1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him . 8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. 10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. 12 The king’s wrath 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 riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 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 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Par dzīvi un tās vadīšanu
1 Labāk nabags, kas krietnumā staigā,
nekā viltus vērpējs savā muļķībā!
2 Ko līdz laba griba, kad nav zināšanas –
žiglas kājas noved secen!
3 Muļķība ved cilvēku postā,
taču sirds šim īgna uz Kungu!
4 Manta pulcina daudz draugu,
bet nabagu draugi pamet.
5 Viltus liecinieks netiks attaisnots,
melkulis nepaglābsies!
6 Daudzi tīko pēc cildeno labvēlības,
ikviens draugs tādam, kas dāsni dod.
7 Pat paša brāļi nabagu nīst,
kur nu vēl draugi – tie vairās viņa,
tik atrunas viņš dzird!
8 Kas gudrību krāj, tas palīdz pats sev,
kas lolo prātu, tas rod laimi.
9 Viltus liecinieks netiks attaisnots,
melkulis aizies bojā!
10 Nepiedien muļķim tīksmībā dzīvot,
nedz vergam valdīt pār augstmaņiem!
11 Kam saprašana, tas apvalda dusmas,
cēls tas, kurš piedod pārkāpumu.
12 Kā lauvas rūkšana ķēniņa dusmas,
kā rasa zālē viņa labvēlība.
13 Posts tēvam dēls muļķis –
kā nerimta pilēšana ir sievas rāšanās.
14 Nams un manta, tas no tēviem,
bet no Kunga – prātīga sieva.
15 Laiskums uzdzen cietu miegu,
tūļa allaž pie bada.
16 Kas turas pie baušļa, turas pie dzīvības,
kas klīst bez ceļa, tas mirst.
17 Kas nabagam žēlīgs, tas aizdevis Kungam,
un viņš tam atlīdzinās.
18 Pārmāci savu dēlu, kamēr ir cerība,
citādi būsi viņu nokāvis!
19 Kas dusmās nezina mēru, tas sodāms, –
ja palaidīsi, būs vēl trakāk!
20 Klausies padomā, pieņem pamācību,
ka beidzot tu taptu gudrs!
21 Cilvēka sirds pilna nolūkiem,
bet tikai Kunga nodoms piepildās!
22 Kas cilvēkā tīkams? Viņa uzticība!
Labāk nabags, bet ne melis!
23 Kas Kungu bijā, tas dzīvos –
tas rimtumā mitīs, posts to neaizsniegs.
24 Sliņķis iemērc roku bļodā,
nevīžo celt pie mutes.
25 Kul mēdītāju, lai vientiesis mācās!
Pārmāci saprātīgo, lai pieņemas zināšanā!
26 Kas tēvam dara pāri, kas māti dzen ārā –
tāds dēls par kaunu un nelietību!
27 Kam tev, dēls, klausīties pamācības,
ja tu neiedziļinies gudrības vārdos!
28 Nekrietns liecinieks apsmej taisnību,
nelietība baro ļaundaru muti!
29 Jau piespriests sods mēdītājiem
un kūliens muļķu mugurām!