Bible in 90 Days

7 My son, keep thou my words; and keep my behests to thee. (My son, remember my words; and keep my commands with thee.)

² Keep thou my behests, and thou shalt live; and my law, as the apple of thine eye. (Keep thou my commands, and thou shalt live; and my instructions, or my teaching, as the apple of thine eyes.)

³ Bind thou it in thy fingers; write thou it in the tables of thine heart. (Bind thou it to thy fingers; write thou it on the tablets of thy heart.)

⁴ Say thou to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call thou prudence thy love (and call thou understanding, thy friend).

⁵ That it keep thee from a strange woman; and from an alien woman, that maketh her words sweet. (So that they keep thee safe from a strange woman; yea, from an unknown woman, who maketh her words sweet.)

⁶ (For she saith,) For why from the window of mine house, by the lattice, I beheld;

⁷ and I see little children, that is, fools that have little wit. I behold a young man coward, (and I see fools, who have little intelligence. I behold a cowardly young man,)

⁸ that passeth by the streets, beside the corner (who passeth along the street, beside the corner); and he goeth nigh the way of her house,

⁹ in dark time, when the day draweth to night, in the darkness and mist in the night.

¹⁰ And lo! a woman, made ready with (the) ornament of an whore to deceive souls, meeteth him,

¹¹ and she is a jangler, and going about, and unpatient of rest, and may not stand in the house with her feet; (and she is a gossip, who goeth about restlessly, yea, who cannot stand still in her own house;)

¹² and now withoutforth, now in [the] streets, now beside [the] corners, she ambusheth (him).

¹³ And she taketh (hold of), and kisseth the young man; and flattereth (him) with wooing cheer, that is, unrestful(ly), and without shame, and saith,

¹⁴ I owed sacrifices for health (I have paid my offerings for my deliverance); today I have yielded my vows.

¹⁵ Therefore I went out into thy meeting, and I desired to see thee; and I have found thee.

¹⁶ I have made (ready) my bed with cords, I have arrayed it with tapets painted of Egypt; (I have prepared my bed, yea, I have arrayed it with coloured tapestries from Egypt;)

¹⁷ I have besprinkled my bed with myrrh, and aloes, and canel (and cinnamon).

¹⁸ Come thou, be we filled with touching of teats, and use we embracings that be coveted; till the day begin to be clear.

¹⁹ For mine husband is not in his house; he is gone (away) a full long way.

²⁰ He took with him a bag of money; he shall turn again in to his house in the day of [the] full moon. (He took a bag of money with him; and he shall not return to his house until the day of the full moon.)

²¹ She bound him with many words; and she drew forth him with flatterings of lips. (And so she bound him with many words; and she drew him forth with the flattery from her lips.)

²² Anon he as an ox led to slain sacrifice followeth her, and as a jolly lamb and unknowing; and the fool knoweth not, that he is drawn to bonds, (And so at once he followeth her, like an ox led away to be slain for the offering, and like a jolly, and unknowing, lamb; and the fool knoweth not, that he is drawn into bonds,)

²³ till an arrow pierce his maw. As if a bird hasteth to the snare; and knoweth not, that it is done of the peril of his life. (until an arrow pierce his belly. Yea, like a bird that hasteneth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is done at the peril of its own life.)

²⁴ Now therefore, my son, hear thou me; and perceive the words of my mouth. (And so now, my son, listen thou to me; and understand the words that I speak.)

²⁵ Lest thy soul be drawn away in the ways of her; neither be thou deceived in the paths of her. (Lest thy life be drawn away by her ways; go thou not forth on her deceptive paths.)

²⁶ For she hath cast down many wounded men; and all [the] strongest men were slain of her. (For she hath wounded, and cast down, many men; yea, even the strongest men have been slain by her.)

²⁷ The ways of hell is her house; and pierce(th) into the inner things of death. (Her house is the way, or the entrance, to Sheol/to hell; yea, it leadeth down to the land of the dead.)

8 Whether wisdom crieth not oft; and prudence giveth her voice? (Whether not wisdom crieth often, and understanding giveth forth her voice?)

² In most sovereign and high tops, above the way, in the midst of paths, (On hilltops, on the way, in the midst of paths,)

³ and it standeth beside the gate(s) of the city, in those enclosings, and speaketh, and saith,

⁴ A! ye men, I cry oft to you; and my voice is to the sons of men. (O! ye people, I often cry to you; and my words be for the sons and daughters of men.)

⁵ Little children, that is, little of wit, understand ye wisdom; and ye unwise men, perceiveth in heart. (Ye of little intelligence, understand ye wisdom; and ye who be unwise, think in your hearts.)

⁶ Hear ye (Listen ye), for I shall speak of great things; and my lips shall be opened, to preach rightful things.

⁷ My throat shall bethink truth; and my lips shall curse a wicked man. (My mouth shall speak the truth; and my lips shall curse the wicked/for my lips hate wicked words.)

⁸ My words be just; no shrewd thing, neither wayward is in those. (My words be right, or true; there is nothing depraved, or wicked, in them.)

⁹ They be rightful to them that understand; and they be even to them that find knowing. (They be right to those who understand; and they be obvious to those who find knowledge.)

¹⁰ Take ye my chastising, and not money (Receive, or accept, ye my discipline, and not money); choose ye teaching, more than treasure.

¹¹ For wisdom is better than all riches most precious (For wisdom is better than all of the most precious riches); and all desirable thing may not be comparisoned thereto.

¹² I, wisdom, dwell in counsel (live in good advice); and I am among learned thoughts.

¹³ The dread of the Lord hateth evil; I curse boast, and pride, and a shrewd way, and a double-tongued mouth. (The fear of the Lord is to hate evil/To have reverence for the Lord is to hate evil; I curse boast, and pride, and a depraved way, and speaking with a double-tongue, or with duplicity.)

¹⁴ Counsel is mine, and equity; prudence is mine, and strength. (Forethought is mine, and fairness, or equality; understanding is mine, and strength.)

¹⁵ Kings reign by me; and makers of laws deem just things by me. (Kings reign by me; and law-makers justly judge by me/and rulers make just laws by me.)

¹⁶ Princes command by me; and mighty men deem rightfulness by me. (Leaders command by me; and mighty men judge rightly, or with justice, by me.)

¹⁷ I love them that love me; and they that wake early to me, shall find me. (I love them who love me; and they who wake up early to seek me, shall find me.)

¹⁸ With me be riches, and glory; sovereign riches, and rightfulness.

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, and precious stone(s); and my seeds be better than chosen silver (and my recompense is better than chosen silver).

²⁰ I go in the ways of rightfulness, in the midst of the paths of doom; (I go on the ways of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;)

²¹ that I make rich them that love me (so that I make rich those who love me), and that I fill their treasures/their treasuries.

²² The Lord wielded me in the beginning of his ways (The Lord created me at the beginning of his ways); before that he made anything, (yea,) at the (very) beginning.

²³ From without beginning I was ordained; and from eld times, before that the earth was made.

²⁴ [The] Depths of waters were not yet (made); and I was conceived then. The wells of waters had not broken out yet (The water wells had not yet broken forth),

²⁵ and hills stood not (al)together yet by firm heaviness; before little hills I was born. (and the mountains did not yet stand with firm heaviness; yea, I was born before the little hills.)

²⁶ Yet he had not made [the] earth; and floods, and the earths of the world. (He had not yet made the earth; and the rivers, and the dust of the world.)

²⁷ When he made ready heavens, I was present (When he prepared the heavens, I was there); (and) when he compassed, [or (en)closed,] the depths of (the) waters by certain law and compass.

²⁸ When he made steadfast the air above; and weighed the wells of waters (and set in place the water wells).

²⁹ When he compassed to the sea his mark (When he set the boundaries for the seas); and setted law to (the) waters, that they should not pass their coasts. When he weighed the foundaments of [the] earth;

³⁰ I was making all (these) things with him. And I delighted by all days, and played before him in all time,

³¹ and I played in the world; and my delights be to be with the sons of men (and my delight is to be with the sons and daughters of men).

