1 M EJOR es el pobre que camina en su sencillez, Que el de perversos labios y fatuo.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 E l alma sin ciencia no es buena; Y el presuroso de pies peca.

Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

3 L a insensatez del hombre tuerce su camino; Y contra Jehová se aira su corazón.

The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord.

4 L as riquezas allegan muchos amigos: Mas el pobre, de su amigo es apartado.

Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

5 E l testigo falso no quedará sin castigo; Y el que habla mentiras no escapará.

A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

6 M uchos rogarán al príncipe: Mas cada uno es amigo del hombre que da.

Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

7 T odos los hermanos del pobre le aborrecen: ­Cuánto más sus amigos se alejarán de él! Buscará la palabra y no la hallará.

All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

8 E l que posee entendimiento, ama su alma: El que guarda la inteligencia, hallará el bien.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

9 E l testigo falso no quedará sin castigo; Y el que habla mentiras, perecerá.

A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

10 N o conviene al necio el deleite: ­Cuánto menos al siervo ser señor de los príncipes!

Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

11 L a cordura del hombre detiene su furor; Y su honra es disimular la ofensa.

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

12 C omo el bramido del cachorro de león es la ira del rey; Y su favor como el rocío sobre la hierba.

The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 D olor es para su padre el hijo necio; Y gotera continua las contiendas de la mujer.

A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

14 L a casa y las riquezas herencia son de los padres: Mas de Jehová la mujer prudente.

Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

15 L a pereza hace caer en sueño; Y el alma negligente hambreará.

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

16 E l que guarda el mandamiento, guarda su alma: Mas el que menospreciare sus caminos, morirá.

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

17 A Jehová empresta el que da al pobre, Y él le dará su paga.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.

18 C astiga á tu hijo en tanto que hay esperanza; Mas no se excite tu alma para destruirlo.

Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

19 E l de grande ira llevará la pena: Y si usa de violencias, añadirá nuevos males.

A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20 E scucha el consejo, y recibe la corrección, Para que seas sabio en tu vejez.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

21 M uchos pensamientos hay en el corazón del hombre; Mas el consejo de Jehová permanecerá.

There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord ’s counsel—that will stand.

22 C ontentamiento es á los hombres hacer misericordia: Pero mejor es el pobre que el mentiroso.

What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 E l temor de Jehová es para vida; Y con él vivirá el hombre, lleno de reposo; No será visitado de mal.

The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

24 E l perezoso esconde su mano en el seno: Aun á su boca no la llevará.

A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 H iere al escarnecedor, y el simple se hará avisado; Y corrigiendo al entendido, entenderá ciencia.

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

26 E l que roba á su padre y ahuyenta á su madre, Hijo es avergonzador y deshonrador.

He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27 C esa, hijo mío, de oir la enseñanza Que induce á divagar de las razones de sabiduría.

Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 E l testigo perverso se burlará del juicio; Y la boca de los impíos encubrirá la iniquidad.

A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 A parejados están juicios para los escarnecedores, Y azotes para los cuerpos de los insensatos.

Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.