1 H e who stays away from others cares only about himself. He argues against all good wisdom.

El egoísta sólo piensa en sí mismo, y se entromete en cualquier asunto.

2 A fool does not find joy in understanding, but only in letting his own mind be known.

Al necio, la inteligencia no le causa placer; tan sólo le interesa exhibir lo que piensa.

3 W hen a sinful man comes, hate comes also, and where there is no honor, there is shame.

Llega el impío, llega el desprecio; con la deshonra viene la afrenta.

4 T he words of a man’s mouth are deep waters. Wisdom comes like a flowing river making a pleasant noise.

Los dichos del hombre son aguas profundas, pero la sabiduría es una fuente inagotable.

5 I t is not good to favor the sinful, or to keep what is fair from one who is right with God.

No está bien favorecer al impío y no hacerle justicia al hombre honrado.

6 T he lips of a fool bring fighting, and his mouth calls for a beating.

Las palabras del necio provocan contiendas; sus labios convocan a los golpes.

7 T he mouth of a fool is what destroys him, and his lips are a trap to his soul.

El necio provoca su propio mal; con sus propios labios se tiende una trampa.

8 T he words of one who speaks about others in secret are like tempting bites of food. They go down into the inside parts of the body.

Los chismes empalagan, pero calan hasta lo más profundo.

9 H e who is lazy in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

El que es negligente en su trabajo es también íntimo amigo de gente nociva.

10 T he name of the Lord is a strong tower. The man who does what is right runs into it and is safe.

El nombre del Señor es una fortaleza a la que el justo acude en busca de ayuda.

11 T he rich man’s money is his strong city, and he thinks it is like a high wall.

El rico piensa que sus riquezas son una fortaleza de altas murallas.

12 T he heart of a man is proud before he is destroyed, but having no pride goes before honor.

El orgullo humano es presagio del fracaso; la humildad es preludio de la gloria.

13 I f one gives an answer before he hears, it makes him foolish and ashamed.

¡Cuán presuntuoso y ridículo se muestra el que responde antes de oír!

14 T he spirit of a man can help him through his sickness, but who can carry a broken spirit?

El espíritu humano sostiene al enfermo, pero al espíritu angustiado, ¿quién lo sostiene?

15 A n understanding mind gets much learning, and the ear of the wise listens for much learning.

La mente inteligente adquiere sabiduría, y los oídos sabios van en pos de la ciencia.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him in front of great men.

Los obsequios te allanan el camino y te llevan ante grandes potentados.

17 H e who tells his story first makes people think he is right, until the other comes to test him.

El primero en defenderse alega inocencia, hasta que llega su adversario y lo desmiente.

18 T hrowing an object to decide puts an end to arguing. It keeps powerful men from fighting.

Las suertes ponen fin a las querellas, y dictan sentencia entre los litigantes.

19 A brother who has been hurt in his spirit is harder to be won than a strong city, and arguing is like the iron gates of a king’s house.

El hermano ofendido es más impenetrable que una ciudad amurallada; persisten más los pleitos entre hermanos que los cerrojos de una fortaleza.

20 A man’s stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak.

Hay quienes, con lo que dicen, logran satisfacer su hambre.

21 D eath and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

El que ama la lengua comerá de sus frutos; ella tiene poder sobre la vida y la muerte.

22 H e who finds a wife finds a good thing, and gets favor from the Lord.

¿Hallaste esposa? ¡Has hallado el bien! ¡Has alcanzado el favor del Señor!

23 T he poor man asks for loving-kindness, but the rich man is hard in his answers.

El pobre habla con ruegos; el rico responde con rudeza.

24 A man who has friends must be a friend, but there is a friend who stays nearer than a brother.

Hay amigos que no son amigos, y hay amigos que son más que hermanos.