὶ ἀσεβής.

19

ΑΦΡΟΣΥΝΗ ἀνδρὸς λυμαίνεται τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ, τὸν δὲ Θεὸν αἰτιᾶται τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.

4 πλοῦτος προστίθησι φίλους πολλούς, ὁ δὲ πτωχὸς καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὑπάρχοντος φίλου λείπεται.

5 μάρτυς ψευδὴς οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, ὁ δὲ ἐγκαλῶν ἀδίκως οὐ διαφεύξεται.

6 πολλοὶ θεραπεύουσι πρόσωπα βασιλέων, πᾶς δὲ ὁ κακὸς γίνεται ὄνειδος ἀνδρί.

7 πᾶς, ὃς ἀδελφὸν πτωχὸν μισεῖ, καὶ φιλίας μακρὰν ἔσται. ἔννοια ἀγαθὴ τοῖς εἰδόσιν αὐτὴν ἐγγιεῖ, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος εὑρήσει αὐτήν. ὁ πολλὰ κακοποιῶν τελεσιουργεῖ κακίαν, ὃς δὲ ἐρεθίζει λόγους οὐ σωθήσεται.

8 ὁ κτώμενος φρόνησιν ἀγαπᾷ ἑαυτόν, ὃς δὲ φυλάσσει φρόνησιν, εὑρήσει ἀγαθά.

9 μάρτυς ψευδὴς οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἐκκαύσῃ κακίαν, ἀπολεῖται ὑπ᾿ αὐτῆς.

10 οὐ συμφέρει ἄφρονι τρυφή, καὶ ἐὰν οἰκέτης ἄρξηται μεθ᾿ ὕβρεως δυναστεύειν.

11 ἐλεήμων ἀνὴρ μακροθυμεῖ, τὸ δὲ καύχημα αὐτοῦ ἐπέρχεται παρανόμοις.

12 βασιλέως ἀπειλὴ ὁμοία βρυγμῷ λέοντος, ὥσπερ δὲ δρόσος ἐπὶ χόρτῳ, οὕτως τὸ ἱλαρὸν αὐτοῦ.

13 αἰσχύνη πατρὶ υἱὸς ἄφρων· οὐχ ἁγναὶ εὐχαὶ ἀπὸ μισθώματος ἑταίρας.

14 οἶκον καὶ ὕπαρξιν μερίζουσι πατέρες παισί, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου ἁρμόζεται γυνὴ ἀνδρί.

15 δειλία κατέχει ἀνδρόγυνον, ψυχὴ δὲ ἀεργοῦ πεινάσει.

16 ὃς φυλάσσει ἐντολήν, τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν, ὁ δὲ καταφρονῶν τῶν ἑαυτοῦ ὁδῶν ἀπολεῖται.

17 δανείζει Θεῷ ὁ ἐλεῶν πτωχόν, κατὰ δὲ τὸ δόμα αὐτοῦ ἀνταποδώσει αὐτῷ.

18 παίδευε υἱόν σου, οὕτως γὰρ ἔσται εὔελπις, εἰς δὲ ὕβριν μὴ ἐπαίρου τῇ ψυχῇ σου.

19 κακόφρων ἀνὴρ πολλὰ ζημιωθήσεται· ἐὰν δὲ λοιμεύηται, καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ προσθήσει.

20 ἄκουε, υἱέ, παιδείαν πατρός σου, ἵνα σοφὸς γένῃ ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων σου.

21 πολλοὶ λογισμοὶ ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀνδρός, ἡ δὲ βουλὴ τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μένει.

22 καρπὸς ἀνδρὶ ἐλεημοσύνη, κρείσσων δὲ πτωχὸς δίκαιος ἢ πλούσιος ψεύστης.

23 φόβος Κυρίου εἰς ζωὴν ἀνδρί, ὁ δὲ ἄφοβος αὐλισθήσεται ἐν τόποις, οὗ οὐκ ἐπισκοπεῖται γνῶσις.

24 ὁ ἐγκρύπτων εἰς τὸν κόλπον αὐτοῦ χεῖρας ἀδίκως, οὐδὲ τῷ στόματι οὐ μὴ προσαγάγῃ αὐτάς.

