False balances are an abomination before the L-rd: but a Just Weight is Acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride enters, there will also be disgrace: but the mouth of the Lowly Rightly Divides. When a Just man dies, He leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes Joy. Righteousness Traces out Blameless Paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
The Righteousness of Upright men Delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a Just man his Hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes. A Righteous man Escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the Understanding of Righteous men is Prosperous. In the Prosperity of Righteous men a City Prospers: but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown.
A man void of Understanding sneers at [his fellow] Citizens: but a Sensible man is Quiet. A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] Counsels of an Assembly: but he that is Faithful Conceals Matters. They that have no Guidance fall like leaves: but in much Counsel there is Safety.
A bad man does harm wherever he meets a Just man: and he hates the Sound of Safety. A Gracious wife brings Glory to her husband: but a woman hating Righteousness is a theme of dishonor. The slothful come to want: but the Diligent Support themselves with Wealth. A Merciful man does Good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the Seed of the Righteous is a Reward of Truth. A Righteous Son is born for Life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death. Perverse ways are an abomination to the L-rd: but all they that are Blameless in their Ways are Acceptable to Him. He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that Sows Righteousness shall Receive a Faithful Reward. As an ornament in a swines' snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded woman. All the Desire of the Righteous is Good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] who gather, [yet] are diminished. Every Sincere soul is Blessed: but a passionate man is not Graceful. May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but Blessing be on the head of him who gives [it]. He that Devises Good Seeks Good Favor: but him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake him. He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that Helps Righteous men shall Rise. He that deals not Graciously with his own House shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the Wise man. Out of the Fruit of Righteousness Grows a Tree of Life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time. If the Righteous scarcely be Saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
[NOTE: This last verse does not appear in the Hebrew Masoretic Text. Yet it is quoted in I Peter 4:18]
He that Loves Instruction Loves Sense, but he that hates Reproofs is a fool. He that has Found Favour with the L-rd [is Made] Better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence. A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the Roots of the Righteous shall not be taken up. A Virtuous woman is a Crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
The Thoughts of the Righteous [are True] Judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.
The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the Upright shall Deliver them. When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the Houses of the Just Remain. The mouth of the Understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision. Better is a man in dishonor serving himself; than one honouring himself and lacking bread.
A Righteous man has Pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful. He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of Understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall deposit dishonor in his own Strong Holds.
The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the Roots of the G-dly are Firmly Set. For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snares; but a Righteous man Escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the Gates shall afflict souls. The soul of a man will be Filled with Good from the Fruits of his mouth; and the Recompense of his lips shall be Given him. The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a Wise man Hearkens to Counsels. A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a Prudent man Hides his own disgrace. A Righteous man Declares the Open Truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the Tongues of the Wise Heal. True lips Establish Testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue. [There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that Love Peace shall Rejoice. No injustice will please a Just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief. Lying lips are an abomination to the L-rd; but he that Deals Faithfully is Accepted with Him. An Understanding man is a Throne of Wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
The hand of Chosen men shall easily Obtain Rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey. A terrible word troubles the heart of a Righteous man; but a Good Message Rejoices him. A Just Arbitrator shall be His Own Friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray. A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a Blameless man is a Precious Possession. In the Ways of the Righteous is Life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.
Chapter Thirteen
A Wise Son is Obedient to His Father: but a disobedient son will be destroyed. A Good [man] shall eat of the Fruits of Righteousness: but the lives of transgressors shall perish before their time. He that Keeps his own mouth Keeps his own Life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself. Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the Active are Diligent. A Righteous man hates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is ashamed, and will have no Confidence. There are [some] who, having nothing, Enrich themselves: and there are [some] who bring themselves down in [the midst of] much wealth.
A mans' own wealth is the ransom of his life: but the poor endures not threatening. The Righteous always have Light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched. Crafty souls go astray in sins: but Just men Pity, and are Merciful. A bad man does evil with insolence: but they that are Judges of themselves are Wise. Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers to himself with G-dliness shall be Increased. The Righteous is Merciful, and Lends. Better is he that begins to Help heartily, than he the promises and leads [another] to hope: for a Good Desire is a Tree of Life. He that slights a matter shall be slighted of it: but he that Fears the Commandment has Health [of soul]. To a crafty son there shall be nothing Good: but a Wise servant shall have Prosperous Doings, and his Way shall be Directed Aright.
The Law of the Wise is a Fountain of Life: but the man void of Understanding shall die by a snare. Sound Discretion Gives Favour, and to Know the Law is a part of a Sound Understanding: but the ways of scorners lead to destruction.
Every Prudent man Acts with Knowledge: but the fool displays his own mischief. A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a Wise Messenger shall Deliver him. Instruction Removes poverty and disgrace: but he that Attends to Reproofs shall be Honoured. The Desires of the G-dly Gladden the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from Knowledge. If thou Walkest with Wise men, thou shalt be Wise: but he that walks with fools shall be known. Evil shall pursue sinners; but Good shall Overtake the Righteous. A Good man shall Inherit his childrens' children; and the wealth of ungodly men is laid up for the Just. The Righteous shall spend many Years in Wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.
He that spares the rod hates his son: but he that loves, carefully chastens [him]. A Just [man] eats and Satisfies his soul: but the souls of the ungodly are in want.
