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PROVERBS CHAPTERS 21-29

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21

ΩΣΠΕΡ ὁρμὴ ὕδατος, οὕτως καρδία βασιλέως ἐν χειρὶ Θεοῦ· οὗ ἐὰν θέλων νεύσῃ, ἐκεῖ ἔκλινεν αὐτήν.

2 πᾶς ἀνὴρ φαίνεται ἑαυτῷ δίκαιος, κατευθύνει δὲ καρδίας Κύριος.

3 ποιεῖν δίκαια καὶ ἀληθεύειν ἀρεστὰ παρὰ Θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θυσιῶν αἷμα.

4 μεγαλόφρων ἐν ὕβρει θρασυκάρδιος, λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἁμαρτία.

6 ὁ ἐνεργῶν θησαυρίσματα γλώσσῃ ψευδεῖ μάταια διώκει καὶ ἔρχεται ἐπὶ παγίδας θανάτου.

7 ὄλεθρος ἀσεβέσιν ἐπιξενωθήσεται, οὐ γὰρ βούλονται πράσσειν τὰ δίκαια.

8 πρὸς τοὺς σκολιοὺς σκολιὰς ὁδοὺς ἀποστέλλει ὁ Θεός, ἁγνὰ γὰρ καὶ ὀρθὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.

9 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας ὑπαίθρου ἢ ἐν κεκονιαμένοις μετὰ ἀδικίας καὶ ἐν οἴκῳ κοινῷ.

10 ψυχὴ ἀσεβοῦς οὐκ ἐλεηθήσεται ὑπ᾿ οὐδενὸς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

11 ζημιουμένου ἀκολάστου πανουργότερος γίνεται ὁ ἄκακος, συνίων δὲ σοφὸς δέξεται γνῶσιν.

12 συνίει δίκαιος καρδίας ἀσεβῶν καὶ φαυλίζει ἀσεβεῖς ἐν κακοῖς.

13 ὃς φράσσει τὰ ὧτα αὐτοῦ τοῦ μὴ ἐπακοῦσαι ἀσθενοῦς, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπικαλέσεται, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ εἰσακούων.

14 δόσις λάθριος ἀνατρέπει ὀργάς, δώρων δὲ ὁ φειδόμενος θυμὸν ἐγείρει ἰσχυρόν.

15 εὐφροσύνη δικαίων ποιεῖν κρίμα, ὅσιος δὲ ἀκάθαρτος παρὰ κακούργοις.

16 ἀνὴρ πλανώμενος ἐξ ὁδοῦ δικαιοσύνης ἐν συναγωγῇ γιγάντων ἀναπαύσεται.

17 ἀνὴρ ἐνδεὴς ἀγαπᾷ εὐφροσύνην, φιλῶν οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον εἰς πλοῦτον·

18 περικάθαρμα δὲ δικαίου ἄνομος.

19 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐν γῇ ἐρήμῳ ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς μαχίμου καὶ γλωσσώδους καὶ ὀργίλου.

20 θησαυρὸς ἐπιθυμητὸς ἀναπαύσεται ἐπὶ στόματος σοφοῦ, ἄφρονες δὲ ἄνδρες καταπίονται αὐτόν.

21 ὁδὸς δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐλεημοσύνης εὑρήσει ζωὴν καὶ δόξαν.

22 πόλεις ὀχυρὰς ἐπέβη σοφὸς καὶ καθεῖλε τὸ ὀχύρωμα, ἐφ᾿ ᾧ ἐπεποίθεισαν οἱ ἀσεβεῖς.

23 ὃς φυλάσσει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν, διατηρεῖ ἐκ θλίψεως τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.

24 θρασὺς καὶ αὐθάδης καὶ ἀλαζὼν λοιμὸς καλεῖται, ὃς δὲ μνησικακεῖ, παράνομος.

25 ἐπιθυμίαι ὀκνηρὸν ἀποκτείνουσιν, οὐ γὰρ προαιροῦνται αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ ποιεῖν τι.

26 ἀσεβὴς ἐπιθυμεῖ ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐπιθυμίας κακάς, ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐλεᾷ καὶ οἰκτείρει ἀφειδῶς.

27 θυσίαι ἀσεβῶν βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ, καὶ γὰρ παρανόμως προσφέρουσιν αὐτάς.

28 μάρτυς ψευδὴς ἀπολεῖται, ἀνὴρ δὲ ὑπήκοος φυλασσόμενος λαλήσει.

29 ἀσεβὴς ἀνὴρ ἀναιδῶς ὑφίσταται προσώπῳ, ὁ δὲ εὐθὴς αὐτὸς συνίει τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ.

30 οὐκ ἔστι σοφία, οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνδρεία, οὐκ ἔστι βουλὴ πρὸς τὸν ἀσεβῆ.

31 ἵππος ἑτοιμάζεται εἰς ἡμέραν πολέμου, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου ἡ βοήθεια.

22

ΑΙΡΕΤΩΤΕΡΟΝ ὄνομα καλὸν ἢ πλοῦτος πολύς, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον χάρις ἀγαθή,

2 πλούσιος καὶ πτωχὸς συνήντησαν ἀλλήλοις, ἀμφοτέρους δὲ ὁ Κύριος ἐποίησε.

3 πανοῦργος ἱδὼν πονηρὸν τιμωρούμενον κραταιῶς αὐτὸς παιδεύεται, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες παρελθόντες ἐζημιώθησαν.

4 γενεὰ σοφίας φόβος Κυρίου καὶ πλοῦτος καὶ δόξα καὶ ζωή.

5 τρίβολοι καὶ παγίδες ἐν ὁδοῖς σκολιαῖς, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἀφέξεται αὐτῶν.

7 πλούσιοι πτωχῶν ἄρξουσι, καὶ οἰκέται ἰδίοις δεσπόταις δανειοῦσι.

8 ὁ σπείρων φαῦλα θερίσει κακά, πληγὴν δὲ ἔργων αὐτοῦ συντελέσει.

8α ἄνδρα ἱλαρὸν καὶ δότην εὐλογεῖ ὁ Θεός, ματαιότητα δὲ ἔργων αὐτοῦ συντελέσει.

9 ὁ ἐλεῶν πτωχὸν αὐτὸς διατραφήσεται, τῶν γὰρ ἑαυτοῦ ἄρτων ἔδωκε τῷ πτωχῷ.

9α νίκην καὶ τιμὴν περιποιεῖται ὁ δῶρα δούς, τὴν μέντοι ψυχὴν ἀφαιρεῖται τῶν κεκτημένων.

10 ἔκβαλε ἐκ συνεδρίου λοιμόν, καὶ συνεξελεύσεται αὐτῷ νεῖκος· ὅταν γὰρ καθίσῃ ἐν συνεδρίῳ, πάντας ἀτιμάζει.

11 ἀγαπᾷ Κύριος ὁσίας καρδίας, δεκτοὶ δὲ αὐτῷ πάντες ἄμωμοι· χείλεσι ποιμαίνει βασιλεύς.

12 οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου διατηροῦσιν αἴσθησιν, φαυλίζει δὲ λόγους παράνομος.

13 προφασίζεται καὶ λέγει ὀκνηρός· λέων ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς, ἐν δὲ ταῖς πλατείαις φονευταί.

14 βόθρος βαθὺς στόμα παρανόμου, ὁ δὲ μισηθεὶς ὑπὸ Κυρίου ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς αὐτόν.

14α εἰσὶν ὁδοὶ κακαὶ ἐνώπιον ἀνδρός, καὶ οὐκ ἀγαπᾷ τοῦ ἀποστρέψαι ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν· ἀποστρέφειν δὲ δεῖ ἀπὸ ὁδοῦ σκολιᾶς καὶ κακῆς.

15 ἄνοια ἐξῆπται καρδίας νέου, ράβδος δὲ καὶ παιδεία μακρὰν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

16 ὁ συκοφαντῶν πένητα πολλὰ ποιεῖ τὰ ἑαυτοῦ· δίδωσι δὲ πλουσίῳ ἐπ᾿ ἐλλάσσονι.

17 Λόγοις σοφῶν παράβαλλε σὸν οὗς καὶ ἄκουε ἐμὸν λόγον, τὴν δὲ σὴν καρδίαν ἐπίστησον, ἵνα γνῷς, ὅτι καλοί εἰσι·

18 καὶ ἐὰν ἐμβάλῃς αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου, εὐφρανοῦσί σε ἅμα ἐπὶ σοῖς χείλεσιν,

19 ἵνα σου γένηται ἐπὶ Κύριον ἡ ἐλπὶς καὶ γνωρίσῃ σοι τὴν ὁδόν σου.

20 καὶ σὺ δὲ ἀπόγραψαι αὐτὰ σεαυτῷ τρισσῶς εἰς βουλὴν καὶ γνῶσιν ἐπὶ τὸ πλάτος τῆς καρδίας σου.

21 διδάσκω οὖν σε ἀληθῆ λόγον καὶ γνῶσιν ἀγαθὴν ὑπακούειν, τοῦ ἀποκρίνεσθαί σε λόγους ἀληθείας τοῖς προβαλλομένοις σοι.

