1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it , it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing , and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
1 Stūrgalvis dara, kas tam tīk, –
ik labam padomam viņš pretī!
2 Netīko muļķis pēc saprašanas –
ka tik izrādīt savu prātu!
3 Līdzi ļaunumam nāk negods
un kauna darbiem – kauns!
4 Kā dziļi ūdeņi ir vārdi mutē,
kā brāzmaina straume ir gudrības avots.
5 Aizstāvēt ļaundari, tas nav labi –
atņemt taisnajam viņa tiesu!
6 Muļķa lūpas rieš ķildu,
un viņa mute prasās kūliena.
7 Muļķa mute viņam par postu,
un viņa lūpas – slazds viņa dzīvībai.
8 Tenkotāja vārdi kā gardi kumosi –
glumi ieslīd pašā sirds dibenā!
9 Kas laisks darbā –
tas maitātājam miesīgs brālis!
10 Stiprs tornis ir Kunga vārds,
turp skrien taisnais un – glābts!
11 Bagāto mantība viņiem kā cietoksnis
un kā augsts mūris – tā tie domā!
12 Papriekš augstprātība, tad posts,
papriekš pazemība, tad gods!
13 Ja kāds atbild, pirms uzklausījis, –
tā viņa muļķība, tas viņa negods!
14 Cilvēka gars spēj uzveikt kaites,
bet salauztu garu – kurš to spēj nest?!
15 Vieda sirds gūst zināšanas,
un gudro ausis meklē zināšanas.
16 Dāvana pašķir cilvēkam ceļu
un noved viņu diženo priekšā.
17 Šķiet taisns, kas pirmais runā tiesā!
Bet nāk otrs – un apstrīd viņu.
18 Loze izšķir strīdus
un lemj tiesu starp varenajiem.
19 Sadusmots brālis – cietāks par cietoksni,
un ķildas ir kā pils vārtu aizšaujamie!
20 Cik mute prot izrunāt, tik vēderam sāta,
cik lūpas gūst, tik pašam tiek.
21 Nāve un dzīvība – mēles varā,
kas lolo mēli, bauda tās augļus!
22 Kas atradis sievu, atradis laimi
un iemantojis Kunga labvēlību!
23 Laipnīgi nabags runā –
bagātais atbild nīgri.
24 Kam draugu daudz, tas izputēs!
Bet gadās draugs, kas tuvāks par brāli.