Chapter Fourteen
Wise women Build Houses: but a foolish one digs [hers] down with her hands. He that Walks Uprightly Fears the L-rd; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured. Out of the mouth of fools [comes] a rod of pride; but the lips of the Wise Preserve them. Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there is Abundant Produce, the Strength of the ox is Apparent. A Faithful Witness does not lie; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods. Thou shalt Seek Wisdom with bad men, and shalt not Find It; but Discretion is easily Available with the Prudent.
All things are adverse to the foolish man; but Wise lips are Weapons of Discretion. The Wisdom of the Prudent will Understand their Ways; but the folly of fools leads astray. The houses of transgressors will need Purification; but the Houses of the Just are Acceptable.
[If] a mans' mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride. The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed; but the Tabernacles of them that Walk Uprightly shall Stand. There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depth of hell. Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comes to grief. A stout-hearted [man] shall be filled with his own ways; and a Good man with his own Thoughts. The simple believes every word: but the Prudent man betakes himself to Afterthought. A Wise man Fears, and Departs from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor. A passionate man acts inconsiderately; but a Sensible man bears up under many things.
Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but the Prudent shall take Fast Hold of Understanding. Evil men shall fall before the Good; and the ungodly shall attend to the Gates of the Righteous. Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many. He that dishonors the needy sins; but he that has Pity on the poor is most Blessed. They that go astray devise evils: but the Good Devise Mercy and Truth. The framers of evil do not understand Mercy and Truth: but Compassion and Understanding are with the Framers of Good. With every one [who] is Careful there is Abundance; but the pleasure-taking and the indolent shall be in want. A Prudent man is the Crown of the Wise: but the occupation of fools is evil.
A Faithful Witness shall Deliver a soul from evil: but a deceitful [man] kindles falsehoods. In the Fear of the L-rd is Strong Confidence: and he Leaves his children a Support. The Commandment of the L-rd is a Fountain of Life; and He Causes [men] to turn aside from the snare of death.
In a populous nation is the Glory of a King: but in the failure of people is the ruin of a Prince. A man slow to wrath Abounds in Wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish. A meek-spirited man is a Healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones. He that oppresses the needy provokes His Maker: but he that Honours Him has Pity on the poor. The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness: but he who is Secure in His Own Holiness is Just.
There is Wisdom in the Good heart of a man: but in the heart of fools it is not Discerned. Righteousness Exalts a nation: but sins diminish Tribes. An Understanding servant is Acceptable to a King; and by Good Behaviour he removes disgrace.
Chapter Fifteen
Anger slays even wise men; yet a Submissive Answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger. The tongue of the Wise Knows what is Good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things.
The Eyes of the L-rd Behold both the evil and the Good in every place. The Wholesome Tongue is a Tree of Life, and he that Keeps It shall be Full of Understanding. A fool scorns his fathers' Instruction: but he that Keeps his Commandments is More Prudent. In Abounding Righteousness is Great Strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth.
In the House of the Righteous is Much Strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish. The lips of the Wise are Bound by Discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not Safe. The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the L-rd; but the Prayers of them that Walk Honestly are Acceptable with Him. The ways of an ungodly are an abomination to the L-rd; but He Loves those that Follow after Righteousness. The Instruction of the simple is Known by those that pass by; but they that hate Reproofs die disgracefully.
Hell and destruction are Manifest to the L-rd; how shall not also be the hearts of men? An uninstructed person will not Love those that Reprove him; neither will he Associate with the Wise. When the heart Rejoices, the Countenance is Cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, is sad. An Upright heart Seeks Discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils.
The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the Good are always Quiet. Better is a small portion with the Fear of the L-rd, than great treasures without the Fear. Better is an entertainment of herbs with Friendliness and Kindness, than a feast of calves with enmity. A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising [anger]. A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man stirs up. The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the Diligent are made smooth. A Wise son Gladdens his father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother. The ways of a foolish man are void of Sense; but a Wise man Proceeds on his Way Aright. They that Honour not Counsels put off Deliberation; but Counsel Abides in the heart of Counsellors.
A bad man will by no means attend to Counsel; neither will he say anything Seasonable, or Good fot the common [weal].
The Thoughts of the Wise are Ways of Life, that he may turn aside and Escape from hell. The L-rd pulls down the houses of scorners; but He Establishes the border of the widow. An unrighteous thought is an abomination to the L-rd; but the Sayings of the Pure are Held in Honour. A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates receiving of bribes is Safe. [By Alms and Faithful Dealings sins are Purged Away;] (Speaking to Believers, and of Sanctification e.g. Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 3:20); but by the Fear of the L-rd every one Departs from evil.
The hearts of the Righteous Meditate Faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The Ways of the Righteous men are Acceptable with the L-rd; and through them even enemies become Friends. G-d is far from the ungodly; but He Hearkens to the Prayers of the Righteous. Better are small receipts with Righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness.
Let the heart of man think Justly, that his Steps may be Rightly Ordered of G-d. The eye that Sees Rightly Rejoices the heart; and a Good Report fattens the bones. He that rejects Instruction hates himself; but he that Minds Reproofs Loves his soul. The Fear of the L-rd is Instruction and Wisdom; and the Highest Honour Will Correspond Therewith.
PEOPLE OF G-D, MESSIANIC