22 Μὴ ἀποβιάζου πένητα, πτωχὸς γάρ ἐστι, καὶ μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς ἀσθενῆ ἐν πύλαις·

23 ὁ γὰρ Κύριος κρινεῖ αὐτοῦ τὴν κρίσιν, καὶ ρύσῃ σὴν ἄσυλον ψυχήν.

24 μὴ ἴσθι ἑταῖρος ἀνδρὶ θυμώδει, φίλῳ δὲ ὀργίλῳ μὴ συναυλίζου,

25 μήποτε μάθῃς τῶν ὁδῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ λάβῃς βρόχους τῇ σῇ ψυχῇ.

26 μὴ δίδου σεαυτὸν εἰς ἐγγύην αἰσχυνόμενος πρόσωπον·

27 ἐὰν γὰρ μὴ ἔχῃς πόθεν ἀποτίσῃς, λήψονται τὸ στρῶμα τὸ ὑπὸ τὰς πλευράς σου.

28 μὴ μέταιρε ὅρια αἰώνια, ἃ ἔθεντο οἱ πατέρες σου.

29 ὁρατικὸν ἄνδρα καὶ ὀξὺν ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ βασιλεῦσι δεῖ παρεστάναι καὶ μὴ παρεστάναι ἀνδράσι νωθροῖς.

23

ΕΑΝ καθίσῃς δειπνεῖν ἐπὶ τραπέζης δυναστῶν, νοητῶς νόει τὰ παρατιθέμενά σοι

2 καὶ ἐπίβαλλε τὴν χεῖρά σου, εἰδὼς ὅτι τοιαῦτά σε δεῖ παρασκευάσαι· εἰ δὲ ἀπληστότερος εἶ,

3 μὴ ἐπιθύμει τῶν ἐδεσμάτων αὐτοῦ, ταῦτα γὰρ ἔχεται ζωῆς ψευδοῦς.

4 μὴ παρεκτείνου πένης ὢν πλουσίῳ, τῇ δὲ σῇ ἐννοίᾳ ἀπόσχου.

5 ἐὰν ἐπιστήσῃς τὸ σὸν ὄμμα πρὸς αὐτόν, οὐδαμοῦ φανεῖται· κατεσκεύασται γὰρ αὐτῷ πτέρυγες ὥσπερ ἀετοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέφει εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ προεστηκότος αὐτοῦ.

6 μὴ συνδείπνει ἀνδρὶ βασκάνῳ, μηδὲ ἐπιθύμει τῶν βρωμάτων αὐτοῦ·

7 ὃν τρόπον γὰρ εἴ τις καταπίοι τρίχα, οὕτως ἐσθίει καὶ πίνει.

8 μηδὲ πρός σε εἰσαγάγῃς αὐτὸν καὶ φάγῃς τὸν ψωμόν σου μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ· ἐξεμέσει γὰρ αὐτὸν καὶ λυμανεῖται τοὺς λόγους σου τοὺς καλούς.

9 εἰς ὦτα ἄφρονος μηδὲν λέγε, μήποτε μυκτηρίσῃ τοὺς συνετοὺς λόγους σου.

10 μὴ μεταθῇς ὅρια αἰώνια, εἰς δὲ κτῆμα ὀρφανῶν μὴ εἰσέλθῃς·

11 ὁ γὰρ λυτρούμενος αὐτοὺς Κύριος κραταιός ἐστι καὶ κρινεῖ τὴν κρίσιν αὐτῶν μετὰ σοῦ.

12 δὸς εἰς παιδείαν τὴν καρδίαν σου, τὰ δὲ ὦτά σου ἑτοίμασον λόγοις αἰσθήσεως.

13 μὴ ἀπόσχῃ νήπιον παιδεύειν, ὅτι ἐὰν πατάξῃς αὐτὸν ράβδῳ, οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ·

14 σὺ μὲν γὰρ πατάξεις αὐτὸν ράβδῳ, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐκ θανάτου ρύσῃ.

15 υἱέ, ἐὰν σοφὴ γένηταί σου ἡ καρδία, εὐφρανεῖς καὶ τὴν ἐμὴν καρδίαν,

16 καὶ ἐνδιατρίψει λόγοις τὰ σὰ χείλη πρὸς τὰ ἐμὰ χείλη, ἐὰν ὀρθὰ ὦσι.

17 μὴ ζηλούτω ἡ καρδία σου ἁμαρτωλούς, ἀλλὰ ἐν φόβῳ Κυρίου ἴσθι ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν·

18 ἐὰν γὰρ τηρήσῃς αὐτά, ἔσται σοι ἔκγονα, ἡ δὲ ἐλπίς σου οὐκ ἀποστήσεται.

19 ἄκουε, υἱέ, καὶ σοφὸς γίνου, καὶ κατεύθυνε ἐννοίας σῆς καρδίας·

20 μὴ ἴσθι οἰνοπότης, μηδὲ ἐκτείνου συμβουλαῖς κρεῶν τε ἀγορασμοῖς·

21 πᾶς γὰρ μέθυσος καὶ πορνοκόπος πτωχεύσει, καὶ ἐνδύσεται διερρηγμένα καὶ ρακώδη πᾶς ὑπνώδης.

22 ἄκουε, υἱέ, πατρὸς τοῦ γεννήσαντός σε καὶ μὴ καταφρόνει ὅτι γεγήρακέ σου ἡ μήτηρ.

23 ἀλήθειαν κτῆσαι καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ σοφίαν καὶ παιδείαν καὶ σύνεσιν.

24 καλῶς ἐκτρέφει πατὴρ δίκαιος, ἐπὶ δὲ υἱῷ σοφῷ εὐφραίνεται ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ.

25 εὐφραινέσθω ὁ πατὴρ καὶ ἡ μήτηρ ἐπὶ σοί, καὶ χαιρέτω ἡ τεκοῦσά σε.

26 δός μοι, υἱέ, σὴν καρδίαν, οἱ δὲ σοὶ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς τηρείτωσαν·

27 πίθος γὰρ τετρημένος ἐστὶν ἀλλότριος οἶκος, καὶ φρέαρ στενὸν ἀλλότριον·

28 οὗτος γὰρ συντόμως ἀπολεῖται, καὶ πᾶς παράνομος ἀναλωθήσεται.

29 τίνι οὐαί; τίνι θόρυβος; τίνι κρίσεις; τίνι δὲ ἀηδίαι καὶ λέσχαι; τίνι συντρίμματα διακενῆς; τίνος πελιδνοὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοί;

30 οὐ τῶν ἐγχρονιζόντων ἐν οἴνοις; οὐ τῶν ἰχνευόντων ποῦ πότοι γίνονται;

31 μὴ μεθύσκεσθε ἐν οἴνοις, ἀλλὰ ὁμιλεῖτε ἀνθρώποις δικαίοις καὶ ὁμιλεῖτε ἐν περιπάτοις· ἐὰν γὰρ εἰς τὰς φιάλας καὶ τὰ ποτήρια δῷς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου, ὕστερον περιπατήσεις γυμνότερος ὑπέρου.

32 τὸ δὲ ἔσχατον ὥσπερ ὑπὸ ὄφεως πεπληγὼς ἐκτείνεται, καὶ ὥσπερ ὑπὸ κεράστου διαχεῖται αὐτῷ ὁ ἰός.

33 οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου ὅταν ἴδωσιν ἀλλοτρίαν, τὸ στόμα σου τότε λαλήσει σκολιά,

34 καὶ κατακείσῃ ὥσπερ ἐν καρδίᾳ θαλάσσης καὶ ὥσπερ κυβερνήτης ἐν πολλῷ κλύδωνι.

35 ἐρεῖς δέ· τύπτουσί με καὶ οὐκ ἐπόνεσα, καὶ ἐνέπαιξάν μοι, ἐγὼ δὲ οὐκ ᾔδειν· πότε ὄρθρος ἔσται, ἵνα ἐλθὼν ζητήσω μεθ᾿ ὧν συνελεύσομαι;

 
24

ΥΙΕ, μὴ ζηλώσῃς κακοὺς ἄνδρας μηδὲ ἐπιθυμήσῃς εἶναι μετ᾿ αὐτῶν·

2 ψευδῆ γὰρ μελετᾷ ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, καὶ πόνους τὰ χείλη αὐτῶν λαλεῖ.

3 μετὰ σοφίας οἰκοδομεῖται οἶκος καὶ μετὰ συνέσεως ἀνορθοῦται.

4 μετὰ αἰσθήσεως ἐμπίπλανται ταμιεῖα ἐκ παντὸς πλούτου τιμίου καὶ καλοῦ.

5 κρείσσων σοφὸς ἰσχυροῦ καὶ ἀνὴρ φρόνησιν ἔχων γεωργίου μεγάλου.

6 μετὰ κυβερνήσεως γίνεται πόλεμος, βοήθεια δὲ μετὰ καρδίας βουλευτικῆς.

