1 E l egoísta sólo piensa en sí mismo, y se entromete en cualquier asunto.

¶ Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine.

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

¶ A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.

3 L lega el impío, llega el desprecio; con la deshonra viene la afrenta.

¶ When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach.

4 L os dichos del hombre son aguas profundas, pero la sabiduría es una fuente inagotable.

¶ The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 N o está bien favorecer al impío y no hacerle justicia al hombre honrado.

¶ To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good.

6 L as palabras del necio provocan contiendas; sus labios convocan a los golpes.

¶ A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.

7 E l necio provoca su propio mal; con sus propios labios se tiende una trampa.

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 L os chismes empalagan, pero calan hasta lo más profundo.

¶ The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 E l que es negligente en su trabajo es también íntimo amigo de gente nociva.

¶ He also that is negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift.

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

¶ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous shall run into it, and be raised up.

11 E l rico piensa que sus riquezas son una fortaleza de altas murallas.

¶ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination.

12 E l orgullo humano es presagio del fracaso; la humildad es preludio de la gloria.

¶ Before being broken, the heart of man is haughty, and before coming into honour, comes being brought to humility.

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

¶ For him that answers a word before he hears, it is folly and reproach unto him.

14 E l espíritu humano sostiene al enfermo, pero al espíritu angustiado, ¿quién lo sostiene?

¶ The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?

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

¶ The heart of the man of understanding acquires wisdom, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 L os obsequios te allanan el camino y te llevan ante grandes potentados.

¶ A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

17 E l primero en defenderse alega inocencia, hasta que llega su adversario y lo desmiente.

¶ The one who is just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks him out.

18 L as suertes ponen fin a las querellas, y dictan sentencia entre los litigantes.

¶ The lot causes contentions to cease and decides between the mighty.

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

¶ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 H ay quienes, con lo que dicen, logran satisfacer su hambre.

¶ A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, and with the product of his lips shall he be filled.

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

¶ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit.

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

¶ Whosoever found a wife found a good thing and has attained the favour of the LORD.

23 E l pobre habla con ruegos; el rico responde con rudeza.

¶ The poor uses intreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

24 H ay amigos que no son amigos, y hay amigos que son más que hermanos.

¶ The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.