Mishlei

According to the great kabbalist’s it is highly recommended to read one chapter everyday from the book of Mishlei (Proverbs) starting on Rosh Chodesh till Rosh Hashana (including). During 31 days we read 31 chapters.

Below you can find the daily reading (Both in Hebrew and English)

א׳

מִ֭שְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה בֶן־דָּוִ֑ד מֶ֝֗לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

לָדַ֣עַת חׇכְמָ֣ה וּמוּסָ֑ר לְ֝הָבִ֗ין אִמְרֵ֥י בִינָֽה׃

לָ֭קַחַת מוּסַ֣ר הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל צֶ֥דֶק וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט וּמֵשָׁרִֽים׃

לָתֵ֣ת לִפְתָאיִ֣ם עׇרְמָ֑ה לְ֝נַ֗עַר דַּ֣עַת וּמְזִמָּֽה׃

יִשְׁמַ֣ע חָ֭כָם וְי֣וֹסֶף לֶ֑קַח וְ֝נָב֗וֹן תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת יִקְנֶֽה׃

לְהָבִ֣ין מָ֭שָׁל וּמְלִיצָ֑ה דִּבְרֵ֥י חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים וְחִידֹתָֽם׃

יִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה רֵאשִׁ֣ית דָּ֑עַת חׇכְמָ֥ה וּ֝מוּסָ֗ר אֱוִילִ֥ים בָּֽזוּ׃ {פ}

שְׁמַ֣ע בְּ֭נִי מוּסַ֣ר אָבִ֑יךָ וְאַל־תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ תּוֹרַ֥ת אִמֶּֽךָ׃

כִּ֤י ׀ לִוְיַ֤ת חֵ֓ן הֵ֬ם לְרֹאשֶׁ֑ךָ וַ֝עֲנָקִ֗ים לְגַרְגְּרֹתֶֽךָ׃

בְּנִ֡י אִם־יְפַתּ֥וּךָ חַ֝טָּאִ֗ים אַל־תֹּבֵֽא׃

אִם־יֹאמְרוּ֮ לְכָ֢ה אִ֫תָּ֥נוּ נֶאֶרְבָ֥ה לְדָ֑ם נִצְפְּנָ֖ה לְנָקִ֣י חִנָּֽם׃

נִ֭בְלָעֵם כִּשְׁא֣וֹל חַיִּ֑ים וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים כְּי֣וֹרְדֵי בֽוֹר׃

כׇּל־ה֣וֹן יָקָ֣ר נִמְצָ֑א נְמַלֵּ֖א בָתֵּ֣ינוּ שָׁלָֽל׃

גּ֭וֹרָ֣לְךָ תַּפִּ֣יל בְּתוֹכֵ֑נוּ כִּ֥יס אֶ֝חָ֗ד יִהְיֶ֥ה לְכֻלָּֽנוּ׃

בְּנִ֗י אַל־תֵּלֵ֣ךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אִתָּ֑ם מְנַ֥ע רַ֝גְלְךָ֗ מִנְּתִיבָתָֽם׃

כִּ֣י רַ֭גְלֵיהֶם לָרַ֣ע יָר֑וּצוּ וִ֝ימַהֲר֗וּ לִשְׁפׇּךְ־דָּֽם׃

כִּֽי־חִ֭נָּם מְזֹרָ֣ה הָרָ֑שֶׁת בְּ֝עֵינֵ֗י כׇּל־בַּ֥עַל כָּנָֽף׃

וְ֭הֵם לְדָמָ֣ם יֶאֱרֹ֑בוּ יִ֝צְפְּנ֗וּ לְנַפְשֹׁתָֽם׃

כֵּ֗ן אׇ֭רְחוֹת כׇּל־בֹּ֣צֵֽעַ בָּ֑צַע אֶת־נֶ֖פֶשׁ בְּעָלָ֣יו יִקָּֽח׃ {פ}

חׇ֭כְמוֹת בַּח֣וּץ תָּרֹ֑נָּה בָּ֝רְחֹב֗וֹת תִּתֵּ֥ן קוֹלָֽהּ׃

בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הֹמִיּ֗וֹת תִּ֫קְרָ֥א בְּפִתְחֵ֖י שְׁעָרִ֥ים בָּעִ֗יר אֲמָרֶ֥יהָ תֹאמֵֽר׃

עַד־מָתַ֣י ׀ פְּתָיִם֮ תְּֽאֵהֲב֫וּ־פֶ֥תִי וְלֵצִ֗ים לָ֭צוֹן חָמְד֣וּ לָהֶ֑ם וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים יִשְׂנְאוּ־דָֽעַת׃

תָּשׁ֗וּבוּ לְֽת֫וֹכַחְתִּ֥י הִנֵּ֤ה אַבִּ֣יעָה לָכֶ֣ם רוּחִ֑י אוֹדִ֖יעָה דְבָרַ֣י אֶתְכֶֽם׃

יַ֣עַן קָ֭רָאתִי וַתְּמָאֵ֑נוּ נָטִ֥יתִי יָ֝דִ֗י וְאֵ֣ין מַקְשִֽׁיב׃

וַתִּפְרְע֥וּ כׇל־עֲצָתִ֑י וְ֝תוֹכַחְתִּ֗י לֹ֣א אֲבִיתֶֽם׃

גַּם־אֲ֭נִי בְּאֵידְכֶ֣ם אֶשְׂחָ֑ק אֶ֝לְעַ֗ג בְּבֹ֣א פַחְדְּכֶֽם׃

בְּבֹ֤א (כשאוה) [כְשׁוֹאָ֨ה ׀] פַּחְדְּכֶ֗ם וְֽ֭אֵידְכֶם כְּסוּפָ֣ה יֶאֱתֶ֑ה בְּבֹ֥א עֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם צָרָ֥ה וְצוּקָֽה׃

אָ֣ז יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי וְלֹ֣א אֶעֱנֶ֑ה יְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִי וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃

תַּ֭חַת כִּֽי־שָׂ֣נְאוּ דָ֑עַת וְיִרְאַ֥ת יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה לֹ֣א בָחָֽרוּ׃

לֹא־אָב֥וּ לַעֲצָתִ֑י נָ֝אֲצ֗וּ כׇּל־תּוֹכַחְתִּֽי׃

וְֽ֭יֹאכְלוּ מִפְּרִ֣י דַרְכָּ֑ם וּֽמִמֹּעֲצֹ֖תֵיהֶ֣ם יִשְׂבָּֽעוּ׃

כִּ֤י מְשׁוּבַ֣ת פְּתָיִ֣ם תַּהַרְגֵ֑ם וְשַׁלְוַ֖ת כְּסִילִ֣ים תְּאַבְּדֵֽם׃

וְשֹׁמֵ֣עַֽ לִ֭י יִשְׁכׇּן־בֶּ֑טַח וְ֝שַׁאֲנַ֗ן מִפַּ֥חַד רָעָֽה׃ {פ}

For learning wisdom and discipline; For understanding words of discernment;

For acquiring the discipline for success, Righteousness, justice, and equity;

For endowing the simple with shrewdness, The young with knowledge and foresight.

—The wise man, hearing them, will gain more wisdom; The discerning man will learn to be adroit;

For understanding proverb and epigram, The words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and discipline.

My son, heed the discipline of your father, And do not forsake the instruction of your mother;

For they are a graceful wreath upon your head, A necklace about your throat.

My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield;

If they say, “Come with us, Let us set an ambush to shed blood, Let us lie in wait for the innocent (Without cause!)

Like Sheol, let us swallow them alive; Whole, like those who go down into the Pit.

We shall obtain every precious treasure; We shall fill our homes with loot.

Throw in your lot with us; We shall all have a common purse.”

My son, do not set out with them; Keep your feet from their path.

For their feet run to evil; They hurry to shed blood.

In the eyes of every winged creature The outspread net means nothing.

But they lie in ambush for their own blood; They lie in wait for their own lives.

Such is the fate of all who pursue unjust gain; It takes the life of its possessor.

Wisdom cries aloud in the streets, Raises her voice in the squares.

At the head of the busy streets she calls; At the entrance of the gates, in the city, she speaks out:

“How long will you simple ones love simplicity, You scoffers be eager to scoff, You dullards hate knowledge?

You are indifferent to my rebuke; I will now speak my mind to you, And let you know my thoughts.

Since you refused me when I called, And paid no heed when I extended my hand,

You spurned all my advice, And would not hear my rebuke,

I will laugh at your calamity, And mock when terror comes upon you,

When terror comes like a disaster, And calamity arrives like a whirlwind, When trouble and distress come upon you.

Then they shall call me but I will not answer; They shall seek me but not find me.

Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose fear of the LORD;

They refused my advice, And disdained all my rebukes,

They shall eat the fruit of their ways, And have their fill of their own counsels.

The tranquillity of the simple will kill them, And the complacency of dullards will destroy them.

ב׳

בְּ֭נִי אִם־תִּקַּ֣ח אֲמָרָ֑י וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י תִּצְפֹּ֥ן אִתָּֽךְ׃

לְהַקְשִׁ֣יב לַחׇכְמָ֣ה אׇזְנֶ֑ךָ תַּטֶּ֥ה לִ֝בְּךָ֗ לַתְּבוּנָֽה׃

כִּ֤י אִ֣ם לַבִּינָ֣ה תִקְרָ֑א לַ֝תְּבוּנָ֗ה תִּתֵּ֥ן קוֹלֶֽךָ׃

אִם־תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה כַכָּ֑סֶף וְֽכַמַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים תַּחְפְּשֶֽׂנָּה׃

אָ֗ז תָּ֭בִין יִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְדַ֖עַת אֱלֹהִ֣ים תִּמְצָֽא׃

כִּֽי־יְ֭הֹוָה יִתֵּ֣ן חׇכְמָ֑ה מִ֝פִּ֗יו דַּ֣עַת וּתְבוּנָֽה׃

  וצפן (קרי: יִצְפֹּ֥ן) יְשָׁרִים תּוּשִׁיָּ֑ה מָ֝גֵ֗ן לְהֹ֣לְכֵי תֹֽם׃

לִ֭נְצֹר אׇרְח֣וֹת מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וְדֶ֖רֶךְ חֲסִידָ֣ו יִשְׁמֹֽר׃

אָ֗ז תָּ֭בִין צֶ֣דֶק וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּ֝מֵישָׁרִ֗ים כׇּל־מַעְגַּל־טֽוֹב׃

כִּֽי־תָב֣וֹא חׇכְמָ֣ה בְלִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝דַ֗עַת לְֽנַפְשְׁךָ֥ יִנְעָֽם׃

מְ֭זִמָּה תִּשְׁמֹ֥ר עָלֶ֗יךָ תְּבוּנָ֥ה תִנְצְרֶֽכָּה׃

לְ֭הַצִּ֣ילְךָ מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ רָ֑ע מֵ֝אִ֗ישׁ מְדַבֵּ֥ר תַּהְפֻּכֽוֹת׃

הַ֭עֹ֣זְבִים אׇרְח֣וֹת יֹ֑שֶׁר לָ֝לֶ֗כֶת בְּדַרְכֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃

הַ֭שְּׂמֵחִים לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת רָ֑ע יָ֝גִ֗ילוּ בְּֽתַהְפֻּכ֥וֹת רָֽע׃

אֲשֶׁ֣ר אׇרְחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם עִקְּשִׁ֑ים וּ֝נְלוֹזִ֗ים בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתָֽם׃

לְ֭הַצִּ֣ילְךָ מֵאִשָּׁ֣ה זָרָ֑ה מִ֝נׇּכְרִיָּ֗ה אֲמָרֶ֥יהָ הֶחֱלִֽיקָה׃

הַֽ֭עֹזֶבֶת אַלּ֣וּף נְעוּרֶ֑יהָ וְאֶת־בְּרִ֖ית אֱלֹהֶ֣יהָ שָׁכֵֽחָה׃

כִּ֤י שָׁ֣חָה אֶל־מָ֣וֶת בֵּיתָ֑הּ וְאֶל־רְ֝פָאִ֗ים מַעְגְּלֹתֶֽיהָ׃

כׇּל־בָּ֭אֶיהָ לֹ֣א יְשׁוּב֑וּן וְלֹֽא־יַ֝שִּׂ֗יגוּ אׇרְח֥וֹת חַיִּֽים׃

לְמַ֗עַן תֵּ֭לֵךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ טוֹבִ֑ים וְאׇרְח֖וֹת צַדִּיקִ֣ים תִּשְׁמֹֽר׃

כִּֽי־יְשָׁרִ֥ים יִשְׁכְּנוּ־אָ֑רֶץ וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים יִוָּ֥תְרוּ בָֽהּ׃

וּ֭רְשָׁעִים מֵאֶ֣רֶץ יִכָּרֵ֑תוּ וּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗ים יִסְּח֥וּ מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ {פ}

2

My son, if you accept my words And treasure up my commandments;

If you make your ear attentive to wisdom And your mind open to discernment;

If you call to understanding And cry aloud to discernment,

If you seek it as you do silver And search for it as for treasures,

Then you will understand the fear of the LORD And attain knowledge of God.

For the LORD grants wisdom; Knowledge and discernment are by His decree.

He reserves ability for the upright And is a shield for those who live blamelessly,

Guarding the paths of justice, Protecting the way of those loyal to Him.

You will then understand what is right, just, And equitable—every good course.

For wisdom will enter your mind And knowledge will delight you.

Foresight will protect you, And discernment will guard you.

It will save you from the way of evil men, From men who speak duplicity,

Who leave the paths of rectitude To follow the ways of darkness,

Who rejoice in doing evil And exult in the duplicity of evil men,

Men whose paths are crooked And who are devious in their course.

It will save you from the forbidden woman, From the alien woman whose talk is smooth,

Who forsakes the companion of her youth And disregards the covenant of her God.

Her house sinks down to Death, And her course leads to the shades.

All who go to her cannot return And find again the paths of life.

So follow the way of the good And keep to the paths of the just.

For the upright will inhabit the earth, The blameless will remain in it.

While the wicked will vanish from the land And the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

ג׳

בְּ֭נִי תּוֹרָתִ֣י אַל־תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י יִצֹּ֥ר לִבֶּֽךָ׃

כִּ֤י אֹ֣רֶךְ יָ֭מִים וּשְׁנ֣וֹת חַיִּ֑ים וְ֝שָׁל֗וֹם יוֹסִ֥יפוּ לָֽךְ׃

חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֗ת אַֽל־יַ֫עַזְבֻ֥ךָ קׇשְׁרֵ֥ם עַל־גַּרְגְּרוֹתֶ֑יךָ כׇּ֝תְבֵ֗ם עַל־ל֥וּחַ לִבֶּֽךָ׃

וּמְצָא־חֵ֥ן וְשֵֽׂכֶל־ט֑וֹב בְּעֵינֵ֖י אֱלֹהִ֣ים וְאָדָֽם׃

בְּטַ֣ח אֶל־יְ֭הֹוָה בְּכׇל־לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְאֶל־בִּ֥֝ינָתְךָ֗ אַל־תִּשָּׁעֵֽן׃

בְּכׇל־דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ דָעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝ה֗וּא יְיַשֵּׁ֥ר אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃

אַל־תְּהִ֣י חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ יְרָ֥א אֶת־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וְס֣וּר מֵרָֽע׃

רִ֭פְאוּת תְּהִ֣י לְשׇׁרֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝שִׁקּ֗וּי לְעַצְמוֹתֶֽיךָ׃

כַּבֵּ֣ד אֶת־יְ֭הֹוָה מֵהוֹנֶ֑ךָ וּ֝מֵרֵאשִׁ֗ית כׇּל־תְּבוּאָתֶֽךָ׃

וְיִמָּלְא֣וּ אֲסָמֶ֣יךָ שָׂבָ֑ע וְ֝תִיר֗וֹשׁ יְקָבֶ֥יךָ יִפְרֹֽצוּ׃ {פ}

מוּסַ֣ר יְ֭הֹוָה בְּנִ֣י אַל־תִּמְאָ֑ס וְאַל־תָּ֝קֹ֗ץ בְּתוֹכַחְתּֽוֹ׃

כִּ֤י אֶ֥ת־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶאֱהַ֣ב יְהֹוָ֣ה יוֹכִ֑יחַ וּ֝כְאָ֗ב אֶת־בֵּ֥ן יִרְצֶֽה׃

אַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם מָצָ֣א חׇכְמָ֑ה וְ֝אָדָ֗ם יָפִ֥יק תְּבוּנָֽה׃

כִּ֤י ט֣וֹב סַ֭חְרָהּ מִסְּחַר־כָּ֑סֶף וּ֝מֵחָר֗וּץ תְּבוּאָתָֽהּ׃

יְקָ֣רָה הִ֭יא (מפניים) [מִפְּנִינִ֑ים] וְכׇל־חֲ֝פָצֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א יִֽשְׁווּ־בָֽהּ׃

אֹ֣רֶךְ יָ֭מִים בִּֽימִינָ֑הּ בִּ֝שְׂמֹאולָ֗הּ עֹ֣שֶׁר וְכָבֽוֹד׃

דְּרָכֶ֥יהָ דַרְכֵי־נֹ֑עַם וְֽכׇל־נְתִ֖יבוֹתֶ֣יהָ שָׁלֽוֹם׃

עֵץ־חַיִּ֣ים הִ֭יא לַמַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים בָּ֑הּ וְֽתֹמְכֶ֥יהָ מְאֻשָּֽׁר׃ {פ}

יְֽהֹוָ֗ה בְּחׇכְמָ֥ה יָסַד־אָ֑רֶץ כּוֹנֵ֥ן שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם בִּתְבוּנָֽה׃

בְּ֭דַעְתּוֹ תְּהוֹמ֣וֹת נִבְקָ֑עוּ וּ֝שְׁחָקִ֗ים יִרְעֲפוּ־טָֽל׃

בְּ֭נִי אַל־יָלֻ֣זוּ מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ נְצֹ֥ר תֻּ֝שִׁיָּ֗ה וּמְזִמָּֽה׃

וְיִֽהְי֣וּ חַיִּ֣ים לְנַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ וְ֝חֵ֗ן לְגַרְגְּרֹתֶֽיךָ׃

אָ֤ז תֵּלֵ֣ךְ לָבֶ֣טַח דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝רַגְלְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תִגּֽוֹף׃

אִם־תִּשְׁכַּ֥ב לֹֽא־תִפְחָ֑ד וְ֝שָׁכַבְתָּ֗ וְֽעָרְבָ֥ה שְׁנָתֶֽךָ׃

אַל־תִּ֭ירָא מִפַּ֣חַד פִּתְאֹ֑ם וּמִשֹּׁאַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים כִּ֣י תָבֹֽא׃

כִּֽי־יְ֭הֹוָה יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בְכִסְלֶ֑ךָ וְשָׁמַ֖ר רַגְלְךָ֣ מִלָּֽכֶד׃

אַל־תִּמְנַע־ט֥וֹב מִבְּעָלָ֑יו בִּֽהְי֨וֹת לְאֵ֖ל (ידיך) [יָדְךָ֣] לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃

אַל־תֹּ֘אמַ֤ר (לרעיך) [לְרֵעֲךָ֨ ׀] לֵ֣ךְ וָ֭שׁוּב וּמָחָ֥ר אֶתֵּ֗ן וְיֵ֣שׁ אִתָּֽךְ׃

אַל־תַּחֲרֹ֣שׁ עַל־רֵעֲךָ֣ רָעָ֑ה וְהֽוּא־יוֹשֵׁ֖ב לָבֶ֣טַח אִתָּֽךְ׃

אַל־[תָּרִ֣יב] (תרוב) עִם־אָדָ֣ם חִנָּ֑ם אִם־לֹ֖א גְמָלְךָ֣ רָעָֽה׃

אַל־תְּ֭קַנֵּא בְּאִ֣ישׁ חָמָ֑ס וְאַל־תִּ֝בְחַ֗ר בְּכׇל־דְּרָכָֽיו׃

כִּ֤י תוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֣ה נָל֑וֹז וְֽאֶת־יְשָׁרִ֥ים סוֹדֽוֹ׃

מְאֵרַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה בְּבֵ֣ית רָשָׁ֑ע וּנְוֵ֖ה צַדִּיקִ֣ים יְבָרֵֽךְ׃

אִם־לַלֵּצִ֥ים הֽוּא־יָלִ֑יץ (ולעניים) [וְ֝לַעֲנָוִ֗ים] יִתֶּן־חֵֽן׃

3

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your mind retain my commandments;

For they will bestow on you length of days, Years of life and well-being.

Let fidelity and steadfastness not leave you; Bind them about your throat, Write them on the tablet of your mind,

And you will find favor and approbation In the eyes of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths smooth.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and shun evil.

It will be a cure for your body, A tonic for your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, With the best of all your income,

And your barns will be filled with grain, Your vats will burst with new wine.

Do not reject the discipline of the LORD, my son; Do not abhor His rebuke.

For whom the LORD loves, He rebukes, As a father the son whom he favors.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who attains understanding.

Her value in trade is better than silver, Her yield, greater than gold.

She is more precious than rubies; All of your goods cannot equal her.

In her right hand is length of days, In her left, riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths, peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, And whoever holds on to her is happy.

The LORD founded the earth by wisdom; He established the heavens by understanding;

By His knowledge the depths burst apart, And the skies distilled dew.

My son, do not lose sight of them; Hold on to resourcefulness and foresight.

They will give life to your spirit And grace to your throat.

Then you will go your way safely And not injure your feet.

When you lie down you will be unafraid; You will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

You will not fear sudden terror Or the disaster that comes upon the wicked,

For the LORD will be your trust; He will keep your feet from being caught.

Do not withhold good from one who deserves it When you have the power to do it [for him].

Do not say to your fellow, “Come back again; I’ll give it to you tomorrow,” when you have it with you.

Do not devise harm against your fellow Who lives trustfully with you.

Do not quarrel with a man for no cause, When he has done you no harm.

Do not envy a lawless man, Or choose any of his ways;

For the devious man is an abomination to the LORD, But He is intimate with the straightforward.

The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the abode of the righteous.

At scoffers He scoffs, But to the lowly He shows grace.

ד׳

שִׁמְע֣וּ בָ֭נִים מ֣וּסַר אָ֑ב וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּ לָדַ֥עַת בִּינָֽה׃

כִּ֤י לֶ֣קַח ט֭וֹב נָתַ֣תִּי לָכֶ֑ם תּ֝וֹרָתִ֗י אַֽל־תַּעֲזֹֽבוּ׃

כִּֽי־בֵ֭ן הָיִ֣יתִי לְאָבִ֑י רַ֥ךְ וְ֝יָחִ֗יד לִפְנֵ֥י אִמִּֽי׃

וַיֹּרֵ֗נִי וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לִ֗י יִֽתְמׇךְ־דְּבָרַ֥י לִבֶּ֑ךָ שְׁמֹ֖ר מִצְוֺתַ֣י וֶחְיֵֽה׃

קְנֵ֣ה חׇ֭כְמָה קְנֵ֣ה בִינָ֑ה אַל־תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח וְאַל־תֵּ֝֗ט מֵאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃

אַל־תַּעַזְבֶ֥הָ וְתִשְׁמְרֶ֑ךָּ אֱהָבֶ֥הָ וְתִצְּרֶֽךָּ׃

רֵאשִׁ֣ית חׇ֭כְמָה קְנֵ֣ה חׇכְמָ֑ה וּבְכׇל־קִ֝נְיָנְךָ֗ קְנֵ֣ה בִינָֽה׃

סַלְסְלֶ֥הָ וּֽתְרוֹמְמֶ֑ךָּ תְּ֝כַבֵּ֗דְךָ כִּ֣י תְחַבְּקֶֽנָּה׃

תִּתֵּ֣ן לְ֭רֹאשְׁךָ לִוְיַת־חֵ֑ן עֲטֶ֖רֶת תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת תְּמַגְּנֶֽךָּ׃

שְׁמַ֣ע בְּ֭נִי וְקַ֣ח אֲמָרָ֑י וְיִרְבּ֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ שְׁנ֣וֹת חַיִּֽים׃

בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ חׇ֭כְמָה הֹרֵיתִ֑יךָ הִ֝דְרַכְתִּ֗יךָ בְּמַעְגְּלֵי־יֹֽשֶׁר׃

בְּֽ֭לֶכְתְּךָ לֹא־יֵצַ֣ר צַעֲדֶ֑ךָ וְאִם־תָּ֝ר֗וּץ לֹ֣א תִכָּשֵֽׁל׃

הַחֲזֵ֣ק בַּמּוּסָ֣ר אַל־תֶּ֑רֶף נִ֝צְּרֶ֗הָ כִּי־הִ֥יא חַיֶּֽיךָ׃

בְּאֹ֣רַח רְ֭שָׁעִים אַל־תָּבֹ֑א וְאַל־תְּ֝אַשֵּׁ֗ר בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ רָעִֽים׃

פְּרָעֵ֥הוּ אַל־תַּעֲבׇר־בּ֑וֹ שְׂטֵ֖ה מֵעָלָ֣יו וַעֲבֹֽר׃

כִּ֤י לֹ֣א יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ אִם־לֹ֣א יָרֵ֑עוּ וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥ה שְׁ֝נָתָ֗ם אִם־לֹ֥א (יכשולו) [יַכְשִֽׁילוּ]׃

כִּ֣י לָ֭חֲמוּ לֶ֣חֶם רֶ֑שַׁע וְיֵ֖ין חֲמָסִ֣ים יִשְׁתּֽוּ׃

וְאֹ֣רַח צַ֭דִּיקִים כְּא֣וֹר נֹ֑גַהּ הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וָ֝א֗וֹר עַד־נְכ֥וֹן הַיּֽוֹם׃

דֶּ֣רֶךְ רְ֭שָׁעִים כָּאֲפֵלָ֑ה לֹ֥א יָ֝דְע֗וּ בַּמֶּ֥ה יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ׃ {פ}

בְּ֭נִי לִדְבָרַ֣י הַקְשִׁ֑יבָה לַ֝אֲמָרַ֗י הַט־אׇזְנֶֽךָ׃

אַל־יַלִּ֥יזוּ מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ שׇׁ֝מְרֵ֗ם בְּת֣וֹךְ לְבָבֶֽךָ׃

כִּֽי־חַיִּ֣ים הֵ֭ם לְמֹצְאֵיהֶ֑ם וּֽלְכׇל־בְּשָׂר֥וֹ מַרְפֵּֽא׃

מִֽכׇּל־מִ֭שְׁמָר נְצֹ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ כִּֽי־מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ תּוֹצְא֥וֹת חַיִּֽים׃

הָסֵ֣ר מִ֭מְּךָ עִקְּשׁ֣וּת פֶּ֑ה וּלְז֥וּת שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם הַרְחֵ֥ק מִמֶּֽךָּ׃

עֵ֭ינֶיךָ לְנֹ֣כַח יַבִּ֑יטוּ וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָ יַיְשִׁ֥רוּ נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃

פַּ֭לֵּס מַעְגַּ֣ל רַגְלֶ֑ךָ וְֽכׇל־דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ יִכֹּֽנוּ׃

4

For I give you good instruction; Do not forsake my teaching.