7 σοφία καὶ ἔννοια ἀγαθὴ ἐν πύλαις σοφῶν· σοφοὶ οὐκ ἐκκλίνουσιν ἐκ στόματος Κυρίου,

8 ἀλλὰ λογίζονται ἐν συνεδρίοις. ἀπαιδεύτοις συναντᾷ θάνατος,

9 ἀποθνήσκει δὲ ἄφρων ἐν ἁμαρτίαις. ἀκαθαρσία δὲ ἀνδρὶ λοιμῷ

10 ἐμμολυνθήσεται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θλίψεως, ἕως ἂν ἐκλίπῃ.

11 ρῦσαι ἀγομένους εἰς θάνατον καὶ ἐκπρίου κτεινομένους, μὴ φείσῃ·

12 ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃς, οὐκ οἶδα τοῦτον, γίνωσκε ὅτι Κύριος καρδίας πάντων γινώσκει, καὶ ὁ πλάσας πνοὴν πᾶσιν, αὐτὸς οἶδε πάντα, ὃς ἀποδίδωσιν ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.

13 φάγε μέλι, υἱέ, ἀγαθὸν γὰρ κηρίον, ἵνα γλυκανθῇ σου ὁ φάρυγξ·

14 οὕτως αἰσθήσῃ σοφίαν τῇ σῇ ψυχῇ· ἐὰν γὰρ εὕρῃς, ἔσται καλὴ ἡ τελευτή σου, καὶ ἐλπίς σε οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψει.

15 μὴ προσαγάγῃς ἀσεβῆ νομῇ δικαίων μηδὲ ἀπατηθῇς χορτασίᾳ κοιλίας·

16 ἑπτάκις γὰρ πεσεῖται δίκαιος καὶ ἀναστήσεται, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ἀσθενήσουσιν ἐν κακοῖς.

17 ἐὰν πέσῃ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, μὴ ἐπιχαρῇς αὐτῷ, ἐν δὲ τῷ ὑποσκελίσματι αὐτοῦ μὴ ἐπαίρου·

18 ὅτι ὄψεται Κύριος καὶ οὐκ ἀρέσει αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀποστρέψει τὸν θυμὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

19 μὴ χαῖρε ἐπὶ κακοποιοῖς, μηδὲ ζήλου ἁμαρτωλούς·

20 οὐ γὰρ μὴ γένηται ἔκγονα πονηρῷ, λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν σβεσθήσεται.

21 φοβοῦ τὸν Θεόν, υἱέ, καὶ βασιλέα καὶ μηθετέρῳ αὐτῶν ἀπειθήσῃς·

22 ἐξαίφνης γὰρ τίσονται τοὺς ἀσεβεῖς, τὰς δὲ τιμωρίας ἀμφοτέρων τίς γνώσεται;

22α λόγον φυλασσόμενος υἱὸς ἀπωλείας ἐκτὸς ἔσται, δεχόμενος δὲ ἐδέξατο αὐτόν.

22β μηδὲν ψεῦδος ἀπὸ γλώσσης βασιλεῖ λεγέσθω, καὶ οὐδὲν ψεῦδος ἀπὸ γλώσσης αὐτοῦ οὐ μὴ ἐξέλθῃ.

22γ μάχαιρα γλῶσσα βασιλέως καὶ οὐ σαρκίνη, ὃς δ᾿ ἂν παραδοθῇ, συντριβήσεται·

22δ ἐὰν γὰρ ὀξυνθῇ ὁ θυμὸς αὐτοῦ, σὺν νεύροις ἀνθρώπους ἀναλίσκει, καὶ ὀστᾶ ἀνθρώπων κατατρώγει, καὶ συγκαίει ὥσπερ φλόξ, ὥστε ἄβρωτα εἶναι νεοσσοῖς ἀετῶν.

22ε Τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους, υἱέ, φοβήθητι, καὶ δεξάμενος αὐτοὺς μετανόει· τάδε λέγει ὁ ἀνὴρ τοῖς πιστεύουσι Θεῷ, καὶ παύομαι·

2 ἀφρονέστατος γάρ εἰμι ἁπάντων ἀνθρώπων, καὶ φρόνησις ἀνθρώπων οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἐμοί·

3 Θεὸς δεδίδαχέ με σοφίαν, καὶ γνῶσιν ἁγίων ἔγνωκα.

4 τίς ἀνέβη εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ κατέβη; τίς συνήγαγεν ἀνέμους ἐν κόλπῳ; τίς συνέστρεψεν ὕδωρ ἐν ἱματίῳ; τίς ἐκράτησε πάντων τῶν ἄκρων τῆς γῆς; τί ὄνομα αὐτῷ, ἢ τί ὄνομα τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτοῦ;

5 πάντες γὰρ λόγοι Θεοῦ πεπυρωμένοι, ὑπερασπίζει δὲ αὐτὸς τῶν εὐλαβουμένων αὐτόν.

6 μὴ προσθῇς τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἐλέγξῃ σε καὶ ψευδὴς γένῃ.

7 δύο αἰτοῦμαι παρὰ σοῦ, μὴ ἀφέλῃς μου χάριν πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν με·

8 μάταιον λόγον καὶ ψευδῆ μακράν μου ποίησον, πλοῦτον δὲ καὶ πενίαν μή μοι δῷς, σύνταξόν δέ μοι τὰ δέοντα καὶ τὰ αὐτάρκη,

9 ἵνα μὴ πλησθεὶς ψευδὴς γένωμαι καὶ εἴπω· τίς με ὁρᾶ; ἢ πενηθεὶς κλέψω καὶ ὀμόσω τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ.

10 μὴ παραδῷς οἰκέτην εἰς χεῖρας δεσπότου, μήποτε καταράσηταί σε καὶ ἀφανισθῇς.

11 ἔκγονον κακὸν πατέρα καταρᾶται, τὴν δὲ μητέρα οὐκ εὐλογεῖ.

12 ἔκγονον κακὸν δίκαιον ἑαυτὸν κρίνει. τὴν δ᾿ ἔξοδον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπένιψεν.

13 ἔκγονον κακὸν ὑψηλοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχει, τοῖς δὲ βλεφάροις αὐτοῦ ἐπαίρεται.

14 ἔκγονον κακὸν μαχαίρας τοὺς ὀδόντας ἔχει καὶ τὰς μύλας τομίδας, ὥστε ἀναλίσκειν καὶ κατεσθίειν τοὺς ταπεινοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ τοὺς πένητας αὐτῶν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων. Ταῦτα δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν τοῖς σοφοῖς ἐπιγινώσκειν· αἰδεῖσθαι πρόσωπον ἐν κρίσει οὐ καλόν.

24 ὁ εἰπὼν τὸν ἀσεβῆ· δίκαιός ἐστιν, ἐπικατάρατος λαοῖς ἔσται καὶ μισητὸς εἰς ἔθνη·

25 οἱ δὲ ἐλέγχοντες βελτίους φανοῦνται, ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς δὲ ἥξει εὐλογία·

26 χείλη δὲ φιλήσουσιν ἀποκρινόμενα λόγους ἀγαθούς.

27 ἑτοίμαζε εἰς τὴν ἔξοδον τὰ ἔργα σου καὶ παρασκευάζου εἰς τὸν ἀγρὸν καὶ πορεύου κατόπισθέν μου καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσεις τὸν οἶκον σου.

28 μή ἴσθι ψευδὴς μάρτυς ἐπὶ σὸν πολίτην, μηδὲ πλατύνου σοῖς χείλεσι.

29 μὴ εἴπῃς· ὃν τρόπον ἐχρήσατό μοι, χρήσομαι αὐτῷ, τίσομαι δὲ αὐτὸν ἅ με ἠδίκησεν.

30 ὥσπερ γεώργιον ἀνὴρ ἄφρων, καὶ ὥσπερ ἀμπελὼν ἄνθρωπος ἐνδεὴς φρενῶν·

31 ἐὰν ἀφῇς αὐτόν, χερσωθήσεται καὶ χορτομανήσει ὅλος καὶ γίνεται ἐκλελειμμένος, οἱ δὲ φραγμοὶ τῶν λίθων αὐτοῦ κατασκάπτονται.

32 ὕστερον ἐγὼ μετενόησα, ἐπέβλεψα τοῦ ἐκλέξασθαι παιδείαν,

33 ὀλίγον νυστάζω, ὀλίγον δὲ καθυπνῶ, ὀλίγον δὲ ἐναγκαλίζομαι χερσὶ στήθη·

34 ἐὰν δὲ τοῦτο ποιῇς, ἥξει προπορευομένη ἡ πενία σου καὶ ἡ ἔνδειά σου ὥσπερ ἀγαθὸς δρομεύς. Τῇ βδέλλῃ τρεῖς θυγατέρες ἦσαν ἀγαπήσει ἀγαπώμεναι, καὶ αἱ τρεῖς αὗται οὐκ ἐνεπίμπλασαν αὐτήν, καὶ ἡ τετάρτη οὐκ ἠρκέσθη εἰπεῖν· ἱκανόν.

16 ᾅδης καὶ ἔρως γυναικὸς καὶ γῆ οὐκ ἐμπιπλαμένη ὕδατος καὶ ὕδωρ καὶ πῦρ οὐ μὴ εἴπωσιν· ἀρκεῖ·

17 ὀφθαλμὸν καταγελῶντα πατρὸς καὶ ἀτιμάζοντα γῆρας μητρός, ἐκκόψαισαν αὐτὸν κόρακες ἐκ τῶν φαράγγων καὶ καταφάγοισαν αὐτὸν νεοσσοὶ ἀετῶν.