³² Now, therefore, sons, hear ye me; blessed be they that keep my ways. (And so now, sons and daughters, listen ye to me; blessed be those who follow my ways.)

³³ Hear ye teaching, and be ye wise men; and do not ye cast it away. (Listen ye to my teaching, and be ye wise; and do not ye throw it away.)

³⁴ Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth at my gates all day (Happy is the person who listeneth to me, and who standeth watch at my gates all day long); and keepeth (guard) at the posts of my door[s].

³⁵ He that findeth me, shall find life; and he shall draw health of the Lord. (He who findeth me, shall find life; and he shall obtain favour from the Lord.)

³⁶ But he that sinneth against me shall hurt his soul; all that hate me, love death. (But he who sinneth against me shall hurt his own soul; all who hate me, love death.)

9 Wisdom builded an house to himself (Wisdom built a house for himself); he hewed out seven pillars,

² he offered his slain sacrifices, he meddled wine (he mixed in spices with the wine), and setted forth his table.

³ He sent his handmaids (He sent forth his servantesses), that they should call to the tower; and to the walls of the city.

⁴ If any man is little (in wit), come he to me. And wisdom spake to unwise men, (and said,) (And that they should say, If any one hath little intelligence, come he to me. And then wisdom spoke to the unwise, and said,)

⁵ Come ye, eat ye my bread; and drink ye the wine, which I have meddled to you (and drink ye the wine, in which I have mixed in spices for you).

⁶ Forsake ye young childhood, and live ye; and go ye by the way of prudence. (Abandon ye foolishness, and have life; and go ye on the way of understanding.)

⁷ He that teacheth a scorner, doeth wrong to himself; and he that reproveth a wicked man, engendereth a wem to himself. (He who trieth to teach a mocker, only wrongeth himself; and he who reproveth the wicked, begetteth a wound for himself.)

⁸ Do not thou reprove a scorner; lest he hate thee. Reprove thou a wise man; and he shall love thee. (Do not thou rebuke a mocker; lest he hate thee. Rebuke thou a wise person; and he shall love thee.)

⁹ Give thou occasion to a wise man; and wisdom shall be increased to him. Teach thou a just man; and he shall hasten to take it (to heart). (Give thou advice, or instruction, to a wise person; and his wisdom shall be increased. Teach thou a righteous person; and he shall hasten to take it to heart.)

¹⁰ The beginning of wisdom is the dread of the Lord; and prudence is the knowing of saints. (The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding./The beginning of wisdom is reverence for the Lord; and to know the Holy One is to have understanding.)

¹¹ For thy days shall be multiplied by me; and [the] years of (thy) life shall be increased to thee.

¹² If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise to thyself, and to thy neighbours. Forsooth if thou art a scorner, thou alone shalt bear evil. (If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise, or gain advantage, for thyself, and for thy friends as well. But if thou art a mocker, thou alone shalt bear the evil.)

¹³ A fond woman, and full of cry, and full of unleaveful lusts, and that knoweth nothing utterly, (A loud and foolish woman, full of unlawful lusts, who knoweth utterly nothing,)

¹⁴ sitteth in the doors of her house (sitteth at the door of her house), on a seat, in an high place of the city;

¹⁵ to call men passing by the way, and men going in their journey. (to call to men passing by the way, and to men going on their journey.)

¹⁶ Who is a little man in wit; bow he to me (And she saith to herself, Who is a man of little intelligence; turn he unto me). And she spake to a coward, (and said,)

¹⁷ Waters of theft be sweeter, and bread hid is sweeter. (Stolen water is sweeter, and hidden bread is sweeter.)

¹⁸ And [he] knew not that giants be there; and the guests of her be in the depths of hell. Soothly he that shall be applied, either fastened, to her, shall go down to hells. For why he that goeth away from her shall be saved. (And he knew not that death is there; and that her guests be in the depths of hell. Truly, he who shall be fastened to her, shall go down to Sheol, that is, to the land of the dead/shall go down to hell. But he who goeth away from her, shall be saved.)

10 The parables of Solomon. A wise son maketh glad his father; but a fond son is the sorrow of his mother. (The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh his father happy; but a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother.)

² Treasures of wickedness shall not profit; but rightfulness shall deliver from death. (Treasures gotten by wickedness shall not profit thee; but uprightness shall deliver thee from death.)

³ The Lord shall not torment the soul of a just man with hunger; and he shall destroy the treasons of unpious men. (The Lord shall not torment the righteous with hunger; but he shall destroy the desires of the wicked.)

⁴ A slow hand hath wrought neediness; but the hand of strong men maketh ready riches. Forsooth he that enforceth to get anything by leasings, feedeth the winds; soothly the same man followeth birds flying. (Lazy hands create neediness; but strong hands create riches. He who endeavoureth to get anything by lying, feedeth the wind; yea, that person runneth after birds in flight.)

⁵ He that gathereth together in harvest, is a wise son; but he that sleepeth in summer, is a son of confusion. (He who gathereth together at harvest time, is wise; but he who sleepeth in summer, is a disgrace.)

⁶ The blessing of God is over the head of a just man; but wickedness covereth the mouth of wicked men. (The blessing of God is upon the heads of the righteous; but wickedness covereth the mouths of the wicked.)

⁷ The mind of a just man shall be with praisings; and the name of wicked men shall wax rotten. (The righteous shall be remembered with praise/The memory of the righteous is blessed; but the names of the wicked shall grow rotten.)

⁸ A wise man shall receive commandments with heart (A wise person shall take commandments to heart); a fool is beaten with (his own) lips.

⁹ He that goeth simply, goeth trustily; but he that maketh shrewd his ways, shall be [made] open. (He who goeth with honesty, or with integrity, goeth with security; but he who maketh his ways depraved, shall be exposed.)

¹⁰ He that beckoneth with the eye, shall give sorrow; a fool shall be beaten with (his own) lips.

¹¹ The vein of life is the mouth of a just man; but the mouth of wicked men covereth wickedness. (The words of the righteous be a fountain of life; but wickedness covereth the mouths of the wicked.)

¹² Hatred raiseth up chidings; and charity covereth all sins. (Hatred raiseth up arguments, or strife; but love covereth all sins.)

¹³ Wisdom is found in the lips of a wise man; and a rod in the back of him that is needy of heart. (Wisdom is found on the lips of the wise; and a rod on the back of him who is foolish.)

¹⁴ Wise men hide knowing (The wise store up knowledge); but the mouth of a fool is next to confusion.

¹⁵ The chattel of a rich man is the city of his strength; the dread of poor men is the neediness of them. (The substance of a rich man is his strong city; the fear of the poor is their own neediness.)

¹⁶ The work of a just man is to life; but the fruit of a wicked man is to sin. (The work of a good person serveth unto life; but the fruit of the wicked is sin.)

¹⁷ The way of life is to him that keepeth chastising; but he that forsaketh blamings, erreth. (The way of life is for him who receiveth discipline; but he who forsaketh rebukes, erreth.)

¹⁸ False lips hide hatred; he that bringeth forth despising is unwise.

¹⁹ Sin shall not fail in much speaking; but he that measureth his lips, is most prudent. (Sin shall abound with much speaking; but he who ruleth his lips, is most prudent.)

²⁰ Chosen silver is the tongue of a just man; the heart of wicked men is for nought. (Like chosen silver is the tongue of a righteous person; but the hearts of the wicked be worth nothing.)

²¹ The lips of a just man teach full many men; but they that be unlearned shall die in neediness of heart. (The lips of the righteous teach a great many people; but they who be ignorant, shall die without any understanding.)

²² The blessing of the Lord maketh rich men (The blessing of the Lord maketh people rich); and torment shall not be fellowshipped to them.

²³ A fool worketh wickedness as by laughing; but wisdom is prudence to a man/but prudence is to a wise man. (A fool worketh wickedness with laughter; but wisdom is a delight to those with understanding.)