Once I was a son to my father, The tender darling of my mother.

He instructed me and said to me, “Let your mind hold on to my words; Keep my commandments and you will live.

Acquire wisdom, acquire discernment; Do not forget and do not swerve from my words.

Do not forsake her and she will guard you; Love her and she will protect you.

The beginning of wisdom is—acquire wisdom; With all your acquisitions, acquire discernment.

Hug her to you and she will exalt you; She will bring you honor if you embrace her.

She will adorn your head with a graceful wreath; Crown you with a glorious diadem.”

My son, heed and take in my words, And you will have many years of life.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom; I guide you in straight courses.

You will walk without breaking stride; When you run, you will not stumble.

Hold fast to discipline; do not let go; Keep it; it is your life.

Do not enter on the path of the wicked; Do not walk on the way of evil men.

Avoid it; do not pass through it; Turn away from it; pass it by.

For they cannot sleep unless they have done evil; Unless they make someone fall they are robbed of sleep.

They eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of lawlessness.

The path of the righteous is like radiant sunlight, Ever brightening until noon.

The way of the wicked is all darkness; They do not know what will make them stumble.

My son, listen to my speech; Incline your ear to my words.

Do not lose sight of them; Keep them in your mind.

They are life to him who finds them, Healing for his whole body.

More than all that you guard, guard your mind, For it is the source of life.

Put crooked speech away from you; Keep devious talk far from you.

Let your eyes look forward, Your gaze be straight ahead.

Survey the course you take, And all your ways will prosper.

Do not swerve to the right or the left; Keep your feet from evil.

ה׳

לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְזִמּ֑וֹת וְ֝דַ֗עַת שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃

כִּ֤י נֹ֣פֶת תִּ֭טֹּפְנָה שִׂפְתֵ֣י זָרָ֑ה וְחָלָ֖ק מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן חִכָּֽהּ׃

וְֽ֭אַחֲרִיתָהּ מָרָ֣ה כַֽלַּעֲנָ֑ה חַ֝דָּ֗ה כְּחֶ֣רֶב פִּיּֽוֹת׃

רַ֭גְלֶיהָ יֹרְד֣וֹת מָ֑וֶת שְׁ֝א֗וֹל צְעָדֶ֥יהָ יִתְמֹֽכוּ׃

אֹ֣רַח חַ֭יִּים פֶּן־תְּפַלֵּ֑ס נָע֥וּ מַ֝עְגְּלֹתֶ֗יהָ לֹ֣א תֵדָֽע׃ {פ}

וְעַתָּ֣ה בָ֭נִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִ֑י וְאַל־תָּ֝ס֗וּרוּ מֵאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃

הַרְחֵ֣ק מֵעָלֶ֣יהָ דַרְכֶּ֑ךָ וְאַל־תִּ֝קְרַ֗ב אֶל־פֶּ֥תַח בֵּיתָֽהּ׃

פֶּן־תִּתֵּ֣ן לַאֲחֵרִ֣ים הוֹדֶ֑ךָ וּ֝שְׁנֹתֶ֗יךָ לְאַכְזָרִֽי׃

פֶּֽן־יִשְׂבְּע֣וּ זָרִ֣ים כֹּחֶ֑ךָ וַ֝עֲצָבֶ֗יךָ בְּבֵ֣ית נׇכְרִֽי׃

וְנָהַמְתָּ֥ בְאַחֲרִיתֶ֑ךָ בִּכְל֥וֹת בְּ֝שָׂרְךָ֗ וּשְׁאֵרֶֽךָ׃

וְֽאָמַרְתָּ֗ אֵ֭יךְ שָׂנֵ֣אתִי מוּסָ֑ר וְ֝תוֹכַ֗חַת נָאַ֥ץ לִבִּֽי׃

וְֽלֹא־שָׁ֭מַעְתִּי בְּק֣וֹל מוֹרָ֑י וְ֝לִֽמְלַמְּדַ֗י לֹֽא־הִטִּ֥יתִי אׇזְנִֽי׃

כִּ֭מְעַט הָיִ֣יתִי בְכׇל־רָ֑ע בְּת֖וֹךְ קָהָ֣ל וְעֵדָֽה׃

שְׁתֵה־מַ֥יִם מִבּוֹרֶ֑ךָ וְ֝נֹזְלִ֗ים מִתּ֥וֹךְ בְּאֵרֶֽךָ׃

יָפ֣וּצוּ מַעְיְנֹתֶ֣יךָ ח֑וּצָה בָּ֝רְחֹב֗וֹת פַּלְגֵי־מָֽיִם׃

יִֽהְיוּ־לְךָ֥ לְבַדֶּ֑ךָ וְאֵ֖ין לְזָרִ֣ים אִתָּֽךְ׃

יְהִֽי־מְקוֹרְךָ֥ בָר֑וּךְ וּ֝שְׂמַ֗ח מֵאֵ֥שֶׁת נְעוּרֶֽךָ׃

אַיֶּ֥לֶת אֲהָבִ֗ים וְֽיַעֲלַ֫ת־חֵ֥ן דַּ֭דֶּיהָ יְרַוֻּ֣ךָ בְכׇל־עֵ֑ת בְּ֝אַהֲבָתָ֗הּ תִּשְׁגֶּ֥ה תָמִֽיד׃

וְלָ֤מָּה תִשְׁגֶּ֣ה בְנִ֣י בְזָרָ֑ה וּ֝תְחַבֵּ֗ק חֵ֣ק נׇכְרִיָּֽה׃

כִּ֤י נֹ֨כַח ׀ עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הֹוָה דַּרְכֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְֽכׇל־מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥יו מְפַלֵּֽס׃

עֲֽווֹנֹתָ֗יו יִלְכְּדֻנ֥וֹ אֶת־הָרָשָׁ֑ע וּבְחַבְלֵ֥י חַ֝טָּאת֗וֹ יִתָּמֵֽךְ׃

ה֗וּא יָ֭מוּת בְּאֵ֣ין מוּסָ֑ר וּבְרֹ֖ב אִוַּלְתּ֣וֹ יִשְׁגֶּֽה׃ {פ}

5

My son, listen to my wisdom; Incline your ear to my insight,

That you may have foresight, While your lips hold fast to knowledge.

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey; Her mouth is smoother than oil;

But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.

Her feet go down to Death; Her steps take hold of Sheol.

She does not chart a path of life; Her course meanders for lack of knowledge.

So now, sons, pay heed to me, And do not swerve from the words of my mouth.

Keep yourself far away from her; Do not come near the doorway of her house

Lest you give up your vigor to others, Your years to a ruthless one;

Lest strangers eat their fill of your strength, And your toil be for the house of another;

And in the end you roar, When your flesh and body are consumed,

And say, “O how I hated discipline, And heartily spurned rebuke.

I did not pay heed to my teachers, Or incline my ear to my instructors.

Soon I was in dire trouble Amidst the assembled congregation.”

Drink water from your own cistern, Running water from your own well.

Your springs will gush forth In streams in the public squares.

They will be yours alone, Others having no part with you.

Let your fountain be blessed; Find joy in the wife of your youth—

A loving doe, a graceful mountain goat. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be infatuated with love of her always.

Why be infatuated, my son, with a forbidden woman? Why clasp the bosom of an alien woman?

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of God; He surveys his entire course.

The wicked man will be trapped in his iniquities; He will be caught up in the ropes of his sin.

ו׳

בְּ֭נִי אִם־עָרַ֣בְתָּ לְרֵעֶ֑ךָ תָּקַ֖עְתָּ לַזָּ֣ר כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃

נוֹקַ֥שְׁתָּ בְאִמְרֵי־פִ֑יךָ נִ֝לְכַּ֗דְתָּ בְּאִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ׃

עֲשֵׂ֨ה זֹ֥את אֵפ֪וֹא ׀ בְּנִ֡י וְֽהִנָּצֵ֗ל כִּ֘י בָ֤אתָ בְכַף־רֵעֶ֑ךָ לֵ֥ךְ הִ֝תְרַפֵּ֗ס וּרְהַ֥ב רֵעֶֽיךָ׃

אַל־תִּתֵּ֣ן שֵׁנָ֣ה לְעֵינֶ֑יךָ וּ֝תְנוּמָ֗ה לְעַפְעַפֶּֽיךָ׃

הִ֭נָּצֵל כִּצְבִ֣י מִיָּ֑ד וּ֝כְצִפּ֗וֹר מִיַּ֥ד יָקֽוּשׁ׃ {פ}

לֵֽךְ־אֶל־נְמָלָ֥ה עָצֵ֑ל רְאֵ֖ה דְרָכֶ֣יהָ וַחֲכָֽם׃

אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֵֽין־לָ֥הּ קָצִ֗ין שֹׁטֵ֥ר וּמֹשֵֽׁל׃

תָּכִ֣ין בַּקַּ֣יִץ לַחְמָ֑הּ אָגְרָ֥ה בַ֝קָּצִ֗יר מַֽאֲכָלָֽהּ׃

עַד־מָתַ֖י עָצֵ֥ל ׀ תִּשְׁכָּ֑ב מָ֝תַ֗י תָּק֥וּם מִשְּׁנָתֶֽךָ׃

מְעַ֣ט שֵׁ֭נוֹת מְעַ֣ט תְּנוּמ֑וֹת מְעַ֓ט ׀ חִבֻּ֖ק יָדַ֣יִם לִשְׁכָּֽב׃

וּבָֽא־כִמְהַלֵּ֥ךְ רֵאשֶׁ֑ךָ וּ֝מַחְסֹרְךָ֗ כְּאִ֣ישׁ מָגֵֽן׃ {פ}

אָדָ֣ם בְּ֭לִיַּעַל אִ֣ישׁ אָ֑וֶן ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ עִקְּשׁ֥וּת פֶּֽה׃

קֹרֵ֣ץ בְּ֭עֵינָו מֹלֵ֣ל בְּרַגְלָ֑ו מֹ֝רֶ֗ה בְּאֶצְבְּעֹתָֽיו׃

תַּ֥הְפֻּכ֨וֹת ׀ בְּלִבּ֗וֹ חֹרֵ֣שׁ רָ֣ע בְּכׇל־עֵ֑ת (מדנים) [מִדְיָנִ֥ים] יְשַׁלֵּֽחַ׃

עַל־כֵּ֗ן פִּ֭תְאֹם יָב֣וֹא אֵיד֑וֹ פֶּ֥תַע יִ֝שָּׁבֵ֗ר וְאֵ֣ין מַרְפֵּֽא׃ {פ}

שֶׁשׁ־הֵ֭נָּה שָׂנֵ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֝שֶׁ֗בַע (תועבות) [תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת] נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

עֵינַ֣יִם רָ֭מוֹת לְשׁ֣וֹן שָׁ֑קֶר וְ֝יָדַ֗יִם שֹׁפְכ֥וֹת דָּם־נָקִֽי׃

לֵ֗ב חֹ֭רֵשׁ מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת אָ֑וֶן רַגְלַ֥יִם מְ֝מַהֲר֗וֹת לָר֥וּץ לָֽרָעָֽה׃

יָפִ֣יחַ כְּ֭זָבִים עֵ֣ד שָׁ֑קֶר וּמְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ מְ֝דָנִ֗ים בֵּ֣ין אַחִֽים׃ {פ}

נְצֹ֣ר בְּ֭נִי מִצְוַ֣ת אָבִ֑יךָ וְאַל־תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ תּוֹרַ֥ת אִמֶּֽךָ׃

קׇשְׁרֵ֣ם עַל־לִבְּךָ֣ תָמִ֑יד עׇ֝נְדֵ֗ם עַל־גַּרְגְּרֹתֶֽךָ׃

בְּהִתְהַלֶּכְךָ֨ ׀ תַּנְחֶ֬ה אֹתָ֗ךְ בְּֽ֭שׇׁכְבְּךָ תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר עָלֶ֑יךָ וַ֝הֲקִיצ֗וֹתָ הִ֣יא תְשִׂיחֶֽךָ׃

כִּ֤י נֵ֣ר מִ֭צְוָה וְת֣וֹרָה א֑וֹר וְדֶ֥רֶךְ חַ֝יִּ֗ים תּוֹכְח֥וֹת מוּסָֽר׃

לִ֭שְׁמׇרְךָ מֵאֵ֣שֶׁת רָ֑ע מֵ֝חֶלְקַ֗ת לָשׁ֥וֹן נׇכְרִיָּֽה׃

אַל־תַּחְמֹ֣ד יׇ֭פְיָהּ בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ וְאַל־תִּ֝קָּחֲךָ֗ בְּעַפְעַפֶּֽיהָ׃

כִּ֤י בְעַד־אִשָּׁ֥ה זוֹנָ֗ה עַֽד־כִּכַּ֫ר־לָ֥חֶם וְאֵ֥שֶׁת אִ֑ישׁ נֶ֖פֶשׁ יְקָרָ֣ה תָצֽוּד׃

הֲיַחְתֶּ֤ה אִ֓ישׁ אֵ֬שׁ בְּחֵיק֑וֹ וּ֝בְגָדָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִשָּׂרַֽפְנָה׃

אִם־יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ אִ֭ישׁ עַל־הַגֶּחָלִ֑ים וְ֝רַגְלָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִכָּוֶֽינָה׃

כֵּ֗ן הַ֭בָּא אֶל־אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֵ֑הוּ לֹ֥א יִ֝נָּקֶ֗ה כׇּֽל־הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּֽהּ׃

לֹא־יָב֣וּזוּ לַ֭גַּנָּב כִּ֣י יִגְנ֑וֹב לְמַלֵּ֥א נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ כִּ֣י יִרְעָֽב׃

וְ֭נִמְצָא יְשַׁלֵּ֣ם שִׁבְעָתָ֑יִם אֶת־כׇּל־ה֖וֹן בֵּית֣וֹ יִתֵּֽן׃

נֹאֵ֣ף אִשָּׁ֣ה חֲסַר־לֵ֑ב מַֽשְׁחִ֥ית נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ ה֣וּא יַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃

נֶגַע־וְקָל֥וֹן יִמְצָ֑א וְ֝חֶרְפָּת֗וֹ לֹ֣א תִמָּחֶֽה׃

כִּֽי־קִנְאָ֥ה חֲמַת־גָּ֑בֶר וְלֹא־יַ֝חְמ֗וֹל בְּי֣וֹם נָקָֽם׃

לֹֽא־יִ֭שָּׂא פְּנֵ֣י כׇל־כֹּ֑פֶר וְלֹֽא־יֹ֝אבֶ֗ה כִּ֣י תַרְבֶּה־שֹֽׁחַד׃ {פ}

6

My son, if you have stood surety for your fellow, Given your hand for another,

You have been trapped by the words of your mouth, Snared by the words of your mouth.

Do this, then, my son, to extricate yourself, For you have come into the power of your fellow: Go grovel—and badger your fellow;

Give your eyes no sleep, Your pupils no slumber.

Save yourself like a deer out of the hand [of a hunter], Like a bird out of the hand of a fowler.

Lazybones, go to the ant; Study its ways and learn.

Without leaders, officers, or rulers,

It lays up its stores during the summer, Gathers in its food at the harvest.

How long will you lie there, lazybones; When will you wake from your sleep?

A bit more sleep, a bit more slumber, A bit more hugging yourself in bed,

And poverty will come calling upon you, And want, like a man with a shield.

A scoundrel, an evil man Lives by crooked speech,

Winking his eyes, Shuffling his feet, Pointing his finger.

Duplicity is in his heart; He plots evil all the time; He incites quarrels.

Therefore calamity will come upon him without warning; Suddenly he will be broken beyond repair.

Six things the LORD hates; Seven are an abomination to Him:

A haughty bearing, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

A mind that hatches evil plots, Feet quick to run to evil,

A false witness testifying lies, And one who incites brothers to quarrel.

My son, keep your father’s commandment; Do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Tie them over your heart always; Bind them around your throat.

When you walk it will lead you; When you lie down it will watch over you; And when you are awake it will talk with you.

For the commandment is a lamp, The teaching is a light, And the way to life is the rebuke that disciplines.

It will keep you from an evil woman, From the smooth tongue of a forbidden woman.

Do not lust for her beauty Or let her captivate you with her eyes.

The last loaf of bread will go for a harlot; A married woman will snare a person of honor.

Can a man rake embers into his bosom Without burning his clothes?

Can a man walk on live coals Without scorching his feet?

It is the same with one who sleeps with his fellow’s wife; None who touches her will go unpunished.

A thief is not held in contempt For stealing to appease his hunger;

Yet if caught he must pay sevenfold; He must give up all he owns.

He who commits adultery is devoid of sense; Only one who would destroy himself does such a thing.

He will meet with disease and disgrace; His reproach will never be expunged.

The fury of the husband will be passionate; He will show no pity on his day of vengeance.

ז׳

שְׁמֹ֣ר מִצְוֺתַ֣י וֶחְיֵ֑ה וְ֝תוֹרָתִ֗י כְּאִישׁ֥וֹן עֵינֶֽיךָ׃

קׇשְׁרֵ֥ם עַל־אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ כׇּ֝תְבֵ֗ם עַל־ל֥וּחַ לִבֶּֽךָ׃

אֱמֹ֣ר לַ֭חׇכְמָה אֲחֹ֣תִי אָ֑תְּ וּ֝מֹדָ֗ע לַבִּינָ֥ה תִקְרָֽא׃

לִ֭שְׁמׇרְךָ מֵאִשָּׁ֣ה זָרָ֑ה מִ֝נׇּכְרִיָּ֗ה אֲמָרֶ֥יהָ הֶחֱלִֽיקָה׃

כִּ֭י בְּחַלּ֣וֹן בֵּיתִ֑י בְּעַ֖ד אֶשְׁנַבִּ֣י נִשְׁקָֽפְתִּי׃

וָאֵ֤רֶא בַפְּתָאיִ֗ם אָ֘בִ֤ינָה בַבָּנִ֗ים נַ֣עַר חֲסַר־לֵֽב׃

עֹבֵ֣ר בַּ֭שּׁוּק אֵ֣צֶל פִּנָּ֑הּ וְדֶ֖רֶךְ בֵּיתָ֣הּ יִצְעָֽד׃

בְּנֶֽשֶׁף־בְּעֶ֥רֶב י֑וֹם בְּאִישׁ֥וֹן לַ֝֗יְלָה וַאֲפֵלָֽה׃

וְהִנֵּ֣ה אִ֭שָּׁה לִקְרָאת֑וֹ שִׁ֥ית ז֝וֹנָ֗ה וּנְצֻ֥רַת לֵֽב׃

הֹמִיָּ֣ה הִ֣יא וְסֹרָ֑רֶת בְּ֝בֵיתָ֗הּ לֹא־יִשְׁכְּנ֥וּ רַגְלֶֽיהָ׃

פַּ֤עַם ׀ בַּח֗וּץ פַּ֥עַם בָּרְחֹב֑וֹת וְאֵ֖צֶל כׇּל־פִּנָּ֣ה תֶאֱרֹֽב׃

וְהֶחֱזִ֣יקָה בּ֭וֹ וְנָ֣שְׁקָה לּ֑וֹ הֵעֵ֥זָה פָ֝נֶ֗יהָ וַתֹּ֣אמַר לֽוֹ׃

זִבְחֵ֣י שְׁלָמִ֣ים עָלָ֑י הַ֝יּ֗וֹם שִׁלַּ֥מְתִּי נְדָרָֽי׃

עַל־כֵּ֭ן יָצָ֣אתִי לִקְרָאתֶ֑ךָ לְשַׁחֵ֥ר פָּ֝נֶ֗יךָ וָאֶמְצָאֶֽךָּ׃

מַ֭רְבַדִּים רָבַ֣דְתִּי עַרְשִׂ֑י חֲ֝טֻב֗וֹת אֵט֥וּן מִצְרָֽיִם׃

נַ֥פְתִּי מִשְׁכָּבִ֑י מֹ֥ר אֲ֝הָלִ֗ים וְקִנָּמֽוֹן׃

לְכָ֤ה נִרְוֶ֣ה דֹ֭דִים עַד־הַבֹּ֑קֶר נִ֝תְעַלְּסָ֗ה בׇּאֳהָבִֽים׃

כִּ֤י אֵ֣ין הָאִ֣ישׁ בְּבֵית֑וֹ הָ֝לַ֗ךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ מֵרָחֽוֹק׃

צְֽרוֹר־הַ֭כֶּסֶף לָקַ֣ח בְּיָד֑וֹ לְי֥וֹם הַ֝כֵּ֗סֶא יָבֹ֥א בֵיתֽוֹ׃

הִ֭טַּתּוּ בְּרֹ֣ב לִקְחָ֑הּ בְּחֵ֥לֶק שְׂ֝פָתֶ֗יהָ תַּדִּיחֶֽנּוּ׃

ה֤וֹלֵ֥ךְ אַחֲרֶ֗יהָ פִּ֫תְאֹ֥ם כְּ֭שׁוֹר אֶל־טֶ֣בַח יָבֹ֑א וּ֝כְעֶ֗כֶס אֶל־מוּסַ֥ר אֱוִֽיל׃

עַ֤ד יְפַלַּ֪ח חֵ֡ץ כְּֽבֵד֗וֹ כְּמַהֵ֣ר צִפּ֣וֹר אֶל־פָּ֑ח וְלֹא־יָ֝דַ֗ע כִּֽי־בְנַפְשׁ֥וֹ הֽוּא׃

וְעַתָּ֣ה בָ֭נִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִ֑י וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּ לְאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃

אַל־יֵ֣שְׂטְ אֶל־דְּרָכֶ֣יהָ לִבֶּ֑ךָ אַל־תֵּ֝֗תַע בִּנְתִיבוֹתֶֽיהָ׃

כִּֽי־רַבִּ֣ים חֲלָלִ֣ים הִפִּ֑ילָה וַ֝עֲצֻמִ֗ים כׇּל־הֲרֻגֶֽיהָ׃

דַּרְכֵ֣י שְׁא֣וֹל בֵּיתָ֑הּ יֹ֝רְד֗וֹת אֶל־חַדְרֵי־מָֽוֶת׃ {פ}

7

Keep my commandments and live, My teaching, as the apple of your eye.

Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your mind.

Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call Understanding a kinswoman.

She will guard you from a forbidden woman; From an alien woman whose talk is smooth.

From the window of my house, Through my lattice, I looked out

And saw among the simple, Noticed among the youths, A lad devoid of sense.

He was crossing the street near her corner, Walking toward her house

In the dusk of evening, In the dark hours of night.

A woman comes toward him Dressed like a harlot, with set purpose.

She is bustling and restive; She is never at home.

Now in the street, now in the square, She lurks at every corner.

She lays hold of him and kisses him; Brazenly she says to him,

“I had to make a sacrifice of well-being; Today I fulfilled my vows.

Therefore I have come out to you, Seeking you, and have found you.

I have decked my couch with covers Of dyed Egyptian linen;

I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Let us drink our fill of love till morning; Let us delight in amorous embrace.

For the man of the house is away; He is off on a distant journey.

He took his bag of money with him And will return only at mid-month.”

She sways him with her eloquence, Turns him aside with her smooth talk.

Thoughtlessly he follows her, Like an ox going to the slaughter, Like a fool to the stocks for punishment—

Until the arrow pierces his liver. He is like a bird rushing into a trap, Not knowing his life is at stake.

Now, sons, listen to me; Pay attention to my words;

Let your mind not wander down her ways; Do not stray onto her paths.

For many are those she has struck dead, And numerous are her victims.

Her house is a highway to Sheol Leading down to Death’s inner chambers.

