[NOTE: There have been several verses added here in the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint begins in verse 4 of the Masoretic.]
All the Works of the Humble are Manifest with G-d; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day. Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before G-d, and he that unjustly strikes hand with hand shall not be held Guiltless. The Beginning of a Good Way is to Do Justly; and it is more Acceptable with G-d than to offer sacrifices. He that Seeks the L-rd shall Find Knowledge with Righteousness; and they that Rightly Seek Him shall Find Peace. All the Works of the L-rd [are Done] with Righteousness; and the ungodly is kept for an evil day.
[There is] an Oracle on the lips of a King; and his mouth shall not err in Judgment. The Poise of the Balance is Righteousness with the L-rd; and His Works are Righteous Measures. An evil-doer is an abomination to the King; for the Throne of Rule is Established in Righteousness. Righteous lips are Acceptable to a King; and he Loves Right Words. The Anger of a King is a messenger of death; but a Wise man will Pacify him. The son of a King is the Light of Life; and they that are in Favour with him are as a Cloud of Latter Rain. The Brood of Wisdom is more to be Chosen than gold and the Brood of Prudence more to be Chosen than silver. The Paths of Life turn Aside from evil; and the Ways of Righteousness are Length of Life. He that Receives Instruction shall be in Prosperity; and he that Regards Reproofs shall be Made Wise. He that Keeps his Ways, Preserves his own soul; and he that Loves his Life will Spare his mouth.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall. Better is a Meek-spirited [man] with Lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud. [He who is] Skillfull in Business Finds Good: but he that Trusts in G-d is Most Blessed. [Men] call the Wise and Understanding evil: but they that are Pleasing in Speech shall Hear More. Understanding is a Fountain of Life to Its' Possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil. The heart of the Wise will Discern the [Things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will Wear Knowledge. Good Words are Honeycombs, and the Sweetness Thereof is a Healing of the soul.
There are ways that that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. A man who Labours, Labours for himself, and Drives from [him] his own ruin. But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips. A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends. A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not Good.
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evils: he is a furnace of wickedness. Old age is a Crown of Honour, but it is Found in the Ways of Righteousness. A man Slow to anger is Better than a strong man; and he that Governs [his] temper Better than he who takes a city. All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but All Righteous Things Come of the L-rd.
Chapter Seventeen
Better is a morsel with pleasure in Peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices with strife. A Wise servant shall have Rule over foolish masters, and shall Divide portions among Brethren. As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are Choice Hearts with the L-rd. A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a Righteous man attends not to false lips. He that laughs at the poor provokes Him Who Made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held Guiltless: but he that has Compassion shall Find Mercy.
Childrens' children are the Crown of old men; and their fathers are the Glory of children. The Faithful has the whole world Full of Wealth; but the faithless, not even a cent. Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a Just man. Instruction is to them that use It a Gracious Reward: and whithersoever It may Turn, it shall Prosper. He that Conceals injuries Seeks Love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred. A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, Understands not. Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the L-rd will Send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
Care may befall a man of Understanding,; but fools will meditate evils. Whoso Rewards evil for Good, evil shall not be removed from his house. Rightful Rule Gives Power to Words; but sedition and strife precede poverty. He that pronounces the unjust Just and the Just unjust, is unclean and abominable with G-d. Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase Wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from Instruction shall fall into mischiefs. Have thou a Friend for every Time, and Let Brethren be Useful in distress; for on this account are they born. A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes; and the hard-hearted man comes not for Good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs; and the heart of a fool is grief to its' possessor. A father Rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a Wise son Gladdens his mother. A Glad heart Promotes Health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up. The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not Prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the Ways of Righteousness. The Countenance of a Wise man is Sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth. A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
[It is] not Right to punish a Righteous man, nor [is it] Holy to plot against Righteous Princes. He that Forbears to utter a hard word is Discreet, and a Patient man is Wise. Wisdom shall be Imputed to a fool who asks after Wisdom: and he who holds his Peace shall seem as Sensible.
Chapter Eighteen
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach. A senseless man feels no need of Wisdom, for he is rather led by folly. When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him. A Word in the heart of a man is a Deep Water, and a River and Fountain of Life spring Forth. [It is] not Good to Accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] Holy to pervert Justice in Judgment.
