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

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

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 expressing his own heart.

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

When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes 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 deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

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

It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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 blows.

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 are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

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

He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

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 run to it and are safe.

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

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

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

Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

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

He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

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

The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

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

The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, 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 first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

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

Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

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 win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

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

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall 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 who love it will eat its fruit.

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

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.

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

The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.

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

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.