²⁴ That that a wicked man dreadeth, shall come [up]on him; the desire of just men shall be given to them. (That which the wicked fear, shall come upon them; and the desire of the righteous shall be given to them.)

²⁵ As a tempest passing, a wicked man shall not be; but a just man shall be as an everlasting foundament. (Like a tempest passing by, a wicked person shall soon not be; but the foundations of the righteous be everlasting.)

²⁶ As vinegar harmeth the teeth, and smoke harmeth the eyes; so a slow man harmeth them that sent him in the way. (Like vinegar harmeth the teeth, and smoke harmeth the eyes; so a lazy man harmeth those who sent him on the way.)

²⁷ The dread of the Lord increaseth days; and the years of wicked men shall be made short. (The fear of the Lord/Reverence for the Lord increaseth days; and the years of the wicked shall be made short.)

²⁸ Abiding of just men is gladness; but the hope of wicked men shall perish. (Hopeful waiting by the righteous shall lead to gladness; but all the hopes of the wicked shall perish.)

²⁹ The strength of a simple man is the way of the Lord; and dread to them that work evil. (The way of the Lord giveth strength to an honest person; but fear to those who work evil.)

³⁰ A just man shall not be moved [into] without end; but wicked men shall not dwell on the earth. (The righteous shall not be moved forever; but the wicked shall not remain on the earth, or in the land.)

³¹ The mouth of a just man shall bring forth wisdom; the tongue of shrews shall perish. (The mouths of the righteous shall bring forth wisdom; and the tongues of the depraved shall be stopped.)

³² The lips of a just man behold pleasant things; and the mouth of wicked men beholdeth wayward things. (The lips of the righteous always know what is kind, or pleasant, to say; but the mouths of the wicked speak forth only hurtful things.)

11 A guileful balance is abomination with God; and an even weight is his will. (A deceitful scale is an abomination to God; and equal, or honest, weights be his desire.)

² Where pride is, there also despising shall be; but where meekness is, there also is wisdom. (Where there is pride, there shall also be despising; but where there is humility, there is also wisdom.)

³ The simpleness of just men shall (ad)dress them; and the deceiving of wayward men shall destroy them. (The honesty, or the integrity, of the righteous shall direct them; and the deceptions of the wayward shall destroy them.)

⁴ Riches shall not profit in the day of vengeance; but rightfulness shall deliver from death. (Riches shall not profit anyone on the day of vengeance; but uprightness shall deliver one from death.)

⁵ The rightfulness of a simple man shall (ad)dress his way; and a wicked man shall fall in his wickedness. (The uprightness of an honest person shall direct his way; and a wicked person shall fall because of his wickedness.)

⁶ The rightfulness of rightful men shall deliver them; and wicked men shall be taken in their ambushings. (The uprightness of the righteous shall save them; but the wicked shall be caught in their own ambushings.)

⁷ When a wicked man is dead, none hope shall be further of him; and [the] abiding of busy men in evil shall perish. (When the wicked die, they shall have no further hope; and the abundance, or the wealth, of those busy with evil shall perish.)

⁸ A just man is delivered from anguish; and a wicked man shall be given for him. (The righteous person is delivered from all his anguish; and it is given to a wicked person instead.)

⁹ A feigner by mouth deceiveth his friend; but just men shall be delivered by knowing. (A faker, or a hypocrite, deceiveth his friend with his mouth; but the righteous rescue others with their wisdom.)

¹⁰ A city shall be enhanced in the goods of just men; and praising shall be in the perdition of wicked men. (A city shall rejoice for the prosperity of the righteous; and praising shall be in the perdition, or in the perishing, of the wicked.)

¹¹ A city shall be enhanced by [the] blessing of just men; and it shall be destroyed by the mouth of wicked men. (A city shall be enhanced by the blessing of the righteous; and it shall be destroyed by the words of the wicked.)

¹² He that despiseth his friend, is needy in heart; but a prudent man shall be still. (He who despiseth his friend is foolish; but a man of understanding shall be silent.)

¹³ He that goeth guilefully, showeth privates (He who goeth deceitfully, telleth secrets); but he that is faithful, covereth the private (matter) of a friend.

¹⁴ Where a governor is not, the people shall fall; but health is, where be many counsels. (Without a leader, or good governance, the people shall fall; but there is victory/but there is salvation, or deliverance, where there be many counsellors, or much planning, or good advice.)

¹⁵ He that maketh faith, that is, (an) obligation, for a stranger, shall be tormented with evil; but he that escheweth snares, shall be secure.

¹⁶ A gracious woman shall find glory (A gracious woman shall receive honour); and strong men shall have riches.

¹⁷ A merciful man doeth well to his soul (A merciful person doeth good to his own soul); but he that is cruel, casteth away, yea, (even his own) kinsmen.

¹⁸ A wicked man maketh unstable work; but faithful meed is to him, that soweth rightfulness. (There is no surety with the work of the wicked; but there is a sure reward for those who sow goodness.)

¹⁹ Mercy shall make ready life; and the following of evil, death. (Mercy bringeth forth life; but death followeth after evil.)

²⁰ A shrewd heart is abominable to the Lord; and his will is in them, that go simply. (A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord; but his delight is in those who do things honestly, or with integrity.)

²¹ Though hand be in hand, an evil man shall not be innocent; but the seed of just men shall be saved. (Be assured, that the evil shall be punished; but the children, or the descendants, of the righteous shall be saved.)

²² A golden ring in the nostrils of a sow, (is like) a woman fair and fool. (A gold ring in the nostrils of a pig, is like a woman who is comely, but foolish.)

²³ The desire of just men is all good; (but the) abiding of wicked men is strong vengeance. (The desire of the righteous is only for good; but the longing of the wicked is for strong vengeance.)

²⁴ Some men part their own things, and be made richer; other men ravish things, that be not theirs, and they be ever in neediness. (Some people share their own things, and grow richer; other people steal things, that be not theirs, and still they always be in need.)

²⁵ A soul that blesseth, shall be made fat; and he that filleth, shall be filled also. (A person who blesseth, or who shareth, shall be made prosperous; and he who filleth, shall also be filled.)

²⁶ He that hideth wheat, shall be cursed among the peoples; but blessing shall come [up]on the head(s) of sellers. (He who hideth corn, shall be cursed by the people; but blessing, or praise, shall come to the sellers.)

²⁷ Well (be) he (who) riseth early, that seeketh good things; but he that is a searcher of evils, shall be oppressed of those. (He who riseth early, to seek out the good, shall find favour; but he who searcheth out evils, shall be oppressed by them.)

²⁸ He that trusteth in his riches, shall fall; but just men shall burgeon as a green leaf (but the righteous shall flourish like the green leaves).

²⁹ He that troubleth his house, shall have (the) winds in possession; and he that is a fool, shall serve a wise man.

³⁰ The fruit of a rightful man is the tree of life; and he that taketh souls, is a wise man. (The fruit of righteousness is the tree of life; and he who winneth souls, is wise.)

³¹ If a just man receiveth in [the] earth, how much more an unfaithful man, and a sinner. (If the righteous receive recompense here on earth, how much more shall the unfaithful, and the sinners!)

12 He that loveth chastising, loveth knowing; but he that hateth blamings, is unwise. (He who loveth discipline, loveth knowledge; but he who hateth rebukes, is unwise.)

² He that is good, shall draw to himself (the) grace of the Lord (He who is good, shall draw favour to himself from the Lord); but he that trusteth in his (own) thoughts, doeth wickedly.

³ A man shall not be made strong by wickedness; and the root of just men shall not be moved. (No one is made strong by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be uprooted.)

⁴ A diligent woman is a crown to her husband; and rot is in the bones of that woman, that doeth things worthy of confusion. (A diligent woman is a crown to her husband; but rot is in the bones of her, who doeth shameful things.)

⁵ The thoughts of just men be dooms; and the counsels of wicked men be guileful. (The thoughts of the righteous be lawful; and the plans of the wicked be deceitful/and the advice of the wicked is deceptive.)