ח׳

הֲלֹֽא־חׇכְמָ֥ה תִקְרָ֑א וּ֝תְבוּנָ֗ה תִּתֵּ֥ן קוֹלָֽהּ׃

בְּרֹאשׁ־מְרֹמִ֥ים עֲלֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ בֵּ֖ית נְתִיב֣וֹת נִצָּֽבָה׃

לְיַד־שְׁעָרִ֥ים לְפִי־קָ֑רֶת מְב֖וֹא פְתָחִ֣ים תָּרֹֽנָּה׃

אֲלֵיכֶ֣ם אִישִׁ֣ים אֶקְרָ֑א וְ֝קוֹלִ֗י אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם׃

הָבִ֣ינוּ פְתָאיִ֣ם עׇרְמָ֑ה וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים הָבִ֥ינוּ לֵֽב׃

שִׁ֭מְעוּ כִּֽי־נְגִידִ֣ים אֲדַבֵּ֑ר וּמִפְתַּ֥ח שְׂ֝פָתַ֗י מֵישָׁרִֽים׃

כִּֽי־אֱ֭מֶת יֶהְגֶּ֣ה חִכִּ֑י וְתוֹעֲבַ֖ת שְׂפָתַ֣י רֶֽשַׁע׃

בְּצֶ֥דֶק כׇּל־אִמְרֵי־פִ֑י אֵ֥ין בָּ֝הֶ֗ם נִפְתָּ֥ל וְעִקֵּֽשׁ׃

כֻּלָּ֣ם נְ֭כֹחִים לַמֵּבִ֑ין וִ֝ישָׁרִ֗ים לְמֹ֣צְאֵי דָֽעַת׃

קְחֽוּ־מוּסָרִ֥י וְאַל־כָּ֑סֶף וְ֝דַ֗עַת מֵחָר֥וּץ נִבְחָֽר׃

כִּֽי־טוֹבָ֣ה חׇ֭כְמָה מִפְּנִינִ֑ים וְכׇל־חֲ֝פָצִ֗ים לֹ֣א יִֽשְׁווּ־בָֽהּ׃

אֲֽנִי־חׇ֭כְמָה שָׁכַ֣נְתִּי עׇרְמָ֑ה וְדַ֖עַת מְזִמּ֣וֹת אֶמְצָֽא׃

יִ֥רְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָה֮ שְֽׂנֹ֫את־רָ֥ע גֵּ֘אָ֤ה וְגָא֨וֹן ׀ וְדֶ֣רֶךְ רָ֭ע וּפִ֨י תַהְפֻּכ֬וֹת שָׂנֵֽאתִי׃

לִֽי־עֵ֭צָה וְתוּשִׁיָּ֑ה אֲנִ֥י בִ֝ינָ֗ה לִ֣י גְבוּרָֽה׃

בִּ֭י מְלָכִ֣ים יִמְלֹ֑כוּ וְ֝רֹזְנִ֗ים יְחֹ֣קְקוּ צֶֽדֶק׃

בִּ֭י שָׂרִ֣ים יָשֹׂ֑רוּ וּ֝נְדִיבִ֗ים כׇּל־שֹׁ֥פְטֵי צֶֽדֶק׃

אֲ֭נִי (אהביה) [אֹהֲבַ֣י] אֵהָ֑ב וּ֝מְשַׁחֲרַ֗י יִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃

עֹֽשֶׁר־וְכָב֥וֹד אִתִּ֑י ה֥וֹן עָ֝תֵ֗ק וּצְדָקָֽה׃

ט֣וֹב פִּ֭רְיִי מֵחָר֣וּץ וּמִפָּ֑ז וּ֝תְבוּאָתִ֗י מִכֶּ֥סֶף נִבְחָֽר׃

בְּאֹֽרַח־צְדָקָ֥ה אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְ בְּ֝ת֗וֹךְ נְתִיב֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

לְהַנְחִ֖יל אֹהֲבַ֥י ׀ יֵ֑שׁ וְאֹצְרֹ֖תֵיהֶ֣ם אֲמַלֵּֽא׃

יְֽהֹוָ֗ה קָ֭נָנִי רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכּ֑וֹ קֶ֖דֶם מִפְעָלָ֣יו מֵאָֽז׃

מֵ֭עוֹלָם נִסַּ֥כְתִּי מֵרֹ֗אשׁ מִקַּדְמֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃

בְּאֵין־תְּהֹמ֥וֹת חוֹלָ֑לְתִּי בְּאֵ֥ין מַ֝עְיָנ֗וֹת נִכְבַּדֵּי־מָֽיִם׃

בְּטֶ֣רֶם הָרִ֣ים הׇטְבָּ֑עוּ לִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתִּי׃

עַד־לֹ֣א עָ֭שָׂה אֶ֣רֶץ וְחוּצ֑וֹת וְ֝רֹ֗אשׁ עַפְר֥וֹת תֵּבֵֽל׃

בַּהֲכִינ֣וֹ שָׁ֭מַיִם שָׁ֣ם אָ֑נִי בְּחֻ֥קוֹ ח֝֗וּג עַל־פְּנֵ֥י תְהֽוֹם׃

בְּאַמְּצ֣וֹ שְׁחָקִ֣ים מִמָּ֑עַל בַּ֝עֲז֗וֹז עִינ֥וֹת תְּהֽוֹם׃

בְּשׂ֘וּמ֤וֹ לַיָּ֨ם ׀ חֻקּ֗וֹ וּ֭מַיִם לֹ֣א יַֽעַבְרוּ־פִ֑יו בְּ֝חוּק֗וֹ מ֣וֹסְדֵי אָֽרֶץ׃

וָאֶהְיֶ֥ה אֶצְל֗וֹ אָ֫מ֥וֹן וָאֶהְיֶ֣ה שַׁ֭עֲשׁוּעִים י֤וֹם ׀ י֑וֹם מְשַׂחֶ֖קֶת לְפָנָ֣יו בְּכׇל־עֵֽת׃

מְ֭שַׂחֶקֶת בְּתֵבֵ֣ל אַרְצ֑וֹ וְ֝שַׁעֲשֻׁעַ֗י אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם׃ {פ}

וְעַתָּ֣ה בָ֭נִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִ֑י וְ֝אַשְׁרֵ֗י דְּרָכַ֥י יִשְׁמֹֽרוּ׃

שִׁמְע֖וּ מוּסָ֥ר וַחֲכָ֗מוּ וְאַל־תִּפְרָֽעוּ׃

אַ֥שְֽׁרֵי אָדָם֮ שֹׁמֵ֪עַֽ֫־לִ֥י לִשְׁקֹ֣ד עַל־דַּ֭לְתֹתַי י֤וֹם ׀ י֑וֹם לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מְזוּזֹ֥ת פְּתָחָֽי׃

כִּ֣י מֹ֭צְאִי (מצאי) [מָצָ֣א] חַיִּ֑ים וַיָּ֥פֶק רָ֝צ֗וֹן מֵיְהֹוָֽה׃

8

She takes her stand at the topmost heights, By the wayside, at the crossroads,

Near the gates at the city entrance; At the entryways, she shouts,

“O men, I call to you; My cry is to all mankind.

O simple ones, learn shrewdness; O dullards, instruct your minds.

Listen, for I speak noble things; Uprightness comes from my lips;

My mouth utters truth; Wickedness is abhorrent to my lips.

All my words are just, None of them perverse or crooked;

All are straightforward to the intelligent man, And right to those who have attained knowledge.

Accept my discipline rather than silver, Knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than rubies; No goods can equal her.

“I, Wisdom, live with Prudence; I attain knowledge and foresight.

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, And duplicity in speech.

Mine are counsel and resourcefulness; I am understanding; courage is mine.

Through me kings reign And rulers decree just laws;

Through me princes rule, Great men and all the righteous judges.

Those who love me I love, And those who seek me will find me.

Riches and honor belong to me, Enduring wealth and success.

My fruit is better than gold, fine gold, And my produce better than choice silver.

I walk on the way of righteousness, On the paths of justice.

I endow those who love me with substance; I will fill their treasuries.

“The LORD created me at the beginning of His course As the first of His works of old.

In the distant past I was fashioned, At the beginning, at the origin of earth.

There was still no deep when I was brought forth, No springs rich in water;

Before [the foundation of] the mountains were sunk, Before the hills I was born.

He had not yet made earth and fields, Or the world’s first clumps of clay.

I was there when He set the heavens into place; When He fixed the horizon upon the deep;

When He made the heavens above firm, And the fountains of the deep gushed forth;

When He assigned the sea its limits, So that its waters never transgress His command; When He fixed the foundations of the earth,

I was with Him as a confidant, A source of delight every day, Rejoicing before Him at all times,

Rejoicing in His inhabited world, Finding delight with mankind.

Now, sons, listen to me; Happy are they who keep my ways.

Heed discipline and become wise; Do not spurn it.

Happy is the man who listens to me, Coming early to my gates each day, Waiting outside my doors.

For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.

But he who misses me destroys himself; All who hate me love death.”

ט׳

חׇ֭כְמוֹת בָּנְתָ֣ה בֵיתָ֑הּ חָצְבָ֖ה עַמּוּדֶ֣יהָ שִׁבְעָֽה׃

טָבְחָ֣ה טִ֭בְחָהּ מָסְכָ֣ה יֵינָ֑הּ אַ֝֗ף עָרְכָ֥ה שֻׁלְחָנָֽהּ׃

שָׁלְחָ֣ה נַעֲרֹתֶ֣יהָ תִקְרָ֑א עַל־גַּ֝פֵּ֗י מְרֹ֣מֵי קָֽרֶת׃

מִי־פֶ֭תִי יָסֻ֣ר הֵ֑נָּה חֲסַר־לֵ֝֗ב אָ֣מְרָה לּֽוֹ׃

לְ֭כוּ לַחֲמ֣וּ בְֽלַחֲמִ֑י וּ֝שְׁת֗וּ בְּיַ֣יִן מָסָֽכְתִּי׃

עִזְב֣וּ פְתָאיִ֣ם וִֽחְי֑וּ וְ֝אִשְׁר֗וּ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ בִּינָֽה׃

יֹ֤סֵ֨ר ׀ לֵ֗ץ לֹקֵ֣חַֽ ל֣וֹ קָל֑וֹן וּמוֹכִ֖יחַ לְרָשָׁ֣ע מוּמֽוֹ׃

אַל־תּ֣וֹכַח לֵ֭ץ פֶּן־יִשְׂנָאֶ֑ךָּ הוֹכַ֥ח לְ֝חָכָ֗ם וְיֶאֱהָבֶֽךָּ׃

תֵּ֣ן לְ֭חָכָם וְיֶחְכַּם־ע֑וֹד הוֹדַ֥ע לְ֝צַדִּ֗יק וְי֣וֹסֶף לֶֽקַח׃

אִם־חָ֭כַמְתָּ חָכַ֣מְתָּ לָּ֑ךְ וְ֝לַ֗צְתָּ לְֽבַדְּךָ֥ תִשָּֽׂא׃

אֵ֣שֶׁת כְּ֭סִילוּת הֹמִיָּ֑ה פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּת וּבַל־יָ֥דְעָה מָּֽה׃

וְֽ֭יָשְׁבָה לְפֶ֣תַח בֵּיתָ֑הּ עַל־כִּ֝סֵּ֗א מְרֹ֣מֵי קָֽרֶת׃

לִקְרֹ֥א לְעֹֽבְרֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ הַֽ֝מְיַשְּׁרִ֗ים אֹֽרְחוֹתָֽם׃

מִי־פֶ֭תִי יָסֻ֣ר הֵ֑נָּה וַחֲסַר־לֵ֝֗ב וְאָ֣מְרָה לּֽוֹ׃

מַֽיִם־גְּנוּבִ֥ים יִמְתָּ֑קוּ וְלֶ֖חֶם סְתָרִ֣ים יִנְעָֽם׃

9

Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn her seven pillars.

She has prepared the feast, Mixed the wine, And also set the table.

She has sent out her maids to announce On the heights of the town,

“Let the simple enter here”; To those devoid of sense she says,

“Come, eat my food And drink the wine that I have mixed;

Give up simpleness and live, Walk in the way of understanding.”

Instruct a wise man, and he will grow wiser; Teach a righteous man, and he will gain in learning.

The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For through me your days will increase, And years be added to your life.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; If you are a scoffer, you bear it alone.

The stupid woman bustles about; She is simple and knows nothing.

She sits in the doorway of her house, Or on a chair at the heights of the town,

Calling to all the wayfarers Who go about their own affairs,

“Stolen waters are sweet, And bread eaten furtively is tasty.”

י׳

מִשְׁלֵ֗י שְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם יְשַׂמַּח־אָ֑ב וּבֵ֥ן כְּ֝סִ֗יל תּוּגַ֥ת אִמּֽוֹ׃

לֹֽא־י֭וֹעִילוּ אוֹצְר֣וֹת רֶ֑שַׁע וּ֝צְדָקָ֗ה תַּצִּ֥יל מִמָּֽוֶת׃

לֹא־יַרְעִ֣יב יְ֭הֹוָה נֶ֣פֶשׁ צַדִּ֑יק וְהַוַּ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים יֶהְדֹּֽף׃

רָ֗אשׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה כַף־רְמִיָּ֑ה וְיַ֖ד חָרוּצִ֣ים תַּעֲשִֽׁיר׃

אֹגֵ֣ר בַּ֭קַּיִץ בֵּ֣ן מַשְׂכִּ֑יל נִרְדָּ֥ם בַּ֝קָּצִ֗יר בֵּ֣ן מֵבִֽישׁ׃

בְּ֭רָכוֹת לְרֹ֣אשׁ צַדִּ֑יק וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְכַסֶּ֥ה חָמָֽס׃

זֵ֣כֶר צַ֭דִּיק לִבְרָכָ֑ה וְשֵׁ֖ם רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִרְקָֽב׃

חֲכַם־לֵ֭ב יִקַּ֣ח מִצְוֺ֑ת וֶאֱוִ֥יל שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם יִלָּבֵֽט׃

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בַּ֭תֹּם יֵ֣לֶךְ בֶּ֑טַח וּמְעַקֵּ֥שׁ דְּ֝רָכָ֗יו יִוָּדֵֽעַ׃

קֹ֣רֵֽץ עַ֭יִן יִתֵּ֣ן עַצָּ֑בֶת וֶאֱוִ֥יל שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם יִלָּבֵֽט׃

בְּשִׂפְתֵ֣י נָ֭בוֹן תִּמָּצֵ֣א חׇכְמָ֑ה וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו חֲסַר־לֵֽב׃

חֲכָמִ֥ים יִצְפְּנוּ־דָ֑עַת וּפִֽי־אֱ֝וִ֗יל מְחִתָּ֥ה קְרֹבָֽה׃

ה֣וֹן עָ֭שִׁיר קִרְיַ֣ת עֻזּ֑וֹ מְחִתַּ֖ת דַּלִּ֣ים רֵישָֽׁם׃

פְּעֻלַּ֣ת צַדִּ֣יק לְחַיִּ֑ים תְּבוּאַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע לְחַטָּֽאת׃

אֹ֣רַח לְ֭חַיִּים שׁוֹמֵ֣ר מוּסָ֑ר וְעֹזֵ֖ב תּוֹכַ֣חַת מַתְעֶֽה׃

מְכַסֶּ֣ה שִׂ֭נְאָה שִׂפְתֵי־שָׁ֑קֶר וּמוֹצִ֥א דִ֝בָּ֗ה ה֣וּא כְסִֽיל׃

בְּרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֶחְדַּל־פָּ֑שַׁע וְחוֹשֵׂ֖ךְ שְׂפָתָ֣יו מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃

כֶּ֣סֶף נִ֭בְחָר לְשׁ֣וֹן צַדִּ֑יק לֵ֖ב רְשָׁעִ֣ים כִּמְעָֽט׃

שִׂפְתֵ֣י צַ֭דִּיק יִרְע֣וּ רַבִּ֑ים וֶ֝אֱוִילִ֗ים בַּחֲסַר־לֵ֥ב יָמֽוּתוּ׃

מְגוֹרַ֣ת רָ֭שָׁע הִ֣יא תְבוֹאֶ֑נּוּ וְתַאֲוַ֖ת צַדִּיקִ֣ים יִתֵּֽן׃

כַּעֲב֣וֹר ס֭וּפָה וְאֵ֣ין רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק יְס֣וֹד עוֹלָֽם׃

כַּחֹ֤מֶץ ׀ לַשִּׁנַּ֗יִם וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ן לָעֵינָ֑יִם כֵּ֥ן הֶ֝עָצֵ֗ל לְשֹׁלְחָֽיו׃

יִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה תּוֹסִ֣יף יָמִ֑ים וּשְׁנ֖וֹת רְשָׁעִ֣ים תִּקְצֹֽרְנָה׃

תּוֹחֶ֣לֶת צַדִּיקִ֣ים שִׂמְחָ֑ה וְתִקְוַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים תֹּאבֵֽד׃

מָע֣וֹז לַ֭תֹּם דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהֹוָ֑ה וּ֝מְחִתָּ֗ה לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃

צַ֭דִּיק לְעוֹלָ֣ם בַּל־יִמּ֑וֹט וּ֝רְשָׁעִ֗ים לֹ֣א יִשְׁכְּנוּ־אָֽרֶץ׃

פִּֽי־צַ֭דִּיק יָנ֣וּב חׇכְמָ֑ה וּלְשׁ֥וֹן תַּ֝הְפֻּכ֗וֹת תִּכָּרֵֽת׃

10

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father; A dull son is his mother’s sorrow.

Ill-gotten wealth is of no avail, But righteousness saves from death.

The LORD will not let the righteous go hungry, But He denies the wicked what they crave.

Negligent hands cause poverty, But diligent hands enrich.

He who lays in stores during the summer is a capable son, But he who sleeps during the harvest is an incompetent.

Blessings light upon the head of the righteous, But lawlessness covers the mouth of the wicked.

The name of the righteous is invoked in blessing, But the fame of the wicked rots.

He whose heart is wise accepts commands, But he whose speech is foolish comes to grief.

He who lives blamelessly lives safely, But he who walks a crooked path will be found out.

He who winks his eye causes sorrow; He whose speech is foolish comes to grief.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But lawlessness covers the mouth of the wicked.

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers up all faults.

Wisdom is to be found on the lips of the intelligent, But a rod is ready for the back of the senseless.

The wise store up knowledge; The mouth of the fool is an imminent ruin.

He who follows discipline shows the way to life, But he who ignores reproof leads astray.

He who conceals hatred has lying lips, While he who speaks forth slander is a dullard.

Where there is much talking, there is no lack of transgressing, But he who curbs his tongue shows sense.

The tongue of a righteous man is choice silver, But the mind of the wicked is of little worth.

The lips of the righteous sustain many, But fools die for lack of sense.

It is the blessing of the LORD that enriches, And no toil can increase it.

As mischief is sport for the dullard, So is wisdom for the man of understanding.

What the wicked man plots overtakes him; What the righteous desire is granted.

When the storm passes the wicked man is gone, But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

Like vinegar to the teeth, Like smoke to the eyes, Is a lazy man to those who send him on a mission.

The fear of the LORD prolongs life, While the years of the wicked will be shortened.

The righteous can look forward to joy, But the hope of the wicked is doomed.

The way of the LORD is a stronghold for the blameless, But a ruin for evildoers.

The righteous will never be shaken; The wicked will not inhabit the earth.

The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, But the treacherous tongue shall be cut off.

The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing; The mouth of the wicked [knows] duplicity.

י״א

מֹאזְנֵ֣י מִ֭רְמָה תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאֶ֖בֶן שְׁלֵמָ֣ה רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃

בָּֽא־זָ֭דוֹן וַיָּבֹ֣א קָל֑וֹן וְֽאֶת־צְנוּעִ֥ים חׇכְמָֽה׃

תֻּמַּ֣ת יְשָׁרִ֣ים תַּנְחֵ֑ם וְסֶ֖לֶף בֹּגְדִ֣ים (ושדם) [יְשָׁדֵּֽם]׃

לֹא־יוֹעִ֣יל ה֭וֹן בְּי֣וֹם עֶבְרָ֑ה וּ֝צְדָקָ֗ה תַּצִּ֥יל מִמָּֽוֶת׃

צִדְקַ֣ת תָּ֭מִים תְּיַשֵּׁ֣ר דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וּ֝בְרִשְׁעָת֗וֹ יִפֹּ֥ל רָשָֽׁע׃

צִדְקַ֣ת יְ֭שָׁרִים תַּצִּילֵ֑ם וּ֝בְהַוַּ֗ת בֹּגְדִ֥ים יִלָּכֵֽדוּ׃

בְּמ֤וֹת אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע תֹּאבַ֣ד תִּקְוָ֑ה וְתוֹחֶ֖לֶת אוֹנִ֣ים אָבָֽדָה׃

צַ֭דִּיק מִצָּרָ֣ה נֶחֱלָ֑ץ וַיָּבֹ֖א רָשָׁ֣ע תַּחְתָּֽיו׃

בְּפֶ֗ה חָ֭נֵף יַשְׁחִ֣ת רֵעֵ֑הוּ וּ֝בְדַ֗עַת צַדִּיקִ֥ים יֵחָלֵֽצוּ׃

בְּט֣וּב צַ֭דִּיקִים תַּעֲלֹ֣ץ קִרְיָ֑ה וּבַאֲבֹ֖ד רְשָׁעִ֣ים רִנָּֽה׃

בְּבִרְכַּ֣ת יְ֭שָׁרִים תָּר֣וּם קָ֑רֶת וּבְפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים תֵּהָרֵֽס׃

בׇּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חֲסַר־לֵ֑ב וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנ֣וֹת יַחֲרִֽישׁ׃

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָ֭כִיל מְגַלֶּה־סּ֑וֹד וְנֶאֱמַן־ר֝֗וּחַ מְכַסֶּ֥ה דָבָֽר׃

בְּאֵ֣ין תַּ֭חְבֻּלוֹת יִפׇּל־עָ֑ם וּ֝תְשׁוּעָ֗ה בְּרֹ֣ב יוֹעֵֽץ׃

רַע־יֵ֭רוֹעַ כִּי־עָ֣רַב זָ֑ר וְשֹׂנֵ֖א תֹקְעִ֣ים בּוֹטֵֽחַ׃

אֵֽשֶׁת־חֵ֭ן תִּתְמֹ֣ךְ כָּב֑וֹד וְ֝עָרִיצִ֗ים יִתְמְכוּ־עֹֽשֶׁר׃

גֹּמֵ֣ל נַ֭פְשׁוֹ אִ֣ישׁ חָ֑סֶד וְעֹכֵ֥ר שְׁ֝אֵר֗וֹ אַכְזָרִֽי׃

רָשָׁ֗ע עֹשֶׂ֥ה פְעֻלַּת־שָׁ֑קֶר וְזֹרֵ֥עַ צְ֝דָקָ֗ה שֶׂ֣כֶר אֱמֶֽת׃

כֵּן־צְדָקָ֥ה לְחַיִּ֑ים וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף רָעָ֣ה לְמוֹתֽוֹ׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה עִקְּשֵׁי־לֵ֑ב וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ תְּמִ֣ימֵי דָֽרֶךְ׃

יָ֣ד לְ֭יָד לֹא־יִנָּ֣קֶה רָּ֑ע וְזֶ֖רַע צַדִּיקִ֣ים נִמְלָֽט׃

נֶ֣זֶם זָ֭הָב בְּאַ֣ף חֲזִ֑יר אִשָּׁ֥ה יָ֝פָ֗ה וְסָ֣רַת טָֽעַם׃

תַּאֲוַ֣ת צַדִּיקִ֣ים אַךְ־ט֑וֹב תִּקְוַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים עֶבְרָֽה׃

יֵ֣שׁ מְ֭פַזֵּר וְנוֹסָ֥ף ע֑וֹד וְחֹשֵׂ֥ךְ מִ֝יֹּ֗שֶׁר אַךְ־לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃

נֶֽפֶשׁ־בְּרָכָ֥ה תְדֻשָּׁ֑ן וּ֝מַרְוֶ֗ה גַּם־ה֥וּא יוֹרֶֽא׃

מֹ֣נֵֽעַ בָּ֭ר יִקְּבֻ֣הוּ לְא֑וֹם וּ֝בְרָכָ֗ה לְרֹ֣אשׁ מַשְׁבִּֽיר׃

שֹׁ֣חֵֽר ט֭וֹב יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ רָצ֑וֹן וְדֹרֵ֖שׁ רָעָ֣ה תְבוֹאֶֽנּוּ׃

בּוֹטֵ֣חַ בְּ֭עׇשְׁרוֹ ה֣וּא יִפּ֑וֹל וְ֝כֶעָלֶ֗ה צַדִּיקִ֥ים יִפְרָֽחוּ׃

עֹכֵ֣ר בֵּ֭יתוֹ יִנְחַל־ר֑וּחַ וְעֶ֥בֶד אֱ֝וִ֗יל לַֽחֲכַם־לֵֽב׃

פְּֽרִי־צַ֭דִּיק עֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים וְלֹקֵ֖חַ נְפָשׁ֣וֹת חָכָֽם׃

11

False scales are an abomination to the LORD; An honest weight pleases Him.

When arrogance appears, disgrace follows, But wisdom is with those who are unassuming.

The integrity of the upright guides them; The deviousness of the treacherous leads them to ruin.

Wealth is of no avail on the day of wrath, But righteousness saves from death.

The righteousness of the blameless man smooths his way, But the wicked man is felled by his wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright saves them, But the treacherous are trapped by their malice.

At death the hopes of a wicked man are doomed, And the ambition of evil men comes to nothing.

The righteous man is rescued from trouble And the wicked man takes his place.

The impious man destroys his neighbor through speech, But through their knowledge the righteous are rescued.

When the righteous prosper the city exults; When the wicked perish there are shouts of joy.

A base fellow gives away secrets, But a trustworthy soul keeps a confidence.

For want of strategy an army falls, But victory comes with much planning.

Harm awaits him who stands surety for another; He who spurns pledging shall be secure.

A graceful woman obtains honor; Ruthless men obtain wealth.

A kindly man benefits himself; A cruel man makes trouble for himself.

The wicked man earns illusory wages, But he who sows righteousness has a true reward.

Righteousness is a prop of life, But to pursue evil leads to death.

Men of crooked mind are an abomination to the LORD, But those whose way is blameless please Him.

What the righteous desire can only be good; What the wicked hope for [stirs] wrath.

One man gives generously and ends with more; Another stints on doing the right thing and incurs a loss.

A generous person enjoys prosperity; He who satisfies others shall himself be sated.

He who withholds grain earns the curses of the people, But blessings are on the head of the one who dispenses it.

He who earnestly seeks what is good pursues what is pleasing; He who is bent on evil, upon him it shall come.

He who trusts in his wealth shall fall, But the righteous shall flourish like foliage.

He who makes trouble for his household shall inherit the wind; A fool is a slave to the wise-hearted.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; A wise man captivates people.