25 λοιμοῦ μαστιγουμένου, ἄφρων πανουργότερος γίνεται· ἐὰν δὲ ἐλέγχῃς ἄνδρα φρόνιμον, νοήσει αἴσθησιν.

26 ὁ ἀτιμάζων πατέρα καὶ ἀπωθούμενος μητέρα αὐτοῦ καταισχυνθήσεται καὶ ἐπονείδιστος ἔσται.

27 υἱὸς ἀπολειπόμενος φυλάξαι παιδείαν πατρὸς μελετήσει ρήσεις κακάς.

28 ὁ ἐγγυώμενος παῖδα ἄφρονα καθυβρίσει δικαίωμα, στόμα δὲ ἀσεβῶν καταπίεται κρίσεις.

29 ἑτοιμάζονται ἀκολάστοις μάστιγες, καὶ τιμωρίαι ὁμοίως ἄφροσιν.

20

ΑΚΟΛΑΣΤΟΝ οἶνος καὶ ὑβριστικὸν μέθη, πᾶς δὲ ἄφρων τοιούτοις συμπλέκεται.

2 οὐ διαφέρει ἀπειλὴ βασιλέως θυμοῦ λέοντος, ὁ δὲ παροξύνων αὐτὸν ἁμαρτάνει εἰς τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν.

3 δόξα ἀνδρὶ ἀποστρέφεσθαι λοιδορίας, πᾶς δὲ ἄφρων τοιούτοις συμπλέκεται.

4 ὀνειδιζόμενος ὀκνηρὸς οὐκ αἰσχύνεται, ὡσαύτως καὶ ὁ δανειζόμενος σῖτον ἐν ἀμήτῳ.

5 ὕδωρ βαθὺ βουλὴ ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀνδρός, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος ἐξαντλήσει αὐτήν.

6 μέγα ἄνθρωπος καὶ τίμιον ἀνὴρ ἐλεήμων, ἄνδρα δὲ πιστὸν ἔργον εὑρεῖν.

7 ὃς ἀναστρέφεται ἄμωμος ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, μακαρίους τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ καταλείψει.

8 ὅταν βασιλεὺς δίκαιος καθίσῃ ἐπὶ θρόνου, οὐκ ἐναντιοῦται ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ πᾶν πονηρόν.

9 τίς καυχήσεται ἁγνὴν ἔχειν τὴν καρδίαν; ἢ τίς παρρησιάσεται καθαρὸς εἶναι ἀπὸ ἁμαρτιῶν;

20 κακολογοῦντος πατέρα ἢ μητέρα σβεσθήσεται λαμπτήρ, αἱ δὲ κόραι τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ ὄψονται σκότος.

21 μερὶς ἐπισπουδαζομένη ἐν πρώτοις, ἐν τοῖς τελευταίοις οὐκ εὐλογηθήσεται.

22 μὴ εἴπῃς· τίσομαι τὸν ἐχθρόν, ἀλλ᾿ ὑπόμεινον τὸν Κύριον, ἵνα σοι βοηθήσῃ.

10 στάθμιον μέγα καὶ μικρὸν καὶ μέτρα δισσά, ἀκάθαρτα ἐνώπιον Κυρίου καὶ ἀμφότερα καὶ ὁ ποιῶν αὐτά.

11 ἐν τοῖς ἐπιτηδεύμασιν αὐτοῦ συμποδισθήσεται νεανίσκος μετὰ ὁσίου, καὶ εὐθεῖα ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτοῦ.

12 οὖς ἀκούει καὶ ὀφθαλμὸς ὁρᾷ· Κυρίου ἔργα καὶ ἀμφότερα.

13 μὴ ἀγάπα καταλαλεῖν, ἵνα μὴ ἐξαρθῇς· διάνοιξον τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου καὶ ἐμπλήσθητι ἄρτων.

23 βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ δισσὸν στάθμιον, καὶ ζυγὸς δόλιος οὐ καλὸν ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ.