18 τρία δέ ἐστι ἀδύνατά μοι νοῆσαι, καὶ τὸ τέταρτον οὐκ ἐπιγινώσκω·

19 ἴχνη ἀετοῦ πετομένου καὶ ὁδοὺς ὄφεως ἐπὶ πέτρας καὶ τρίβους νηὸς ποντοπορούσης καὶ ὁδοὺς ἀνδρὸς ἐν νεότητι.

20 τοιαύτη ὁδὸς γυναικὸς μοιχαλίδος, ἥ, ὅταν πράξῃ, ἀπονιψαμένη, οὐδέν φησι πεπραχέναι ἄτοπον.

21 διὰ τριῶν σείεται ἡ γῆ, τὸ δὲ τέταρτον οὐ δύναται φέρειν·

22 ἐὰν οἰκέτης βασιλεύσῃ καὶ ἄφρων πλησθῇ σιτίων

23 καὶ οἰκέτις ἐὰν ἐκβάλῃ τὴν ἑαυτῆς κυρίαν καὶ μισητὴ γυνὴ ἐὰν τύχῃ ἀνδρὸς ἀγαθοῦ.

24 τέσσαρα δὲ ἐλάχιστα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ταῦτα δέ ἐστι σοφώτερα τῶν σοφῶν·

25 οἱ μύρμηκες, οἷς μὴ ἔστιν ἰσχὺς καὶ ἑτοιμάζονται θέρους τὴν τροφήν·

26 καὶ οἱ χοιρογρύλλιοι, ἔθνος οὐκ ἰσχυρόν, οἳ ἐποιήσαντο ἐν πέτραις τοὺς ἑαυτῶν οἴκους·

27 ἀβασίλευτόν ἐστιν ἡ ἀκρὶς καὶ στρατεύει ἀφ᾿ ἑνὸς κελεύσματος εὐτάκτως·

28 καὶ καλαβώτης χερσὶν ἐρειδόμενος καὶ εὐάλωτος ὢν κατοικεῖ ἐν ὀχυρώμασι βασιλέως.

29 τρία δέ ἐστιν, ἃ εὐόδως πορεύεται, καὶ τέταρτον, ὃ καλῶς διαβαίνει·

30 σκύμνος λέοντος ἰσχυρότερος κτηνῶν, ὃς οὐκ ἀποστρέφεται οὐδὲ καταπτήσσει κτῆνος,

31 καὶ ἀλέκτωρ ἐμπεριπατῶν θηλείαις εὔψυχος καὶ τράγος ἡγούμενος αἰπολίου καὶ βασιλεὺς δημηγορῶν ἐν ἔθνει.

32 ἐὰν πρόῃ σεαυτὸν ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ καὶ ἐκτείνῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου μετὰ μάχης, ἀτιμασθήσῃ.

33 ἄμελγε γάλα, καὶ ἔσται βούτυρον· ἐὰν δὲ ἐκπιέζῃς μυκτῆρας, ἐξελεύσεται αἷμα· ἐὰν δὲ ἐξέλκῃς λόγους, ἐξελεύσονται κρίσεις καὶ μάχαι. Οἱ ἐμοὶ λόγοι εἴρηνται ὑπὸ Θεοῦ, βασιλέως χρηματισμός, ὃν ἐπαίδευσεν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ.

2 τί, τέκνον, τηρήσεις; τί; ρήσεις Θεοῦ. πρωτογενές, σοὶ λέγω, υἱέ· τί τέκνον ἐμῆς κοιλίας; τί τέκνον ἐμῶν εὐχῶν;

3 μὴ δῷς γυναιξὶ σὸν πλοῦτον, καὶ τὸν σὸν νοῦν καὶ βίον εἰς ὑστεροβουλίαν.

4 μετὰ βουλῆς πάντα ποίει, μετὰ βουλῆς οἰνοπότει· οἱ δυνάσται θυμώδεις εἰσίν, οἶνον δὲ μὴ πινέτωσαν,

5 ἵνα μὴ πιόντες ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς σοφίας καὶ ὀρθὰ κρῖναι οὐ μὴ δύνωνται τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς.

6 δίδοτε μέθην τοῖς ἐν λύπαις καὶ οἶνον πίνειν τοῖς ἐν ὀδύναις,

7 ἵνα ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς πενίας καὶ τῶν πόνων μὴ μνησθῶσιν ἔτι.

8 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα λόγῳ Θεοῦ, καὶ κρῖνε πάντας ὑγιῶς.

9 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα καὶ κρῖνε δικαίως, διάκρινε δὲ πένητα καὶ ἀσθενῆ.

25

ΑΥΤΑΙ αἱ παιδεῖαι Σολομῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι, ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι ᾿Εζεκίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας.

2 Δόξα Θεοῦ κρύπτει λόγον, δόξα δὲ βασιλέως τιμᾷ πράγματα.

3 οὐρανὸς ὑψηλός, γῆ δὲ βαθεῖα, καρδία δὲ βασιλέως ἀνεξέλεγκτος.

4 τύπτε ἀδόκιμον ἀργύριον, καὶ καθαρισθήσεται καθαρὸν ἅπαν·

5 κτεῖνε ἀσεβεῖς ἐκ προσώπου βασιλέως, καὶ κατορθώσει ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ.

6 μὴ ἀλαζονεύου ἐνώπιον βασιλέως, μηδὲ ἐν τόποις δυναστῶν ὑφίστασο·

7 κρεῖσσον γάρ σοι τὸ ρηθῆναι· ἀνάβαινε πρός με ἢ ταπεινῶσαί σε ἐν προσώπῳ δυνάστου. ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου, λέγε.

8 μὴ πρόσπιπτε εἰς μάχην ταχέως, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθῇς ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων. ἡνίκα ἄν σε ὀνειδίσῃ ὁ σὸς φίλος,

9 ἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω μὴ καταφρόνει,

10 μή σε ὀνειδίσῃ μὲν ὁ φίλος, ἡ δὲ μάχη σου καὶ ἡ ἔχθρα οὐκ ἀπέσται, ἀλλὰ ἔσται σοι ἴση θανάτῳ.

10α χάρις καὶ φιλία ἐλευθεροῖ, ἃς τήρησον σεαυτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐπονείδιστος γένῃ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξον τὰς ὁδούς σου εὐσυναλλάκτως.

11 μῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον.

12 εἰς ἐνώτιον χρυσοῦν καὶ σάρδιον πολυτελὲς δέδεται, λόγος σοφὸς εἰς εὐήκοον οὖς.

13 ὥσπερ ἔξοδος χιόνος ἐν ἀμήτῳ κατὰ καῦμα ὠφελεῖ, οὕτως ἄγγελος πιστὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτόν· ψυχὰς γὰρ τῶν αὐτῷ χρωμένων ὠφελεῖ.

14 ὥσπερ ἄνεμοι καὶ νέφη καὶ ὑετοὶ ἐπιφανέστατα, οὕτως ὁ καυχώμενος ἐπὶ δόσει ψευδεῖ.

15 ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ εὐοδία βασιλεῦσι, γλῶσσα δὲ μαλακὴ συντρίβει ὀστᾶ.

16 μέλι εὑρὼν φάγε τὸ ἱκανόν, μήποτε πλησθεὶς ἐξεμέσῃς.

17 σπάνιον εἴσαγε σὸν πόδα πρὸς σεαυτοῦ φίλον, μήποτε πλησθείς σου μισήσῃ σε.

18 ρόπαλον καὶ μάχαιρα καὶ τόξευμα ἀκιδωτόν, οὕτως καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ καταμαρτυρῶν τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ.

19 ὁδὸς κακοῦ καὶ ποὺς παρανόμου ὀλεῖται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ.

20 ὥσπερ ὄξος ἕλκει ἀσύμφορον, οὕτως προσπεσὸν πάθος ἐν σώματι καρδίαν λυπεῖ.

20α ὥσπερ σὴς ἐν ἱματίῳ καὶ σκώληξ ξύλῳ, οὕτως λύπη ἀνδρὸς βλάπτει καρδίαν.

21 ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν·

22 τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά.

23 ἄνεμος Βορέας ἐξεγείρει νέφη, πρόσωπον δὲ ἀναιδὲς γλῶσσαν ἐρεθίζει.

24 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας δώματος ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς λοιδόρου ἐν οἰκίᾳ κοινῇ.

25 ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ψυχρὸν ψυχῇ διψώσῃ προσηνές, οὕτως ἀγγελία ἀγαθὴ ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν.

26 ὥσπερ εἴ τις πηγὴ φράσσοι καὶ ὕδατος ἔξοδον λυμαίνοιτο, οὕτως ἄκοσμον δίκαιον πεπτωκέναι ἐνώπιον ἀσεβοῦς.

27 ἐσθίειν μέλι πολὺ οὐ καλόν, τιμᾶ δὲ χρὴ λόγους ἐνδόξους.