י״ב

אֹהֵ֣ב מ֭וּסָר אֹ֣הֵֽב דָּ֑עַת וְשׂוֹנֵ֖א תוֹכַ֣חַת בָּֽעַר׃

ט֗וֹב יָפִ֣יק רָ֭צוֹן מֵיְהֹוָ֑ה וְאִ֖ישׁ מְזִמּ֣וֹת יַרְשִֽׁיעַ׃

לֹא־יִכּ֣וֹן אָדָ֣ם בְּרֶ֑שַׁע וְשֹׁ֥רֶשׁ צַ֝דִּיקִ֗ים בַּל־יִמּֽוֹט׃

אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל עֲטֶ֣רֶת בַּעְלָ֑הּ וּכְרָקָ֖ב בְּעַצְמוֹתָ֣יו מְבִישָֽׁה׃

מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת צַדִּיקִ֣ים מִשְׁפָּ֑ט תַּחְבֻּל֖וֹת רְשָׁעִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה׃

דִּבְרֵ֣י רְשָׁעִ֣ים אֱרׇב־דָּ֑ם וּפִ֥י יְ֝שָׁרִ֗ים יַצִּילֵֽם׃

הָפ֣וֹךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים וְאֵינָ֑ם וּבֵ֖ית צַדִּיקִ֣ים יַעֲמֹֽד׃

לְֽפִי־שִׂ֭כְלוֹ יְהֻלַּל־אִ֑ישׁ וְנַעֲוֵה־לֵ֝֗ב יִהְיֶ֥ה לָבֽוּז׃

עֹבֵ֣ד אַ֭דְמָתוֹ יִֽשְׂבַּֽע־לָ֑חֶם וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף רֵיקִ֣ים חֲסַר־לֵֽב׃

חָמַ֣ד רָ֭שָׁע מְצ֣וֹד רָעִ֑ים וְשֹׁ֖רֶשׁ צַדִּיקִ֣ים יִתֵּֽן׃

בְּפֶ֣שַׁע שְׂ֭פָתַיִם מוֹקֵ֣שׁ רָ֑ע וַיֵּצֵ֖א מִצָּרָ֣ה צַדִּֽיק׃

מִפְּרִ֣י פִי־אִ֭ישׁ יִשְׂבַּע־ט֑וֹב וּגְמ֥וּל יְדֵי־אָ֝דָ֗ם (ישוב) [יָשִׁ֥יב] לֽוֹ׃

דֶּ֣רֶךְ אֱ֭וִיל יָשָׁ֣ר בְּעֵינָ֑יו וְשֹׁמֵ֖עַ לְעֵצָ֣ה חָכָֽם׃

אֱוִ֗יל בַּ֭יּוֹם יִוָּדַ֣ע כַּעְס֑וֹ וְכֹסֶ֖ה קָל֣וֹן עָרֽוּם׃

יָפִ֣יחַ אֱ֭מוּנָה יַגִּ֣יד צֶ֑דֶק וְעֵ֖ד שְׁקָרִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה׃

יֵ֣שׁ בּ֭וֹטֶה כְּמַדְקְר֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב וּלְשׁ֖וֹן חֲכָמִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא׃

לֹא־יְאֻנֶּ֣ה לַצַּדִּ֣יק כׇּל־אָ֑וֶן וּ֝רְשָׁעִ֗ים מָ֣לְאוּ רָֽע׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה שִׂפְתֵי־שָׁ֑קֶר וְעֹשֵׂ֖י אֱמוּנָ֣ה רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃

אָדָ֣ם עָ֭רוּם כֹּ֣סֶה דָּ֑עַת וְלֵ֥ב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים יִקְרָ֥א אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

יַד־חָרוּצִ֥ים תִּמְשׁ֑וֹל וּ֝רְמִיָּ֗ה תִּהְיֶ֥ה לָמַֽס׃

דְּאָגָ֣ה בְלֶב־אִ֣ישׁ יַשְׁחֶ֑נָּה וְדָבָ֖ר ט֣וֹב יְשַׂמְּחֶֽנָּה׃

יָתֵ֣ר מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ צַדִּ֑יק וְדֶ֖רֶךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים תַּתְעֵֽם׃

לֹא־יַחֲרֹ֣ךְ רְמִיָּ֣ה צֵיד֑וֹ וְהוֹן־אָדָ֖ם יָקָ֣ר חָרֽוּץ׃

12

He who loves discipline loves knowledge; He who spurns reproof is a brutish man.

A good man earns the favor of the LORD, A man of intrigues, His condemnation.

A man cannot be established in wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be shaken loose.

A capable wife is a crown for her husband, But an incompetent one is like rot in his bones.

The purposes of the righteous are justice, The schemes of the wicked are deceit.

The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, But the speech of the upright saves them.

Overturn the wicked and they are gone, But the house of the righteous will endure.

A man is commended according to his intelligence; A twisted mind is held up to contempt.

Better to be lightly esteemed and have a servant Than to put on airs and have no food.

A righteous man knows the needs of his beast, But the compassion of the wicked is cruelty.

Sinful speech is a trap for the evil man, But the righteous escapes from trouble.

A man gets his fill of good from the fruit of his speech; One is repaid in kind for one’s deeds.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But the wise man accepts advice.

A fool’s vexation is known at once, But a clever man conceals his humiliation.

He who testifies faithfully tells the truth, But a false witness, deceit.

There is blunt talk like sword-thrusts, But the speech of the wise is healing.

Truthful speech abides forever, A lying tongue for but a moment.

Deceit is in the minds of those who plot evil; For those who plan good there is joy.

No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked have their fill of misfortune.

Lying speech is an abomination to the LORD, But those who act faithfully please Him.

A clever man conceals what he knows, But the mind of a dullard cries out folly.

The hand of the diligent wields authority; The negligent are held in subjection.

If there is anxiety in a man’s mind let him quash it, And turn it into joy with a good word.

A righteous man gives his friend direction, But the way of the wicked leads astray.

A negligent man never has game to roast; A diligent man has precious wealth.

The road of righteousness leads to life; By way of its path there is no death.

י״ג

בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם מ֣וּסַר אָ֑ב וְ֝לֵ֗ץ לֹא־שָׁמַ֥ע גְּעָרָֽה׃

מִפְּרִ֣י פִי־אִ֭ישׁ יֹ֣אכַל ט֑וֹב וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ בֹּגְדִ֣ים חָמָֽס׃

נֹצֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ פֹּשֵׂ֥ק שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו מְחִתָּה־לֽוֹ׃

מִתְאַוָּ֣ה וָ֭אַיִן נַפְשׁ֣וֹ עָצֵ֑ל וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ חָרֻצִ֣ים תְּדֻשָּֽׁן׃

דְּבַר־שֶׁ֭קֶר יִשְׂנָ֣א צַדִּ֑יק וְ֝רָשָׁ֗ע יַבְאִ֥ישׁ וְיַחְפִּֽיר׃

צְ֭דָקָה תִּצֹּ֣ר תׇּם־דָּ֑רֶךְ וְ֝רִשְׁעָ֗ה תְּסַלֵּ֥ף חַטָּֽאת׃

יֵ֣שׁ מִ֭תְעַשֵּׁר וְאֵ֣ין כֹּ֑ל מִ֝תְרוֹשֵׁ֗שׁ וְה֣וֹן רָֽב׃

רַק־בְּ֭זָדוֹן יִתֵּ֣ן מַצָּ֑ה וְאֶת־נ֖וֹעָצִ֣ים חׇכְמָֽה׃

ה֭וֹן מֵהֶ֣בֶל יִמְעָ֑ט וְקֹבֵ֖ץ עַל־יָ֣ד יַרְבֶּֽה׃

תּוֹחֶ֣לֶת מְ֭מֻשָּׁכָה מַחֲלָה־לֵ֑ב וְעֵ֥ץ חַ֝יִּ֗ים תַּאֲוָ֥ה בָאָֽה׃

בָּ֣ז לְ֭דָבָר יֵחָ֣בֶל ל֑וֹ וִירֵ֥א מִ֝צְוָ֗ה ה֣וּא יְשֻׁלָּֽם׃

תּוֹרַ֣ת חָ֭כָם מְק֣וֹר חַיִּ֑ים לָ֝ס֗וּר מִמֹּ֥קְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃

שֵֽׂכֶל־ט֭וֹב יִתֶּן־חֵ֑ן וְדֶ֖רֶךְ בֹּגְדִ֣ים אֵיתָֽן׃

כׇּל־עָ֭רוּם יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה בְדָ֑עַת וּ֝כְסִ֗יל יִפְרֹ֥שׂ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

מַלְאָ֣ךְ רָ֭שָׁע יִפֹּ֣ל בְּרָ֑ע וְצִ֖יר אֱמוּנִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא׃

רֵ֣ישׁ וְ֭קָלוֹן פּוֹרֵ֣עַ מוּסָ֑ר וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר תּוֹכַ֣חַת יְכֻבָּֽד׃

תַּאֲוָ֣ה נִ֭הְיָה תֶּעֱרַ֣ב לְנָ֑פֶשׁ וְתוֹעֲבַ֥ת כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים ס֣וּר מֵרָֽע׃

(הלוך) [הוֹלֵ֣ךְ] אֶת־חֲכָמִ֣ים (וחכם) [יֶחְכָּ֑ם] וְרֹעֶ֖ה כְסִילִ֣ים יֵרֽוֹעַ׃

חַ֭טָּאִים תְּרַדֵּ֣ף רָעָ֑ה וְאֶת־צַ֝דִּיקִ֗ים יְשַׁלֶּם־טֽוֹב׃

ט֗וֹב יַנְחִ֥יל בְּנֵֽי־בָנִ֑ים וְצָפ֥וּן לַ֝צַּדִּ֗יק חֵ֣יל חוֹטֵֽא׃

רׇב־אֹ֭כֶל נִ֣יר רָאשִׁ֑ים וְיֵ֥שׁ נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה בְּלֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ שִׁ֭בְטוֹ שׂוֹנֵ֣א בְנ֑וֹ וְ֝אֹהֲב֗וֹ שִׁחֲר֥וֹ מוּסָֽר׃

צַדִּ֗יק אֹ֭כֵֽל לְשֹׂ֣בַע נַפְשׁ֑וֹ וּבֶ֖טֶן רְשָׁעִ֣ים תֶּחְסָֽר׃

13

A wise son—it is through the discipline of his father; A scoffer—he never heard reproof.

A man enjoys good from the fruit of his speech; But out of the throat of the treacherous comes lawlessness.

He who guards his tongue preserves his life; He who opens wide his lips, it is his ruin.

A lazy man craves, but has nothing; The diligent shall feast on rich fare.

A righteous man hates lies; The wicked man is vile and disgraceful.

Righteousness protects him whose way is blameless; Wickedness subverts the sinner.

One man pretends to be rich and has nothing; Another professes to be poor and has much wealth.

Riches are ransom for a man’s life, The poor never heard a reproof.

The light of the righteous is radiant; The lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

Arrogance yields nothing but strife; Wisdom belongs to those who seek advice.

Wealth may dwindle to less than nothing, But he who gathers little by little increases it.

The instruction of a wise man is a fountain of life, Enabling one to avoid deadly snares.

Good sense wins favor; The way of treacherous men is unchanging.

Every clever man acts knowledgeably, But a dullard exposes his stupidity.

Harm befalls a wicked messenger; A faithful courier brings healing.

Poverty and humiliation are for him who spurns discipline; But he who takes reproof to heart gets honor.

Desire realized is sweet to the soul; To turn away from evil is abhorrent to the stupid.

He who keeps company with the wise becomes wise, But he who consorts with dullards comes to grief.

Misfortune pursues sinners, But the righteous are well rewarded.

A good man has what to bequeath to his grandchildren, For the wealth of sinners is stored up for the righteous.

The tillage of the poor yields much food; But substance is swept away for lack of moderation.

He who spares the rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him early.

י״ד

חַכְמ֣וֹת נָ֭שִׁים בָּנְתָ֣ה בֵיתָ֑הּ וְ֝אִוֶּ֗לֶת בְּיָדֶ֥יהָ תֶהֶרְסֶֽנּוּ׃

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּ֭יׇשְׁרוֹ יְרֵ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה וּנְל֖וֹז דְּרָכָ֣יו בּוֹזֵֽהוּ׃

בְּֽפִי־אֱ֭וִיל חֹ֣טֶר גַּאֲוָ֑ה וְשִׂפְתֵ֥י חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים תִּשְׁמוּרֵֽם׃

בְּאֵ֣ין אֲ֭לָפִים אֵב֣וּס בָּ֑ר וְרׇב־תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת בְּכֹ֣חַ שֽׁוֹר׃

עֵ֣ד אֱ֭מוּנִים לֹ֣א יְכַזֵּ֑ב וְיָפִ֥יחַ כְּ֝זָבִ֗ים עֵ֣ד שָֽׁקֶר׃

בִּקֶּשׁ־לֵ֣ץ חׇכְמָ֣ה וָאָ֑יִן וְדַ֖עַת לְנָב֣וֹן נָקָֽל׃

לֵ֣ךְ מִ֭נֶּגֶד לְאִ֣ישׁ כְּסִ֑יל וּבַל־יָ֝דַ֗עְתָּ שִׂפְתֵי־דָֽעַת׃

חׇכְמַ֣ת עָ֭רוּם הָבִ֣ין דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וְאִוֶּ֖לֶת כְּסִילִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה׃

אֱ֭וִלִים יָלִ֣יץ אָשָׁ֑ם וּבֵ֖ין יְשָׁרִ֣ים רָצֽוֹן׃

לֵ֗ב י֭וֹדֵעַ מָרַּ֣ת נַפְשׁ֑וֹ וּ֝בְשִׂמְחָת֗וֹ לֹא־יִתְעָ֥רַב זָֽר׃

בֵּ֣ית רְ֭שָׁעִים יִשָּׁמֵ֑ד וְאֹ֖הֶל יְשָׁרִ֣ים יַפְרִֽיחַ׃

מִדְּרָכָ֣יו יִ֭שְׂבַּע ס֣וּג לֵ֑ב וּ֝מֵעָלָ֗יו אִ֣ישׁ טֽוֹב׃

פֶּ֭תִי יַאֲמִ֣ין לְכׇל־דָּבָ֑ר וְ֝עָר֗וּם יָבִ֥ין לַאֲשֻׁרֽוֹ׃

חָכָ֣ם יָ֭רֵא וְסָ֣ר מֵרָ֑ע וּ֝כְסִ֗יל מִתְעַבֵּ֥ר וּבוֹטֵֽחַ׃

קְֽצַר־אַ֭פַּיִם יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה אִוֶּ֑לֶת וְאִ֥ישׁ מְ֝זִמּ֗וֹת יִשָּׂנֵֽא׃

נָחֲל֣וּ פְתָאיִ֣ם אִוֶּ֑לֶת וַ֝עֲרוּמִ֗ים יַכְתִּ֥רוּ דָֽעַת׃

שַׁח֣וּ רָ֭עִים לִפְנֵ֣י טוֹבִ֑ים וּ֝רְשָׁעִ֗ים עַֽל־שַׁעֲרֵ֥י צַדִּֽיק׃

גַּם־לְ֭רֵעֵהוּ יִשָּׂ֣נֵא רָ֑שׁ וְאֹהֲבֵ֖י עָשִׁ֣יר רַבִּֽים׃

בׇּז־לְרֵעֵ֥הוּ חוֹטֵ֑א וּמְחוֹנֵ֖ן (עניים) [עֲנָוִ֣ים] אַשְׁרָֽיו׃

הֲֽלוֹא־יִ֭תְעוּ חֹ֣רְשֵׁי רָ֑ע וְחֶ֥סֶד וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת חֹ֣רְשֵׁי טֽוֹב׃

בְּכׇל־עֶ֭צֶב יִהְיֶ֣ה מוֹתָ֑ר וּדְבַר־שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם אַךְ־לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃

עֲטֶ֣רֶת חֲכָמִ֣ים עׇשְׁרָ֑ם אִוֶּ֖לֶת כְּסִילִ֣ים אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

מַצִּ֣יל נְ֭פָשׁוֹת עֵ֣ד אֱמֶ֑ת וְיָפִ֖חַ כְּזָבִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה׃

בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה מִבְטַח־עֹ֑ז וּ֝לְבָנָ֗יו יִהְיֶ֥ה מַחְסֶֽה׃

יִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה מְק֣וֹר חַיִּ֑ים לָ֝ס֗וּר מִמֹּ֥קְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃

בְּרׇב־עָ֥ם הַדְרַת־מֶ֑לֶךְ וּבְאֶ֥פֶס לְ֝אֹ֗ם מְחִתַּ֥ת רָזֽוֹן׃

אֶ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם רַב־תְּבוּנָ֑ה וּקְצַר־ר֝֗וּחַ מֵרִ֥ים אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

חַיֵּ֣י בְ֭שָׂרִים לֵ֣ב מַרְפֵּ֑א וּרְקַ֖ב עֲצָמ֣וֹת קִנְאָֽה׃

עֹ֣שֵֽׁק דָּ֭ל חֵרֵ֣ף עֹשֵׂ֑הוּ וּ֝מְכַבְּד֗וֹ חֹנֵ֥ן אֶבְיֽוֹן׃

בְּֽ֭רָעָתוֹ יִדָּחֶ֣ה רָשָׁ֑ע וְחֹסֶ֖ה בְמוֹת֣וֹ צַדִּֽיק׃

בְּלֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן תָּנ֣וּחַ חׇכְמָ֑ה וּבְקֶ֥רֶב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים תִּוָּדֵֽעַ׃

צְדָקָ֥ה תְרוֹמֵֽם־גּ֑וֹי וְחֶ֖סֶד לְאֻמִּ֣ים חַטָּֽאת׃

14

The wisest of women builds her house, But folly tears it down with its own hands.

He who maintains his integrity fears the LORD; A man of devious ways scorns Him.

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of haughtiness, But the lips of the wise protect them.

If there are no oxen the crib is clean, But a rich harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

An honest witness will not lie; A false witness testifies lies.

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, But knowledge comes easily to the intelligent man.

Keep your distance from a dullard, For you will not learn wise speech.

It is the wisdom of a clever man to understand his course; But the stupidity of the dullard is delusion.

Reparations mediate between fools, Between the upright, good will.

The heart alone knows its bitterness, And no outsider can share in its joy.

The house of the wicked will be demolished, But the tent of the upright will flourish.

An unprincipled man reaps the fruits of his ways; A good man, of his deeds.

A simple person believes anything; A clever man ponders his course.

A wise man is diffident and shuns evil, But a dullard rushes in confidently.

An impatient man commits folly; A man of intrigues will be hated.

Folly is the lot of the simple, But clever men glory in knowledge.

Evil men are brought low before the good, So are the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

A pauper is despised even by his peers, But a rich man has many friends.

He who despises his fellow is wrong; He who shows pity for the lowly is happy.

Surely those who plan evil go astray, While those who plan good earn steadfast love.

From all toil there is some gain, But idle chatter is pure loss.

The ornament of the wise is their wealth; The stupidity of dullards is stupidity.

A truthful witness saves lives; He who testifies lies [spreads] deceit.

Fear of the LORD is a stronghold, A refuge for a man’s children.

Fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, Enabling one to avoid deadly snares.

A numerous people is the glory of a king; Without a nation a ruler is ruined.

Patience results in much understanding; Impatience gets folly as its portion.

A calm disposition gives bodily health; Passion is rot to the bones.

He who withholds what is due to the poor affronts his Maker; He who shows pity for the needy honors Him.

The wicked man is felled by his own evil; The righteous man finds security in his death.

Wisdom rests quietly in the mind of a prudent man, But among dullards it makes itself known.

Righteousness exalts a nation; Sin is a reproach to any people.

ט״ו

מַֽעֲנֶה־רַּ֭ךְ יָשִׁ֣יב חֵמָ֑ה וּדְבַר־עֶ֝֗צֶב יַעֲלֶה־אָֽף׃

לְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים תֵּיטִ֣יב דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

בְּֽכׇל־מָ֭קוֹם עֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה צֹ֝פ֗וֹת רָעִ֥ים וְטוֹבִֽים׃

מַרְפֵּ֣א לָ֭שׁוֹן עֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים וְסֶ֥לֶף בָּ֝֗הּ שֶׁ֣בֶר בְּרֽוּחַ׃

אֱוִ֗יל יִ֭נְאַץ מוּסַ֣ר אָבִ֑יו וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר תּוֹכַ֣חַת יַעְרִֽים׃

בֵּ֣ית צַ֭דִּיק חֹ֣סֶן רָ֑ב וּבִתְבוּאַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע נֶעְכָּֽרֶת׃

שִׂפְתֵ֣י חֲ֭כָמִים יְזָ֣רוּ דָ֑עַת וְלֵ֖ב כְּסִילִ֣ים לֹא־כֵֽן׃

זֶ֣בַח רְ֭שָׁעִים תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וּתְפִלַּ֖ת יְשָׁרִ֣ים רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה דֶּ֣רֶךְ רָשָׁ֑ע וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף צְדָקָ֣ה יֶאֱהָֽב׃

לֹ֣א יֶאֱהַב־לֵ֭ץ הוֹכֵ֣חַֽ ל֑וֹ אֶל־חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים לֹ֣א יֵלֵֽךְ׃

לֵ֣ב שָׂ֭מֵחַ יֵיטִ֣ב פָּנִ֑ים וּבְעַצְּבַת־לֵ֝֗ב ר֣וּחַ נְכֵאָֽה׃

לֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יְבַקֶּשׁ־דָּ֑עַת (ופני) [וּפִ֥י] כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יִרְעֶ֥ה אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י עָנִ֣י רָעִ֑ים וְטֽוֹב־לֵ֝֗ב מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה תָמִֽיד׃

טוֹב־מְ֭עַט בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה מֵאוֹצָ֥ר רָ֝֗ב וּמְה֥וּמָה בֽוֹ׃

ט֤וֹב אֲרֻחַ֣ת יָ֭רָק וְאַהֲבָה־שָׁ֑ם מִשּׁ֥וֹר אָ֝ב֗וּס וְשִׂנְאָה־בֽוֹ׃

אִ֣ישׁ חֵ֭מָה יְגָרֶ֣ה מָד֑וֹן וְאֶ֥רֶךְ אַ֝פַּ֗יִם יַשְׁקִ֥יט רִֽיב׃

דֶּ֣רֶךְ עָ֭צֵל כִּמְשֻׂ֣כַת חָ֑דֶק וְאֹ֖רַח יְשָׁרִ֣ים סְלֻלָֽה׃

בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם יְשַׂמַּח־אָ֑ב וּכְסִ֥יל אָ֝דָ֗ם בּוֹזֶ֥ה אִמּֽוֹ׃

שִׂמְחָ֣ה לָ֭אִישׁ בְּמַעֲנֵה־פִ֑יו וְדָבָ֖ר בְּעִתּ֣וֹ מַה־טּֽוֹב׃

אֹ֣רַח חַ֭יִּים לְמַ֣עְלָה לְמַשְׂכִּ֑יל לְמַ֥עַן ס֝֗וּר מִשְּׁא֥וֹל מָֽטָּה׃

בֵּ֣ית גֵּ֭אִים יִסַּ֥ח ׀ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֝יַצֵּ֗ב גְּב֣וּל אַלְמָנָֽה׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת רָ֑ע וּ֝טְהֹרִ֗ים אִמְרֵי־נֹֽעַם׃

עֹכֵ֣ר בֵּ֭יתוֹ בּוֹצֵ֣עַ בָּ֑צַע וְשׂוֹנֵ֖א מַתָּנֹ֣ת יִחְיֶֽה׃

לֵ֣ב צַ֭דִּיק יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לַעֲנ֑וֹת וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ רָעֽוֹת׃

רָח֣וֹק יְ֭הֹוָה מֵרְשָׁעִ֑ים וּתְפִלַּ֖ת צַדִּיקִ֣ים יִשְׁמָֽע׃

מְֽאוֹר־עֵ֭ינַיִם יְשַׂמַּֽח־לֵ֑ב שְׁמוּעָ֥ה ט֝וֹבָ֗ה תְּדַשֶּׁן־עָֽצֶם׃

אֹ֗זֶן שֹׁ֭מַעַת תּוֹכַ֣חַת חַיִּ֑ים בְּקֶ֖רֶב חֲכָמִ֣ים תָּלִֽין׃

פּוֹרֵ֣עַ מ֭וּסָר מוֹאֵ֣ס נַפְשׁ֑וֹ וְשׁוֹמֵ֥עַ תּ֝וֹכַ֗חַת ק֣וֹנֶה לֵּֽב׃

15

A gentle response allays wrath; A harsh word provokes anger.

The tongue of the wise produces much knowledge, But the mouth of dullards pours out folly.

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, Observing the bad and the good.

A healing tongue is a tree of life, But a devious one makes for a broken spirit.

A fool spurns the discipline of his father, But one who heeds reproof becomes clever.

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the harvest of the wicked there is trouble.

The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge; Not so the minds of dullards.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright pleases Him.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who pursues righteousness.

Discipline seems bad to him who forsakes the way; He who spurns reproof will die.

Sheol and Abaddon lie exposed to the LORD, How much more the minds of men!

The scoffer dislikes being reproved; He will not resort to the wise.

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face; A sad heart makes a despondent mood.

The mind of a prudent man seeks knowledge; The mouth of the dullard pursues folly.

All the days of a poor man are wretched, But contentment is a feast without end.

Better a little with fear of the LORD Than great wealth with confusion.

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love Than a fattened ox where there is hate.

A hot-tempered man provokes a quarrel; A patient man calms strife.

The way of a lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is paved.

A wise son makes his father happy; A fool of a man humiliates his mother.

Folly is joy to one devoid of sense; A prudent man walks a straight path.

Plans are foiled for want of counsel, But they succeed through many advisers.

A ready response is a joy to a man, And how good is a word rightly timed!

For an intelligent man the path of life leads upward, In order to avoid Sheol below.

The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the homestead of the widow.

Evil thoughts are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.

He who pursues ill-gotten gain makes trouble for his household; He who spurns gifts will live long.

The heart of the righteous man rehearses his answer, But the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

What brightens the eye gladdens the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.

He whose ear heeds the discipline of life Lodges among the wise.

He who spurns discipline hates himself; He who heeds reproof gains understanding.

