1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3 The foolishness of man subverts his way;
his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Wealth adds many friends,
but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished.
He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All the relatives of the poor shun him;
how much more do his friends avoid him!
He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished.
He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool,
much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger.
It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father.
A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep.
The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh;
he will reward him.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty,
for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness.
A poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment;
he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother
is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son,
you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
1 'n Arme wat in sy regskapenheid wandel, is beter as 'n verkeerde van lippe en daarby 'n dwaas.
2 Selfs ywer is sonder kennis nie goed nie; en hy wat haastig is met die voete, trap mis.
3 'n Mens se sotheid bederwe sy weg, maar sy hart is vertoorn op die HERE.
4 Goed bring baie vriende aan, maar die arme word deur sy vriend verlaat.
5 'n Valse getuie bly nie ongestraf nie, en hy wat leuens uitstrooi, sal nie vrykom nie.
6 Baie soek die guns van die edele, en die man van geskenke het 'n hoop vriende.
7 Al die broers van die arme haat hom; hoeveel te meer hou sy vriende hulle ver van hom af! Hy jaag agter hulle aan met woorde -- weg is hulle!
8 Wie verstand verkry, het sy lewe lief; hy wat insig bewaar, sal die goeie vind.
9 'n Valse getuie bly nie ongestraf nie, en hy wat leuens uitstrooi, kom om.
10 Weelde pas nie vir 'n dwaas nie, hoeveel minder vir 'n kneg om oor vorste te heers!
11 Die verstand van 'n mens maak hom lankmoedig, en dit is vir hom 'n eer om die oortreding te vergewe.
12 Die grimmigheid van 'n koning is soos die gebrom van 'n jong leeu, maar sy welgevalle is soos dou op die plante.
13 'n Dwase seun is 'n ramp vir sy vader, en die gekyf van 'n vrou is 'n aanhoudende gedrup.
14 Huis en goed is 'n erfenis van die vaders, maar 'n verstandige vrou is van die HERE.
15 Luiheid laat in 'n diep slaap val, en een wat traag is, moet honger ly.
16 Wie die gebod hou, bewaar sy lewe; hy wat sy weë nie ag nie, sal sterwe.
17 Wie hom ontferm oor die arme, leen aan die HERE; en Hy sal hom sy weldaad vergelde.
18 Tugtig jou seun, want daar is hoop; maar laat dit nie in jou opkom om hom dood te maak nie.
19 Hy wat groot van woede is, sal die straf dra; want as jy wil red, dan maak jy dit nog erger.
20 Luister na raad en neem tug aan, sodat jy in die vervolg wys kan wees.
21 Baie planne is in 'n man se hart, maar die raad van die HERE, die sal bestaan.
22 Die kostelike besit van 'n mens is sy weldadigheid; en liewer 'n arme as 'n leuenagtige man.
23 Die vrees van die HERE is tot die lewe; en versadig bring 'n mens die nag deur, sonder om deur 'n onheil besoek te word.
24 Steek die luiaard sy hand in die skottel, dan bring hy dit nie eens na sy mond terug nie.
25 Slaan jy die spotter, dan word die eenvoudige bedagsaam; maar bestraf jy die verstandige, dan sal hy kennis verkry.
26 Hy wat sy vader geweld aandoen en sy moeder wegjaag, is 'n seun wat skande maak en skandelik handel.
27 Hou op, my seun, om na tug te luister, terwyl jy tog afdwaal van die woorde van kennis.
28 'n Deugniet wat getuienis gee, spot met die reg, en die mond van die goddelose verslind onreg.
29 Vir die spotters staan strafgerigte klaar en slae vir die rug van die dwase.