1 MEJOR es el pobre que camina en su sencillez, Que el de perversos labios y fatuo.2 El alma sin ciencia no es buena; Y el presuroso de pies peca.3 La insensatez del hombre tuerce su camino; Y contra Jehová se aira su corazón.4 Las riquezas allegan muchos amigos: Mas el pobre, de su amigo es apartado.5 El testigo falso no quedará sin castigo; Y el que habla mentiras no escapará.6 Muchos rogarán al príncipe: Mas cada uno es amigo del hombre que da.7 Todos los hermanos del pobre le aborrecen: ­Cuánto más sus amigos se alejarán de él! Buscará la palabra y no la hallará.8 El que posee entendimiento, ama su alma: El que guarda la inteligencia, hallará el bien.9 El testigo falso no quedará sin castigo; Y el que habla mentiras, perecerá.10 No conviene al necio el deleite: ­Cuánto menos al siervo ser señor de los príncipes!11 La cordura del hombre detiene su furor; Y su honra es disimular la ofensa.12 Como el bramido del cachorro de león es la ira del rey; Y su favor como el rocío sobre la hierba.13 Dolor es para su padre el hijo necio; Y gotera continua las contiendas de la mujer.14 La casa y las riquezas herencia son de los padres: Mas de Jehová la mujer prudente.15 La pereza hace caer en sueño; Y el alma negligente hambreará.16 El que guarda el mandamiento, guarda su alma: Mas el que menospreciare sus caminos, morirá.17 A Jehová empresta el que da al pobre, Y él le dará su paga.18 Castiga á tu hijo en tanto que hay esperanza; Mas no se excite tu alma para destruirlo.19 El de grande ira llevará la pena: Y si usa de violencias, añadirá nuevos males.20 Escucha el consejo, y recibe la corrección, Para que seas sabio en tu vejez.21 Muchos pensamientos hay en el corazón del hombre; Mas el consejo de Jehová permanecerá.22 Contentamiento es á los hombres hacer misericordia: Pero mejor es el pobre que el mentiroso.23 El temor de Jehová es para vida; Y con él vivirá el hombre, lleno de reposo; No será visitado de mal.24 El perezoso esconde su mano en el seno: Aun á su boca no la llevará.25 Hiere al escarnecedor, y el simple se hará avisado; Y corrigiendo al entendido, entenderá ciencia.26 El que roba á su padre y ahuyenta á su madre, Hijo es avergonzador y deshonrador.27 Cesa, hijo mío, de oir la enseñanza Que induce á divagar de las razones de sabiduría.28 El testigo perverso se burlará del juicio; Y la boca de los impíos encubrirá la iniquidad.29 Aparejados están juicios para los escarnecedores, Y azotes para los cuerpos de los insensatos.

1 Better is a poor {man} that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.2 Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.3 The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.4 Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.5 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.6 Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.7 All the brethren of a poor {man} hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth {them} with words, -they are not {to be found}.8 He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.9 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.10 Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.11 The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.12 The king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.17 He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver {him}, yet thou must do it again.20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.21 Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.22 The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor {man} is better than a liar.23 The fear of Jehovah {tendeth} to life, and he {that hath it} shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.26 He that ruineth {his} father and chaseth away {his} mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.28 A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.