ט״ז

כׇּֽל־דַּרְכֵי־אִ֭ישׁ זַ֣ךְ בְּעֵינָ֑יו וְתֹכֵ֖ן רוּח֣וֹת יְהֹוָֽה׃

גֹּ֣ל אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה מַעֲשֶׂ֑יךָ וְ֝יִכֹּ֗נוּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶֽיךָ׃

כֹּ֤ל פָּעַ֣ל יְ֭הֹוָה לַֽמַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ וְגַם־רָ֝שָׁ֗ע לְי֣וֹם רָעָֽה׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה כׇּל־גְּבַהּ־לֵ֑ב יָ֥ד לְ֝יָ֗ד לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶֽה׃

בְּחֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יְכֻפַּ֣ר עָוֺ֑ן וּבְיִרְאַ֥ת יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה ס֣וּר מֵרָֽע׃

בִּרְצ֣וֹת יְ֭הֹוָה דַּרְכֵי־אִ֑ישׁ גַּם־א֝וֹיְבָ֗יו יַשְׁלִ֥ם אִתּֽוֹ׃

טוֹב־מְ֭עַט בִּצְדָקָ֑ה מֵרֹ֥ב תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת בְּלֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

לֵ֣ב אָ֭דָם יְחַשֵּׁ֣ב דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וַ֝יהֹוָ֗ה יָכִ֥ין צַעֲדֽוֹ׃

קֶ֤סֶם ׀ עַֽל־שִׂפְתֵי־מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט לֹ֣א יִמְעַל־פִּֽיו׃

פֶּ֤לֶס ׀ וּמֹאזְנֵ֣י מִ֭שְׁפָּט לַיהֹוָ֑ה מַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗הוּ כׇּל־אַבְנֵי־כִֽיס׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת מְ֭לָכִים עֲשׂ֣וֹת רֶ֑שַׁע כִּ֥י בִ֝צְדָקָ֗ה יִכּ֥וֹן כִּסֵּֽא׃

רְצ֣וֹן מְ֭לָכִים שִׂפְתֵי־צֶ֑דֶק וְדֹבֵ֖ר יְשָׁרִ֣ים יֶאֱהָֽב׃

חֲמַת־מֶ֥לֶךְ מַלְאֲכֵי־מָ֑וֶת וְאִ֖ישׁ חָכָ֣ם יְכַפְּרֶֽנָּה׃

בְּאוֹר־פְּנֵי־מֶ֥לֶךְ חַיִּ֑ים וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ כְּעָ֣ב מַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃

קְֽנֹה־חׇכְמָ֗ה מַה־טּ֥וֹב מֵחָר֑וּץ וּקְנ֥וֹת בִּ֝ינָ֗ה נִבְחָ֥ר מִכָּֽסֶף׃

מְסִלַּ֣ת יְ֭שָׁרִים ס֣וּר מֵרָ֑ע שֹׁמֵ֥ר נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ נֹצֵ֥ר דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃

לִפְנֵי־שֶׁ֥בֶר גָּא֑וֹן וְלִפְנֵ֥י כִ֝שָּׁל֗וֹן גֹּ֣בַהּ רֽוּחַ׃

ט֣וֹב שְׁפַל־ר֭וּחַ אֶת־[עֲנָוִ֑ים] (עניים) מֵחַלֵּ֥ק שָׁ֝לָ֗ל אֶת־גֵּאִֽים׃

מַשְׂכִּ֣יל עַל־דָּ֭בָר יִמְצָא־ט֑וֹב וּבוֹטֵ֖חַ בַּיהֹוָ֣ה אַשְׁרָֽיו׃

לַֽחֲכַם־לֵ֭ב יִקָּרֵ֣א נָב֑וֹן וּמֶ֥תֶק שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם יֹסִ֥יף לֶֽקַח׃

מְק֣וֹר חַ֭יִּים שֵׂ֣כֶל בְּעָלָ֑יו וּמוּסַ֖ר אֱוִלִ֣ים אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

לֵ֣ב חָ֭כָם יַשְׂכִּ֣יל פִּ֑יהוּ וְעַל־שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו יֹסִ֥יף לֶֽקַח׃

צוּף־דְּ֭בַשׁ אִמְרֵי־נֹ֑עַם מָת֥וֹק לַ֝נֶּ֗פֶשׁ וּמַרְפֵּ֥א לָעָֽצֶם׃

יֵ֤שׁ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר לִפְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ דַּרְכֵי־מָֽוֶת׃

נֶ֣פֶשׁ עָ֭מֵל עָ֣מְלָה לּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־אָכַ֖ף עָלָ֣יו פִּֽיהוּ׃

אִ֣ישׁ בְּ֭לִיַּעַל כֹּרֶ֣ה רָעָ֑ה וְעַל־[שְׂ֝פָת֗וֹ] (שפתיו) כְּאֵ֣שׁ צָרָֽבֶת׃

אִ֣ישׁ תַּ֭הְפֻּכוֹת יְשַׁלַּ֣ח מָד֑וֹן וְ֝נִרְגָּ֗ן מַפְרִ֥יד אַלּֽוּף׃

אִ֣ישׁ חָ֭מָס יְפַתֶּ֣ה רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝הוֹלִיכ֗וֹ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ לֹא־טֽוֹב׃

עֹצֶ֣ה עֵ֭ינָיו לַחְשֹׁ֣ב תַּהְפֻּכ֑וֹת קֹרֵ֥ץ שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו כִּלָּ֥ה רָעָֽה׃

עֲטֶ֣רֶת תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת שֵׂיבָ֑ה בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ צְ֝דָקָ֗ה תִּמָּצֵֽא׃

ט֤וֹב אֶ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם מִגִּבּ֑וֹר וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹ מִלֹּכֵ֥ד עִֽיר׃

בַּ֭חֵיק יוּטַ֣ל אֶת־הַגּוֹרָ֑ל וּ֝מֵיְהֹוָ֗ה כׇּל־מִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃

16

A man may arrange his thoughts, But what he says depends on the LORD.

All the ways of a man seem right to him, But the LORD probes motives.

Entrust your affairs to the LORD, And your plans will succeed.

The LORD made everything for a purpose, Even the wicked for an evil day.

Every haughty person is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not go unpunished.

Iniquity is expiated by loyalty and faithfulness, And evil is avoided through fear of the LORD.

When the LORD is pleased with a man’s conduct, He may turn even his enemies into allies.

Better a little with righteousness Than a large income with injustice.

A man may plot out his course, But it is the LORD who directs his steps.

There is magic on the lips of the king; He cannot err in judgment.

Honest scales and balances are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.

Wicked deeds are an abomination to kings, For the throne is established by righteousness.

Truthful speech wins the favor of kings; They love those who speak honestly.

The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, But a wise man can appease it.

The king’s smile means life; His favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

How much better to acquire wisdom than gold; To acquire understanding is preferable to silver.

The highway of the upright avoids evil; He who would preserve his life watches his way.

Pride goes before ruin, Arrogance, before failure.

Better to be humble and among the lowly Than to share spoils with the proud.

He who is adept in a matter will attain success; Happy is he who trusts in the LORD.

The wise-hearted is called discerning; One whose speech is pleasing gains wisdom.

Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it, And folly is the punishment of fools.

The mind of the wise man makes his speech effective And increases the wisdom on his lips.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the palate and a cure for the body.

A road may seem right to a man, But in the end it is a road to death.

The appetite of a laborer labors for him, Because his hunger forces him on.

A scoundrel plots evil; What is on his lips is like a scorching fire.

A shifty man stirs up strife, And a querulous one alienates his friend.

A lawless man misleads his friend, Making him take the wrong way.

He closes his eyes while meditating deception; He purses his lips while deciding upon evil.

Gray hair is a crown of glory; It is attained by the way of righteousness.

Better to be forbearing than mighty, To have self-control than to conquer a city.

י״ז

ט֤וֹב פַּ֣ת חֲ֭רֵבָה וְשַׁלְוָה־בָ֑הּ מִ֝בַּ֗יִת מָלֵ֥א זִבְחֵי־רִֽיב׃

עֶֽבֶד־מַשְׂכִּ֗יל יִ֭מְשֹׁל בְּבֵ֣ן מֵבִ֑ישׁ וּבְת֥וֹךְ אַ֝חִ֗ים יַחֲלֹ֥ק נַחֲלָֽה׃

מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וּבֹחֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהֹוָֽה׃

מֵ֭רַע מַקְשִׁ֣יב עַל־שְׂפַת־אָ֑וֶן שֶׁ֥קֶר מֵ֝זִ֗ין עַל־לְשׁ֥וֹן הַוֺּֽת׃

לֹעֵ֣ג לָ֭רָשׁ חֵרֵ֣ף עֹשֵׂ֑הוּ שָׂמֵ֥חַ לְ֝אֵ֗יד לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶֽה׃

עֲטֶ֣רֶת זְ֭קֵנִים בְּנֵ֣י בָנִ֑ים וְתִפְאֶ֖רֶת בָּנִ֣ים אֲבוֹתָֽם׃

לֹא־נָאוָ֣ה לְנָבָ֣ל שְׂפַת־יֶ֑תֶר אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־לְנָדִ֥יב שְׂפַת־שָֽׁקֶר׃

אֶבֶן־חֵ֣ן הַ֭שֹּׁחַד בְּעֵינֵ֣י בְעָלָ֑יו אֶֽל־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֖ר יִפְנֶ֣ה יַשְׂכִּֽיל׃

מְֽכַסֶּה־פֶּ֭שַׁע מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ אַהֲבָ֑ה וְשֹׁנֶ֥ה בְ֝דָבָ֗ר מַפְרִ֥יד אַלּֽוּף׃

תֵּ֣חַת גְּעָרָ֣ה בְמֵבִ֑ין מֵהַכּ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל מֵאָֽה׃

אַךְ־מְרִ֥י יְבַקֶּשׁ־רָ֑ע וּמַלְאָ֥ךְ אַ֝כְזָרִ֗י יְשֻׁלַּח־בּֽוֹ׃

פָּג֬וֹשׁ דֹּ֣ב שַׁכּ֣וּל בְּאִ֑ישׁ וְאַל־כְּ֝סִ֗יל בְּאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ׃

מֵשִׁ֣יב רָ֭עָה תַּ֣חַת טוֹבָ֑ה לֹא־[תָמ֥וּשׁ] (תמיש) רָ֝עָ֗ה מִבֵּיתֽוֹ׃

פּ֣וֹטֵֽר מַ֭יִם רֵאשִׁ֣ית מָד֑וֹן וְלִפְנֵ֥י הִ֝תְגַּלַּ֗ע הָרִ֥יב נְטֽוֹשׁ׃

מַצְדִּ֣יק רָ֭שָׁע וּמַרְשִׁ֣יעַ צַדִּ֑יק תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה גַּם־שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃

לָמָּה־זֶּ֣ה מְחִ֣יר בְּיַד־כְּסִ֑יל לִקְנ֖וֹת חׇכְמָ֣ה וְלֶב־אָֽיִן׃

בְּכׇל־עֵ֭ת אֹהֵ֣ב הָרֵ֑עַ וְאָ֥ח לְ֝צָרָ֗ה יִוָּלֵֽד׃

אָדָ֣ם חֲסַר־לֵ֭ב תּוֹקֵ֣עַ כָּ֑ף עֹרֵ֥ב עֲ֝רֻבָּ֗ה לִפְנֵ֥י רֵעֵֽהוּ׃

אֹ֣הֵֽב פֶּ֭שַׁע אֹהֵ֣ב מַצָּ֑ה מַגְבִּ֥יהַּ פִּ֝תְח֗וֹ מְבַקֶּשׁ־שָֽׁבֶר׃

עִקֶּשׁ־לֵ֭ב לֹ֣א יִמְצָא־ט֑וֹב וְנֶהְפָּ֥ךְ בִּ֝לְשׁוֹנ֗וֹ יִפּ֥וֹל בְּרָעָֽה׃

יֹלֵ֣ד כְּ֭סִיל לְת֣וּגָה ל֑וֹ וְלֹא־יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח אֲבִ֣י נָבָֽל׃

לֵ֣ב שָׂ֭מֵחַ יֵיטִ֣יב גֵּהָ֑ה וְר֥וּחַ נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה תְּיַבֶּשׁ־גָּֽרֶם׃

שֹׁ֣חַד מֵ֭חֵק רָשָׁ֣ע יִקָּ֑ח לְ֝הַטּ֗וֹת אׇרְח֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י מֵבִ֣ין חׇכְמָ֑ה וְעֵינֵ֥י כְ֝סִ֗יל בִּקְצֵה־אָֽרֶץ׃

כַּ֣עַס לְ֭אָבִיו בֵּ֣ן כְּסִ֑יל וּ֝מֶ֗מֶר לְיֽוֹלַדְתּֽוֹ׃

גַּ֤ם עֲנ֣וֹשׁ לַצַּדִּ֣יק לֹא־ט֑וֹב לְהַכּ֖וֹת נְדִיבִ֣ים עַל־יֹֽשֶׁר׃

חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ אֲ֭מָרָיו יוֹדֵ֣עַ דָּ֑עַת (וקר) [יְקַר־]ר֝֗וּחַ אִ֣ישׁ תְּבוּנָֽה׃

17

Better a dry crust with peace Than a house full of feasting with strife.

A capable servant will dominate an incompetent son And share the inheritance with the brothers.

For silver—the crucible; For gold—the furnace, And the LORD tests the mind.

An evildoer listens to mischievous talk; A liar gives ear to malicious words.

He who mocks the poor affronts his Maker; He who rejoices over another’s misfortune will not go unpunished.

Grandchildren are the crown of their elders, And the glory of children is their parents.

Lofty words are not fitting for a villain; Much less lying words for a great man.

A bribe seems like a charm to him who uses it; He succeeds at every turn.

He who seeks love overlooks faults, But he who harps on a matter alienates his friend.

A rebuke works on an intelligent man More than one hundred blows on a fool.

An evil man seeks only to rebel; A ruthless messenger will be sent against him.

Sooner meet a bereaved she-bear Than a fool with his nonsense.

Evil will never depart from the house Of him who repays good with evil.

To start a quarrel is to open a sluice; Before a dispute flares up, drop it.

To acquit the guilty and convict the innocent— Both are an abomination to the LORD.

What good is money in the hand of a fool To purchase wisdom, when he has no mind?

A friend is devoted at all times; A brother is born to share adversity.

Devoid of sense is he who gives his hand To stand surety for his fellow.

He who loves transgression loves strife; He who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.

Man of crooked mind comes to no good, And he who speaks duplicity falls into trouble.

One begets a dullard to one’s own grief; The father of a villain has no joy.

A joyful heart makes for good health; Despondency dries up the bones.

The wicked man draws a bribe out of his bosom To pervert the course of justice.

Wisdom lies before the intelligent man; The eyes of the dullard range to the ends of the earth.

A stupid son is vexation for his father And a heartache for the woman who bore him.

To punish the innocent is surely not right, Or to flog the great for their uprightness.

A knowledgeable man is sparing with his words; A man of understanding is reticent.

י״ח

לְֽ֭תַאֲוָה יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ נִפְרָ֑ד בְּכׇל־תּ֝וּשִׁיָּ֗ה יִתְגַּלָּֽע׃

לֹא־יַחְפֹּ֣ץ כְּ֭סִיל בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה כִּ֝֗י אִֽם־בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹת לִבּֽוֹ׃

בְּֽבוֹא־רָ֭שָׁע בָּ֣א גַם־בּ֑וּז וְֽעִם־קָל֥וֹן חֶרְפָּֽה׃

מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים דִּבְרֵ֣י פִי־אִ֑ישׁ נַ֥חַל נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ מְק֣וֹר חׇכְמָֽה׃

שְׂאֵ֣ת פְּנֵֽי־רָשָׁ֣ע לֹא־ט֑וֹב לְהַטּ֥וֹת צַ֝דִּ֗יק בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃

שִׂפְתֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל יָבֹ֣אוּ בְרִ֑יב וּ֝פִ֗יו לְֽמַהֲלֻמ֥וֹת יִקְרָֽא׃

פִּֽי־כְ֭סִיל מְחִתָּה־ל֑וֹ וּ֝שְׂפָתָ֗יו מוֹקֵ֥שׁ נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

דִּבְרֵ֣י נִ֭רְגָּן כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים וְ֝הֵ֗ם יָרְד֥וּ חַדְרֵי־בָֽטֶן׃

גַּ֭ם מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה בִמְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ אָ֥ח ה֝֗וּא לְבַ֣עַל מַשְׁחִֽית׃

מִגְדַּל־עֹ֭ז שֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה בּֽוֹ־יָר֖וּץ צַדִּ֣יק וְנִשְׂגָּֽב׃

ה֣וֹן עָ֭שִׁיר קִרְיַ֣ת עֻזּ֑וֹ וּכְחוֹמָ֥ה נִ֝שְׂגָּבָ֗ה בְּמַשְׂכִּתֽוֹ׃

לִפְנֵי־שֶׁ֭בֶר יִגְבַּ֣הּ לֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָב֣וֹד עֲנָוָֽה׃

מֵשִׁ֣יב דָּ֭בָר בְּטֶ֣רֶם יִשְׁמָ֑ע אִוֶּ֥לֶת הִיא־ל֝֗וֹ וּכְלִמָּֽה׃

רֽוּחַ־אִ֭ישׁ יְכַלְכֵּ֣ל מַחֲלֵ֑הוּ וְר֥וּחַ נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה מִ֣י יִשָּׂאֶֽנָּה׃

לֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יִקְנֶה־דָּ֑עַת וְאֹ֥זֶן חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים תְּבַקֶּשׁ־דָּֽעַת׃

מַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃

צַדִּ֣יק הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן בְּרִיב֑וֹ (יבא) [וּבָֽא־]רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ וַחֲקָרֽוֹ׃

מִ֭דְיָנִים יַשְׁבִּ֣ית הַגּוֹרָ֑ל וּבֵ֖ין עֲצוּמִ֣ים יַפְרִֽיד׃

אָ֗ח נִפְשָׁ֥ע מִקִּרְיַת־עֹ֑ז (ומדונים) [וּ֝מִדְיָנִ֗ים] כִּבְרִ֥יחַ אַרְמֽוֹן׃

מִפְּרִ֣י פִי־אִ֭ישׁ תִּשְׂבַּ֣ע בִּטְנ֑וֹ תְּבוּאַ֖ת שְׂפָתָ֣יו יִשְׂבָּֽע׃

מָ֣וֶת וְ֭חַיִּים בְּיַד־לָשׁ֑וֹן וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָ יֹאכַ֥ל פִּרְיָֽהּ׃

מָצָ֣א אִ֭שָּׁה מָ֣צָא ט֑וֹב וַיָּ֥פֶק רָ֝צ֗וֹן מֵיְהֹוָֽה׃

תַּחֲנוּנִ֥ים יְדַבֶּר־רָ֑שׁ וְ֝עָשִׁ֗יר יַעֲנֶ֥ה עַזּֽוֹת׃

18

He who isolates himself pursues his desires; He disdains all competence.

The fool does not desire understanding, But only to air his thoughts.

Comes the wicked man comes derision, And with the rogue, contempt.

The words a man speaks are deep waters, A flowing stream, a fountain of wisdom.

It is not right to be partial to the guilty And subvert the innocent in judgment.

The words of a fool lead to strife; His speech invites blows.

The fool’s speech is his ruin; His words are a trap for him.

The words of a querulous man are bruising; They penetrate one’s inmost parts.

One who is slack in his work Is a brother to a vandal.

The name of the LORD is a tower of strength To which the righteous man runs and is safe.

The wealth of a rich man is his fortress; In his fancy it is a protective wall.

Before ruin a man’s heart is proud; Humility goes before honor.

To answer a man before hearing him out Is foolish and disgraceful.

A man’s spirit can sustain him through illness; But low spirits—who can bear them?

The mind of an intelligent man acquires knowledge; The ears of the wise seek out knowledge.

A man’s gift eases his way And gives him access to the great.

The first to plead his case seems right Till the other party examines him.

The lot puts an end to strife And separates those locked in dispute.

A brother offended is more formidable than a stronghold; Such strife is like the bars of a fortress.

A man’s belly is filled by the fruit of his mouth; He will be filled by the produce of his lips.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit.

He who finds a wife has found happiness And has won the favor of the LORD.

The poor man speaks beseechingly; The rich man’s answer is harsh.

י״ט

טֽוֹב־רָ֭שׁ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ מֵעִקֵּ֥שׁ שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו וְה֣וּא כְסִֽיל׃

גַּ֤ם בְּלֹא־דַ֣עַת נֶ֣פֶשׁ לֹא־ט֑וֹב וְאָ֖ץ בְּרַגְלַ֣יִם חוֹטֵֽא׃

אִוֶּ֣לֶת אָ֭דָם תְּסַלֵּ֣ף דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וְעַל־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה יִזְעַ֥ף לִבּֽוֹ׃

ה֗וֹן יֹ֭סִיף רֵעִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וְ֝דָ֗ל מֵרֵעֵ֥הוּ יִפָּרֵֽד׃

עֵ֣ד שְׁ֭קָרִים לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶ֑ה וְיָפִ֥יחַ כְּ֝זָבִ֗ים לֹ֣א יִמָּלֵֽט׃

רַ֭בִּים יְחַלּ֣וּ פְנֵֽי־נָדִ֑יב וְכׇל־הָ֝רֵ֗עַ לְאִ֣ישׁ מַתָּֽן׃

כׇּ֥ל־אֲחֵי־רָ֨שׁ ׀ שְֽׂנֵאֻ֗הוּ אַ֤ף כִּ֣י מְ֭רֵעֵהוּ רָחֲק֣וּ מִמֶּ֑נּוּ מְרַדֵּ֖ף אֲמָרִ֣ים (לא) [לוֹ־]הֵֽמָּה׃

קֹֽנֶה־לֵּ֭ב אֹהֵ֣ב נַפְשׁ֑וֹ שֹׁמֵ֥ר תְּ֝בוּנָ֗ה לִמְצֹא־טֽוֹב׃

עֵ֣ד שְׁ֭קָרִים לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶ֑ה וְיָפִ֖יחַ כְּזָבִ֣ים יֹאבֵֽד׃ {פ}

לֹא־נָאוֶ֣ה לִכְסִ֣יל תַּעֲנ֑וּג אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־לְעֶ֤בֶד ׀ מְשֹׁ֬ל בְּשָׂרִֽים׃

שֵׂ֣כֶל אָ֭דָם הֶאֱרִ֣יךְ אַפּ֑וֹ וְ֝תִפְאַרְתּ֗וֹ עֲבֹ֣ר עַל־פָּֽשַׁע׃

נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר זַ֣עַף מֶ֑לֶךְ וּכְטַ֖ל עַל־עֵ֣שֶׂב רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃

הַוֺּ֣ת לְ֭אָבִיו בֵּ֣ן כְּסִ֑יל וְדֶ֥לֶף טֹ֝רֵ֗ד מִדְיְנֵ֥י אִשָּֽׁה׃

בַּ֣יִת וָ֭הוֹן נַחֲלַ֣ת אָב֑וֹת וּ֝מֵיְהֹוָ֗ה אִשָּׁ֥ה מַשְׂכָּֽלֶת׃

עַ֭צְלָה תַּפִּ֣יל תַּרְדֵּמָ֑ה וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ רְמִיָּ֣ה תִרְעָֽב׃

שֹׁמֵ֣ר מִ֭צְוָה שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ בּוֹזֵ֖ה דְרָכָ֣יו (יומת) [יָמֽוּת]׃

מַלְוֵ֣ה יְ֭הֹוָה ח֣וֹנֵֽן דָּ֑ל וּ֝גְמֻל֗וֹ יְשַׁלֶּם־לֽוֹ׃

יַסֵּ֣ר בִּ֭נְךָ כִּֽי־יֵ֣שׁ תִּקְוָ֑ה וְאֶל־הֲ֝מִית֗וֹ אַל־תִּשָּׂ֥א נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃

(גרל) [גְּֽדָל־]חֵ֭מָה נֹ֣שֵׂא עֹ֑נֶשׁ כִּ֥י אִם־תַּ֝צִּ֗יל וְע֣וֹד תּוֹסִֽף׃

שְׁמַ֣ע עֵ֭צָה וְקַבֵּ֣ל מוּסָ֑ר לְ֝מַ֗עַן תֶּחְכַּ֥ם בְּאַחֲרִיתֶֽךָ׃

רַבּ֣וֹת מַחֲשָׁב֣וֹת בְּלֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וַעֲצַ֥ת יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה הִ֣יא תָקֽוּם׃

תַּאֲוַ֣ת אָדָ֣ם חַסְדּ֑וֹ וְטֽוֹב־רָ֝֗שׁ מֵאִ֥ישׁ כָּזָֽב׃

יִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֣ה לְחַיִּ֑ים וְשָׂבֵ֥עַ יָ֝לִ֗ין בַּל־יִפָּ֥קֶד רָֽע׃

טָ֘מַ֤ן עָצֵ֣ל יָ֭דוֹ בַּצַּלָּ֑חַת גַּם־אֶל־פִּ֝֗יהוּ לֹ֣א יְשִׁיבֶֽנָּה׃

לֵ֣ץ תַּ֭כֶּה וּפֶ֣תִי יַעְרִ֑ם וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ לְ֝נָב֗וֹן יָבִ֥ין דָּֽעַת׃

מְֽשַׁדֶּד־אָ֭ב יַבְרִ֣יחַ אֵ֑ם בֵּ֝֗ן מֵבִ֥ישׁ וּמַחְפִּֽיר׃

חֲֽדַל־בְּ֭נִי לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ מוּסָ֑ר לִ֝שְׁג֗וֹת מֵאִמְרֵי־דָֽעַת׃

עֵ֣ד בְּ֭לִיַּעַל יָלִ֣יץ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְבַלַּע־אָֽוֶן׃

19

Better a poor man who lives blamelessly Than one who speaks perversely and is a dullard.

A person without knowledge is surely not good; He who moves hurriedly blunders.

A man’s folly subverts his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.

Wealth makes many friends, But a poor man loses his last friend.

A false witness will not go unpunished; He who testifies lies will not escape.

Many court the favor of a great man, And all are the friends of a dispenser of gifts.

All the brothers of a poor man despise him; How much more is he shunned by his friends! He who pursues words—they are of no avail.

He who acquires wisdom is his own best friend; He preserves understanding and attains happiness.

A false witness will not go unpunished; He who testifies falsely is doomed.

