1 ¶ También estos son proverbios de Salomón, los cuales copiaron los varones de Ezequías, rey de Judá.

These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

2 ¶ Honra de Dios es encubrir la palabra; mas honra del rey es escudriñar la palabra.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.

3 P ara la altura de los cielos, y para la profundidad de la tierra, y para el corazón de los reyes, no hay investigación.

As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.

4 ¶ Quita las escorias de la plata, y saldrá vaso al fundidor.

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the silversmith.

5 A parta al impío de la presencia del rey, y su trono se afirmará en justicia.

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

6 ¶ No te alabes delante del rey, ni estés en el lugar de los grandes;

Be not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

7 p orque mejor es que se te diga: Sube acá, que no que seas abajado delante del príncipe a quien han mirado tus ojos.

For better it is that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whose eyes have seen you.

8 ¶ No salgas a pleito presto, no sea que no sepas qué hacer al fin, después que tu prójimo te haya avergonzado.

Rush not forth soon to quarrel, lest you know not what to do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame.

9 T rata tu causa con tu compañero, y no descubras el secreto a otro;

Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another’s secret,

10 p ara que no te deshonre el que lo oyere, y tu infamia no pueda repararse.

Lest he who hears you revile you and bring shame upon you and your ill repute have no end.

11 ¶ Manzana de oro con figuras de plata es la palabra dicha como conviene.

A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

12 C omo zarcillo de oro y joyel de oro fino, es el que reprende al sabio que tiene oído dócil.

Like an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.

13 ¶ Como frío de nieve en tiempo de la siega, así es el mensajero fiel a los que lo envían; pues al alma de su señor da refrigerio.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.

14 ¶ Como nubes y vientos sin lluvia, así es el hombre que se jacta en don de mentira.

Whoever falsely boasts of gifts is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 ¶ Con larga paciencia se aplaca el príncipe; y la lengua blanda quebranta los huesos.

By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.

16 ¶ ¿Hallaste la miel? Come lo que te basta; no sea que hastiado de ella, la vomites.

Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest, being filled with it, you vomit it.

17 ¶ Detén tu pie de la casa de tu prójimo, no sea que hastiado de ti te aborrezca.

Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house, lest he become tired of you and hate you.

18 ¶ Martillo y cuchillo y saeta aguda, es el hombre que habla contra su prójimo falso testimonio.

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a heavy sledgehammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.

19 ¶ Diente quebrado y pie resbalador, es la confianza en el prevaricador en el tiempo de angustia.

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.

20 ¶ El que canta canciones al corazón afligido, es como el que quita la ropa en tiempo de frío, o el que sobre el jabón echa vinagre.

He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda.

21 ¶ Si el que te aborrece tuviere hambre, dale de comer pan; y si tuviere sed, dale de beber agua;

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 p orque ascuas amontonarás sobre su cabeza, y el SEÑOR te lo pagará.

For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.

23 ¶ El viento del norte ahuyenta la lluvia, y el rostro airado la lengua detractora.

The north wind brings forth rain; so does a backbiting tongue bring forth an angry countenance.

24 ¶ Mejor es estar en un rincón del terrado, que con la mujer rencillosa en casa espaciosa.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman.

25 ¶ Como el agua fría al alma sedienta, así son las buenas nuevas de lejanas tierras.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 ¶ Como fuente turbia y manantial corrompido, es el justo que se inclina delante del impío.

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

27 ¶ Comer mucha miel no es bueno; ni inquirir de su propia gloria es gloria.

It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek glory, their own glory, causes suffering and is not glory.

28 ¶ Como ciudad derribada y sin muro, es el hombre cuyo espíritu no tiene rienda.

He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.