1 H IJO mío, si salieres fiador por tu amigo, Si tocaste tu mano por el extraño,

My son, if you have put yourself as a trust for what your neighbor owes to another, or if you have made a promise for a stranger,

2 E nlazado eres con las palabras de tu boca, Y preso con las razones de tu boca.

you have been trapped with the words of your lips. You have been caught with the words of your mouth.

3 H az esto ahora, hijo mío, y líbrate, Ya que has caído en la mano de tu prójimo: Ve, humíllate, y asegúrate de tu amigo.

Do this now, my son, and get yourself out of trouble, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go without pride and beg your neighbor to let you go.

4 N o des sueño á tus ojos, Ni á tus párpados adormecimiento.

Do not let your eyes sleep. Do not let your eyes close.

5 E scápate como el corzo de la mano del cazador, Y como el ave de la mano del parancero.

Take yourself away like a deer from the man who kills animals, and like a bird from the hand of the man who catches birds.

6 V e á la hormiga, oh perezoso Mira sus caminos, y sé sabio;

Go to the ant, O lazy person. Watch and think about her ways, and be wise.

7 L a cual no teniendo capitán, Ni gobernador, ni señor,

She has no leader, head or ruler,

8 P repara en el verano su comida Y allega en el tiempo de la siega su mantenimiento.

but she gets her food ready in the summer, and gathers her food at the right time.

9 P erezoso, ¿hasta cuándo has de dormir? ¿Cuándo te levantarás de tu sueño?

How long will you lie down, O lazy person? When will you rise up from your sleep?

10 U n poco de sueño, un poco de dormitar, Y cruzar por un poco las manos para reposo:

A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands to rest,

11 A sí vendrá tu necesidad como caminante, Y tu pobreza como hombre de escudo.

and being poor will come upon you like a robber, and your need like a man ready to fight.

12 E l hombre malo, el hombre depravado, Anda en perversidad de boca;

A person of no worth, a sinful man, is he who goes about telling lies.

13 G uiña de sus ojos, habla con sus pies, Indica con sus dedos;

He winks with his eyes, makes signs with his feet, and makes certain moves with his fingers.

14 P erversidades hay en su corazón, anda pensando mal en todo tiempo; Enciende rencillas.

He always plans to do sinful things because of his sinful heart. He causes arguing among people.

15 P or tanto su calamidad vendrá de repente; Súbitamente será quebrantado, y no habrá remedio.

So trouble will come upon him all at once. Right then he will be broken, and there will be no healing.

16 S eis cosas aborrece Jehová, Y aun siete abomina su alma:

There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven that are hated by Him:

17 L os ojos altivos, la lengua mentirosa, Las manos derramadoras de sangre inocente,

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who are without guilt,

18 E l corazón que maquina pensamientos inicuos, Los pies presurosos para correr al mal,

a heart that makes sinful plans, feet that run fast to sin,

19 E l testigo falso que habla mentiras, Y el que enciende rencillas entre los hermanos.

a person who tells lies about someone else, and one who starts fights among brothers.

20 G uarda, hijo mío, el mandamiento de tu padre, Y no dejes la enseñanza de tu madre:

My son, keep the teaching of your father, and do not turn away from the teaching of your mother.

21 A talos siempre en tu corazón, Enlázalos á tu cuello.

Hold them always to your heart. Tie them around your neck.

22 T e guiarán cuando anduvieres; cuando durmieres te guardarán; Hablarán contigo cuando despertares.

They will lead you when you walk. They will watch over you when you sleep, and they will talk with you when you wake up.

23 P orque el mandamiento es antorcha, y la enseñanza luz; Y camino de vida las reprensiones de la enseñanza:

For the word is a lamp. The teaching is a light, and strong words that punish are the way of life.

24 P ara que te guarden de la mala mujer, De la blandura de la lengua de la extraña.

They keep you from the sinful woman, from the smooth tongue of a sinful woman.

25 N o codicies su hermosura en tu corazón, Ni ella te prenda con sus ojos:

Do not desire her beauty in your heart. Do not let her catch you with her eyes.

26 P orque á causa de la mujer ramera es reducido el hombre á un bocado de pan; Y la mujer caza la preciosa alma del varón.

For because of a woman who sells the use of her body, one is brought down to a loaf of bread. A sinful woman hunts to take a man’s very life.

27 ¿ Tomará el hombre fuego en su seno, Sin que sus vestidos se quemen?

Can a man carry fire in his arms, and his clothes not be burned?

28 ¿ Andará el hombre sobre las brasas, Sin que sus pies se abrasen?

Can a man walk on hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

29 A sí el que entrare á la mujer de su prójimo; No será sin culpa cualquiera que la tocare.

So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife. Whoever touches her will be punished.

30 N o tienen en poco al ladrón, cuando hurtare Para saciar su alma teniendo hambre:

Men do not hate a robber who steals food for himself when he is hungry.

31 E mpero tomado, paga las setenas, Da toda la sustancia de su casa.

But if he is caught, he must pay seven times what he took. He must give up all the things in his house.

32 M as el que comete adulterio con la mujer, es falto de entendimiento: Corrompe su alma el que tal hace.

He who does sex sins with a woman does not think well. He who does it is destroying himself.

33 P laga y vergüenza hallará; Y su afrenta nunca será raída.

He will be hurt and ashamed, and his shame will not be taken away.

34 P orque los celos son el furor del hombre, Y no perdonará en el día de la venganza.

Jealousy makes a man angry. He will show no pity for the wrong that was done to him.

35 N o tendrá respeto á ninguna redención; Ni querrá perdonar, aunque multipliques los dones.

He will not take pay, and he will not be happy even if you give him many gifts.