1 B etter is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

3 T he refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.

4 A n evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

5 H e who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 G randchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.

Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

7 E xcellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 H e who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.

Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

11 A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 L et a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 H e who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

14 T he beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

15 H e who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

16 W hy is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?

Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.

19 H e who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 H e who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

21 H e who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.

A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.

24 W isdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.

A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

26 I t is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

27 H e who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

28 E ven a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.