28 ὥσπερ πόλις τὰ τείχει καταβεβλημένη καὶ ἀτείχιστος, οὕτως ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐ μετὰ βουλῆς τι πράσσει.

26

ΩΣΠΕΡ δρόσος ἐν ἀμήτῳ καὶ ὥσπερ ὑετὸς ἐν θέρει, οὕτως οὐκ ἔστιν ἄφρονι τιμή.

2 ὥσπερ ὄρνεα πέταται καὶ στρουθοί, οὕτως ἀρὰ ματαία οὐκ ἐπελεύσεται οὐδενί.

3 ὥσπερ μάστιξ ἵππῳ καὶ κέντρον ὄνῳ, οὕτως ράβδος ἔθνει παρανόμῳ.

4 μὴ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι πρὸς τὴν ἐκείνου ἀφροσύνην, ἵνα μὴ ὅμοιος γένῃ αὐτῷ·

5 ἀλλὰ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι κατὰ τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ φαίνηται σοφός παρ᾿ ἑαυτῷ.

6 ἐκ τῶν ὁδῶν ἑαυτοῦ ὄνειδος ποιεῖται ὁ ἀποστείλας δι᾿ ἀγγέλου ἄφρονος λόγον.

7 ἀφελοῦ πορείαν σκελῶν καὶ παρανομίαν ἐκ στόματος ἀφρόνων.

8 ὃς ἀποδεσμεύει λίθον ἐν σφενδόνῃ, ὅμοιός ἐστι τῷ διδόντι ἄφρονι δόξαν.

9 ἄκανθαι φύονται ἐν χειρὶ μεθύσου, δουλεία δὲ ἐν χειρὶ τῶν ἀφρόνων.

10 πολλὰ χειμάζεται πᾶσα σάρξ ἀφρόνων· συντρίβεται γὰρ ἡ ἔκστασις αὐτῶν.

11 ὥσπερ κύων ὅταν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἔμετον καὶ μισητὸς γένηται, οὕτως ἄφρων τῇ ἑαυτοῦ κακίᾳ ἀναστρέψας ἐπὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίαν.

11α ἔστιν αἰσχύνη ἐπάγουσα ἁμαρτίαν, καί ἐστιν αἰσχύνη δόξα καὶ χάρις.

12 εἶδον ἄνδρα δόξαντα παρ᾿ αὑτῷ σοφὸν εἶναι, ἐλπίδα μέντοι ἔσχε μᾶλλον ἄφρων αὐτοῦ.

13 λέγει ὀκνηρὸς ἀποστελλόμενος εἰς ὁδόν· λέων ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς, ἐν δὲ ταῖς πλατείαις φονευταί.

14 ὥσπερ θύρα στρέφεται ἐπὶ τοῦ στρόφιγγος, οὕτως ὀκνηρὸς ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης αὐτοῦ.

15 κρύψας ὀκνηρὸς τὴν χεῖρα ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ αὐτοῦ, οὐ δυνήσεται ἐπενεγκεῖν ἐπὶ στόμα.

16 σοφώτερος ἑαυτῷ ὀκνηρὸς φαίνεται τοῦ ἐν πλησμονῇ ἀποκομίζοντος ἀγγελίαν.

17 ὥσπερ ὁ κρατῶν κέρκου κυνός, οὕτως ὁ προεστὼς ἀλλοτρίας κρίσεως.

18 ὥσπερ οἱ ἰώμενοι προβάλλουσι λόγους εἰς ἀνθρώπους, ὁ δὲ ἀπαντήσας τῷ λόγῳ πρῶτος ὑποσκελισθήσεται,

19 οὕτως πάντες οἱ ἐνεδρεύοντες τοὺς ἑαυτῶν φίλους, ὅταν δὲ ὁραθῶσι, λέγουσι ὅτι παίζων ἔπραξα.

20 ἐν πολλοῖς ξύλοις θάλλει πῦρ, ὅπου δὲ οὐκ ἔστι δίθυμος, ἡσυχάζει μάχη.

21 ἐσχάρα ἄνθραξι καὶ ξύλα πυρί, ἀνὴρ δὲ λοίδορος εἰς ταραχὴν μάχης.

22 λόγοι κερκώπων μαλακοί, οὗτοι δὲ τύπτουσιν εἰς ταμιεῖα σπλάγχνων.

23 ἀργύριον διδόμενον μετὰ δόλου, ὥσπερ ὄστρακον ἡγητέον. χείλη λεῖα καρδίαν καλύπτει λυπηράν.

24 χείλεσι πάντα ἐπινεύει ἀποκλαιόμενος ἐχθρός, ἐν δὲ τῇ καρδίᾳ τεκταίνεται δόλους.

25 ἐάν σου δέηται ὁ ἐχθρὸς μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ, μὴ πεισθῆς, ἑπτὰ γάρ εἰσι πονηρίαι ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ.

26 ὁ κρύπτων ἔχθραν συνίστησι δόλον, ἐκκαλύπτει δὲ τὰς ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίας εὔγνωστος ἐν συνεδρίοις.

27 ὁ ὀρύσσων βόθρον τῷ πλησίον ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ κυλίων λίθον ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτὸν κυλίει.

28 γλῶσσα ψευδὴς μισεῖ ἀλήθειαν, στόμα δὲ ἄστεγον ποιεῖ ἀκαταστασίας.

27

ΜΗ καυχῶ τὰ εἰς αὔριον, οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται ἡ ἐπιοῦσα.

2 ἐγκωμιαζέτω σε ὁ πέλας καὶ μὴ τὸ σὸν στόμα, ἀλλότριος καὶ μὴ τὰ σὰ χείλη.

3 βαρὺ λίθος καὶ δυσβάστακτον ἄμμος, ὀργὴ δὲ ἄφρονος βαρυτέρα ἀμφοτέρων.

4 ἀνελεήμων θυμὸς καὶ ὀξεῖα ὀργή, ἀλλ᾿ οὐδένα ὑφίσταται ζῆλος.

5 κρείσσους ἔλεγχοι ἀποκεκαλυμμένοι κρυπτομένης φιλίας.

6 ἀξιοπιστόστερά εἰσι τραύματα φίλου ἢ ἐκούσια φιλήματα ἐχθροῦ.

7 ψυχὴ ἐν πλησμονῇ οὖσα κηρίοις ἐμπαίζει, ψυχῇ δὲ ἐνδεεῖ καὶ τὰ πικρὰ γλυκέα φαίνεται.

8 ὥσπερ ὅταν ὄρνεον καταπετασθῇ ἐκ τῆς ἰδίας νοσσιᾶς, οὕτως ἄνθρωπος δουλοῦται ὅταν ἀποξενωθῇ ἐκ τῶν ἰδίων τόπων.

9 μύροις καὶ οἴνοις καὶ θυμιάμασι τέρπεται καρδία, καταρρήγνυται δὲ ὑπὸ συμπτωμάτων ψυχή.

10 φίλον σὸν ἢ φίλον πατρῷον μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς, εἰς δὲ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου μὴ εἰσέλθης ἀτυχῶν· κρείσσων φίλος ἐγγὺς ἢ ἀδελφὸς μακρὰν οἰκῶν.

11 σοφὸς γίνου, υἱέ, ἵνα σου εὐφραίνηται ἡ καρδία, καὶ ἀπόστρεψον ἀπὸ σοῦ ἐπονειδίστους λόγους.

12 πανοῦργος κακῶν ἐπερχομένων ἀπεκρύβη, ἄφρονες δὲ ἐπελθόντες ζημίαν τίσουσιν.

13 ἀφελοῦ τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ, παρῆλθε γὰρ ὑβριστής, ὅστις τὰ ἀλλότρια λυμαίνεται.

14 ὃς ἂν εὐλογῇ φίλον τὸ πρωΐ μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ, καταρωμένου οὐδὲν διαφέρειν δόξει.

15 σταγόνες ἐκβάλλουσιν ἄνθρωπον ἐν ἡμέρᾳ χειμερινῇ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, ὡσαύτως καὶ γυνὴ λοίδορος ἐκ τοῦ ἱδίου οἴκου.

16 Βορέας σκληρὸς ἄνεμος, ὀνόματι δὲ ἐπιδέξιος καλεῖται.

17 σίδηρος σίδηρον ὀξύνει, ἀνὴρ δὲ παροξύνει πρόσωπον ἑταίρου.

18 ὃς φυτεύει συκῆν φάγεται τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς, ὃς δὲ φυλάσσει τὸν ἑαυτοῦ κύριον, τιμηθήσεται.

19 ὥσπερ οὐκ ὅμοια πρόσωπα προσώποις, οὕτως οὐδὲ αἱ διάνοιαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

20 ᾅδης καὶ ἀπώλεια οὐκ ἐμπίμπλανται, ὡσαύτως καὶ οἱ ὁφθαλμοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἄπληστοι.

20α βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ στηρίζων ὀφθαλμόν, καὶ οἱ ἀπαίδευτοι ἀκρατεῖς γλώσσῃ.

21 δοκίμιον ἀργυρῷ καὶ χρυσῷ πύρωσις, ἀνὴρ δὲ δοκιμάζεται διὰ στόματος ἐγκωμιαζόντων αὐτόν.

