[1] Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and
whoever comes into error through these is not wise. [2] The wrath of a king
is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against
himself. [3] It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the
foolish are ever at war. [4] The hater of work will not do his ploughing
because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be
requesting food and will get nothing. [5] The purpose in the heart of a man
is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out. [6] Most men
make no secret of their kind acts: but where is a man of good faith to be
seen? [7] An upright man goes on in his righteousness: happy are his
children after him! [8] A king on the seat of judging puts to flight all
evil with his eyes. [9] Who is able to say, I have made my heart clean, I
am free from my sin? [10] Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are
all disgusting to the Lord. [11] Even a child may be judged by his doings,
if his work is free from sin and if it is right. [12] The hearing ear and
the seeing eye are equally the Lord's work. [13] Do not be a lover of
sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have
bread enough. [14] A poor thing, a poor thing, says he who is giving money
for goods: but when he has gone on his way, then he makes clear his pride
in what he has got. [15] There is gold and a store of corals: but the lips
of knowledge are a jewel of great price. [16] Take a man's clothing if he
makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking from
him who gives his word for strange men. [17] Bread of deceit is sweet to a
man; but after, his mouth will be full of sand. [18] Every purpose is put
into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war. [19] He who goes
about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing
to do with him whose lips are open wide. [20] If anyone puts a curse on his
father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night. [21]
A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a
blessing. [22] Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting
for the Lord, and he will be your saviour. [23] Unequal weights are
disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good. [24] A man's steps
are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way? [25] It is a
danger to a man to say without thought, It is holy, and, after taking his
oaths, to be questioning if it is necessary to keep them. [26] A wise king
puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
[27] The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest
parts of the body. [28] Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the
seat of his power is based on upright acts. [29] The glory of young men is
their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs. [30] By the
wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest
parts of the body.