24 παρὰ Κυρίου εὐθύνεται τὰ διαβήματα ἀνδρί, θνητὸς δὲ πῶς ἂν νοήσαι τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ;

25 παγὶς ἀνδρὶ ταχύ τι τῶν ἰδίων ἁγιάσαι, μετὰ γὰρ τὸ εὔξασθαι μετανοεῖν γίνεται.

26 λικμήτωρ ἀσεβῶν βασιλεὺς σοφός, καὶ ἐπιβαλεῖ αὐτοῖς τροχόν.

27 φῶς Κυρίου πνοὴ ἀνθρώπων, ὃς ἐρευνᾷ ταμιεῖα κοιλίας.

28 ἐλεημοσύνη καὶ ἀλήθεια φυλακὴ βασιλεῖ, καὶ περικυκλώσουσιν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ.

29 κόσμος νεανίαις σοφία, δόξα δὲ πρεσβυτέρων πολιαί.

30 ὑπώπια καὶ συντρίμματα συναντᾷ κακοῖς, πληγαὶ δὲ εἰς ταμιεῖα κοιλίας.

PROVERBS
 

11

False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto him.

2 Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.

3 When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.

6 The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.

7 At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.

8 A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.

9 In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.

10 In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers:

11 but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.

12 A man void of understanding sneers at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

13 A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.

14 They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.

15 A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.

16 A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonour. The slothful come to want: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.

17 A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.

18 An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.

19 A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly ends in death.

20 Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.

21 He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.

22 As an ornament in a swine’s snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.

23 All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

24 There are some who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are some also who gather, yet have less.

25 Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.

26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it.

27 He that devises good counsels seeks good favour: but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtake him.

28 He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.

29 He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.

30 Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.

31 If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

12

He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.

2 He that has found favour with the Lord is made better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.

3 A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are true judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.

6 The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.

8 The mouth of an understanding man is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.

9 Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and wanting bread.

10 A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.

11 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding.

11a He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strong holds.

12 The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.

13 For the sin of his lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them.

13a He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.

14 The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.

15 The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.

16 A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.

17 A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.

18 Some wound as they speak, like swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.

19 True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.

20 There is deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.

21 No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.

23 An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.

24 The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.

25 A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.

26 A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.

27 A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.

28 In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries lead to death.

13

A wise son is obedient to his father: but a disobedient son will be destroyed.

2 A good man shall eat of the fruits of righteousness: but the lives of transgressors shall perish before their time.

3 He that keeps his own mouth keeps his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself.

4 Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are diligent.

5 A righteous man hates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is ashamed, and will have no confidence.

7 There are some who, having nothing, enrich themselves: and there are some who bring themselves down in the midst of much wealth.

8 A man’s own wealth is the ransom of his life: but the poor endures not threatening.

9 The righteous always have light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched.

9a Crafty souls go astray in sins: but just men pity, and are merciful.

10 A bad man does evil with insolence: but they that are judges of themselves are wise.

11 Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased. The righteous is merciful, and lends.

12 Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises and leads another to hope: for a good desire is a tree of life.

13 He that slights a matter shall be slighted of it: but he that fears the commandment has health of soul.

13a To a crafty son there shall be nothing good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous doings, and his way shall be directed aright.

14 The law of the wise is fountain of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare.

15 Sound discretion gives favour, and to know the law is the part of a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend to destruction.

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge: but the fool displays his own mischief.

17 A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him.

18 Instruction removes poverty and disgrace: but he that attends to reproofs shall be honoured.

19 The desires of the godly gladden the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge.

20 If thou walkest with wise men thou shalt be wise: but he that walks with fools shall be known.

21 Evil shall pursue sinners; but good shall overtake the righteous.

22 A good man shall inherit children’s children; and the wealth of ungodly men is laid up for the just.

23 The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.

24 He that spares the rod hates his son: but he that loves, carefully chastens him.

25 A just man eats and satisfies his soul: but the souls of the ungodly are in want.

14

Wise women build houses: but a foolish one digs hers down with her hands.

2 He that walks uprightly fears the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured.

3 Out of the mouth of fools comes a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.

5 A faithful witness does not lie; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods.

6 Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it; but discretion is easily available with the prudent.