21α καρδία ἀνόμου ἐκζητεῖ κακά, καρδία δὲ εὐθὴς ἐκζητεῖ γνῶσιν.

22 ἐὰν μαστιγοῖς ἄφρονα ἐν μέσῳ συνεδρίου ἀτιμάζων, οὐ μὴ περιέλῃς τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ.

23 γνωστῶς ἐπιγνώσῃ ψυχὰς ποιμνίου σου καὶ ἐπιστήσεις καρδίαν σου σαῖς ἀγέλαις·

24 ὅτι οὐκ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἀνδρὶ κράτος καὶ ἰσχύς, οὐδὲ παραδίδωσιν ἐκ γενεᾶς εἰς γενεάν.

25 ἐπιμελοῦ τῶν ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ χλωρῶν καὶ κερεῖς πόαν, καὶ σύναγε χόρτον ὀρεινόν,

26 ἵνα ἔχῃς πρόβατα εἰς ἱματισμόν· τίμα πεδίον, ἵνα ὦσί σοι ἄρνες.

27 υἱέ, παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἔχεις ρήσεις ἰσχυρὰς εἰς τὴν ζωήν σου καὶ εἰς τὴν ζωὴν σῶν θεραπόντων.

28

ΦΕΥΓΕΙ ἀσεβὴς μηδενὸς διώκοντος, δίκαιος δὲ ὥσπερ λέων πέποιθε.

2 δι᾿ ἁμαρτίας ἀσεβῶν κρίσεις ἐγείρονται, ἀνὴρ δὲ πανοῦργος κατασβέσει αὐτάς.

3 ἀνδρεῖος ἐν ἀσεβείαις συκοφαντεῖ πτωχούς. ὥσπερ ὑετὸς λάβρος καὶ ἀνωφελής,

4 οὕτως οἱ ἐγκαταλείποντες τὸν νόμον ἐγκωμιάζουν ἀσέβειαν, οἱ δὲ ἀγαπῶντες τὸν νόμον περιβάλλουσιν ἑαυτοῖς τεῖχος.

5 ἄνδρες κακοὶ οὐ νοήσουσι κρίμα, οἱ δὲ ζητοῦντες τὸν Κύριον συνήσουσιν ἐν παντί.

6 κρείσσων πτωχὸς πορευόμενος ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, πλουσίου ψευδοῦς.

7 φυλάσσει νόμον υἱὸς συνετός, ὃς δὲ ποιμαίνει ἀσωτίαν ἀτιμάζει πατέρα.

8 ὁ πληθύνων τὸν πλοῦτον αὐτοῦ μετὰ τόκων καὶ πλεονασμῶν, τῷ ἐλεῶντι πτωχοὺς συνάγει αὐτόν.

9 ὁ ἐκκλίνων τὸ οὖς αὐτοῦ μὴ εἰσακοῦσαι νόμου, καὶ αὐτὸς τὴν προσευχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐβδέλυκται.

10 ὃς πλανᾷ εὐθεῖς ἐν ὁδῷ κακῇ, εἰς διαφθορὰν αὐτὸς ἐμπεσεῖται· οἱ δὲ ἄνομοι διελεύσονται ἀγαθά, καὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς αὐτά.

11 σοφὸς παρ᾿ ἑαυτῷ ἀνὴρ πλούσιος, πένης δὲ νοήμων καταγνώσεται αὐτοῦ.

12 διὰ βοήθειαν δικαίων πολλὴν γίνεται δόξα, ἐν δὲ τόποις ἀσεβῶν ἁλίσκονται ἄνθρωποι.

13 ὁ ἐπικαλύπτων ἀσέβειαν ἑαυτοῦ οὐκ εὐοδωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ἐξηγούμενος ἐλέγχους ἀγαπηθήσεται.

14 μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὃς καταπτήσσει πάντα δι᾿ εὐλάβειαν, ὁ δὲ σκληρὸς τὴν καρδίαν ἐμπεσεῖται κακοῖς.

15 λέων πεινῶν καὶ λύκος διψῶν, ὃς τυραννεῖ, πτωχὸς ὤν, ἔθνους πενιχροῦ.

16 βασιλεὺς ἐνδεὴς προσόδων μέγας συκοφάντης, ὁ δὲ μισῶν ἀδικίαν μακρὸν χρόνον ζήσεται.

17 ἄνδρα τὸν ἐν αἰτίᾳ φόνου ὁ ἐγγυώμενος, φυγὰς ἔσται καὶ οὐκ ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ.

17α παίδευε υἱὸν καὶ ἀγαπήσει σε, καὶ δώσει κόσμον τῇ σῆ ψυχῇ· οὐ μὴ ὑπακούσει ἔθνει παρανόμῳ.

18 ὁ πορευόμενος δικαίως βεβοήθηται, ὁ δὲ σκολιαῖς ὁδοῖς πορευόμενος ἐμπλακήσεται.

19 ὁ ἐργαζόμενος τὴν ἑαυτοῦ γῆν πλησθήσεται ἄρτων, ὁ δὲ διώκων σχολὴν πλησθήσεται πενίας.

20 ἀνὴρ ἀξιόπιστος πολλὰ εὐλογηθήσεται, ὁ δὲ κακὸς οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται.

21 ὃς οὐκ αἰσχύνεται πρόσωπα δικαίων, οὐκ ἀγαθός· ὁ τοιοῦτος ψωμοῦ ἄρτου ἀποδώσεται ἄνδρα.

22 σπεύδει πλουτεῖν ἀνὴρ βάσκανος, καὶ οὐκ οἶδεν ὅτι ἐλεήμων κρατήσει αὐτοῦ.

23 ὁ ἐλέγχων ἀνθρώπου ὁδοὺς χάριτας ἕξει μᾶλλον τοῦ γλωσσοχαριτοῦντος.

24 ὃς ἀποβάλλεται πατέρα ἢ μητέρα, καὶ δοκεῖ μὴ ἁμαρτάνειν, οὗτος κοινωνός ἐστιν ἀνδρὸς ἀσεβοῦς.

25 ἄπιστος ἀνὴρ κρίνει εἰκῆ, ὃς δὲ πέποιθεν ἐπὶ Κύριον ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ ἔσται.

26 ὃς πέποιθε θρασείᾳ καρδίᾳ, ὁ τοιοῦτος ἄφρων· ὃς δὲ πορεύεται σοφίᾳ σωθήσεται.

27 ὃς δίδωσι πτωχοῖς, οὐκ ἐνδεηθήσεται, ὃς δὲ ἀποστρέφει τὸν ὀφθαλμὸν αὐτοῦ, ἐν πολλῇ ἀπορίᾳ ἔσται.

28 ἐν τόποις ἀσεβῶν στένουσι δίκαιοι, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἐκείνων ἀπωλείᾳ πληθυνθήσονται δίκαιοι.

29

ΚΡΕΙΣΣΩΝ ἀνὴρ ἐλέγχων ἀνδρὸς σκληροτραχήλου, ἐξαπίνης γὰρ φλεγομένου αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις.

2 ἐγκωμιαζομένων δικαίων εὐφρανθήσονται λαοί, ἀρχόντων δὲ ἀσεβῶν στένουσιν ἄνδρες.

3 ἀνδρὸς φιλοῦντος σοφίαν εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ αὐτοῦ, ὃς δὲ ποιμαίνει πόρνας, ἀπολεῖ πλοῦτον.

4 βασιλεὺς δίκαιος ἀνίστησι χώραν, ἀνὴρ δὲ παράνομος κατασκάπτει.

5 ὃς παρασκευάζεται ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἑαυτοῦ φίλους δίκτυον, περιβάλλει αὐτὸ τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ ποσίν.

6 ἁμαρτάνοντι ἀνδρὶ μεγάλη παγίς, δίκαιος δὲ ἐν χαρᾷ καὶ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ ἔσται.

7 ἐπίσταται δίκαιος κρίνειν πενιχροῖς, ὁ δὲ ἀσεβὴς οὐ νοεῖ γνῶσιν, καὶ πτωχῷ οὐχ ὑπάρχει νοῦς ἐπιγνώμων.

8 ἄνδρες ἄνομοι ἐξέκαυσαν πόλιν, σοφοὶ δὲ ἐπέστρεψαν ὀργήν.

9 ἀνὴρ σοφὸς κρινεῖ ἔθνη, ἀνὴρ δὲ φαῦλος ὀργιζόμενος καταγελᾶται καὶ οὐ καταπτήσσει.

10 ἄνδρες αἱμάτων μέτοχοι μισοῦσιν ὅσιον, οἱ δὲ εὐθεῖς ἐκζητήσουσι ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.

11 ὅλον τὸν θυμὸν αὐτοῦ ἐκφέρει ἄφρων, σοφὸς δὲ ταμιεύεται κατὰ μέρος.

12 βασιλέως ὑπακούοντος λόγον ἄδικον, πάντες οἱ ὑπ᾿ αὐτὸν παράνομοι.

13 δανειστοῦ καὶ χρεωφειλέτου ἀλλήλοις συνελθόντων, ἐπισκοπὴν ἀμφοτέρων ποιεῖται ὁ Κύριος.