Luxury is not fitting for a dullard, Much less that a servant rule over princes.

A man shows intelligence by his forebearance; It is his glory when he overlooks an offense.

The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion; His favor is like dew upon the grass.

A stupid son is a calamity to his father; The nagging of a wife is like the endless dripping of water.

Property and riches are bequeathed by fathers, But an efficient wife comes from the LORD.

Laziness induces sleep, And a negligent person will go hungry.

He who has regard for his life pays regard to commandments; He who is heedless of his ways will die.

He who is generous to the poor makes a loan to the LORD; He will repay him his due.

Discipline your son while there is still hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

A hot-tempered man incurs punishment; If you try to save him you will only make it worse.

Listen to advice and accept discipline In order that you may be wise in the end.

Many designs are in a man’s mind, But it is the LORD’s plan that is accomplished.

Greed is a reproach to a man; Better be poor than a liar.

He who fears the LORD earns life; He shall abide in contentment, Free from misfortune.

The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; He will not even bring it to his mouth.

Beat the scoffer and the simple will become clever; Reprove an intelligent man and he gains knowledge.

A son who causes shame and disgrace Plunders his father, puts his mother to flight.

My son, cease to stray from words of knowledge And receive discipline.

A malicious witness scoffs at justice, And the speech of the wicked conceals mischief.

כ׳

לֵ֣ץ הַ֭יַּיִן הֹמֶ֣ה שֵׁכָ֑ר וְכׇל־שֹׁ֥גֶה בּ֝֗וֹ לֹ֣א יֶחְכָּֽם׃

נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

כָּב֣וֹד לָ֭אִישׁ שֶׁ֣בֶת מֵרִ֑יב וְכׇל־אֱ֝וִ֗יל יִתְגַּלָּֽע׃

מֵ֭חֹרֶף עָצֵ֣ל לֹא־יַחֲרֹ֑שׁ (ישאל) [וְשָׁאַ֖ל] בַּקָּצִ֣יר וָאָֽיִן׃

מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים עֵצָ֣ה בְלֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנָ֣ה יִדְלֶֽנָּה׃

רׇב־אָדָ֗ם יִ֭קְרָא אִ֣ישׁ חַסְדּ֑וֹ וְאִ֥ישׁ אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים מִ֣י יִמְצָֽא׃

מִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְ בְּתֻמּ֣וֹ צַדִּ֑יק אַשְׁרֵ֖י בָנָ֣יו אַחֲרָֽיו׃

מֶ֗לֶךְ יוֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסֵּא־דִ֑ין מְזָרֶ֖ה בְעֵינָ֣יו כׇּל־רָֽע׃

מִֽי־יֹ֭אמַר זִכִּ֣יתִי לִבִּ֑י טָ֝הַ֗רְתִּי מֵחַטָּאתִֽי׃

אֶ֣בֶן וָ֭אֶבֶן אֵיפָ֣ה וְאֵיפָ֑ה תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה גַּם־שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃

גַּ֣ם בְּ֭מַעֲלָלָיו יִתְנַכֶּר־נָ֑עַר אִם־זַ֖ךְ וְאִם־יָשָׁ֣ר פׇּעֳלֽוֹ׃

אֹ֣זֶן שֹׁ֭מַעַת וְעַ֣יִן רֹאָ֑ה יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה גַם־שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃

אַל־תֶּאֱהַ֣ב שֵׁ֭נָה פֶּן־תִּוָּרֵ֑שׁ פְּקַ֖ח עֵינֶ֣יךָ שְֽׂבַֽע־לָֽחֶם׃

רַ֣ע רַ֭ע יֹאמַ֣ר הַקּוֹנֶ֑ה וְאֹזֵ֥ל ל֝֗וֹ אָ֣ז יִתְהַלָּֽל׃

יֵ֣שׁ זָ֭הָב וְרׇב־פְּנִינִ֑ים וּכְלִ֥י יְ֝קָ֗ר שִׂפְתֵי־דָֽעַת׃

לְֽקַח־בִּ֭גְדוֹ כִּי־עָ֣רַב זָ֑ר וּבְעַ֖ד (נכרים) [נׇכְרִיָּ֣ה] חַבְלֵֽהוּ׃

עָרֵ֣ב לָ֭אִישׁ לֶ֣חֶם שָׁ֑קֶר וְ֝אַחַ֗ר יִמָּֽלֵא־פִ֥יהוּ חָצָֽץ׃

מַ֭חֲשָׁבוֹת בְּעֵצָ֣ה תִכּ֑וֹן וּ֝בְתַחְבֻּל֗וֹת עֲשֵׂ֣ה מִלְחָמָֽה׃

גּֽוֹלֶה־סּ֭וֹד הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָכִ֑יל וּלְפֹתֶ֥ה שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִתְעָרָֽב׃

מְ֭קַלֵּל אָבִ֣יו וְאִמּ֑וֹ יִֽדְעַ֥ךְ נֵ֝ר֗וֹ (באישון) [בֶּאֱשׁ֥וּן] חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃

נַ֭חֲלָה (מבחלת) [מְבֹהֶ֣לֶת] בָּרִאשׁוֹנָ֑ה וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ לֹ֣א תְבֹרָֽךְ׃

אַל־תֹּאמַ֥ר אֲשַׁלְּמָה־רָ֑ע קַוֵּ֥ה לַ֝יהֹוָ֗ה וְיֹ֣שַֽׁע לָֽךְ׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה אֶ֣בֶן וָאָ֑בֶן וּמֹאזְנֵ֖י מִרְמָ֣ה לֹא־טֽוֹב׃

מֵיְהֹוָ֥ה מִצְעֲדֵי־גָ֑בֶר וְ֝אָדָ֗ם מַה־יָּבִ֥ין דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃

מוֹקֵ֣שׁ אָ֭דָם יָ֣לַע קֹ֑דֶשׁ וְאַחַ֖ר נְדָרִ֣ים לְבַקֵּֽר׃

מְזָרֶ֣ה רְ֭שָׁעִים מֶ֣לֶךְ חָכָ֑ם וַיָּ֖שֶׁב עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם אוֹפָֽן׃

נֵ֣ר יְ֭הֹוָה נִשְׁמַ֣ת אָדָ֑ם חֹ֝פֵ֗שׂ כׇּל־חַדְרֵי־בָֽטֶן׃

חֶ֣סֶד וֶֽ֭אֱמֶת יִצְּרוּ־מֶ֑לֶךְ וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ׃

תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת בַּחוּרִ֣ים כֹּחָ֑ם וַהֲדַ֖ר זְקֵנִ֣ים שֵׂיבָֽה׃

20

The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; He who provokes his anger risks his life.

It is honorable for a man to desist from strife, But every fool becomes embroiled.

In winter the lazy man does not plow; At harvesttime he seeks, and finds nothing.

The designs in a man’s mind are deep waters, But a man of understanding can draw them out.

He calls many a man his loyal friend, But who can find a faithful man?

The righteous man lives blamelessly; Happy are his children who come after him.

The king seated on the throne of judgment Can winnow out all evil by his glance.

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am purged of my sin”?

False weights and false measures, Both are an abomination to the LORD.

A child may be dissembling in his behavior Even though his actions are blameless and proper.

The ear that hears, the eye that sees— The LORD made them both.

Do not love sleep lest you be impoverished; Keep your eyes open and you will have plenty of food.

“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But having moved off, he congratulates himself.

Gold is plentiful, jewels abundant, But wise speech is a precious object.

Seize his garment, for he stood surety for another; Take it as a pledge, [for he stood surety] for an unfamiliar woman.

Bread gained by fraud may be tasty to a man, But later his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Plans laid in council will succeed; Wage war with stratagems.

He who gives away secrets is a base fellow; Do not take up with a garrulous man.

One who reviles his father or mother, Light will fail him when darkness comes.

An estate acquired in haste at the outset Will not be blessed in the end.

Do not say, “I will requite evil”; Put your hope in the LORD and He will deliver you.

False weights are an abomination to the LORD; Dishonest scales are not right.

A man’s steps are decided by the LORD; What does a man know about his own way?

It is a snare for a man to pledge a sacred gift rashly And to give thought to his vows only after they have been made.

A wise king winnows out the wicked, And turns the wheel upon them.

The lifebreath of man is the lamp of the LORD Revealing all his inmost parts.

Faithfulness and loyalty protect the king; He maintains his throne by faithfulness.

The glory of youths is their strength; The majesty of old men is their gray hair.

Bruises and wounds are repayment for evil, Striking at one’s inmost parts.

כ״א

פַּלְגֵי־מַ֣יִם לֶב־מֶ֭לֶךְ בְּיַד־יְהֹוָ֑ה עַֽל־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֖ר יַחְפֹּ֣ץ יַטֶּֽנּוּ׃

כׇּֽל־דֶּרֶךְ־אִ֭ישׁ יָשָׁ֣ר בְּעֵינָ֑יו וְתֹכֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהֹוָֽה׃

עֲ֭שֹׂה צְדָקָ֣ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט נִבְחָ֖ר לַיהֹוָ֣ה מִזָּֽבַח׃

רוּם־עֵ֭ינַיִם וּרְחַב־לֵ֑ב נִ֖ר רְשָׁעִ֣ים חַטָּֽאת׃

מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת חָ֭רוּץ אַךְ־לְמוֹתָ֑ר וְכׇל־אָ֝֗ץ אַךְ־לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃

פֹּ֣עַל אֹ֭צָרוֹת בִּלְשׁ֣וֹן שָׁ֑קֶר הֶ֥בֶל נִ֝דָּ֗ף מְבַקְשֵׁי־מָֽוֶת׃

שֹׁד־רְשָׁעִ֥ים יְגוֹרֵ֑ם כִּ֥י מֵ֝אֲנ֗וּ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

הֲפַכְפַּ֬ךְ דֶּ֣רֶךְ אִ֣ישׁ וָזָ֑ר וְ֝זַ֗ךְ יָשָׁ֥ר פׇּעֳלֽוֹ׃

ט֗וֹב לָשֶׁ֥בֶת עַל־פִּנַּת־גָּ֑ג מֵאֵ֥שֶׁת מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים וּבֵ֥ית חָֽבֶר׃

נֶ֣פֶשׁ רָ֭שָׁע אִוְּתָה־רָ֑ע לֹֽא־יֻחַ֖ן בְּעֵינָ֣יו רֵעֵֽהוּ׃

בַּֽעֲנׇשׁ־לֵ֭ץ יֶחְכַּם־פֶּ֑תִי וּבְהַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְ֝חָכָ֗ם יִקַּח־דָּֽעַת׃

מַשְׂכִּ֣יל צַ֭דִּיק לְבֵ֣ית רָשָׁ֑ע מְסַלֵּ֖ף רְשָׁעִ֣ים לָרָֽע׃

אֹטֵ֣ם אָ֭זְנוֹ מִזַּעֲקַת־דָּ֑ל גַּֽם־ה֥וּא יִ֝קְרָ֗א וְלֹ֣א יֵעָנֶֽה׃

מַתָּ֣ן בַּ֭סֵּתֶר יִכְפֶּה־אָ֑ף וְשֹׁ֥חַד בַּ֝חֵ֗ק חֵמָ֥ה עַזָּֽה׃

שִׂמְחָ֣ה לַ֭צַּדִּיק עֲשׂ֣וֹת מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּ֝מְחִתָּ֗ה לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃

אָדָ֗ם תּ֭וֹעֶה מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל בִּקְהַ֖ל רְפָאִ֣ים יָנֽוּחַ׃

אִ֣ישׁ מַ֭חְסוֹר אֹהֵ֣ב שִׂמְחָ֑ה אֹהֵ֥ב יַֽיִן־וָ֝שֶׁ֗מֶן לֹ֣א יַעֲשִֽׁיר׃

כֹּ֣פֶר לַצַּדִּ֣יק רָשָׁ֑ע וְתַ֖חַת יְשָׁרִ֣ים בּוֹגֵֽד׃

ט֗וֹב שֶׁ֥בֶת בְּאֶֽרֶץ־מִדְבָּ֑ר מֵאֵ֖שֶׁת (מדונים) [מִדְיָנִ֣ים] וָכָֽעַס׃

אוֹצָ֤ר ׀ נֶחְמָ֣ד וָ֭שֶׁמֶן בִּנְוֵ֣ה חָכָ֑ם וּכְסִ֖יל אָדָ֣ם יְבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃

רֹ֭דֵף צְדָקָ֣ה וָחָ֑סֶד יִמְצָ֥א חַ֝יִּ֗ים צְדָקָ֥ה וְכָבֽוֹד׃

עִ֣יר גִּ֭בֹּרִים עָלָ֣ה חָכָ֑ם וַ֝יֹּ֗רֶד עֹ֣ז מִבְטֶחָֽה׃

שֹׁמֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו וּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ שֹׁמֵ֖ר מִצָּר֣וֹת נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

זֵ֣ד יָ֭הִיר לֵ֣ץ שְׁמ֑וֹ ע֝וֹשֶׂ֗ה בְּעֶבְרַ֥ת זָדֽוֹן׃

תַּאֲוַ֣ת עָצֵ֣ל תְּמִיתֶ֑נּוּ כִּֽי־מֵאֲנ֖וּ יָדָ֣יו לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃

כׇּל־הַ֭יּוֹם הִתְאַוָּ֣ה תַאֲוָ֑ה וְצַדִּ֥יק יִ֝תֵּ֗ן וְלֹ֣א יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃

זֶ֣בַח רְ֭שָׁעִים תּוֹעֵבָ֑ה אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־בְזִמָּ֥ה יְבִיאֶֽנּוּ׃

עֵד־כְּזָבִ֥ים יֹאבֵ֑ד וְאִ֥ישׁ שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַ לָנֶ֥צַח יְדַבֵּֽר׃

הֵעֵ֬ז אִ֣ישׁ רָשָׁ֣ע בְּפָנָ֑יו וְ֝יָשָׁ֗ר ה֤וּא ׀ (יכין דרכיו) [יָבִ֬ין דַּרְכּֽוֹ]׃

אֵ֣ין חׇ֭כְמָה וְאֵ֣ין תְּבוּנָ֑ה וְאֵ֥ין עֵ֝צָ֗ה לְנֶ֣גֶד יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}

21

Like channeled water is the mind of the king in the LORD’s hand; He directs it to whatever He wishes.

All the ways of a man seem right to him, But the LORD probes the mind.

To do what is right and just Is more desired by the LORD than sacrifice.

Haughty looks, a proud heart— The tillage of the wicked is sinful.

The plans of the diligent make only for gain; All rash haste makes only for loss.

Treasures acquired by a lying tongue Are like driven vapor, heading for extinction.

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, For they refuse to act justly.

The way of a man may be tortuous and strange, Though his actions are blameless and proper.

Dwelling in the corner of a roof is better Than a contentious wife in a spacious house.

The desire of the wicked is set upon evil; His fellowman finds no favor in his eyes.

When a scoffer is punished, the simple man is edified; When a wise man is taught, he gains insight.

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked man; He subverts the wicked to their ruin.

Who stops his ears at the cry of the wretched, He too will call and not be answered.

A gift in secret subdues anger, A present in private, fierce rage.

Justice done is a joy to the righteous, To evildoers, ruination.

A man who strays from the path of prudence Will rest in the company of ghosts.

He who loves pleasure comes to want; He who loves wine and oil does not grow rich.

The wicked are the ransom of the righteous; The traitor comes in place of the upright.

It is better to live in the desert Than with a contentious, vexatious wife.

Precious treasure and oil are in the house of the wise man, And a fool of a man will run through them.

He who strives to do good and kind deeds Attains life, success, and honor.

One wise man prevailed over a city of warriors And brought down its mighty stronghold.

He who guards his mouth and tongue Guards himself from trouble.

The proud, insolent man, scoffer is his name, Acts in a frenzy of insolence.

The craving of a lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to work.

All day long he is seized with craving While the righteous man gives without stint.

The sacrifice of the wicked man is an abomination, The more so as he offers it in depravity.

A false witness is doomed, But one who really heard will testify with success.

The wicked man is brazen-faced; The upright man discerns his course.

No wisdom, no prudence, and no counsel Can prevail against the LORD.

כ״ב

נִבְחָ֣ר שֵׁ֭ם מֵעֹ֣שֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּ֥סֶף וּ֝מִזָּהָ֗ב חֵ֣ן טֽוֹב׃

עָשִׁ֣יר וָרָ֣שׁ נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ עֹשֵׂ֖ה כֻלָּ֣ם יְהֹוָֽה׃

עָר֤וּם ׀ רָאָ֣ה רָעָ֣ה (ויסתר) [וְנִסְתָּ֑ר] וּ֝פְתָיִ֗ים עָבְר֥וּ וְֽנֶעֱנָֽשׁוּ׃

עֵ֣קֶב עֲ֭נָוָה יִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה עֹ֖שֶׁר וְכָב֣וֹד וְחַיִּֽים׃

צִנִּ֣ים פַּ֭חִים בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ עִקֵּ֑שׁ שׁוֹמֵ֥ר נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ יִרְחַ֥ק מֵהֶֽם׃

חֲנֹ֣ךְ לַ֭נַּעַר עַל־פִּ֣י דַרְכּ֑וֹ גַּ֥ם כִּי־יַ֝זְקִ֗ין לֹֽא־יָס֥וּר מִמֶּֽנָּה׃

עָ֭שִׁיר בְּרָשִׁ֣ים יִמְשׁ֑וֹל וְעֶ֥בֶד לֹ֝וֶ֗ה לְאִ֣ישׁ מַלְוֶֽה׃

זוֹרֵ֣עַ עַ֭וְלָה (יקצור) [יִקְצׇר־]אָ֑וֶן וְשֵׁ֖בֶט עֶבְרָת֣וֹ יִכְלֶֽה׃

טֽוֹב־עַ֭יִן ה֣וּא יְבֹרָ֑ךְ כִּֽי־נָתַ֖ן מִלַּחְמ֣וֹ לַדָּֽל׃

גָּ֣רֵֽשׁ לֵ֭ץ וְיֵצֵ֣א מָד֑וֹן וְ֝יִשְׁבֹּ֗ת דִּ֣ין וְקָלֽוֹן׃

אֹהֵ֥ב (טהור) [טְהׇר־]לֵ֑ב חֵ֥ן שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו רֵעֵ֥הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ׃

עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הֹוָה נָ֣צְרוּ דָ֑עַת וַ֝יְסַלֵּ֗ף דִּבְרֵ֥י בֹגֵֽד׃

אָמַ֣ר עָ֭צֵל אֲרִ֣י בַח֑וּץ בְּת֥וֹךְ רְ֝חֹב֗וֹת אֵרָצֵֽחַ׃

שׁוּחָ֣ה עֲ֭מֻקָּה פִּ֣י זָר֑וֹת זְע֥וּם יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה (יפול) [יִפׇּל־]שָֽׁם׃

אִ֭וֶּלֶת קְשׁוּרָ֣ה בְלֶב־נָ֑עַר שֵׁ֥בֶט מ֝וּסָ֗ר יַרְחִיקֶ֥נָּה מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃

עֹ֣שֵֽׁק דָּ֭ל לְהַרְבּ֣וֹת ל֑וֹ נֹתֵ֥ן לְ֝עָשִׁ֗יר אַךְ־לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃

הַ֥ט אׇזְנְךָ֗ וּ֭שְׁמַע דִּבְרֵ֣י חֲכָמִ֑ים וְ֝לִבְּךָ֗ תָּשִׁ֥ית לְדַעְתִּֽי׃

כִּֽי־נָ֭עִים כִּֽי־תִשְׁמְרֵ֣ם בְּבִטְנֶ֑ךָ יִכֹּ֥נוּ יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו עַל־שְׂפָתֶֽיךָ׃

לִֽהְי֣וֹת בַּ֭יהֹוָה מִבְטַחֶ֑ךָ הוֹדַעְתִּ֖יךָ הַיּ֣וֹם אַף־אָֽתָּה׃

הֲלֹ֤א כָתַ֣בְתִּֽי לְ֭ךָ (שלשום) [שָׁלִשִׁ֑ים] בְּמֹ֖עֵצ֣וֹת וָדָֽעַת׃

לְהוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֗ קֹ֭שְׁטְ אִמְרֵ֣י אֱמֶ֑ת לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֲמָרִ֥ים אֱ֝מֶ֗ת לְשֹׁלְחֶֽיךָ׃

אַֽל־תִּגְזׇל־דָּ֭ל כִּ֣י דַל־ה֑וּא וְאַל־תְּדַכֵּ֖א עָנִ֣י בַשָּֽׁעַר׃

כִּֽי־יְ֭הֹוָה יָרִ֣יב רִיבָ֑ם וְקָבַ֖ע אֶת־קֹבְעֵיהֶ֣ם נָֽפֶשׁ׃

אַל־תִּ֭תְרַע אֶת־בַּ֣עַל אָ֑ף וְאֶת־אִ֥ישׁ חֵ֝מ֗וֹת לֹ֣א תָבֽוֹא׃

פֶּן־תֶּאֱלַ֥ף אֹרְחֹתָ֑ו וְלָקַחְתָּ֖ מוֹקֵ֣שׁ לְנַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃

אַל־תְּהִ֥י בְתֹֽקְעֵי־כָ֑ף בַּ֝עֹרְבִ֗ים מַשָּׁאֽוֹת׃

אִם־אֵֽין־לְךָ֥ לְשַׁלֵּ֑ם לָ֥מָּה יִקַּ֥ח מִ֝שְׁכָּבְךָ֗ מִתַּחְתֶּֽיךָ׃

אַל־תַּ֭סֵּג גְּב֣וּל עוֹלָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עָשׂ֣וּ אֲבוֹתֶֽיךָ׃

22

Rich man and poor man meet; The LORD made them both.

The shrewd man saw trouble and took cover; The simple kept going and paid the penalty.

The effect of humility is fear of the LORD, Wealth, honor, and life.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the crooked; He who values his life will keep far from them.

Train a lad in the way he ought to go; He will not swerve from it even in old age.

The rich rule the poor, And the borrower is a slave to the lender.

He who sows injustice shall reap misfortune; His rod of wrath shall fail.

The generous man is blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

Expel the scoffer and contention departs, Quarrel and contumely cease.

A pure-hearted friend, His speech is gracious; He has the king for his companion.

The eyes of the LORD watch the wise man; He subverts the words of the treacherous.

The lazy man says, “There’s a lion in the street; I shall be killed if I step outside.”

The mouth of a forbidden woman is a deep pit; He who is doomed by the LORD falls into it.

If folly settles in the heart of a lad, The rod of discipline will remove it.

To profit by withholding what is due to the poor Is like making gifts to the rich—pure loss.

Incline your ear and listen to the words of the sages; Pay attention to my wisdom.

It is good that you store them inside you, And that all of them be constantly on your lips,

That you may put your trust in the LORD. I let you know today—yes, you—

Indeed, I wrote down for you a threefold lore, Wise counsel,

To let you know truly reliable words, That you may give a faithful reply to him who sent you.

Do not rob the wretched because he is wretched; Do not crush the poor man in the gate;

For the LORD will take up their cause And despoil those who despoil them of life.

Do not associate with an irascible man, Or go about with one who is hot-tempered,

Lest you learn his ways And find yourself ensnared.

Do not be one of those who give their hand, Who stand surety for debts,

Lest your bed be taken from under you When you have no money to pay.

Do not remove the ancient boundary stone That your ancestors set up.

See a man skilled at his work— He shall attend upon kings; He shall not attend upon obscure men.