7 All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion.

8 The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways; but the folly of fools leads astray.

9 The houses of transgressors will need purification; but the houses of the just are acceptable.

10 If a man’s mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride.

11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed; but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand.

12 There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depths of hell.

13 Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comes to grief.

14 A stout-hearted man shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man with his own thoughts.

15 The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to after-thought.

16 A wise man fears, and departs from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor.

17 A passionate man acts inconsiderately; but a sensible man bears up under many things.

18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding.

19 Evil men shall fall before the good; and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous.

20 Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many.

21 He that dishonours the needy sins: but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed.

22 They that go astray devise evils: but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth: but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good.

23 With every one who is careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want.

24 A prudent man is the crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.

25 A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil: but a deceitful man kindles falsehoods.

26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and he leaves his children a support.

27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; and it causes men to turn aside from the snare of death.

28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king: but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince.

29 A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish.

30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.

31 He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker: but he that honours him has pity upon the poor.

32 The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness: but he who is secure in his own holiness is just.

33 There is wisdom in the good heart of a man: but in the heart of fools it is not discerned.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes.

35 An understanding servant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behaviour he removes disgrace.

15

Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.

3 The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place.

4 The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding.

5 A fool scorns his father’s instruction; but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent.

6 In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth. In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish.

7 The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe.

8 The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.

9 The ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.

10 The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.

11 Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?

12 An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise.

13 When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.

14 An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.

15 The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet.

16 Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear of the Lord.

17 Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.

18 A passionate man stirs up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeases even a rising one.

18a A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs them up.

19 The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth.

20 A wise son gladdens his father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother.

21 The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright.

22 They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors.

23 A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common weal.

24 The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell.

25 The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow.

26 An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.

27 A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe.

27a By alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away; but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.

28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things.

28a The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.

29 God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous.

29a Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness.

29b Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God.

30 The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.

32 He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that mind reproofs loves his soul.

33 The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.

16

 All the works of the humble man are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.

5 Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless.

7 The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices.

8 He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace.

9 All of the works of the Lord are done with righteousness; and the ungodly man is kept for the evil day.

10 There is an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.

11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.

12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.

14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.

15 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.

16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.

17 The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.

19 Better is a meek-spirited man with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.

20 He who is skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.

21 Men call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.

23 The heart of the wise will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.

24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.

25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell.

26 A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from him his own ruin. But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth:

27  a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.

28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.

29 A transgressor tries to ensnare friends, and leads them in ways that are not good.

30 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.

31 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.

32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong man; and he that governs his temper better than he that takes a city.

33 All evils come upon the ungodly into their bosoms; but all righteous things come of the Lord.

17

Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.

3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.

4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.

5 He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children.

6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.

7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.

8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.

9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.

10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.

11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.

12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.

13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.

14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.

15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.

16 Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom.

16a He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.

17 Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.

18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.

19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes; [and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction].

20 and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;

21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.

22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.

23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in his bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.

24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.

26 It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is it holy to plot against righteous princes.

27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.

28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.

18

A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.

2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.

3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises them; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.

4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor is it holy to pervert justice in judgment.

6 The lips of a fool bring him into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.

7 A fool’s mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.

9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.

10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.

11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.

12 Before ruin a man’s heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.

13 Whoso answers a word before he hears a cause, it is folly and reproach to him.

14 A wise servant calms a man’s anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?

15 The heart of the sensible man purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.

16 A man’s gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.

17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

18 A silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers.

19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace.

20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God.

22a He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.

19

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

4 Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.

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

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.

8 He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.

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

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

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

13 A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows paid out of the hire of a harlot are not pure.

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

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

16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.

17 He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.

18 Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.

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

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

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

22 Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.

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

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

25 When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.

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

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

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

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

20

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

2 The threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul.

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

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

5 Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water; but a prudent man will draw it out.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

24 A man’s goings are directed of the Lord: how then can a mortal understand his ways?

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

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

27 The spirit of man is a light of the Lord, who searches the inmost parts of the belly.

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

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

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

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