14 βασιλέως ἐν ἀληθείᾳ κρίνοντος πτωχούς, ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ εἰς μαρτύριον κατασταθήσεται.

15 πληγαὶ καὶ ἔλεγχοι διδόασι σοφίαν, παῖς δὲ πλανώμενος αἰσχύνει γονεῖς αὐτοῦ.

16 πολλῶν ὄντων ἀσεβῶν πολλαὶ γίνονται ἁμαρτίαι, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι ἐκείνων πιπτόντων κατάφοβοι γίνονται.

17 παίδευε υἱόν σου, καὶ ἀναπαύσει σε, καὶ δώσει κόσμον τῇ ψυχῇ σου.

18 οὐ μὴ ὑπάρξῃ ἐξηγητὴς ἔθνει παρανόμῳ, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων τὸν νόμον μακαριστός.

19 λόγοις οὐ παιδευθήσεται οἰκέτης σκληρός· ἐὰν γὰρ καὶ νοήσῃ, ἀλλ᾿ οὐχ ὑπακούσεται.

20 ἐὰν ἴδῃς ἄνδρα ταχὺν ἐν λόγοις, γίνωσκε ὅτι ἐλπίδα ἔχει μᾶλλον ὁ ἄφρων αὐτοῦ.

21 ὃς κατασπαταλᾷ ἐκ παιδός, οἰκέτης ἔσται, ἔσχατον δὲ ὀδυνηθήσεται ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτῷ.

22 ἀνὴρ θυμώδης ὀρύσσει νεῖκος, ἀνὴρ δὲ ὀργίλος ἐξώρυξεν ἁμαρτίαν.

23 ὕβρις ἄνδρα ταπεινοῖ, τοὺς δὲ ταπεινόφρονας ἐρείδει δόξῃ Κύριος.

24 ὃς μερίζεται κλέπτῃ, μισεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν· ἐὰν δὲ ὅρκου προτεθέντος ἀκούσαντες μὴ ἀναγγείλωσι,

25 φοβηθέντες καὶ αἰσχυνθέντες ἀνθρώπους ὑπεσκελίσθησαν· ὁ δὲ πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ Κυρίῳ εὐφρανθήσεται. ἀσέβεια ἀνδρὶ δίδωσι σφάλμα, ὃς δὲ πέποιθεν ἐπὶ τῷ δεσπότῃ, σωθήσεται.

26 πολλοὶ θεραπεύουσι πρόσωπα ἡγουμένων, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου γίνεται τὸ δίκαιον ἀνδρί.

27 βδέλυγμα δικαίοις ἀνὴρ ἄδικος, βδέλυγμα δὲ ἀνόμῳ κατευθύνουσα ὁδός. Γυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν τίς εὑρήσει; τιμιωτέρα δέ ἐστι λίθων πολυτελῶν ἡ τοιαύτη.

11 θάρσει ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ ἡ καρδία τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς, ἡ τοιαύτη καλῶν σκύλων οὐκ ἀπορήσει·

12 ἐνεργεῖ γὰρ τῷ ἀνδρὶ ἀγαθὰ πάντα τὸν βίον.

13 μηρυομένη ἔρια καὶ λίνον ἐποίησεν εὔχρηστον ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῆς.

14 ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ ναῦς ἐμπορευομένη μακρόθεν, συνάγει δὲ αὐτῆς τὸν πλοῦτον.

15 καὶ ἀνίσταται ἐκ νυκτῶν καὶ ἔδωκε βρώματα τῷ οἴκῳ καὶ ἔργα ταῖς θεραπαίναις.

16 θεωρήσασα γεώργιον ἐπρίατο, ἀπὸ δὲ καρπῶν χειρῶν αὐτῆς κατεφύτευσε κτῆμα.

17 ἀναζωσαμένη ἰσχυρῶς τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτῆς ἤρεισε τοὺς βραχίονας αὐτῆς εἰς ἔργον.

18 ἐγεύσατο ὅτι καλόν ἐστι τὸ ἐργάζεσθαι, καὶ οὐκ ἀποσβέννυται ὁ λύχνος αὐτῆς ὅλην τὴν νύκτα.

19 τοὺς πήχεις αὐτῆς ἐκτείνει ἐπὶ τὰ συμφέροντα, τὰς δὲ χεῖρας αὐτῆς ἐρείδει εἰς ἄτρακτον.

20 χεῖρας δὲ αὐτῆς διήνοιξε πένητι, καρπὸν δὲ ἐξέτεινε πτωχῷ.

21 οὐ φροντίζει τῶν ἐν οἴκῳ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, ὅταν που χρονίζῃ· πάντες γὰρ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτῆς ἐνδεδυμένοι εἰσί.

22 δισσὰς χλαίνας ἐποίησε τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς, ἐκ δὲ βύσσου καὶ πορφύρας ἑαυτῇ ἐνδύματα.

23 περίβλεπτος δὲ γίνεται ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ἐν πύλαις, ἡνίκα ἂν καθίση ἐν συνεδρίῳ μετὰ τῶν γερόντων κατοίκων τῆς γῆς.

24 σινδόνας ἐποίησε καὶ ἀπέδοτο τοῖς Φοίνιξι, περιζώματα δὲ τοῖς Χαναναίοις.

25 ἰσχὺν καὶ εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο καὶ εὐφράνθη ἐν ἡμέραις ἐσχάταις.

26 στόμα αὐτῆς διήνοιξε προσεχόντως καὶ ἐννόμως, καὶ τάξιν ἐστείλατο τῇ γλώσσῃ αὐτῆς.

27 στεγναὶ διατριβαὶ οἴκων αὐτῆς, σῖτα δὲ ὀκνηρὰ οὐκ ἔφαγε.

28 τὸ στόμα δὲ ἀνοίγει σοφῶς καὶ νομοθέσμως, ἡ δὲ ἐλεημοσύνη αὐτῆς ἀνέστησε τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς καὶ ἐπλούτησαν, καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ᾔνεσεν αὐτήν.

29 Πολλαὶ θυγατέρες ἐκτήσαντο πλοῦτον, πολλαὶ ἐποίησαν δύναμιν, σὺ δὲ ὑπέρκεισαι καὶ ὑπερῇρας πάσας.

30 ψευδεῖς ἀρέσκειαι καὶ μάταιον κάλλος γυναικός· γυνὴ γὰρ συνετὴ εὐλογεῖται, φόβον δὲ Κυρίου αὕτη αἰνείτω.

31 δότε αὐτῇ ἀπὸ καρπῶν χειλέων αὐτῆς, καὶ αἰνείσθω ἐν πύλαις ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς.

PROVERBS
 

21

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.

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

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

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

5  6 He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.

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

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

9 It is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house.

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

11 When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.

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

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

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

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

16 A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.

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

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

19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.

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

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

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

23 He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.

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

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

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

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

28 A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.

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

30 There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.

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

22

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

2 The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.

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

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

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

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

8 He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds.

8a God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works.

9 He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor.

9a He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses them.

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.

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

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

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

14 The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it.

14a 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.

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

16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

17 Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart, that thou mayest know that they are good:

18  and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.

19 That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.

20 And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.

21 I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.

22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the gates.

23 For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.

24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:

25 lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul.

26 Become not surety from respect of a man’s person.

27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed that is under thee.

28 Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.

29 It is fit that an observant man and one diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.

23

If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before thee:

2 and apply thine hand, knowing that it behoves thee to prepare such meats: but if thou art very insatiable,

3 desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life.

4 If thou art poor, measure not thyself with a rich man; but refrain thyself in thy wisdom.

5 If thou shouldest fix thine eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle’s are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master.

6 Sup not with an envious man, neither desire thou his meats:

7 so he eats and drinks as if any one should swallow a hair,

8 and do not bring him in to thyself, nor eat thy morsel with him:for he will vomit it up, and spoil thy fair words.

9 Say nothing in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at thy wise words.

10 Remove not the ancient landmarks; and enter not upon the possession of the fatherless:

11 for the Lord is their redeemer; he is mighty, and will plead their cause with thee.

12 Apply thine heart to instruction, and prepare thine ears for words of discretion.

13 Refrain not from chastening a child; for if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die.

14 For thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from death.

15 Son, if thy heart be wise, thou shalt also gladden my heart;

16 and thy lips shall converse with my lips, if they be right.

17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day.

18 For if thou shouldest keep these things, thou shalt have posterity; and thine hope shall not be removed.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of thine heart.

20 Be not a wine-bibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh:

21 for every drunkard and whoremonger shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments.

22 Hearken, my son, to thy father which begot thee, and despise not thy mother because she is grown old.

23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

24 A righteous father brings up his children well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son.

25 Let thy father and thy mother rejoice over thee, and let her that bore thee be glad.

26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

27 For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow.

28 For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off.

29 Who has woe? who trouble? who has quarrels? and who vexations and disputes? who has bruises without a cause? whose eyes are livid?

30 Are not those of them that stay long at wine? are not those of them that haunt the places where banquets are?

31 Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse with them openly. For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups, thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle.

32 But at last such a one stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent.

33 Whenever thine eyes shall behold a strange woman, then thy mouth shall speak perverse things.

34 And thou shalt lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm.

35 And thou shalt say, They smote me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I knew it not: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company?