כ״ג

כִּֽי־תֵ֭שֵׁב לִלְח֣וֹם אֶת־מוֹשֵׁ֑ל בִּ֥ין תָּ֝בִ֗ין אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃

וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ שַׂכִּ֣ין בְּלֹעֶ֑ךָ אִם־בַּ֖עַל נֶ֣פֶשׁ אָֽתָּה׃

אַל־תִּ֭תְאָו לְמַטְעַמּוֹתָ֑יו וְ֝ה֗וּא לֶ֣חֶם כְּזָבִֽים׃

אַל־תִּיגַ֥ע לְֽהַעֲשִׁ֑יר מִֽבִּינָתְךָ֥ חֲדָֽל׃

(התעוף) [הֲתָ֤עִיף] עֵינֶ֥יךָ בּ֗וֹ וְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּ כִּ֤י עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה־לּ֣וֹ כְנָפַ֑יִם כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר (ועיף) [יָע֥וּף] הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ {פ}

אַל־תִּלְחַ֗ם אֶת־לֶ֭חֶם רַ֣ע עָ֑יִן וְאַל־תִּ֝תְאָ֗ו לְמַטְעַמֹּתָֽיו׃

כִּ֤י ׀ כְּמ֥וֹ שָׁעַ֥ר בְּנַפְשׁ֗וֹ כֶּ֫ן־ה֥וּא אֱכ֣וֹל וּ֭שְׁתֵה יֹ֣אמַר לָ֑ךְ וְ֝לִבּ֗וֹ בַּל־עִמָּֽךְ׃

פִּֽתְּךָ־אָכַ֥לְתָּ תְקִיאֶ֑נָּה וְ֝שִׁחַ֗תָּ דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ הַנְּעִימִֽים׃

בְּאׇזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ׃

אַל־תַּ֭סֵּג גְּב֣וּל עוֹלָ֑ם וּבִשְׂדֵ֥י יְ֝תוֹמִ֗ים אַל־תָּבֹֽא׃

כִּֽי־גֹאֲלָ֥ם חָזָ֑ק הֽוּא־יָרִ֖יב אֶת־רִיבָ֣ם אִתָּֽךְ׃

הָבִ֣יאָה לַמּוּסָ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝אׇזְנֶ֗ךָ לְאִמְרֵי־דָֽעַת׃

אַל־תִּמְנַ֣ע מִנַּ֣עַר מוּסָ֑ר כִּֽי־תַכֶּ֥נּוּ בַ֝שֵּׁ֗בֶט לֹ֣א יָמֽוּת׃

אַ֭תָּה בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶט תַּכֶּ֑נּוּ וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ מִשְּׁא֥וֹל תַּצִּֽיל׃

בְּ֭נִי אִם־חָכַ֣ם לִבֶּ֑ךָ יִשְׂמַ֖ח לִבִּ֣י גַם־אָֽנִי׃

וְתַעְלֹ֥זְנָה כִלְיוֹתָ֑י בְּדַבֵּ֥ר שְׂ֝פָתֶ֗יךָ מֵישָׁרִֽים׃

אַל־יְקַנֵּ֣א לִ֭בְּךָ בַּחַטָּאִ֑ים כִּ֥י אִם־בְּיִרְאַת־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה כׇּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃

כִּ֭י אִם־יֵ֣שׁ אַחֲרִ֑ית וְ֝תִקְוָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תִכָּרֵֽת׃

שְׁמַע־אַתָּ֣ה בְנִ֣י וַחֲכָ֑ם וְאַשֵּׁ֖ר בַּדֶּ֣רֶךְ לִבֶּֽךָ׃

אַל־תְּהִ֥י בְסֹֽבְאֵי־יָ֑יִן בְּזֹלְלֵ֖י בָשָׂ֣ר לָֽמוֹ׃

כִּֽי־סֹבֵ֣א וְ֭זוֹלֵל יִוָּרֵ֑שׁ וּ֝קְרָעִ֗ים תַּלְבִּ֥ישׁ נוּמָֽה׃

שְׁמַ֣ע לְ֭אָבִיךָ זֶ֣ה יְלָדֶ֑ךָ וְאַל־תָּ֝ב֗וּז כִּֽי־זָקְנָ֥ה אִמֶּֽךָ׃

אֱמֶ֣ת קְ֭נֵה וְאַל־תִּמְכֹּ֑ר חׇכְמָ֖ה וּמוּסָ֣ר וּבִינָֽה׃

(גול) [גִּ֣יל] יָ֭גִיל אֲבִ֣י צַדִּ֑יק (יולד) [וְיוֹלֵ֥ד] חָ֝כָ֗ם (וישמח) [יִשְׂמַח־]בּֽוֹ׃

יִֽשְׂמַח־אָבִ֥יךָ וְאִמֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝תָגֵ֗ל יוֹלַדְתֶּֽךָ׃

תְּנָה־בְנִ֣י לִבְּךָ֣ לִ֑י וְ֝עֵינֶ֗יךָ דְּרָכַ֥י (תרצנה) [תִּצֹּֽרְנָה]׃

כִּֽי־שׁוּחָ֣ה עֲמֻקָּ֣ה זוֹנָ֑ה וּבְאֵ֥ר צָ֝רָ֗ה נׇכְרִיָּֽה׃

אַף־הִ֭יא כְּחֶ֣תֶף תֶּאֱרֹ֑ב וּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗ים בְּאָדָ֥ם תּוֹסִֽף׃

לְמִ֨י א֥וֹי לְמִ֢י אֲב֡וֹי לְמִ֤י (מדונים) [מִדְיָנִ֨ים ׀] לְמִ֥י שִׂ֗יחַ לְ֭מִי פְּצָעִ֣ים חִנָּ֑ם לְ֝מִ֗י חַכְלִל֥וּת עֵינָֽיִם׃

לַֽמְאַחֲרִ֥ים עַל־הַיָּ֑יִן לַ֝בָּאִ֗ים לַחְקֹ֥ר מִמְסָֽךְ׃

אַל־תֵּ֥רֶא יַיִן֮ כִּ֤י יִתְאַ֫דָּ֥ם כִּֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן (בכיס) [בַּכּ֣וֹס] עֵינ֑וֹ יִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ךְ בְּמֵֽישָׁרִֽים׃

אַ֭חֲרִיתוֹ כְּנָחָ֣שׁ יִשָּׁ֑ךְ וּֽכְצִפְעֹנִ֥י יַפְרִֽשׁ׃

עֵ֭ינֶיךָ יִרְא֣וּ זָר֑וֹת וְ֝לִבְּךָ֗ יְדַבֵּ֥ר תַּהְפֻּכֽוֹת׃

וְ֭הָיִיתָ כְּשֹׁכֵ֣ב בְּלֶב־יָ֑ם וּ֝כְשֹׁכֵ֗ב בְּרֹ֣אשׁ חִבֵּֽל׃

23

When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider well who is before you.

Thrust a knife into your gullet If you have a large appetite.

Do not crave for his dainties, For they are counterfeit food.

Do not toil to gain wealth; Have the sense to desist.

You see it, then it is gone; It grows wings and flies away, Like an eagle, heavenward.

Do not eat of a stingy man’s food; Do not crave for his dainties;

He is like one keeping accounts; “Eat and drink,” he says to you, But he does not really mean it.

The morsel you eat you will vomit; You will waste your courteous words.

Do not speak to a dullard, For he will disdain your sensible words.

Do not remove ancient boundary stones; Do not encroach upon the field of orphans,

For they have a mighty Kinsman, And He will surely take up their cause with you.

Apply your mind to discipline And your ears to wise sayings.

Do not withhold discipline from a child; If you beat him with a rod he will not die.

Beat him with a rod And you will save him from the grave.

My son, if your mind gets wisdom, My mind, too, will be gladdened.

I shall rejoice with all my heart When your lips speak right things.

Do not envy sinners in your heart, But only God-fearing men, at all times,

For then you will have a future, And your hope will never fail.

Listen, my son, and get wisdom; Lead your mind in a [proper] path.

Do not be of those who guzzle wine, Or glut themselves on meat;

For guzzlers and gluttons will be impoverished, And drowsing will clothe you in tatters.

Listen to your father who begot you; Do not disdain your mother when she is old.

Buy truth and never sell it, And wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

The father of a righteous man will exult; He who begets a wise son will rejoice in him.

Your father and mother will rejoice; She who bore you will exult.

Give your mind to me, my son; Let your eyes watch my ways.

A harlot is a deep pit; A forbidden woman is a narrow well.

She too lies in wait as if for prey, And destroys the unfaithful among men.

Who cries, “Woe!” who, “Alas!”; Who has quarrels, who complaints; Who has wounds without cause; Who has bleary eyes?

Those whom wine keeps till the small hours, Those who gather to drain the cups.

Do not ogle that red wine As it lends its color to the cup, As it flows on smoothly;

In the end, it bites like a snake; It spits like a basilisk.

Your eyes will see strange sights; Your heart will speak distorted things.

You will be like one lying in bed on high seas, Like one lying on top of the rigging.

כ״ד

אַל־תְּ֭קַנֵּא בְּאַנְשֵׁ֣י רָעָ֑ה וְאַל־תִּ֝תְאָ֗ו לִֽהְי֥וֹת אִתָּֽם׃

כִּי־שֹׁ֭ד יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לִבָּ֑ם וְ֝עָמָ֗ל שִׂפְתֵיהֶ֥ם תְּדַבֵּֽרְנָה׃

בְּ֭חׇכְמָה יִבָּ֣נֶה בָּ֑יִת וּ֝בִתְבוּנָ֗ה יִתְכּוֹנָֽן׃

וּ֭בְדַעַת חֲדָרִ֣ים יִמָּלְא֑וּ כׇּל־ה֖וֹן יָקָ֣ר וְנָעִֽים׃

גֶּבֶר־חָכָ֥ם בַּע֑וֹז וְאִֽישׁ־דַּ֝֗עַת מְאַמֶּץ־כֹּֽחַ׃

כִּ֣י בְ֭תַחְבֻּלוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה־לְּךָ֣ מִלְחָמָ֑ה וּ֝תְשׁוּעָ֗ה בְּרֹ֣ב יוֹעֵֽץ׃

רָאמ֣וֹת לֶאֱוִ֣יל חׇכְמ֑וֹת בַּ֝שַּׁ֗עַר לֹ֣א יִפְתַּח־פִּֽיהוּ׃

מְחַשֵּׁ֥ב לְהָרֵ֑עַ ל֝֗וֹ בַּעַל־מְזִמּ֥וֹת יִקְרָֽאוּ׃

זִמַּ֣ת אִוֶּ֣לֶת חַטָּ֑את וְתוֹעֲבַ֖ת לְאָדָ֣ם לֵֽץ׃

הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ בְּי֥וֹם צָרָ֗ה צַ֣ר כֹּחֶֽכָה׃

הַ֭צֵּל לְקֻחִ֣ים לַמָּ֑וֶת וּמָטִ֥ים לַ֝הֶ֗רֶג אִם־תַּחְשֽׂוֹךְ׃

כִּֽי־תֹאמַ֗ר הֵן֮ לֹֽא־יָדַ֢עְנ֫וּ־זֶ֥ה הֲֽלֹא־תֹ֘כֵ֤ן לִבּ֨וֹת ׀ הֽוּא־יָבִ֗ין וְנֹצֵ֣ר נַ֭פְשְׁךָ ה֣וּא יֵדָ֑ע וְהֵשִׁ֖יב לְאָדָ֣ם כְּפׇעֳלֽוֹ׃

אֱכׇל־בְּנִ֣י דְבַ֣שׁ כִּי־ט֑וֹב וְנֹ֥פֶת מָ֝ת֗וֹק עַל־חִכֶּֽךָ׃

כֵּ֤ן ׀ דְּעֶ֥ה חׇכְמָ֗ה לְנַ֫פְשֶׁ֥ךָ אִם־מָ֭צָאתָ וְיֵ֣שׁ אַחֲרִ֑ית וְ֝תִקְוָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תִכָּרֵֽת׃ {פ}

אַל־תֶּאֱרֹ֣ב רָ֭שָׁע לִנְוֵ֣ה צַדִּ֑יק אַֽל־תְּשַׁדֵּ֥ד רִבְצֽוֹ׃

כִּ֤י שֶׁ֨בַע ׀ יִפּ֣וֹל צַדִּ֣יק וָקָ֑ם וּ֝רְשָׁעִ֗ים יִכָּשְׁל֥וּ בְרָעָֽה׃

בִּנְפֹ֣ל (אויביך) [א֭וֹיִבְךָ] אַל־תִּשְׂמָ֑ח וּ֝בִכָּשְׁל֗וֹ אַל־יָגֵ֥ל לִבֶּֽךָ׃

פֶּן־יִרְאֶ֣ה יְ֭הֹוָה וְרַ֣ע בְּעֵינָ֑יו וְהֵשִׁ֖יב מֵעָלָ֣יו אַפּֽוֹ׃

אַל־תִּתְחַ֥ר בַּמְּרֵעִ֑ים אַל־תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א בָּֽרְשָׁעִֽים׃

כִּ֤י ׀ לֹא־תִהְיֶ֣ה אַחֲרִ֣ית לָרָ֑ע נֵ֖ר רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִדְעָֽךְ׃

יְרָא־אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה בְּנִ֣י וָמֶ֑לֶךְ עִם־שׁ֝וֹנִ֗ים אַל־תִּתְעָרָֽב׃

כִּֽי־פִ֭תְאֹם יָק֣וּם אֵידָ֑ם וּפִ֥יד שְׁ֝נֵיהֶ֗ם מִ֣י יוֹדֵֽעַ׃ {פ}

גַּם־אֵ֥לֶּה לַחֲכָמִ֑ים הַֽכֵּר־פָּנִ֖ים בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט בַּל־טֽוֹב׃

אֹ֤מֵ֨ר ׀ לְרָשָׁע֮ צַדִּ֢יק אָ֥֫תָּה יִקְּבֻ֥הוּ עַמִּ֑ים יִזְעָמ֥וּהוּ לְאֻמִּֽים׃

וְלַמּוֹכִיחִ֥ים יִנְעָ֑ם וַ֝עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם תָּב֥וֹא בִרְכַּת־טֽוֹב׃

שְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים׃

הָ֘כֵ֤ן בַּח֨וּץ ׀ מְלַאכְתֶּ֗ךָ וְעַתְּדָ֣הּ בַּשָּׂדֶ֣ה לָ֑ךְ אַ֝חַ֗ר וּבָנִ֥יתָ בֵיתֶֽךָ׃ {פ}

אַל־תְּהִ֣י עֵד־חִנָּ֣ם בְּרֵעֶ֑ךָ וַ֝הֲפִתִּ֗יתָ בִּשְׂפָתֶֽיךָ׃

אַל־תֹּאמַ֗ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָֽשָׂה־לִ֭י כֵּ֤ן אֶעֱשֶׂה־לּ֑וֹ אָשִׁ֖יב לָאִ֣ישׁ כְּפׇעֳלֽוֹ׃ {פ}

עַל־שְׂדֵ֣ה אִישׁ־עָצֵ֣ל עָבַ֑רְתִּי וְעַל־כֶּ֝֗רֶם אָדָ֥ם חֲסַר־לֵֽב׃

וְהִנֵּ֨ה עָ֘לָ֤ה כֻלּ֨וֹ ׀ קִמְּשֹׂנִ֗ים כָּסּ֣וּ פָנָ֣יו חֲרֻלִּ֑ים וְגֶ֖דֶר אֲבָנָ֣יו נֶהֱרָֽסָה׃

וָאֶחֱזֶ֣ה אָֽ֭נֹכִי אָשִׁ֣ית לִבִּ֑י רָ֝אִ֗יתִי לָקַ֥חְתִּי מוּסָֽר׃

מְעַ֣ט שֵׁ֭נוֹת מְעַ֣ט תְּנוּמ֑וֹת מְעַ֓ט ׀ חִבֻּ֖ק יָדַ֣יִם לִשְׁכָּֽב׃

24

For their hearts talk violence, And their lips speak mischief.

A house is built by wisdom, And is established by understanding;

By knowledge are its rooms filled With all precious and beautiful things.

A wise man is strength; A knowledgeable man exerts power;

For by stratagems you wage war, And victory comes with much planning.

Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate.

He who lays plans to do harm Is called by men a schemer.

The schemes of folly are sin, And a scoffer is an abomination to men.

If you showed yourself slack in time of trouble, Wanting in power,

If you refrained from rescuing those taken off to death, Those condemned to slaughter—

If you say, “We knew nothing of it,” Surely He who fathoms hearts will discern [the truth], He who watches over your life will know it, And He will pay each man as he deserves.

My son, eat honey, for it is good; Let its sweet drops be on your palate.

Know: such is wisdom for your soul; If you attain it, there is a future; Your hope will not be cut off.

Wicked man! Do not lurk by the home of the righteous man; Do no violence to his dwelling.

Seven times the righteous man falls and gets up, While the wicked are tripped by one misfortune.

If your enemy falls, do not exult; If he trips, let your heart not rejoice,

Lest the LORD see it and be displeased, And avert His wrath from him.

Do not be vexed by evildoers; Do not be incensed by the wicked;

For there is no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked goes out.

Fear the LORD, my son, and the king, And do not mix with dissenters,

For disaster comes from them suddenly; The doom both decree who can foreknow?

These also are by the sages: It is not right to be partial in judgment.

He who says to the guilty, “You are innocent,” Shall be cursed by peoples, Damned by nations;

But it shall go well with them who decide justly; Blessings of good things will light upon them.

Giving a straightforward reply Is like giving a kiss.

Put your external affairs in order, Get ready what you have in the field, Then build yourself a home.

Do not be a witness against your fellow without good cause; Would you mislead with your speech?

Do not say, “I will do to him what he did to me; I will pay the man what he deserves.”

I passed by the field of a lazy man, By the vineyard of a man lacking sense.

It was all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with chickweed, And its stone fence lay in ruins.

I observed and took it to heart; I saw it and learned a lesson.

A bit more sleep, a bit more slumber, A bit more hugging yourself in bed,

And poverty will come calling upon you, And want, like a man with a shield.

כ״ה

גַּם־אֵ֭לֶּה מִשְׁלֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶ֝עְתִּ֗יקוּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י ׀ חִזְקִיָּ֬ה מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָֽה׃

כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר וּכְבֹ֥ד מְ֝לָכִ֗ים חֲקֹ֣ר דָּבָֽר׃

שָׁמַ֣יִם לָ֭רוּם וָאָ֣רֶץ לָעֹ֑מֶק וְלֵ֥ב מְ֝לָכִ֗ים אֵ֣ין חֵֽקֶר׃

הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי׃

הָג֣וֹ רָ֭שָׁע לִפְנֵי־מֶ֑לֶךְ וְיִכּ֖וֹן בַּצֶּ֣דֶק כִּסְאֽוֹ׃

אַל־תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר לִפְנֵי־מֶ֑לֶךְ וּבִמְק֥וֹם גְּ֝דֹלִ֗ים אַֽל־תַּעֲמֹֽד׃

כִּ֤י ט֥וֹב אֲמׇר־לְךָ֗ עֲֽלֵ֫ה־הֵ֥נָּה מֵ֭הַשְׁפִּ֣ילְךָ לִפְנֵ֣י נָדִ֑יב אֲשֶׁ֖ר רָא֣וּ עֵינֶֽיךָ׃

אַל־תֵּצֵ֥א לָרִ֗ב מַ֫הֵ֥ר פֶּ֣ן מַה־תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ בְּהַכְלִ֖ים אֹתְךָ֣ רֵעֶֽךָ׃

רִ֭יבְךָ רִ֣יב אֶת־רֵעֶ֑ךָ וְס֖וֹד אַחֵ֣ר אַל־תְּגָֽל׃

פֶּֽן־יְחַסֶּדְךָ֥ שֹׁמֵ֑עַ וְ֝דִבָּתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תָשֽׁוּב׃

תַּפּוּחֵ֣י זָ֭הָב בְּמַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת כָּ֑סֶף דָּ֝בָ֗ר דָּבֻ֥ר עַל־אׇפְנָֽיו׃

נֶ֣זֶם זָ֭הָב וַחֲלִי־כָ֑תֶם מוֹכִ֥יחַ חָ֝כָ֗ם עַל־אֹ֥זֶן שֹׁמָֽעַת׃

כְּצִנַּת־שֶׁ֨לֶג ׀ בְּי֬וֹם קָצִ֗יר צִ֣יר נֶ֭אֱמָן לְשֹׁלְחָ֑יו וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ אֲדֹנָ֣יו יָשִֽׁיב׃ {פ}

נְשִׂיאִ֣ים וְ֭רוּחַ וְגֶ֣שֶׁם אָ֑יִן אִ֥ישׁ מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל בְּמַתַּת־שָֽׁקֶר׃

בְּאֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין וְלָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבׇּר־גָּֽרֶם׃

דְּבַ֣שׁ מָ֭צָאתָ אֱכֹ֣ל דַּיֶּ֑ךָּ פֶּן־תִּ֝שְׂבָּעֶ֗נּוּ וַהֲקֵאתֽוֹ׃

הֹקַ֣ר רַ֭גְלְךָ מִבֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֑ךָ פֶּן־יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲךָ֗ וּשְׂנֵאֶֽךָ׃

מֵפִ֣יץ וְ֭חֶרֶב וְחֵ֣ץ שָׁנ֑וּן אִ֥ישׁ עֹנֶ֥ה בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ עֵ֣ד שָֽׁקֶר׃

שֵׁ֣ן רֹ֭עָה וְרֶ֣גֶל מוּעָ֑דֶת מִבְטָ֥ח בּ֝וֹגֵ֗ד בְּי֣וֹם צָרָֽה׃

מַ֥עֲדֶה־בֶּ֨גֶד ׀ בְּי֣וֹם קָ֭רָה חֹ֣מֶץ עַל־נָ֑תֶר וְשָׁ֥ר בַּ֝שִּׁרִ֗ים עַ֣ל לֶב־רָֽע׃ {פ}

אִם־רָעֵ֣ב שֹׂ֭נַאֲךָ הַאֲכִלֵ֣הוּ לָ֑חֶם וְאִם־צָ֝מֵ֗א הַשְׁקֵ֥הוּ מָֽיִם׃

כִּ֤י גֶחָלִ֗ים אַ֭תָּה חֹתֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַ֝יהֹוָ֗ה יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽךְ׃

ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר׃

ט֗וֹב שֶׁ֥בֶת עַל־פִּנַּת־גָּ֑ג מֵאֵ֥שֶׁת (מדונים) [מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים] וּבֵ֥ית חָֽבֶר׃

מַ֣יִם קָ֭רִים עַל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ עֲיֵפָ֑ה וּשְׁמוּעָ֥ה ט֝וֹבָ֗ה מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מֶרְחָֽק׃

מַעְיָ֣ן נִ֭רְפָּשׂ וּמָק֣וֹר מׇשְׁחָ֑ת צַ֝דִּ֗יק מָ֣ט לִפְנֵֽי־רָשָֽׁע׃

אָ֘כֹ֤ל דְּבַ֣שׁ הַרְבּ֣וֹת לֹא־ט֑וֹב וְחֵ֖קֶר כְּבֹדָ֣ם כָּבֽוֹד׃

25

These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
And the glory of a king to plumb a matter.

Like the heavens in their height, like the earth in its depth,
Is the mind of kings—unfathomable.

The dross having been separated from the silver,
A vessel emerged for the smith.

Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
And his throne will be established in justice.

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence;
Do not stand in the place of nobles.

For it is better to be told, “Step up here,”
Than to be degraded in the presence of the great.

Do not let what your eyes have seen

Be vented rashly in a quarrel;
Think Lit. “Lest.” of what it will effect in the end,
When your fellow puts you to shame.

Defend your right against your fellow,
But do not give away the secrets of another,

Lest he who hears it reproach you,
And your bad repute never end.

Like golden apples in silver showpieces Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
Is a phrase well turned.

Like a ring of gold, a golden ornament,
Is a wise man’s reproof in a receptive ear.

Like the coldness of snow at harvesttime
Is a trusty messenger to those who send him;
He lifts his master’s spirits.

Like clouds, wind—but no rain—
Is one who boasts of gifts not given.

Through forbearance a ruler may be won over;
A gentle tongue can break bones.

If you find honey, eat only what you need,
Lest, surfeiting yourself, you throw it up.

Visit your neighbor sparingly,
Lest he have his surfeit of you and loathe you.

Like a club, a sword, a sharpened arrow,
Is a man who testifies falsely against his fellow.

Like a loose tooth and an unsteady leg,
Is a treacherous support in time of trouble.

Disrobing on a chilly day,
Like vinegar on natron,
Is one who sings songs to a sorrowful soul.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

You will be heaping live coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.

A north wind produces rain,
And whispered words, a glowering face.

Dwelling in the corner of a roof is better
Than a contentious woman in Meaning of Heb. uncertain.a spacious house.

Like cold water to a parched throat
Is good news from a distant land.

Like a muddied spring, a ruined fountain,
Is a righteous man fallen before a wicked one.

It is not good to eat much honey,
Meaning of Heb. uncertain.Nor is it honorable to search for honor.

כ״ו

כַּשֶּׁ֤לֶג ׀ בַּקַּ֗יִץ וְכַמָּטָ֥ר בַּקָּצִ֑יר כֵּ֤ן לֹֽא־נָאוֶ֖ה לִכְסִ֣יל כָּבֽוֹד׃

כַּצִּפּ֣וֹר לָ֭נוּד כַּדְּר֣וֹר לָע֑וּף כֵּ֥ן קִֽלְלַ֥ת חִ֝נָּ֗ם (לא) [ל֣וֹ] תָבֹֽא׃

שׁ֣וֹט לַ֭סּוּס מֶ֣תֶג לַחֲמ֑וֹר וְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶט לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃

אַל־תַּ֣עַן כְּ֭סִיל כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ פֶּֽן־תִּשְׁוֶה־לּ֥וֹ גַם־אָֽתָּה׃

עֲנֵ֣ה כְ֭סִיל כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ פֶּן־יִהְיֶ֖ה חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינָֽיו׃

מְקַצֶּ֣ה רַ֭גְלַיִם חָמָ֣ס שֹׁתֶ֑ה שֹׁלֵ֖חַ דְּבָרִ֣ים בְּיַד־כְּסִֽיל׃

דַּלְי֣וּ שֹׁ֭קַיִם מִפִּסֵּ֑חַ וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל בְּפִ֣י כְסִילִֽים׃

כִּצְר֣וֹר אֶ֭בֶן בְּמַרְגֵּמָ֑ה כֵּן־נוֹתֵ֖ן לִכְסִ֣יל כָּבֽוֹד׃

ח֭וֹחַ עָלָ֣ה בְיַד־שִׁכּ֑וֹר וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל בְּפִ֣י כְסִילִֽים׃

רַ֥ב מְחוֹלֵֽל־כֹּ֑ל וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר כְּ֝סִ֗יל וְשֹׂכֵ֥ר עֹבְרִֽים׃

כְּ֭כֶלֶב שָׁ֣ב עַל־קֵא֑וֹ כְּ֝סִ֗יל שׁוֹנֶ֥ה בְאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ׃

רָאִ֗יתָ אִ֭ישׁ חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינָ֑יו תִּקְוָ֖ה לִכְסִ֣יל מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃

אָמַ֣ר עָ֭צֵל שַׁ֣חַל בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ אֲ֝רִ֗י בֵּ֣ין הָרְחֹבֽוֹת׃

הַ֭דֶּלֶת תִּסּ֣וֹב עַל־צִירָ֑הּ וְ֝עָצֵ֗ל עַל־מִטָּתֽוֹ׃

טָ֘מַ֤ן עָצֵ֣ל יָ֭דוֹ בַּצַּלָּ֑חַת נִ֝לְאָ֗ה לַהֲשִׁיבָ֥הּ אֶל־פִּֽיו׃

חָכָ֣ם עָצֵ֣ל בְּעֵינָ֑יו מִ֝שִּׁבְעָ֗ה מְשִׁ֣יבֵי טָֽעַם׃

מַחֲזִ֥יק בְּאׇזְנֵי־כָ֑לֶב עֹבֵ֥ר מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗ר עַל־רִ֥יב לֹּא־לֽוֹ׃

כְּֽ֭מִתְלַהְלֵהַּ הַיֹּרֶ֥ה זִקִּ֗ים חִצִּ֥ים וָמָֽוֶת׃

כֵּֽן־אִ֭ישׁ רִמָּ֣ה אֶת־רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝אָמַ֗ר הֲֽלֹא־מְשַׂחֵ֥ק אָֽנִי׃

בְּאֶ֣פֶס עֵ֭צִים תִּכְבֶּה־אֵ֑שׁ וּבְאֵ֥ין נִ֝רְגָּ֗ן יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק מָדֽוֹן׃

פֶּחָ֣ם לְ֭גֶחָלִים וְעֵצִ֣ים לְאֵ֑שׁ וְאִ֥ישׁ (מדונים) [מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים] לְחַרְחַר־רִֽיב׃ {פ}

דִּבְרֵ֣י נִ֭רְגָּן כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים וְ֝הֵ֗ם יָרְד֥וּ חַדְרֵי־בָֽטֶן׃

כֶּ֣סֶף סִ֭יגִים מְצֻפֶּ֣ה עַל־חָ֑רֶשׂ שְׂפָתַ֖יִם דֹּלְקִ֣ים וְלֶב־רָֽע׃

בִּ֭שְׂפָתָו יִנָּכֵ֣ר שׂוֹנֵ֑א וּ֝בְקִרְבּ֗וֹ יָשִׁ֥ית מִרְמָֽה׃

כִּֽי־יְחַנֵּ֣ן ק֭וֹלוֹ אַל־תַּאֲמֶן־בּ֑וֹ כִּ֤י שֶׁ֖בַע תּוֹעֵב֣וֹת בְּלִבּֽוֹ׃

תִּכַּסֶּ֣ה שִׂ֭נְאָה בְּמַשָּׁא֑וֹן תִּגָּלֶ֖ה רָֽעָת֣וֹ בְקָהָֽל׃

כֹּֽרֶה־שַּׁ֭חַת בָּ֣הּ יִפּ֑וֹל וְג֥וֹלֵֽל אֶ֝֗בֶן אֵלָ֥יו תָּשֽׁוּב׃

26

Like snow in summer and rain at harvesttime,
So honor is not fitting for a dullard.

