1 E l impío huye sin que nadie lo persiga, pero el hombre justo vive tranquilo como un león.

The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 S i el país anda mal, abundan los caudillos; pero el hombre sabio y prudente le da estabilidad.

In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

3 E l gobernante que oprime a los pobres es como una tormenta que arrasa los trigales.

A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

4 L os transgresores alaban a los impíos; los que observan la ley se oponen a ellos.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.

5 L os malvados no entienden nada de la justicia; los que buscan al Señor lo entienden todo.

Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.

6 E s mejor ser pobre y portarse con integridad, que ser rico y andar por el mal camino.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

7 E l hijo prudente observa la ley; el que anda con glotones avergüenza a su padre.

Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 E l prestamista avaro aumenta sus riquezas para dejárselas al que ama a los pobres.

He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

9 D el que no presta oído a la ley, hasta su oración resulta repugnante.

He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10 E l que desvía a los justos hacia el mal camino acabará por caer en su misma trampa, pero los hombres honrados heredarán el bien.

Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.

11 E l hombre rico se cree muy sabio, pero el pobre e inteligente lo exhibe.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

12 S i los justos triunfan, hay una gran fiesta; si triunfan los impíos, todo el mundo se esconde.

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 E l que encubre sus pecados no prospera; el que los confiesa y se aparta de ellos alcanza la misericordia divina.

He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 ¡ Dichoso aquél que siempre teme a Dios! En cambio, el duro de corazón acabará mal.

Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15 U n león rugiente, un oso hambriento: ¡eso es el mal gobernante sobre el pueblo pobre!

As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

16 E l gobernante fatuo aumenta la extorsión; el que odia la avaricia prolongará sus días.

A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

17 E l que lleva a cuestas la muerte de otro huye hasta el sepulcro y nadie lo detiene.

A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.

18 E l que es honrado sale bien librado, pero el que va por mal camino caerá en un hoyo.

Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

19 E l que cultiva su campo tendrá pan de sobra, el que cultiva ilusiones acabará en la pobreza.

One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

20 E l hombre fiel recibe muchas bendiciones; el que quiere hacerse rico no sale bien librado.

A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 N o está bien discriminar a nadie; Hay gente que peca por un bocado de pan.

To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 E l avaro tiene prisa por hacerse rico, sin saber que la pobreza está en camino.

A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.

23 C ae mejor el que sabe reprender que el que sólo sabe lisonjear.

One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

24 E l que roba a su padre o a su madre, y alega que no ha hecho mal, es amigo de gente nociva.

Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, “It’s not wrong.” He is a partner with a destroyer.

25 E l que es altanero suscita contiendas, pero el que confía en el Señor prospera.

One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

26 E s de necios confiar en el propio corazón; el que camina sabiamente saldrá bien librado.

One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

27 E l que da al pobre, nunca a pobre llegará; el que se niega a verlo, será maldecido.

One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

28 S i los malvados triunfan, la gente se esconde; pero cuando mueren, los justos florecen.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.