1 B etter is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

3 T he refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.

4 A n evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

5 W hoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 C hildren’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.

Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

7 A rrogant speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.

A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 H e who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

11 A n evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 L et a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 W hoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

14 T he beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

15 H e who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

16 W hy is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.

19 H e who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 O ne who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

21 H e who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.

A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.

24 W isdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

26 A lso to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

27 H e who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

28 E ven a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.