1 B etter is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting strife.

Better a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.

2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

3 T he fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.

A refining pot for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts Jehovah.

4 T he evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 W hoso mocketh a poor reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.

Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.

6 C hildren's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Sons' sons the crown of old men, And the glory of sons their fathers.

7 E xcellent speech becometh not a vile; how much less do lying lips a noble!

Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.

A stone of grace the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9 H e that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.

Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.

10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.

11 A n evil seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.

12 L et a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.

The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly.

13 W hoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.

14 T he beginning of contention is when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

The beginning of contention a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.

15 H e that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these an abomination to Jehovah.

16 T o what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing hath no sense?

Why this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?

17 T he friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.

18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.

19 H e loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.

Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.

20 H e that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.

The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.

21 H e that begetteth a fool to his sorrow, and the father of a vile hath no joy.

Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.

22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.

23 A wicked taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.

24 W isdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

The face of the intelligent to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

A provocation to his father a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.

26 T o punish a righteous is not good, nor to strike nobles because of uprightness.

Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.

27 H e that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.

One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper a man of understanding.

28 E ven a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!