⁶ The words of wicked men set treason to blood; the mouth of just men shall deliver them. (The words of the wicked set ambush for blood; the words of the righteous shall save them.)

⁷ (Over)Turn thou wicked men, and they shall not be; but the houses of just men shall dwell perfectly. (Overturn thou, or bring thou down, the wicked, and they shall not be; but the families of the righteous shall continue.)

⁸ A man shall be known by his teaching; but he that is vain and heartless, shall be open to despising.

⁹ Better is a poor man, and sufficient (un)to himself, than (to be) a (self-)glorious man, and needy of bread.

¹⁰ A just man knoweth the lives of his work beasts; but the entrails of wicked men be cruel. (A righteous person careth for the lives of his work beasts; but the hearts of the wicked be cruel.)

¹¹ He that worketh his land, shall be filled with loaves; but he that followeth idleness, is most fool(ish). He that is sweet, that is mild, liveth in temperances; and in his admonishings he forsaketh despisings (He who is humble, liveth temperately; and he forsaketh despisings in all of his admonishings).

¹² The desire of a wicked man is the memorial of worst things; but the root of just men shall increase. (The desires of the wicked be a memorial of the worst things; but the roots of the righteous shall increase, or shall go deeper.)

¹³ For the sins of (his) lips, falling down nigheth to an evil man; but a just man shall escape from anguish (but the righteous shall escape from anguish).

¹⁴ Of the fruit of his mouth each man shall be [ful]filled with goods (A person shall be fulfilled with good things by the fruit of his mouth); and by the works of his hands it shall be yielded to him.

¹⁵ The way of a fool is rightful in his eyes; but he that is wise, heareth counsels (but he who is wise, listeneth to good advice).

¹⁶ A fool showeth anon his ire; but he that dissembleth wrongs, is wise. (A fool showeth his anger at once; but he who overlooketh wrongs, is wise.)

¹⁷ He that speaketh that, that he knoweth, is a judge of rightfulness; but he that lieth, is a guileful witness. (He who speaketh what he knoweth, is a just judge/is a judge of righteousness; but he who lieth, is a deceitful witness.)

¹⁸ A man is that promiseth, and he is pricked as with the sword of conscience; but the tongue of wise men is health. (There is a person who speaketh, and his words cut like a sword; but the tongues of the wise give health.)

¹⁹ The lip of truth shall be steadfast [into] without end; but he that is a sudden witness, maketh ready the tongue of leasing (but he who speaketh a ready answer, often haveth a lying tongue).

²⁰ Guile is in the heart of them that think evils; but joy followeth them that make counsels of peace.

²¹ Whatever befalleth to a just man, it shall not make him sorry; but wicked men shall be filled with evil. (Whatever befalleth to the righteous, shall not bring them sorrow, or grief; but the wicked shall be filled with evil.)

²² False lips is abomination to the Lord; but they that do faithfully, please him.

²³ A fell man covereth knowing; and the heart of unwise men stirreth folly. (A clever person concealeth his knowledge; but the unwise tell out their foolishness.)

²⁴ The hand of strong men shall have lordship; but the hand that is slow, shall serve to tributes. (The hand of the strong shall rule; but those who be lazy, shall become slaves.)

²⁵ Mourning in the heart of a just man shall make him meek; and he shall be made glad by a good word. (Mourning in the heart of a righteous person shall make him weak; but he shall be made happy by a good, or by a kind, word.)

²⁶ He that despiseth harm for a friend, is a just man; but the way of wicked men shall deceive them. (He who despiseth harm to a friend, is a righteous person; but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.)

²⁷ A guileful man shall not find winning; and the substance of (a diligent) man shall be (equal to) the price of gold, that is, preciouser than gold. (A deceitful, or a lazy, person shall not find winning; but the substance, or the reward, of a diligent person shall be equal to the price of gold, that is, shall be more precious than gold.)

²⁸ Life is in the path of rightwiseness (Life is on the path of righteousness); but the wrong way leadeth to death.

13 A wise son is the teaching of the father; but he that is a scorner, heareth not, when he is reproved. (A wise son listeneth to his father’s teaching; but he who is a mocker, heareth not, when he is rebuked.)

² A man shall be filled with goods of the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of unpious men is wicked. (A good person shall be filled with things from the fruit of his mouth; but the souls of evil people be wicked.)

³ He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his soul; but he that is unwary to speak, shall feel evils. (He who guardeth his mouth, keepeth his soul safe; but he who is careless when he speaketh, shall experience evil.)

⁴ A slow man will, and will not; but the soul of them that work shall be made fat. (A lazy person desireth, and desireth not; but those who do work shall prosper.)

⁵ A just man shall loathe a false word; but a wicked man shameth, and shall be shamed. (The righteous loathe a lie; but the wicked shame, and shall be shamed.)

⁶ Rightfulness keepeth (safe) the way of an innocent man; but wickedness deceiveth a sinner.

⁷ A man is as rich, when he hath nothing; and a man is as poor, when he is in many riches. (A person can be rich, even when he hath nothing; and a person can be poor, even when he hath many riches.)

⁸ [The] Redemption of the soul of [a] man is his riches; but he that is poor, suffereth not blaming. (The ransom for a man’s life is his riches; but he who is poor, shall not even suffer threats.)

⁹ The light of just men maketh glad; but the lantern of wicked men shall be quenched. (The light of the righteous maketh happy, or inspireth; but the lantern of the wicked shall be quenched.)

¹⁰ Strives be ever among proud men; but they that do all things with counsel, be governed by wisdom. (There is always strife, or arguments, among the proud; but they who do all things with advice, be governed by wisdom.)

¹¹ Hasted chattel, that is, gotten hastily, shall be made less; but that that is gathered little and little with hand, shall be multiplied (but that which is gathered little by little, shall be multiplied).

¹² Hope which is delayed, tormenteth the soul; a tree of life is (a) desire (that is) coming.

¹³ He that backbiteth anything, bindeth himself into [the] time to coming; but he that dreadeth the commandment, shall live in peace. (He who backbiteth for something said to him, bindeth himself to the time to come; but he who feareth the commandment, shall live in peace.)

¹⁴ The law of a wise man is a well of life; that he bow away from the falling of death, that is, of sin, and of hell. (The teaching of the wise is a well of life; so that thou bow away from the falling of death, that is, from sin, and from hell.)

¹⁵ Good teaching shall give grace; a swallow is in the way of despisers. (Good teaching shall bring favour; a pit is on the way of despisers.)

¹⁶ A fell man doeth all things with counsel; but he that is a fool, shall open folly. (A clever person doeth everything with forethought, or only after advice; but he who is a fool, shall lay open his foolishness for all to see.)

¹⁷ The messenger of a wicked man shall fall into evil; a faithful messenger is health. (A wicked messenger shall fall into evil; but a faithful messenger bringeth health/victory/salvation, or deliverance.)

¹⁸ Neediness and shame is to him that forsaketh teaching; but he that assenteth to a blamer, shall be glorified. (Neediness and shame shall be for him who abandoneth his teaching, or his instruction; but he who assenteth to a rebuker, shall be honoured.)

¹⁹ Desire, if it is [ful]filled, delighteth the soul; fools loathe them that flee evils.

²⁰ He that goeth with wise men, shall be wise (He who goeth with the wise, shall be wise); the friend of fools shall be made like them.

²¹ Evil pursueth sinners; and goods shall be given to just men (but good things shall be given to the righteous).

²² A good man shall leave after him heirs, sons, and the sons of sons; and the chattel of a sinner is kept to a just man. (A good person shall leave heirs after him, yea, sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters; but a sinner’s possessions shall be given to the righteous.)

²³ Many meats be in the new-tilled fields of fathers; and be gathered to other men without doom. (Much food for the poor could be in untilled fields; but other men unjustly keep that land from being worked.)

²⁴ He that spareth the rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him, teacheth busily (but he who loveth him, busily teacheth him).

²⁵ A just man eateth, and [ful]filleth his soul; but the womb of wicked men is unable to be filled. (The righteous eat, and fill their hunger; but the bellies of the wicked be unable to be filled.)