As a sparrow must flit and a swallow fly,
So a gratuitous curse must backfire.Kethib, “fail.”

A whip for a horse and a bridle for a donkey,
And a rod for the back of dullards.

Do not answer a dullard in accord with his folly,
Else you will become like him.

Answer a dullard in accord with his folly,
Else he will think himself wise.

He who sends a message by a dullard
Will wear out legs and Lit. “drink.”must put up with lawlessness.

As legs hang limp on a cripple,
So is a proverb in the mouth of dullards.

Like a pebble in a sling,
So is paying honor to a dullard.

As a thorn comes to the hand of a drunkard,
So a proverb to the mouth of a dullard.

cMeaning of Heb. uncertain.A master can produce anything,-c
But he who hires a dullard is as one who hires transients.-c

As a dog returns to his vomit,
So a dullard repeats his folly.

If you see a man who thinks himself wise,
There is more hope for a dullard than for him.

A lazy man says,
“There’s a cub on the road, a lion in the squares.”

The door turns on its hinge,
And the lazy man on his bed.

The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;
He will not even bring it to his mouth.

The lazy man thinks himself wiser
Than seven men who give good advice.

A passerby who gets embroiled in someone else’s quarrel
Is like one who seizes a dog by its ears.

Like a madman Meaning of Heb. uncertain. scattering deadly firebrands, arrows,

Is one who cheats his fellow and says, “I was only joking.”

For lack of wood a fire goes out,
And without a querulous man contention is stilled.

Charcoal for embers and wood for a fire
And a contentious man for kindling strife.

The words of a querulous man are bruising; Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
They penetrate one’s inmost parts.

Base silver laid over earthenware
Are ardent lips with an evil mind.

An enemy dissembles with his speech,
Inwardly he harbors deceit.

Though he be fair-spoken do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his mind.

His hatred may be concealed by dissimulation,
But his evil will be exposed to public view.

He who digs a pit will fall in it,
And whoever rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.

כ״ז

יְהַלֶּלְךָ֣ זָ֣ר וְלֹא־פִ֑יךָ נׇ֝כְרִ֗י וְאַל־שְׂפָתֶֽיךָ׃

כֹּֽבֶד־אֶ֭בֶן וְנֵ֣טֶל הַח֑וֹל וְכַ֥עַס אֱ֝וִ֗יל כָּבֵ֥ד מִשְּׁנֵיהֶֽם׃

אַכְזְרִיּ֣וּת חֵ֭מָה וְשֶׁ֣טֶף אָ֑ף וּמִ֥י יַ֝עֲמֹ֗ד לִפְנֵ֥י קִנְאָֽה׃

ט֭וֹבָה תּוֹכַ֣חַת מְגֻלָּ֑ה מֵאַהֲבָ֥ה מְסֻתָּֽרֶת׃

נֶ֭אֱמָנִים פִּצְעֵ֣י אוֹהֵ֑ב וְ֝נַעְתָּר֗וֹת נְשִׁיק֥וֹת שׂוֹנֵֽא׃

נֶ֣פֶשׁ שְׂ֭בֵעָה תָּב֣וּס נֹ֑פֶת וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ רְ֝עֵבָ֗ה כׇּל־מַ֥ר מָתֽוֹק׃

כְּ֭צִפּוֹר נוֹדֶ֣דֶת מִן־קִנָּ֑הּ כֵּֽן־אִ֝֗ישׁ נוֹדֵ֥ד מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃

שֶׁ֣מֶן וּ֭קְטֹרֶת יְשַׂמַּֽח־לֵ֑ב וּמֶ֥תֶק רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ מֵעֲצַת־נָֽפֶשׁ׃

רֵ֥עֲךָ֨ (ורעה) [וְרֵ֪עַ] אָבִ֡יךָ אַֽל־תַּעֲזֹ֗ב וּבֵ֥ית אָחִ֗יךָ אַל־תָּ֭בוֹא בְּי֣וֹם אֵידֶ֑ךָ ט֥וֹב שָׁכֵ֥ן קָ֝ר֗וֹב מֵאָ֥ח רָחֽוֹק׃

חֲכַ֣ם בְּ֭נִי וְשַׂמַּ֣ח לִבִּ֑י וְאָשִׁ֖יבָה חֹרְפִ֣י דָבָֽר׃

עָר֤וּם ׀ רָאָ֣ה רָעָ֣ה נִסְתָּ֑ר פְּ֝תָאיִ֗ם עָבְר֥וּ נֶעֱנָֽשׁוּ׃

קַח־בִּ֭גְדוֹ כִּי־עָ֣רַב זָ֑ר וּבְעַ֖ד נׇכְרִיָּ֣ה חַבְלֵֽהוּ׃

מְבָ֘רֵ֤ךְ רֵעֵ֨הוּ ׀ בְּק֣וֹל גָּ֭דוֹל בַּבֹּ֣קֶר הַשְׁכֵּ֑ים קְ֝לָלָ֗ה תֵּחָ֥שֶׁב לֽוֹ׃

דֶּ֣לֶף ט֭וֹרֵד בְּי֣וֹם סַגְרִ֑יר וְאֵ֥שֶׁת (מדונים) [מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים] נִשְׁתָּוָֽה׃

צֹפְנֶ֥יהָ צָפַן־ר֑וּחַ וְשֶׁ֖מֶן יְמִינ֣וֹ יִקְרָֽא׃

בַּרְזֶ֣ל בְּבַרְזֶ֣ל יָ֑חַד וְ֝אִ֗ישׁ יַ֣חַד פְּנֵֽי־רֵעֵֽהוּ׃

נֹצֵ֣ר תְּ֭אֵנָה יֹאכַ֣ל פִּרְיָ֑הּ וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר אֲדֹנָ֣יו יְכֻבָּֽד׃

כַּ֭מַּיִם הַפָּנִ֣ים לַפָּנִ֑ים כֵּ֤ן לֵֽב־הָ֝אָדָ֗ם לָאָדָֽם׃

שְׁא֣וֹל וַ֭אֲבַדֹּה לֹ֣א תִשְׂבַּ֑עְנָה וְעֵינֵ֥י הָ֝אָדָ֗ם לֹ֣א תִשְׂבַּֽעְנָה׃

מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וְ֝אִ֗ישׁ לְפִ֣י מַהֲלָלֽוֹ׃

אִ֥ם תִּכְתּֽוֹשׁ־אֶת־הָאֱוִ֨יל ׀ בַּ֥מַּכְתֵּ֡שׁ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָ֭רִיפוֹת בַּעֱלִ֑י לֹא־תָס֥וּר מֵ֝עָלָ֗יו אִוַּלְתּֽוֹ׃ {פ}

יָדֹ֣עַ תֵּ֭דַע פְּנֵ֣י צֹאנֶ֑ךָ שִׁ֥ית לִ֝בְּךָ֗ לַעֲדָרִֽים׃

כִּ֤י לֹ֣א לְעוֹלָ֣ם חֹ֑סֶן וְאִם־נֵ֝֗זֶר לְד֣וֹר (דור) [וָדֽוֹר]׃

גָּלָ֣ה חָ֭צִיר וְנִרְאָה־דֶ֑שֶׁא וְ֝נֶאֶסְפ֗וּ עִשְּׂב֥וֹת הָרִֽים׃

כְּבָשִׂ֥ים לִלְבוּשֶׁ֑ךָ וּמְחִ֥יר שָׂ֝דֶ֗ה עַתּוּדִֽים׃

וְדֵ֤י ׀ חֲלֵ֬ב עִזִּ֗ים לְֽ֭לַחְמְךָ לְלֶ֣חֶם בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ וְ֝חַיִּ֗ים לְנַעֲרוֹתֶֽיךָ׃

27

Do not boast of tomorrow,
For you do not know what the day will bring.

Let the mouth of another praise you, not yours,
The lips of a stranger, not your own.

A stone has weight, sand is heavy,
But a fool’s vexation outweighs them both.

There is the cruelty of fury, the overflowing of anger,
But who can withstand jealousy?

Open reproof is better than concealed love.

Wounds by a loved one are long lasting;
The kisses of an enemy are profuse.

A sated person disdains honey,
But to a hungry man anything bitter seems sweet.

Like a sparrow wandering from its nest
Is a man who wanders from his home.

Oil and incense gladden the heart,
And the sweetness of a friend is better than one’s own counsel.

Do not desert your friend and your father’s friend;
Do not enter your brother’s house in your time of misfortune;
A close neighbor is better than a distant brother.

Get wisdom, my son, and gladden my heart,
That I may have what to answer those who taunt me.

The shrewd man saw trouble and took cover;
The simple kept going and paid the penalty.

Seize his garment, for he stood surety for another;aOr “a stranger.”
Take it as a pledge, [for he stood surety] for an unfamiliar woman.

He who greets his fellow loudly early in the morning
Shall have it reckoned to him as a curse.

An endless dripping on a rainy day
And a contentious wife are alike;

As soon repress her as repress the wind,
Or declare one’s right hand to be oil.

As iron sharpens iron
So a man sharpens the witbLit. “face.” of his friend.

He who tends a fig tree will enjoy its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored.

As face answers to face in water,
So does one man’s heart to another.

Sheol and Abaddon cannot be satisfied,
Nor can the eyes of man be satisfied.

For silver—the crucible, for gold—the furnace,
And a man is tested by his praise.

Even if you pound the fool in a mortar
With a pestle along with grain,
His folly will not leave him.

Mind well the looks of your flock;
Pay attention to your herds;

For property does not last forever,
Or a crown for all generations.

Grass vanishes, new grass appears,
And the herbage of the hills is gathered in.

The lambs will provide you with clothing,
The he-goats, the price of a field.

כ״ח

נָ֣סוּ וְאֵין־רֹדֵ֣ף רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים כִּכְפִ֥יר יִבְטָֽח׃

בְּפֶ֣שַֽׁע אֶ֭רֶץ רַבִּ֣ים שָׂרֶ֑יהָ וּבְאָדָ֥ם מֵבִ֥ין יֹ֝דֵ֗עַ כֵּ֣ן יַאֲרִֽיךְ׃

גֶּֽבֶר־רָ֭שׁ וְעֹשֵׁ֣ק דַּלִּ֑ים מָטָ֥ר סֹ֝חֵ֗ף וְאֵ֣ין לָֽחֶם׃

עֹזְבֵ֣י ת֭וֹרָה יְהַלְל֣וּ רָשָׁ֑ע וְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י ת֝וֹרָ֗ה יִתְגָּ֥רוּ בָֽם׃ {פ}

אַנְשֵׁי־רָ֭ע לֹא־יָבִ֣ינוּ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּמְבַקְשֵׁ֥י יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה יָבִ֥ינוּ כֹֽל׃

טֽוֹב־רָ֭שׁ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ מֵעִקֵּ֥שׁ דְּ֝רָכַ֗יִם וְה֣וּא עָשִֽׁיר׃

נוֹצֵ֣ר תּ֭וֹרָה בֵּ֣ן מֵבִ֑ין וְרֹעֶ֥ה ז֝וֹלְלִ֗ים יַכְלִ֥ים אָבִֽיו׃

מַרְבֶּ֣ה ה֭וֹנוֹ בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְ (ובתרבית) [וְתַרְבִּ֑ית] לְחוֹנֵ֖ן דַּלִּ֣ים יִקְבְּצֶֽנּוּ׃

מֵסִ֣יר אׇ֭זְנוֹ מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ תּוֹרָ֑ה גַּ֥ם תְּ֝פִלָּת֗וֹ תּוֹעֵבָֽה׃

מַשְׁגֶּ֤ה יְשָׁרִ֨ים ׀ בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ רָ֗ע בִּשְׁחוּת֥וֹ הֽוּא־יִפּ֑וֹל וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים יִנְחֲלוּ־טֽוֹב׃ {פ}

חָכָ֣ם בְּ֭עֵינָיו אִ֣ישׁ עָשִׁ֑יר וְדַ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין יַחְקְרֶֽנּוּ׃

בַּעֲלֹ֣ץ צַ֭דִּיקִים רַבָּ֣ה תִפְאָ֑רֶת וּבְק֥וּם רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְחֻפַּ֥שׂ אָדָֽם׃

מְכַסֶּ֣ה פְ֭שָׁעָיו לֹ֣א יַצְלִ֑יחַ וּמוֹדֶ֖ה וְעֹזֵ֣ב יְרֻחָֽם׃

אַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם מְפַחֵ֣ד תָּמִ֑יד וּמַקְשֶׁ֥ה לִ֝בּ֗וֹ יִפּ֥וֹל בְּרָעָֽה׃

אֲֽרִי־נֹ֭הֵם וְדֹ֣ב שׁוֹקֵ֑ק מוֹשֵׁ֥ל רָ֝שָׁ֗ע עַ֣ל עַם־דָּֽל׃

נָגִ֗יד חֲסַ֣ר תְּ֭בוּנוֹת וְרַ֥ב מַעֲשַׁקּ֑וֹת (שנאי) [שֹׂ֥נֵא] בֶ֝֗צַע יַאֲרִ֥יךְ יָמִֽים׃ {פ}

אָ֭דָם עָשֻׁ֣ק בְּדַם־נָ֑פֶשׁ עַד־בּ֥וֹר יָ֝נ֗וּס אַל־יִתְמְכוּ־בֽוֹ׃

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ תָּ֭מִים יִוָּשֵׁ֑עַ וְנֶעְקַ֥שׁ דְּ֝רָכַ֗יִם יִפּ֥וֹל בְּאֶחָֽת׃

עֹבֵ֣ד אַ֭דְמָתוֹ יִֽשְׂבַּֽע־לָ֑חֶם וּמְרַדֵּ֥ף רֵ֝יקִ֗ים יִֽשְׂבַּֽע־רִֽישׁ׃

אִ֣ישׁ אֱ֭מוּנוֹת רַב־בְּרָכ֑וֹת וְאָ֥ץ לְ֝הַעֲשִׁ֗יר לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶֽה׃

הַֽכֵּר־פָּנִ֥ים לֹא־ט֑וֹב וְעַל־פַּת־לֶ֝֗חֶם יִפְשַׁע־גָּֽבֶר׃

נִ֥בְהָֽל לַה֗וֹן אִ֭ישׁ רַ֣ע עָ֑יִן וְלֹא־יֵ֝דַ֗ע כִּי־חֶ֥סֶר יְבֹאֶֽנּוּ׃

מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ אָדָ֣ם אַ֭חֲרַי חֵ֣ן יִמְצָ֑א מִֽמַּחֲלִ֥יק לָשֽׁוֹן׃

גּוֹזֵ֤ל ׀ אָ֘בִ֤יו וְאִמּ֗וֹ וְאֹמֵ֥ר אֵֽין־פָּ֑שַׁע חָבֵ֥ר ה֝֗וּא לְאִ֣ישׁ מַשְׁחִֽית׃

רְחַב־נֶ֭פֶשׁ יְגָרֶ֣ה מָד֑וֹן וּבֹטֵ֖חַ עַל־יְהֹוָ֣ה יְדֻשָּֽׁן׃

בּוֹטֵ֣חַ בְּ֭לִבּוֹ ה֣וּא כְסִ֑יל וְהוֹלֵ֥ךְ בְּ֝חׇכְמָ֗ה ה֣וּא יִמָּלֵֽט׃

נוֹתֵ֣ן לָ֭רָשׁ אֵ֣ין מַחְס֑וֹר וּמַעְלִ֥ים עֵ֝ינָ֗יו רַב־מְאֵרֽוֹת׃

28

When there is rebellion in the land, many are its rulers;
Meaning of Heb. uncertain.But with a man who has understanding and knowledge, stability will last.

A poor man who withholds what is due to the wretched
Is like a destructive rain that leaves no food.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
But those who heed instruction fight them.

Evil men cannot discern judgment,
But those who seek the LORD discern all things.

Better is a poor man who lives blamelessly
Than a rich man whose ways are crooked.

An intelligent son heeds instruction,
But he who keeps company with gluttons disgraces his father.

He who increases his wealth by loans at discount or interest
Amasses it for one who is generous to the poor.

He who turns a deaf ear to instruction—
His prayer is an abomination.

He who misleads the upright into an evil course
Will fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will prosper.

A rich man is clever in his own eyes,
But a perceptive poor man can see through him.

When the righteous exult there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise up men make themselves scarce.

He who covers up his faults will not succeed;
He who confesses and gives them up will find mercy.

Happy is the man who is anxious always,
But he who hardens his heart falls into misfortune.

A roaring lion and a prowling bear
Is a wicked man ruling a helpless people.

A prince who lacks understanding is very oppressive;
He who spurns ill-gotten gains will live long.

A man oppressed by bloodguilt will flee to a pit;
Let none give him support.

He who lives blamelessly will be delivered,
But he who is crooked in his ways will fall all at once.

He who tills his land will have food in plenty,
But he who pursues vanities will have poverty in plenty.

A dependable man will receive many blessings,
But one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished.

To be partial is not right;
A man may do wrong for a piece of bread.

A miserly man runs after wealth;
He does not realize that loss will overtake it.

He who reproves a man will in the end
Find more favor than he who flatters him.

He who robs his father and mother and says, “It is no offense,”
Is a companion to vandals.

A greedy man provokes quarrels,
But he who trusts the LORD shall enjoy prosperity.

He who trusts his own instinct is a dullard,
But he who lives by wisdom shall escape.

He who gives to the poor will not be in want,
But he who shuts his eyes will be roundly cursed.

כ״ט

בִּרְב֣וֹת צַ֭דִּיקִים יִשְׂמַ֣ח הָעָ֑ם וּבִמְשֹׁ֥ל רָ֝שָׁ֗ע יֵאָ֥נַֽח עָֽם׃

אִישׁ־אֹהֵ֣ב חׇ֭כְמָה יְשַׂמַּ֣ח אָבִ֑יו וְרֹעֶ֥ה ז֝וֹנ֗וֹת יְאַבֶּד־הֽוֹן׃

מֶ֗לֶךְ בְּ֭מִשְׁפָּט יַעֲמִ֣יד אָ֑רֶץ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּרוּמ֣וֹת יֶהֶרְסֶֽנָּה׃

גֶּ֭בֶר מַחֲלִ֣יק עַל־רֵעֵ֑הוּ רֶ֝֗שֶׁת פּוֹרֵ֥שׂ עַל־פְּעָמָֽיו׃

בְּפֶ֤שַֽׁע אִ֣ישׁ רָ֣ע מוֹקֵ֑שׁ וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק יָר֥וּן וְשָׂמֵֽחַ׃

יֹדֵ֣עַ צַ֭דִּיק דִּ֣ין דַּלִּ֑ים רָ֝שָׁ֗ע לֹא־יָבִ֥ין דָּֽעַת׃

אַנְשֵׁ֣י לָ֭צוֹן יָפִ֣יחוּ קִרְיָ֑ה וַ֝חֲכָמִ֗ים יָשִׁ֥יבוּ אָֽף׃

אִֽישׁ־חָכָ֗ם נִ֭שְׁפָּט אֶת־אִ֣ישׁ אֱוִ֑יל וְרָגַ֥ז וְ֝שָׂחַ֗ק וְאֵ֣ין נָֽחַת׃

אַנְשֵׁ֣י דָ֭מִים יִשְׂנְאוּ־תָ֑ם וִ֝ישָׁרִ֗ים יְבַקְשׁ֥וּ נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

כׇּל־ר֭וּחוֹ יוֹצִ֣יא כְסִ֑יל וְ֝חָכָ֗ם בְּאָח֥וֹר יְשַׁבְּחֶֽנָּה׃

מֹ֭שֵׁל מַקְשִׁ֣יב עַל־דְּבַר־שָׁ֑קֶר כׇּֽל־מְשָׁרְתָ֥יו רְשָׁעִֽים׃

רָ֤שׁ וְאִ֣ישׁ תְּכָכִ֣ים נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ מֵ֤אִיר עֵינֵ֖י שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם יְהֹוָֽה׃

מֶ֤לֶךְ שׁוֹפֵ֣ט בֶּאֱמֶ֣ת דַּלִּ֑ים כִּ֝סְא֗וֹ לָעַ֥ד יִכּֽוֹן׃

שֵׁ֣בֶט וְ֭תוֹכַחַת יִתֵּ֣ן חׇכְמָ֑ה וְנַ֥עַר מְ֝שֻׁלָּ֗ח מֵבִ֥ישׁ אִמּֽוֹ׃

בִּרְב֣וֹת רְ֭שָׁעִים יִרְבֶּה־פָּ֑שַׁע וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים בְּֽמַפַּלְתָּ֥ם יִרְאֽוּ׃

יַסֵּ֣ר בִּ֭נְךָ וִינִיחֶ֑ךָ וְיִתֵּ֖ן מַעֲדַנִּ֣ים לְנַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ {פ}

בְּאֵ֣ין חָ֭זוֹן יִפָּ֣רַֽע עָ֑ם וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר תּוֹרָ֣ה אַשְׁרֵֽהוּ׃

בִּ֭דְבָרִים לֹא־יִוָּ֣סֶר עָ֑בֶד כִּֽי־יָ֝בִ֗ין וְאֵ֣ין מַעֲנֶֽה׃

חָזִ֗יתָ אִ֭ישׁ אָ֣ץ בִּדְבָרָ֑יו תִּקְוָ֖ה לִכְסִ֣יל מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃

מְפַנֵּ֣ק מִנֹּ֣עַר עַבְדּ֑וֹ וְ֝אַחֲרִית֗וֹ יִהְיֶ֥ה מָנֽוֹן׃

אִֽישׁ־אַ֭ף יְגָרֶ֣ה מָד֑וֹן וּבַ֖עַל חֵמָ֣ה רַב־פָּֽשַׁע׃

גַּאֲוַ֣ת אָ֭דָם תַּשְׁפִּילֶ֑נּוּ וּשְׁפַל־ר֝֗וּחַ יִתְמֹ֥ךְ כָּבֽוֹד׃

חוֹלֵ֣ק עִם־גַּ֭נָּב שׂוֹנֵ֣א נַפְשׁ֑וֹ אָלָ֥ה יִ֝שְׁמַ֗ע וְלֹ֣א יַגִּֽיד׃

חֶרְדַּ֣ת אָ֭דָם יִתֵּ֣ן מוֹקֵ֑שׁ וּבוֹטֵ֖חַ בַּיהֹוָ֣ה יְשֻׂגָּֽב׃

רַ֭בִּים מְבַקְשִׁ֣ים פְּנֵֽי־מוֹשֵׁ֑ל וּ֝מֵיְהֹוָ֗ה מִשְׁפַּט־אִֽישׁ׃

תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת צַ֭דִּיקִים אִ֣ישׁ עָ֑וֶל וְתוֹעֲבַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע יְשַׁר־דָּֽרֶךְ׃ {פ}

29

When the righteous become great the people rejoice,
But when the wicked dominate the people groan.

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
But he who keeps company with harlots will lose his wealth.

By justice a king sustains the land,
But a fraudulent man tears it down.

A man who flatters his fellow
Spreads a net for his feet.

An evil man’s offenses are a trap for himself,
But the righteous sing out joyously.

A righteous man is concerned with the cause of the wretched;
A wicked man cannot understand such concern.

Scoffers inflame a city,
But the wise allay anger.

When a wise man enters into litigation with a fool
There is ranting and ridicule, but no satisfaction.

Bloodthirsty men detest the blameless,
But the upright seek them out.

A dullard vents all his rage,
But a wise man calms it down.

A ruler who listens to lies,
All his ministers will be wicked.

A poor man and a fraudulent man meet;
The LORD gives luster to the eyes of both.

A king who judges the wretched honestly,
His throne will be established forever.

Rod and reproof produce wisdom,
But a lad out of control is a disgrace to his mother.

When the wicked increase, offenses increase,
But the righteous will see their downfall.

Discipline your son and he will give you peace;
He will gratify you with dainties.

For lack of vision a people lose restraint,
But happy is he who heeds instruction.

A slave cannot be disciplined by words;
Though he may comprehend, he does not respond.

If you see a man hasty in speech,
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

A slave pampered from youth
Meaning of Heb. uncertain.Will come to a bad end.

An angry man provokes a quarrel;
A hot-tempered man commits many offenses.

A man’s pride will humiliate him,
But a humble man will obtain honor.

He who shares with a thief is his own enemy;
He hears the imprecation and does not tell.

A man’s fears become a trap for him,
But he who trusts in the LORD shall be safeguarded.

Many seek audience with a ruler,
But it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.

The unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.