1 A man who does not listen after many strong words are spoken to him will be destroyed all at once and without help.

El que se empecina ante la reprensión acabará en la ruina pronto y sin remedio.

2 W hen those who are right with God rule, the people are glad, but when a sinful man rules, the people have sorrow.

Cuando los justos triunfan, el pueblo se alegra; cuando gobierna el impío, el pueblo gime.

3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he who goes with women who sell the use of their bodies wastes his money.

El que ama la sabiduría alegra a su padre; el que frecuenta rameras dilapida sus bienes.

4 T he king makes the land strong by doing what is right and fair, but the one who takes pay for doing wrong, destroys it.

Con justicia, el rey afirma la tierra; la destruye el que impone tributos.

5 A man who gives his neighbor sweet-sounding words that are not true spreads a net for his own feet.

El que prodiga lisonjas a su prójimo sólo está tendiéndole una trampa.

6 A sinful man is trapped by his sins, but a man who is right with God sings for joy.

El pecado del malvado es su propia trampa, pero el justo canta y vive feliz.

7 T he man who is right with God cares about the rights of poor people, but the sinful man does not understand such things.

El justo hace suya la causa de los pobres; de esto, el impío no entiende nada.

8 M en who speak against others set a city on fire, but wise men turn away anger.

Los burlones pueden azuzar a toda una ciudad, pero los sabios saben calmar los ánimos.

9 W hen a wise man argues with a foolish man, the fool only gets angry or laughs, and there is no peace and quiet.

Cuando el sabio entra en pleito con el necio, el necio no deja de reírse ni de burlarse.

10 M en who kill hate him without blame, but a good man cares for his life.

Los homicidas odian al hombre cabal, pero los hombres honrados buscan su bien.

11 A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man keeps quiet.

El necio da rienda suelta a su enojo, pero el sabio sabe cómo calmarlo.

12 I f a ruler listens to lies, all who work for him will become sinful.

Cuando un gobernante hace caso de mentiras, todos sus servidores se vuelven corruptos.

13 T he Lord gives light to the eyes of both the poor man and the man who makes it hard for others.

El pobre y el usurero coinciden en algo: el Señor da luz a los ojos de ambos.

14 I f the king is fair as he judges the poor, his throne will stand forever.

El trono del rey se afirma para siempre, si éste juzga a los pobres con la verdad.

15 T he stick and strong words give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

La vara y la corrección imparten sabiduría, pero el hijo consentido avergüenza a su madre.

16 W hen the sinful are many, sins become many, but those who are right with God will see their fall.

Si aumentan los impíos, aumenta el pecado, pero los justos los verán fracasar.

17 P unish your son when he does wrong and he will give you comfort. Yes, he will give joy to your soul.

Corrige a tu hijo, y vivirás tranquilo, y a ti mismo te dará grandes alegrías.

18 W here there is no understanding of the Word of the Lord, the people do whatever they want to, but happy is he who keeps the law.

Cuando no hay visión, el pueblo se desvía; ¡dichoso aquél que obedece la ley!

19 A servant will not be taught by words alone. For even if he understands, he will not answer.

Al siervo no se le corrige con palabras, porque entiende pero no hace caso.

20 D o you see a man who is quick with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Fíjate en la gente que habla a la ligera: ¡más se espera del necio que de esa gente!

21 H e who gives good care to his servant from the time he is young, will in the end find him to be a son.

Si desde niño el amo consiente al siervo, al final el siervo será su amo.

22 A man of anger starts fights, and a man with a bad temper is full of wrong-doing.

El hombre irascible suscita contiendas, y el hombre violento comete muchos pecados.

23 A man’s pride will bring him down, but he whose spirit is without pride will receive honor.

La soberbia humilla al hombre; al humilde de espíritu lo sostiene la honra.

24 H e who works with a robber hates his own life. He knows about the bad that will come, but can tell nothing.

El cómplice del ladrón se odia a sí mismo, pues oye la imprecación y guarda silencio.

25 T he fear of man brings a trap, but he who trusts in the Lord will be honored.

El miedo a los hombres es una trampa, pero el que confía en el Señor es exaltado.

26 M any look for the ruler’s favor, but what is right and fair comes from the Lord.

Muchos buscan el favor del gobernante, pero la sentencia de cada uno viene del Señor.

27 A sinful man is a shame to those who are right with God, and he who is right with God is a shame to the sinful.

Para los justos, los malvados son repugnantes; para los malvados, los repugnantes son los justos.