14 A wise woman buildeth her house; and an unwise woman shall destroy with hands, that is, with her evil works, an house builded. (A wise woman buildeth up her own house; but an unwise woman shall destroy with her own hands, that is, with her own evil works, the house that she hath built.)

² A man going in rightful way, and dreading God, is despised of him that goeth in the way of evil fame. (A person who doeth right, and feareth God/and revereth God, is despised by him who goeth in evil ways.)

³ The rod of pride is in the mouth of a fool; the lips of wise men keep them (but the lips of the wise keep them safe).

⁴ Where oxen be not, the cratch is void (the stall is empty); but where full many corns appear, there the strength of the ox is [made] open.

⁵ A faithful witness shall not lie; a guileful witness bringeth forth a leasing (a deceitful witness bringeth forth many lies).

⁶ A scorner seeketh wisdom, and he findeth it not (A mocker seeketh wisdom, but never findeth it); the teaching of prudent men is easy.

⁷ Go thou against a man a fool; and he shall not know the lips of prudence. (Go thou away from a foolish person; for he shall not speak words of understanding, that is, sensible words.)

⁸ The wisdom of a fell man is to understand his way; and the unwariness of fools erreth. (The wisdom of a clever person is to understand his own way; but the carelessness of fools maketh them to err.)

⁹ A fool scorneth sin; grace shall dwell among just men. (A fool mocketh sin; favour shall dwell among the righteous.)

¹⁰ The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his soul; a stranger shall not be meddled in the joy thereof. (The heart knoweth the bitterness of its own soul; a stranger cannot be mixed in, or mingled, with its joy.)

¹¹ The house of wicked men shall be done away; the tabernacles of just men shall burgeon. (The houses of the wicked shall be done away; but the homes of the righteous shall flourish.)

¹² Soothly a way is, that seemeth just to a man (Truly there is a way, that seemeth right to a person); but the last things thereof lead forth to death.

¹³ Laughing shall be meddled with sorrow (Laughter shall be mixed, or mingled, with sorrow); and mourning occupieth the last things of joy.

¹⁴ A fool shall be filled with his ways; and a good man shall be above him. (A fool shall reap the fruit of his foolish ways; and a good person that of his deeds, or of his labour.)

¹⁵ An innocent man believeth to each word; a fell man beholdeth his goings. (An innocent person believeth each and every word; a clever person regardeth, or watcheth, his own steps.)

¹⁶ A wise man dreadeth, and boweth away from evil; a fool skippeth over, and trusteth.

¹⁷ A man unpatient shall work folly; and a guileful man is odious. (An impatient person will act foolishly; and a deceitful person is odious.)

¹⁸ Little men of wit shall hold folly; and fell men shall abide knowing. (People of little wit, or of low intelligence, shall hold fast to foolishness; but clever people shall gain understanding.)

¹⁹ Evil men shall lie (down) before good men; and unpious men before the gates of just men. (Evil people shall lie down before good people; and the wicked shall bow before the gates of the righteous.)

²⁰ A poor man shall be (thought) hateful, yea, (even) to his neighbour; but many men be (the) friends of rich men.

²¹ He that despiseth his neighbour, doeth sin; but he that doeth mercy to a poor man, shall be blessed.

²² He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy; they err that work evil. Mercy and truth make ready goods (Mercy and truth bring forth good things);

²³ abundance shall be in each good work/in every good work. Soothly where full many words be, there neediness is oft (Truly, where there be a great many words, there often is neediness, or lack, or want).

²⁴ The crown of wise men is the riches of them; the folly of fools is unwariness. (The reward of the wise is their riches; the foolishness of fools is their recklessness.)

²⁵ A faithful witness delivereth souls; and a false man bringeth forth leasings. (A faithful witness saveth lives; but a false accuser bringeth forth only lies.)

²⁶ In the dread of the Lord is trust of strength; and hope shall be to the sons of him. (He who feareth the Lord/He who revereth the Lord hath trust in his strength; and his sons and daughters shall have hope and security.)

²⁷ The dread of the Lord is a well of life; that it bow away from the falling of death. (The fear of the Lord/Reverence for the Lord is a well of life; yea, so that thou turn away from deadly traps, or snares.)

²⁸ The dignity of the king is in the multitude of (his) people; and the shame of a prince is in the fewness of (his) people.

²⁹ He that is patient, is governed by much wisdom; but he that is unpatient, enhanceth his folly.

³⁰ (The) Health of (the) heart is the life of (the) flesh; envy is (the) rot of (the) bones.

³¹ He that falsely challengeth a needy man, despiseth his maker; but he that hath mercy on a poor man, honoureth his maker. (He who oppresseth the needy, despiseth his Maker; but he who hath mercy on the poor, honoureth his Maker.)

³² A wicked man is put out for his malice; but a just man hopeth in his death. (A wicked person is brought down by his own malice; but a righteous person hath hope in his death.)

³³ Wisdom resteth in the heart of a wise man; and he shall teach all unlearned men. (Wisdom resteth in the hearts of the wise; and they shall teach all the unlearned.)

³⁴ Rightfulness raiseth [up] a folk; sin maketh peoples wretches. (Uprightness raiseth up the nation; sin maketh people into wretches.)

³⁵ A servant understanding is acceptable to a king; a servant unprofitable shall suffer the wrathfulness of him. (An understanding servant shall receive the king’s favour; an unprofitable servant shall suffer his wrath.)

15 A soft answer breaketh ire; an hard word raiseth strong vengeance.

² The tongue of wise men honoureth knowing (The speaking of the wise honoureth knowledge); the mouth of fools boileth out folly.

³ In each place the eyes of the Lord behold good men, and evil men.

⁴ A pleasant tongue is the tree of life; but the tongue that is unmeasurable, (or unable to be checked,) shall defoul the spirit.

⁵ A fool scorneth the teaching of his father; but he that keepeth blamings (but he who receiveth rebukes), shall be made wiser. Most virtue shall be in plenteous rightfulness; but the thoughts of wicked men shall be drawn up by the root.

⁶ (In) The house of a just man is full great strength; and troubling is in the fruits of a wicked man. (In the house of the righteous is very great wealth; and trouble is in the fruits of the wicked.)

⁷ The lips of wise men shall sow abroad knowing (The lips of the wise sow abroad knowledge); (but) the heart(s) of fools shall be unlike (them, that is, they shall be full of ignorance).

⁸ The sacrifices of wicked men be abominable to the Lord; the avows of just men be pleasant. (The sacrifices of the wicked be abominable to the Lord; but the vows of the righteous be pleasing to him.)

⁹ The life of the unpious man is (an) abomination to the Lord; he that followeth rightfulness, shall be loved of the Lord. (The life of an evil person is an abomination to the Lord; but he who followeth righteousness, shall be loved by the Lord.)

¹⁰ Evil teaching is of men that forsake the way of life; he that hateth blamings shall die. (Evil teaching is from those who abandon the way of life; he who hateth rebukes shall die.)

¹¹ Hell and perdition be open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of [the] sons (and daughters) of men.

¹² A man full of pestilence loveth not him that reproveth him; and he goeth not to wise men.

¹³ A joyful heart maketh glad the face; (but) the spirit is cast down in the mourning of (the) soul.

¹⁴ The heart of a wise man seeketh teaching; and the mouth of fools is fed with unknowing, (or with ignorance).

¹⁵ All the days of a poor man be evil; a secure soul is a continual feast. (All the days of the poor be evil; the life of a secure soul is a continual feast.)

¹⁶ Better is a little with the dread of the Lord, than many treasures and unfillable. (Better is a little with the fear of the Lord/with reverence for the Lord, than many treasures and troubles.)

¹⁷ It is better to be called to worts with charity, than with hatred to a calf made fat. (It is better to be warmly, or cordially, called to herbs, or vegetables, than to be hatefully invited to share a fattened calf.)

¹⁸ A wrathful man raiseth chidings; he that is patient, assuageth chidings that were raised.

