[Like] clouds and wind when there is no rain, [so too is] a man who boasts in a gift of deception.

A judge is moved by one who for a long time undergoes wrongs without protest, and by a soft tongue even bone is broken.

Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow
Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance).

Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like [a reactive, useless mixture of] vinegar on soda,
Is he who [thoughtlessly] sings [joyful] songs to a heavy heart.

If he who is hating thee doth hunger, cause him to eat bread, And if he thirst, cause him to drink water.

Cold water to someone who is thirsty that's what good news from a distant land is.

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring
Is a righteous man who yields and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

It is not good to take much honey: so he who is not looking for honour will be honoured.

Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected]
Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].

He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.

The legs of one who has no power of walking are hanging loose; so is a wise saying in the mouth of the foolish.

As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So is he who is giving honour to a fool.

Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.

As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer.

Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]
Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)
And then says, “Was I not joking?”

The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, they go down into the inner parts of the stomach.

He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
But he stores up deceit in his heart.

Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.

A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Let another man give you praise, and not your mouth; one who is strange to you, and not your lips.

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Wounds from someone who loves are trustworthy, but kisses from an enemy speak volumes.

He who is satisfied loathes honey,
But to the hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet.

Like a bird that wanders from her nest [with its comfort and safety],
So is a man who wanders from his home.

Do not abandon your own friend and your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches (reprimands, criticizes) me.

Those who are prudent see danger and take refuge, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences.

[The judge tells the creditor,] “Take the garment of one who is surety (guarantees a loan) for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge when he is surety for an immoral woman [for it is unlikely the debt will be repaid].”

He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be counted as a curse to him [for it will either be annoying or his purpose will be suspect].

The one who controls her controls the wind
and grasps oil with his right hand.

He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored.

A crucible [is] for the silver, and a furnace for the gold, but a man [is tested by] the mouth of him who praises him.

By the transgression of a land many are its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right -- it is prolonged.

A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

Those who set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.

Evil men do not understand justice,
But they who long for and seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better is the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.

He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].

He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],
Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].

He who misleads the upright onto the way of evil, into his pits he will fall. But as for the blameless, they will inherit good.

The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.

Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.

Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,
But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],
But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.

A person who is burdened with [the] blood of {another}, until death he will flee; do not take hold of him.

He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe,
But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.

He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,
But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.

He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.

He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

He who robs his father and his mother and says, "There is no crime," is partner to a man who corrupts.

An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.

He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.

He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.

He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized),
Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.

A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful,
But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

A man who flatters his neighbor [with smooth words intending to do harm]
Is spreading a net for his own feet.

Scornful people inflame a city, but those who are wise turn away wrath.

Bloodthirsty men hate him who is perfect, but the upright seek his soul.

A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers are wicked.

If a king faithfully and truthfully judges the poor,
His throne shall be established forever.

The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].

A servant will not be corrected by words alone;
For though he understands, he will not respond [nor pay attention].

Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?
There is more hope for a [thickheaded] fool than for him.

He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will find him to be a son in the end.

A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down,
But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the curse [when swearing an oath to testify], but discloses nothing [and commits perjury by omission].

The fear of a person will lay a snare, but he who trusts in Yahweh will be secure.

Many are those who seek the {favor} of a ruler, but from Yahweh {one obtains justice}.

An unjust man is repulsive to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way [of the Lord] is repulsive to the wicked.

A discourse by the faithful collector. This is what this valiant man declared to the God with me, to the God with me, who then prevailed:

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

Every word of God is tested and refined [like silver];
He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.

Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

There is a generation (class of people) that curses its father
And does not bless its mother.

There is a generation (class of people) that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, their strong teeth like knives, for the destruction of the poor from the earth, and of those who are in need from among men.

under a servant who becomes king, under a fool who is stuffed with food,

for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.

The ants [are] a people [who are] not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;

the badgers [are] a people [who are] not mighty, yet they set their house on the rock;

a lion, mightiest of the beasts, who does not retreat from anything;

A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

Who so churneth milk, maketh butter; he that rubbeth his nose, maketh it bleed; and he that causeth wrath, bringeth forth strife.

No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth!

Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor concubines],
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.

Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her:

Many are the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.'