24

My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.

2 For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.

3 A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.

4 By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.

5 A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.

6 War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.

7 Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,

8 but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed men.

9 The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness attaches to a pestilent man.

10 He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.

11 Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not thy help.

12 But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.

13 My son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that thy throat may be sweetened.

14 Thus shalt thou perceive wisdom in thy soul: for if thou find it, thine end shall be good, and hope shall not fail thee.

15 Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.

16 For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise again: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.

17 If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.

18 For the Lord will see it, and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.

19 Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.

20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.

22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance inflicted by both?

22a A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for such an one has fully received it.

22b Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue.

22c The king’s tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to it shall be destroyed:

22d for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men’s bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not even fit to be eaten by the young eagles.

22e My son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent. These things says the man to them that trust in God; and I cease.

2 For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men.

3 God has taught me wisdom, and I know the knowledge of the holy.

4 Who has gone up to heaven, and come down? who has gathered the winds in his bosom? who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? who has dominion of all the ends of the earth? what is his name? or what is the name of his children?

5 For all the words of God are tried in the fire, and he defends those that reverence him.

6 Add not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be made a liar.

7 Two things I ask of thee; take not favour from me before I die.

8 Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient:

9 lest I be filled and become false, and say, Who sees me? or be poor and steal, and swear vainly by the name of God.

10 Deliver not a servant into the hands of his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be utterly destroyed.

11 A wicked generation curse their father, and do not bless their mother.

12 A wicked generation judge themselves to be just, but do not cleanse their way.

13 A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves with their eyelids.

14 A wicked generation have swords for teeth and jaw-teeth as knives, so as to destroy and devour the lowly from the earth, and the poor of them from among men. And this thing I say to you that are wise for you to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.

25 But they that reprove him shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;

26 and men will kiss lips that answer well.

27 Prepare thy works for thy going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thine house.

28 Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips.

29 Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.

30 A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.

31 If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.

32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.

33 The sluggard says,I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across my breast.

34 But if thou do this, thy poverty will come speedily; and thy want like a swift courier. The horse-leech had three dearly-beloved daughters: and these three did not satisfy her; and the fourth was not contented so as to say, Enough.

16 The grave, and the love of a woman, and the earth not filled with water; water also and fire will not say, It is enough.

17 The eye that laughs to scorn a father, and dishonours the old age of a mother, let the ravens of the valleys pick it out, and let the young eagles devour it.

18 Moreover there are three things impossible for me to comprehend, and the fourth I know not:

19 the track of a flying eagle; and the ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a ship passing through the sea; and the ways of a man in youth.

20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who having washed herself from what she has done, says she has done nothing amiss.

21 By three thing the earth is troubled, and the fourth it cannot bear:

22 if a servant reign; or a fool be filled with food;

23 or if a maid-servant should cast out her own mistress; and if a hateful woman should marry a good man.

24 And there are four very little things upon the earth, but these are wiser than the wise:

25 the ants which are weak, and yet prepare their food in summer;

26 the rabbits also are a feeble race, who make their houses in the rocks.

27 The locusts have no king, and yet march orderly at one command.

28 And the eft, which supports itself by its hands, and is easily taken, dwells in the fortresses of kings.

29 And there are three things which go well, and a fourth which passes along finely.

30 A lion’s whelp, stronger than all other beasts, which turns not away, nor fears any beast;

31 and a cock walking in boldly among the hens, and the goat leading the herd; and a king publicly speaking before a nation.

32 If thou abandon thyself to mirth, and stretch forth thine hand in a quarrel, thou shalt be disgraced.

33 Milk out milk, and there shall be butter, and if thou wing one’s nostrils there shall come out blood: so if thou extort words, there will come forth quarrels and strifes. My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.

2 What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?

3 Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse.

4 Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel. Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:

5 lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.

6 Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:

7 that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.

8 Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.

9 Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.

25

These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.

2 The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.

3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king’s heart is unsearchable.

4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.

5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.

6 Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;

7 for it is better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, than that one should humble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.

8 Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last. Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee,

9  retreat backward, despise him not;

10 lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death.

10a Favour and friendship set a man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.

11 As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.

12 In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so is a wise word to an obedient ear.

13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger refreshes those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.

14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so is he that boasts of a false gift.

15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

16 Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.

17 Enter sparingly into thy friend’s house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.

18 As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.

19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.

20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart.

20a As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.

21 If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;

22 for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee with good.

23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.

24 It is better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.

25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.

26 As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so is it unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.

27 It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.

28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.

26

As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.

3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.

5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

7 As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.

11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin.

11a There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame that is glory and grace.

12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.

13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, There is a lion in the ways, and there are murderers in the streets.

14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.

15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.

16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

17 As he that lays hold of a dog’s tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another’s cause.

18 As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels.

23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.

24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

25 Though thine enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.

27 He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.

28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.

27

Boast not of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what the next day shall bring forth.

2 Let thy neighbour, and not thine own mouth, praise thee; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

3  A stone is heavy, and sand cumbersome; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both.

4 Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing.

5 Open reproofs are better than secret love.

6 The wounds of a friend are more to be trusted than the spontaneous kisses of an enemy.

7 A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet.

8 As when a bird flies down from its own nest, so a man is brought into bondage whenever he estranges himself from his own place.

9 The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: but the soul is broken by calamities.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; and when thou art in distress go not into thy brother’s house: better is a friend that is near than a brother living far off.

11 Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words.

12 A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished.

13 Take away the man’s garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another’s goods.

14 Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses him.

15 On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house.

16 The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious.

17 Iron sharpens iron; and a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

18 He that plants a fig-tree shall eat the fruits of it: so he that waits on his own master shall be honoured.

19 As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men.

20 Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable.

20a He that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue.

21 Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him.

21a The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge.

22 Though thou scourge a fool, disgracing him in the midst of the council, thou wilt still in no wise remove his folly from him.

23 Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock, and pay attention to thine herds.

24 For a man has not strength and power for ever; neither does he transmit it from generation to generation.

25 Take care of the herbage in the field, and thou shalt cut grass, and gather the mountain hay;

26 that thou mayest have wool of sheep for clothing: pay attention to the land, that thou mayest have lambs.

27 My son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants.

28

The ungodly man flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.

2 By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.

3 A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,

4 so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.

5 Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.

6 A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.

7 A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.

8 He that increases his wealth by usuries and unjust gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.

9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.

10 He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.

11 A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.

12 By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.

13 He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames himself shall be loved.

14 Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.

15 A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf is he, who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.

16 A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.

17 He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety.

17a Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.

18 He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled therein.

19 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.

20 A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.

21 He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.

22 An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.

23 He that reproves a man’s ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.

24 He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.

25 An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.

26 He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.

27 He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye from him shall be in great distress.

28 In the places of ungodly men the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.

29

A reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be no remedy.

2 When the righteous are praised, the people will rejoice: but when the ungodly rule, men mourn.

3 When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth.

4 A righteous king establishes a country: but a transgressor destroys it.

5 He that prepares a net in the way of his own friend, entangles his own feet in it.

6 A great snare is spread for a sinner: but the righteous shall be in joy and gladness.

7 A righteous man knows how to judge for the poor: but the ungodly understands not knowledge; and the poor man has not an understanding mind.

8 Lawless men burn down a city: but wise men turn away wrath.

9 A wise man shall judge nations: but a worthless man being angry laughs and fears not.

10 Bloody men hate a holy person, but the upright will seek his soul.

11 A fool utters all is mind: but the wise reserves his in part.

12 When a king hearkens to unjust language, all his subjects are transgressors.

13 When the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord oversees them both.

14 When a king judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for a testimony.

15 Stripes and reproofs give wisdom: but an erring child disgraces his parents.

16 When the ungodly abound, sins abound: but when they fall, the righteous are warned.

17 Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest; and he shall give honour to thy soul.

18 There shall be no interpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the law is blessed.

19 A stubborn servant will not be reproved by words: for even if he understands, still he will not obey.

20 If thou see a man hasty in his words, know that the fool has hope rather than he.

21 He that lives wantonly from a child, shall be a servant, and in the end shall grieve over himself.

22 A furious man stirs up strife, and a passionate man digs up sin.

23 Pride brings a man low, but the Lord upholds the humble-minded with honour.

24 He that shares with a thief, hates his own soul: and if any having heard an oath uttered tell not of it,

25 they fearing and reverencing men unreasonably have been overthrown, but he that trusts in the Lord shall rejoice. Ungodliness causes a man to stumble: but he that trusts in his master shall be safe.

26 Many wait on the favour of rulers; but justice comes to a man from the Lord.

27 A righteous man is an abomination to an unrighteous man, and the direct way is an abomination to the sinner. Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.

12 For she employs all her living for her husband’s good.

13 Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.

14 She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.

15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens.

16 She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.

17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.

18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.

19 She reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle.

20 And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.

21 Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.

22 She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.

23 And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.

24 She makes fine linens and sells them to the Phoenicians, and sells girdles to the Chananites:

25 She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.

26 she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.

27 The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.

28 But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law. And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.

29 Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.

30 Charms are false, and woman’s beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.

31 Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.

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