¹⁹ The way of slow men is as an hedge of thorns; the way of just men is without [thing of] hurting. (A lazy person’s way is a hedge of thorns; but the way of the righteous is without a cause of stumbling.)

²⁰ A wise son maketh glad his father; but a fond man despiseth his mother. (A wise son maketh his father happy; but a fool despiseth his mother.)

²¹ Folly is joy to a fool; but a prudent man shall (ad)dress his steps. (Foolishness bringeth joy to a fool; but a prudent person shall direct his steps.)

²² Thoughts be destroyed, where no counsel is; but where many counsellors be, they be confirmed. (Plans come to naught, where there is no wise advice; but where there be many counsellors, the plans succeed.)

²³ A man is glad in the sentence of his mouth; and a covenable word is best (but a suitable word is always best).

²⁴ The path of life is on a learned man; that he bow away from the last hell. (The path of life leadeth upward for the learned; yea, so that they turn away from Sheol, or the land of the dead/so that they turn away from hell, which is below.)

²⁵ The Lord shall destroy the house of proud men; and he shall make steadfast the coasts of a widow. (The Lord shall destroy the house of the proud; but he shall make firm the property lines, or the boundary stones, of a widow.)

²⁶ Evil thoughts is abomination of the Lord; and a clean word most fair shall be made steadfast of him. (Evil thoughts be an abomination to the Lord; but a most fair, and clean, word is his delight.)

²⁷ He that followeth avarice, troubleth his house; but he that hateth gifts shall live (long). Sins be purged by mercy and faith; each man boweth away from evil by the dread of the Lord (Sins be cleansed by love and faith; all can turn away from evil by the fear of the Lord/with reverence for the Lord).

²⁸ The soul of a just man bethinketh obedience; the mouth of wicked men is full of evils. (The righteous think before that they answer; but the ready reply of the wicked is usually full of evil.)

²⁹ The Lord is far from wicked men; and he shall hear the prayers of just men. (The Lord is far from the wicked; but he shall hear the prayers of the righteous.)

³⁰ The light of (the) eyes maketh glad the soul; good fame maketh fat the bones. (Sparkling eyes make a person happy; good news fatteneth up the bones.)

³¹ The ear that heareth the blamings of life, shall dwell in the midst of wise men. (The person who listeneth to rebukes, shall live in the midst of the wise.)

³² He that casteth away chastising, despiseth his soul; but he that assenteth to blamings, is a peaceable holder of the heart (He who casteth away discipline, despiseth his own soul; but he who accepteth rebukes, shall become wiser.)

³³ The dread of the Lord is teaching of wisdom; and meekness goeth before glory. (The fear of the Lord/Reverence for the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and humility goeth before honour.)

16 It pertaineth to man to make ready the soul; and it pertaineth to the Lord to govern the tongue. (Each person must prepare their own soul, or their own life; but it is God who governeth their tongue, or telleth them what to say.)

² All the ways of men be open to the eyes of God (All the ways of people be before God); the Lord is a weigher of spirits, that is, of wills, yielding to man after his deservings.

³ Show thy works to the Lord; and thy thoughts shall be (ad)dressed. (Commit thy plans to the Lord; and they shall succeed.)

⁴ The Lord wrought all things for himself; and he made ready a wicked man to the evil day. (The Lord made everything for its own purpose; and he made the wicked for the day of evil.)

⁵ Abomination of the Lord is each proud man (Each proud person is an abomination to the Lord); yea, though the hand is to the hand, he shall not be innocent. The beginning of [the] good way is to do rightwiseness; forsooth it is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

⁶ Wickedness is again-bought by mercy and truth; and men boweth away from evil by the dread of the Lord. (Wickedness is redeemed by love and faithfulness; and people can turn away from evil by the fear of the Lord/through reverence for the Lord.)

⁷ When the ways of (a) man please the Lord, he shall convert, yea, his enemies to peace.

⁸ Better is a little with rightfulness, than many fruits with wickedness.

⁹ The heart of a man shall dispose his way; but it pertaineth to the Lord to (ad)dress his steps. (A person’s heart shall ordain his way; but it pertaineth to the Lord to direct his steps.)

¹⁰ Divining is in the lips of a king; his mouth shall not err in doom. (The king speaketh with divine authority; his mouth shall not err in any judgement.)

¹¹ The dooms of the Lord be weight and balance; and his works be all the stones of the world. (The Lord’s justice be equal weights and an honest balance; yea, each of the stones in the world is his own work.)

¹² They that do wickedly be abominable to the king; for the throne of the realm is made steadfast by rightfulness.

¹³ The will of kings is just lips; he that speaketh rightful things, shall be (ad)dressed. (The desire of kings is just, or truthful, words; he who speaketh upright things shall be favoured.)

¹⁴ [The] Indignation of the king is (like) messengers of death; and a wise man shall please him (but a wise person shall please him).

¹⁵ Life is in gladness of the king’s cheer; and his mercy is as rain coming late. (Life is in the gladness of the king’s face; and his mercy is like the rain that cometh late.)

¹⁶ Wield thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is preciouser than silver. (Possess thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is more precious than silver.)

¹⁷ The path of just men boweth away (from) evils (The path of the righteous turneth away from evil); the keeper of his soul keepeth his way (safe).

¹⁸ Pride goeth before sorrow; and the spirit shall be enhanced before falling (and the spirit shall be raised up before a fall).

¹⁹ It is better to be made meek with mild men, than to part spoils with proud men. (It is better to be made poor with the humble, than to part spoils with the proud.)

²⁰ A learned man in word shall find goods (A person learned in understanding shall obtain good things); and he that hopeth in the Lord is blessed.

²¹ He that is wise in heart, shall be called prudent; and he that is sweet in speech, shall find greater things. (He who is wise in heart, shall be called prudent; and he who useth sweet, or pleasant, speech, shall increase his knowledge/shall help others to learn.)

²² The well of life is the learning of him that wieldeth (it); the teaching of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of a wise man shall teach his mouth; and shall increase grace to his lips. (The heart of a wise person shall teach his mouth; and his lips shall bring an increase of favour.)

²⁴ Words well-set together is a comb of honey; health of bones is the sweetness of soul. (Kind words be like a honeycomb; sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.)

²⁵ A way there is that seemeth rightful to a man (There is a way that seemeth right to someone); and the last things thereof lead to death.

²⁶ The soul of a man travailing travaileth to himself; for his mouth compelled him. (A person labouring laboureth for himself; for his hunger compelled him.)

²⁷ An unwise man diggeth evil; and fire burneth in his lips. (The unwise person diggeth up evil; and fire burneth on his lips.)

²⁸ A wayward man raiseth strives; and a man full of words separateth princes. (A wayward person raiseth up strife, or arguments; and a person full of words separateth leaders.)

²⁹ A wicked man flattereth his friend; and leadeth him by a way not good.

³⁰ He that thinketh shrewd things with eyes astonied, biteth his lips, and performeth evil. (With astonished eyes, he thinketh depraved things, and biteth his lips, and performeth evil.)

³¹ A crown of dignity is eld (age), that shall be found in the ways of rightfulness.

³² A patient man is better than a strong man; and he that is lord of his soul, is better than an overcomer of cities. (A patient person is better than a strong person; and he who is lord over himself, or over his own nature, is better than an overcomer of cities.)

³³ Lots be sent into the bosom; but they be tempered of the Lord. (Lots can be cast into the lap; but they shall be decided, or determined, by the Lord.)

17 Better is a dry morsel with joy, than an house full of sacrifices with chiding, (or with arguments).

² A wise servant shall be lord of fond sons; and he shall part heritage among brethren. (A wise servant shall be lord over his master’s foolish sons and daughters; and in time he shall have part of the inheritance, along with the brothers and the sisters.)

³ As silver is proved by fire, and gold is proved by a chimney, so the Lord proveth hearts.

⁴ An evil man obeyeth to a wicked tongue; and a false man obeyeth to false lips. (An evil person obeyeth a wicked tongue; and a liar obeyeth lies.)

