1 E l hombre esquivo busca sus caprichos, Y se irrita contra todo consejo.

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

2 N o toma placer el necio en la inteligencia, Sino en que su corazón se manifieste.

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

3 C uando viene el impío, viene también el menosprecio, Y con el deshonrador, la afrenta.

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

4 A guas profundas son las palabras de la boca del hombre; Y arroyo que rebosa, la fuente de la sabiduría.

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

5 T ener respeto a la persona del impío, Para pervertir el derecho del justo, no es bueno.

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

6 L os labios del necio provocan contiendas; Y su boca llama a los azotes.

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

7 L a boca del necio es quebrantamiento para sí, Y sus labios son una trampa para su alma.

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

8 L as palabras del chismoso son como golosinas, Que penetran hasta el fondo de sus entrañas.

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

9 T ambién el que es negligente en su trabajo Es hermano del hombre disipador.

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

10 T orreón fuerte es el nombre de Jehová; A él se acogerá el justo, y estará a salvo.

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

11 L as riquezas del rico son su ciudad fortificada, Y como un muro alto en su imaginación.

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

12 A ntes del quebrantamiento se ensoberbece el corazón del hombre, Y antes de la honra es la humildad.

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

13 R esponder antes de haber escuchado, Es fatuidad y oprobio.

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

14 E l ánimo del hombre le sostiene en su enfermedad; Mas ¿quién sostendrá al animo angustiado?

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

15 E l corazón del entendido adquiere sabiduría; Y el oído de los sabios busca la ciencia.

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

16 L a dádiva del hombre le ensancha el camino Y le conduce a la presencia de los grandes.

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

17 P arece tener razón el primero que aboga por su causa; Pero viene su adversario, y le descubre.

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

18 L a suerte pone fin a los pleitos, Y decide entre los poderosos.

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

19 E l hermano ofendido es más tenaz que una ciudad fuerte, Y las contiendas de los hermanos son como cerrojos de alcázar.

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

20 D el fruto de la boca del hombre se llenará su vientre; Se saciará del producto de sus labios.

¶ 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 L a muerte y la vida están en poder de la lengua, Y el que la cuida comerá de sus frutos.

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

22 E l que halla esposa halla el bien, Y alcanza la benevolencia de Jehová.

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

23 E l pobre habla con ruegos, Mas el rico responde durezas.

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

24 E l hombre que tiene amigos ha de mostrarse amigo; Y hay amigo más unido que un hermano.

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