The lips of a fool bring into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death. A fools' mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul. Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger. A man who helps not himself by his Labour is brother of him that ruins himself. The Name of the L-rd is of Great Strength; and the Righteous running to It are Exalted. The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its' glory casts a broad shadow. Before ruin a mans' heart is exalted, and before Honour, it is Humble. Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him. A Wise servant calms a mans' anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man? The heart of the sensible purchases Discretion; and the ears of the Wise Seek Understanding. A mans' Gift enlarges him, and seats him among Princes. A Righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is Reproved.
A silent man quells strifes, and Determines between Great Powers. A Brother helped by a Brother is as a Strong and High City; and is [as] Strong as a [Well]-Founded Palace. A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips. Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that Rule it shall eat the fruits thereof. He that has found a Good Wife has found Favours, and has Received Gladness from G-d.
Chapter Nineteen
[He that puts away a Good Wife, puts away a Good Thing, and he that Keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
[NOTE: The verse above is omitted from the Masoretic Text.]
The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames G-d in his heart.
Wealth aquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape. Many court the Favour of Kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man. Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from Friendship. Good Understanding will draw near to them that Know it, and a Sensible man will Find It. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that uses provoking words shall not Escape.
He that Procures Wisdom Loves himself; and he that Keeps Wisdom shall Find Good. A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it. Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness. A Merciful man is Long-Suffering; and his Triumph Overtakes transgressors. The threatening of a King is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his Favour.
A foolish son is a disgrace to his father; vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not Pure. Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a Wife is Suited to a man by the L-rd. Cowardice possesses the effeminate; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger. He that Keeps the Commandment Keeps his own soul; but he that despises His Ways shall perish. He that has Pity on the poor lends to the L-rd; and He will Recompense to him according to his gift. Chasten thy son, for so he shall be Hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness. A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
Hear son, the Instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be Wise at thy Latter End. [There are] many thoughts in a mans' heart; but the Counsel of the L-rd Abides Forever. Mercy is a fruit to a man; and a poor man is better than a rich liar. The Fear of the L-rd is Life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where Knowledge is not seen. He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth. When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made Wiser: and if thou Reprove a Wise man, he will Understand Discretion.
He that dishonors his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and be exposed to reproach. A son who ceases to Attend to the Instruction of a father will cherish evil designs. He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the Ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down Judgments. Scourges are prepared for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
Chapter Twenty
Wine is an intemperate thing, and strong drink full of violence: but every fool is entangled with them. The threat of a King differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul. [It is] a Glory to a man to turn aside from railing; but every fool is entangled with such matters. A sluggard when reproached is not ashamed: so also he who borrows corn in harvest.
Counsel in a mans' heart is Deep Water; but a Prudent man will Draw it out. A man is Valuable, and a Merciful man Precious: but [it is] hard to Find a Faithful man. He that Walks Blameless in Justice, shall leave his children Blessed. Whenever a Righteous King sits on the Throne, no evil thing can stand before his Presence. Who will boast that he has a Pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is Pure from sins? The lamp of him that reviles father or mother shall be put out, and his eyeballs shall see darkness.
A portion hastily gotten at first shall not be Blessed in the End. Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy; but Wait on the L-rd, that He may Help thee.
A large and a small weight, and diverse measures, are even both of them unclean before the L-rd; and [so is] he that makes them. A youth [when in company ] with a G-dly man, will be restrained in his devices, and [then] his Way will be Straight. The ear hears, and the eye sees: even both of them are the L-rds' Work. Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off: open thine eyes, and be Filled with Bread.
A double weight is an abomination to the L-rd; and a deceitful balance is not Good in His Sight. A mans' goings are Directed of the L-rd; how then can a mortal Understand His Ways? It is a snare to a man hastily to Consecrate some of his own property: for [in that case] Repentance comes after Vowing. A Wise King utterly crushes the ungodly, and will bring a wheel upon them.
The spirit of man is a Light of the L-rd, Who Searches the inmost parts of the belly. Mercy and Truth are a Guard to a King, and will Surround his Throne with Righteousness. Wisdom is an Ornament to young men; and grey [hairs] are the Glory of old men. Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues [shall come] into the inward parts of [their] belly.
PEOPLE OF G-D, MESSIANIC