⁵ He that despiseth a poor man, reproveth his maker; and he that is glad in the falling of another man, shall not be unpunished. (He who despiseth the poor, rebuketh his Maker; and he who is glad in the falling of another person, shall not go unpunished.)

⁶ The crown of eld men is the sons of sons; and the glory of sons is the fathers of them.

⁷ Words well-set together beseem not a fool; and a lying lip becometh not a prince. (Words put together well become not a fool; and lies become not a leader.)

⁸ A precious stone most acceptable is the abiding of him that seeketh; whither ever he turneth himself, he understandeth prudently. (A gift, or a bribe, is like a most acceptable precious stone in the eyes of him who receiveth it; wherever it goeth, it bringeth prosperity to he who giveth it.)

⁹ He that covereth trespass, seeketh friendships; he that rehearseth by an high word (but he who remembereth a wrong), separateth them that (should) be knit together in peace.

¹⁰ A blaming profiteth more at a prudent man, than an hundred wounds at a fool. (A rebuke more profiteth a prudent man, than an hundred wounds to a fool.)

¹¹ Ever an evil man seeketh strives; forsooth a cruel angel shall be sent against him. (An evil person forevermore seeketh out strife, or arguments; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.)

¹² It speedeth more to meet a female bear, when her whelps be ravished, than a fool trusting to himself in his folly. (It is better to meet a female bear after she hath been robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting himself in his own foolishness.)

¹³ Evil shall not go away from the house of him, that yieldeth evils for goods (who giveth evil for good).

¹⁴ He that letteth (out) water, is the head of strives, (or of arguments); and before that he suffereth wrong, he forsaketh doom (he deserteth judgement).

¹⁵ Both he that justifieth a wicked man, and he that condemneth a just man, ever either is abominable to God. (Both he who justifieth a wicked person, and he who condemneth a righteous person, be abominable to God.)

¹⁶ What profiteth it to a fool to have riches, since he may not buy wisdom? (since he cannot buy wisdom?) He that maketh his house high, seeketh falling; and he that escheweth to learn, shall fall into evils.

¹⁷ He that is a friend, loveth in all time; and a brother is proved in anguishes.

¹⁸ A fond man shall make joy with hands (A foolish person shall clap his hands, or shall rejoice), when he hath promised for his friend.

¹⁹ He that bethinketh discords, loveth chidings; and he that enhanceth his mouth, seeketh falling. (He who thinketh up discord, loveth arguments; and he who exalteth his own mouth, seeketh his own downfall.)

²⁰ He that is of wayward heart, shall not find good; and he that (mis-)turneth the tongue, shall fall into evil.

²¹ A fool is born in his shame; but neither the father shall be glad in a fool. (A fool is born to his parents’ shame; and the father shall never be glad, or have joy, over his foolish son.)

²² A joyful soul maketh liking age (A joyful soul maketh a good life); a sorrowful spirit maketh dry bones.

²³ A wicked man taketh gifts from the bosom, to mis-turn the paths of doom. (A wicked person accepeth secret gifts, or bribes, to pervert the course of justice.)

²⁴ Wisdom shineth in the face of a prudent man; the eyes of fools be in the ends of earth. (Wisdom shineth in the face of the prudent; the eyes of fools be upon the ends of the earth.)

²⁵ A fond son is the ire of the father, and the sorrow of the mother that bare him.

²⁶ It is not good to bring in harm to a just man; neither to smite the prince that deemeth rightfully. (It is not good to harm the righteous; nor to strike the leader who ruleth rightfully.)

²⁷ He that measureth his words, is wise and prudent; and a learned man is of precious spirit. (He who measureth his words, is wise and prudent; and a learned person hath a precious spirit.)

²⁸ Also a fool, if he is still, shall be guessed a wise man (Even a fool, if he is silent, shall be thought to be wise); and, if he presseth together his lips, he is guessed an understanding man.

18 He that will go away from a friend, seeketh occasions, that is, feigneth causes, (or looketh for reasons); in all time he shall be despisable.

² A fool receiveth not the words of prudence; no but thou say those things, that be turned (over) in his heart.

³ A wicked man, when he cometh into (the) depth of sins, despiseth wholesome lore, (or discipline,) and commandment; but scandal and shame followeth him.

⁴ Deep water is the words of the mouth of a man; and a strand floating over is the well of wisdom. (Words from a person’s mouth can be like deep water/can be as deep as the water; and the well of wisdom is like a stream flowing over.)

⁵ It is not good to take the person of a wicked man in doom, that thou bow away from the truth of doom. (It is not good to favour a wicked person, so that thou turn away from the truth in judgement.)

⁶ The lips of a fool meddle themselves with chidings; and his mouth stirreth strives. (A fool’s lips mix, or mingle, themselves in with arguments; and his mouth stirreth up strife.)

⁷ The mouth of a fool is [the] defouling of him; and his lips be the falling of his soul.

⁸ The words of a double-tongued man be as simple; and they come unto the inner things of the womb. Dread casteth down a slow man; forsooth the souls of men turned into women’s condition shall have hunger. (A gossip’s words be tasty; and they go down into the innermost parts. Fear casteth down the lazy; and those who be timid shall have hunger.)

⁹ He that is nesh, and dissolute, either unsteadfast, in his work, is the brother of a man destroying his works.

¹⁰ A full strong tower is the name of the Lord; a just man runneth to him, and [he] shall be enhanced. (The Lord’s name is a full strong tower; the righteous run to it, and they shall be safe.)

¹¹ The chattel of a rich man is the city of his strength; and as a strong wall compassing him. (A rich person’s possessions is the city of his strength; and they be like a strong wall surrounding him, or so he thinketh.)

¹² The heart of man is enhanced, before that it be broken; and it is made meek, before that it be glorified. (A person’s heart is raised up in pride, before that it is broken; and it is humbled, before that it is glorified.)

¹³ He that answereth before that he heareth, showeth himself to be a fool; and worthy of shame.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man sustaineth (him in) his feebleness; but who may sustain a spirit light to be wroth? (A person’s spirit can sustain him in sickness; but who can endure with a broken spirit?)

¹⁵ The heart of a prudent man shall hold steadfastly knowing; and the ear of wise men seeketh teaching. (The heart of a person with understanding shall steadfastly hold onto knowledge; and the ears of the wise seek out teaching, or instruction.)

¹⁶ The gift of a man alargeth his way; and maketh space to him before princes. (Giving a gift openeth, or smootheth, one’s way; and maketh an opening for thee among the leaders, or among the powerful.)

¹⁷ A just man is the first accuser of himself; his friend cometh, and shall search him. (He who is the first to speak for a cause seemeth right; but then his opponent shall come, and shall search him out.)

¹⁸ Lot ceaseth against-sayings; and deemeth also among mighty men. (Casting lots ceaseth arguments; and also judgeth, or decideth, among the mighty.)

¹⁹ A brother that is helped of a brother, is as a steadfast city; and [the] dooms be as the bars of cities. (A brother helped by a brother, is like protection from the wall of a steadfast city; but arguments be like the bars of a city, preventing entry.)

²⁰ A man’s womb shall be [ful]filled of the fruit of his mouth (A man’s belly shall be fulfilled, or satisfied, by the fruit of his mouth); and the seeds of his lips shall fill him.

²¹ Death and life be in the works of [the] tongue; they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof (they who nurture it, shall eat its fruits).

²² He that findeth a good woman, findeth a good thing; and of the Lord he shall draw up mirth (and he receiveth favour from the Lord). He that putteth away a good woman, putteth away a good thing; but he that holdeth (onto an) adulteress, is a fool and unwise.

²³ A poor man shall speak with beseechings, (or with pleadings); and a rich man shall speak sternly.

²⁴ A man friendly to fellowship shall more be a friend, than a brother. (A man given to fellowship with thee, can be more of a friend, than even thy own brother.)

19 Better is a poor man, that goeth in his simpleness, than a rich man biting his lips, and unwise. (Better is a poor person, who goeth in his honesty, or in his integrity, than a rich person biting his lips, and unwise.)

