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v1
The wisest of women ^[Literally “wise ones of women”] builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her hands.
v2
He who walks in uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is devious in his ways displeases him.
v3
In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them.
v4
When there are no ^[Literally “In there is no”] oxen the manger is empty, but an abundance of crops comes by the strength of an ox. ^[Hebrew “bull”]
v5
A faithful witness does not lie, but he who breathes out falsehood is a witness of deceit.
v6
A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none, but knowledge comes easily to him who understands. ^[Literally “to one who understands it comes easy”]
v7
Leave the presence of a foolish man, ^[Literally “from the presence belonging to a man of foolishness”] for you will not come to know words of knowledge. ^[Literally “lips of knowledge”]
v8
The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways, but the folly of fools is deceit.
v9
Fools mock ^[Hebrew “he mocks”] the guilt offering, but among the upright, it is favorable.
v10
The heart ^[Or “mind”] knows the bitterness of its soul, ^[Or “life,” or “inner self”] but in its joy, it will not share itself with a stranger.
v11
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
v12
There is a way that seems upright to ^[Literally “to the face of”] a man, but its end is the way of death.
v13
Even in laughter, a heart may be sad, and the end of joy may be grief.
v14
From his ways, the perverse of heart will be satisfied, and from his own, ^[Literally “from upon him”] so shall a good man.
v15
The simple will believe every word, but the clever will consider his step.
v16
The wise is cautious and turns from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is confident.
v17
He who is short of temper ^[Literally “nostril”] will act foolishly, and the man who schemes will be hated.
v18
The simple are adorned with folly, but the clever are crowned with knowledge.
v19
The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
v20
The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the lovers of the rich are many.
v21
He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but he who has mercy on the poor blesses him.
v22
Have they not erred, those who plan evil? But loyalty and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
v23
In all toil, there is profit, but the talk ^[Literally “word, matter, thing”] of lips leads only to poverty.
v24
The crown of the wise is their wealth; the folly of fools is folly.
v25
He who saves lives ^[Or “souls,” or “inner selves”] is a witness of truth, but he who utters lies is a betrayer.
v26
In the fear of Yahweh, there is confidence of strength, and for his children, there will be refuge.
v27
The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, in order to turn from the snares of death.
v28
In the multitude of people is the glory of the king, but without a population, a prince is ruined.
v29
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the hasty of spirit ^[Or “breath”] exalts folly.
v30
A heart ^[Or “mind”] of tranquility ^[Or “he who heals”] is life to the flesh, but causes bones of passion to rot.
v31
He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him, but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.
v32
By his evildoing, the wicked will be overthrown, and the righteous will find refuge in his death.
v33
In the heart ^[Or “mind”] of him who has understanding, wisdom rests, but even in the midst of fools it becomes known.
v34
Righteousness will exalt a nation, but sin is a reproach to a people.
v35
The favor of a king is for the servant who deals wisely, but his wrath will be on him who acts shamefully.