² Where is not knowing of the soul, there is not good; and he that is hasty, in feet hurteth. (A mind without knowledge is not good; and he who is hasty with his feet, sinneth.)

³ The folly of a man deceiveth his steps (A person’s foolishness perverteth his own way); and he burneth in his soul against God.

⁴ Riches increase full many friends; forsooth also they be departed from a poor man, which he had (but the friends which a poor person had, shall soon depart).

⁵ A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh leasings, shall not escape. (A lying witness shall not go unpunished; and he who speaketh lies, shall not escape.)

⁶ Many men honour the person of a mighty man; and they be friends of him that dealeth (out) gifts.

⁷ The brethren of a poor man hate him; furthermore and the friends went away far from him. He that followeth words only, shall have nothing; (The brothers of a poor man hate him; and furthermore his friends shall go far away from him. He who followeth after only words, shall soon have nothing;)

⁸ but he that holdeth stably the mind, loveth his soul, and the keeper of prudence shall find goods. (but he who keepeth his mind stable, loveth, or helpeth, his own life, and the keeper of understanding, or of discernment, shall obtain good things.)

⁹ A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh leasings, shall perish. (A lying witness shall not go unpunished; and he who speaketh lies, shall perish.)

¹⁰ Delights become not a fool; neither it becometh a servant to be (the) lord of princes.

¹¹ The teaching of a man is known by patience; and his glory is to pass over wicked things. (Patience showeth a person’s wisdom, or the lack of it; and a person’s glory is to overlook a wrong.)

¹² As the gnashing of a lion, so and the ire of the king; and as dew on herb, so and the gladness of the king. (Like the gnashing of a lion, is the king’s anger; and like the dew on the grass, is the king’s gladness.)

¹³ The sorrow of the father is a fond son; and roofs dropping continually is a woman full of chiding. (A father’s sorrow is a foolish son; and a woman full of arguments, or of bickering, is like a roof continually dripping water.)

¹⁴ Houses and riches be given of father and mother; but a prudent wife is given properly of the Lord. (Houses and riches be given to thee by thy father and mother; but a prudent wife cometh only from the Lord.)

¹⁵ Sloth bringeth in sleep; and a negligent soul shall have hunger.

¹⁶ He that keepeth the commandment of God, keepeth his soul; but he that chargeth not his way, shall be slain. (He who keepeth God’s commandments, keepeth his life safe; but he who despiseth the Lord’s way, shall die.)

¹⁷ He that hath mercy on a poor man, lendeth to the Lord (He who hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord); and he shall yield his while to him.

¹⁸ Teach thy son, and despair thou not; but set thou not thy soul to the slaying of him (but do not thou beat him).

¹⁹ Forsooth he that is unpatient, shall suffer harm; and when he hath ravished (one thing), he shall lay to another thing. (He who is ill-tempered, shall suffer harm; thou shalt help him once, and then thou shalt need to help him again, and again.)

²⁰ Hear thou counsel, and take thou doctrine; that thou be wise in thy last things. (Listen thou to advice, and receive thou teaching, or instruction; so that thou shalt be wise until thy last breath.)

²¹ Many thoughts there be in the heart of a man; but the will of the Lord shall dwell. (There be many plans in a person’s heart; but the Lord’s purpose shall stand, yea, it shall prevail.)

²² A needy man is merciful; and better is a poor (but) just man, than a man (who is a) liar. (A person in need is merciful; and it is better to be poor but righteous, than to be a liar.)

²³ Dread of the Lord leadeth to life; and he that dreadeth God shall dwell in plenty, without visiting of the worst/without full evil visiting. (Fear of the Lord leadeth to life; and he who feareth God shall live amidst plenty, without the visiting of the adversary./Reverence for the Lord leadeth to life; and he who revereth God shall live amidst plenty, without the assailing of great evil.)

²⁴ A slow man, (that is, a lazy person,) hideth his hand under his armpit, and putteth it not to his mouth.

²⁵ When a man full of pestilence is beaten, a fool shall be the wiser, (if he will but learn from his example, or from his experience). (But) If thou blamest a wise man, he shall understand (the) teaching.

²⁶ He that tormenteth his father, and fleeth from his mother, shall be full of evil fame (shall be full of shame), and shall be cursed.

²⁷ Son, cease thou not to hear teaching; and know thou the words of knowing. (My son, cease thou not to listen to instruction; and understand thou words of knowledge.)

²⁸ A wicked witness scorneth doom; and the mouth of unpious men devoureth wickedness. (A false witness perverteth justice; and the mouths of the wicked devour wickedness.)

²⁹ Dooms be made ready to scorners; and hammers smiting be made ready to the bodies of fools. (Justice, or judgement, is prepared for mockers; and striking hammers be prepared for the bodies of fools.)

20 Wine is a lecherous thing, and drunkenness is full of noise; whoever delighteth in these, shall not be wise.

² As the roaring of a lion, so and the dread of a king (and so the king’s wrath); he that stirreth him to ire, sinneth against his (own) soul.

³ It is honour to a man that separateth himself from strivings; but fond men be meddled with despisings. (It is honourable for someone to separate himself from strife, or from arguments; but the foolish shall mix, or mingle, themselves in with arguments.)

⁴ A slow man would not ear for cold; therefore he shall beg in summer, and men shall not give to him. (A lazy person will not plow when it is cold; then at harvest time he shall beg, but others shall not give him anything.)

⁵ As deep water, so counsel is in the heart of a man; but a wise man shall draw it out. (Advice in a person’s heart can be like deep water/can be as deep as the water; but a wise person shall draw it out.)

⁶ Many men be called merciful; but who shall find a faithful man? (Many people be called, or be thought to be, merciful; but who shall truly find a faithful person?)

⁷ Forsooth a just man that goeth in his simpleness, shall leave blessed sons after him. (For a righteous person who goeth in his honesty, or in his integrity, shall leave blessed sons and daughters after him.)

⁸ A king that sitteth in the seat of doom, destroyeth all evil by his looking. (A king who sitteth on the seat of judgement, knoweth evil when he seeth it.)

⁹ Who may say, Mine heart is clean; I am clean of sin?

¹⁰ A weight, greater in buying, and a weight, less(er) in selling, a measure and a measure, ever either is abominable at God (these be abominable to God).

¹¹ A child is understood by his studies (Even a child is known by his deeds), if his works be rightful and clean.

¹² An ear hearing, and an eye seeing [The hearing ear, and the seeing eye], God made ever either (God made them both).

¹³ Do not thou love sleep, lest neediness oppress thee; open thine eyes, and be thou [ful]filled with loaves.

¹⁴ Each buyer saith, It is evil, it is evil; and when he hath gone away, then he shall have glory (but after he hath gone away, then he shall boast about it).

¹⁵ Gold, and the multitude of gems, and a precious vessel, be the lips of knowing (be the value of words of knowledge, or of wise words).

¹⁶ Take thou away the cloth of him that was (a) borrow of another man; and for strangers take thou away a wed from him. (Take thou the cloak of him who pledged for another person; and take thou a pledge from him for strangers.)

¹⁷ The bread of a leasing, that is, gotten by a leasing, is sweet to a man (Bread gotten by a lie, tasteth sweet to a person); and afterward his mouth shall be filled with reckoning [but afterward his mouth shall be filled with little pebble stones].

¹⁸ Thoughts be made strong by counsels; and battles shall be treated by governances. (Plans be made into successes by good advice; and battles be won by careful planning.)

¹⁹ Be thou not meddled with him that showeth privates, and goeth guilefully, and alargeth his lips. (Be thou not mixed in, or mingled, with him who telleth secrets, and goeth deceitfully, and flappeth his lips.)

²⁰ The light of him that curseth his father and mother, shall be quenched in the midst of darknesses.

²¹ Heritage to which men hasteth (to get) in the beginning, shall want blessing in the last time. (An inheritance which someone hasteneth to get early, shall lack blessing in the end.)