Pārmetumi laikā un vainas atzīšana
1 Ir nelaikā izteikti pārmetumi.
Ir cilvēks, kas, būdams saprātīgs, klusē.
2 Cik gan labāk ir izsacīt pārmetumus
nekā glabāt dusmas!
3 Kas izlīgst, atzīstot savu vainu,
būs glābts no zaudējuma.
4 Kā einuhs, iekārojis laupīt jaunavību meitenei,
ir tāds, kas uzmācas par varītēm ar savu spriedumu.
5 Ir tāds, ko uzskata par gudru klusēšanas dēļ;
ir tāds, ko ienīst pārmērīgas runāšanas dēļ;
6 ir tāds, kas klusē, nezinot, ko atbildēt,
bet ir, kas klusē, zinot īsto mirkli.
7 Gudrs cilvēks klusē līdz īstajam mirklim,
turpretī lielībnieks un nelga nepievērš vērību mirklim.
8 Kas runā pāri mēram, apriebsies.
Kas piesavinās tiesības, tiks ienīsts.
Cik gan labi paust nožēlu,
saņemot pārmetumus!
Tu izvairīsies tā no apzināta grēka.
Gudrā un nelgas labvēlība
9 Ir veiksme nelaimē
un ieguvums, kas kļūst par zaudējumu.
10 Ir dāvana, no kuras tev nebūs labuma,
un dāvana, kas divtik atmaksājas.
11 Ir zaudējums iedomu dēļ,
ir cilvēks, kas pazemots iet paceltu galvu.
12 Ir tāds, kas par nieku pērk daudz,
bet pārmaksā septiņkārt.
13 Ar vārdiem gudrais panāk, lai viņu iemīļo,
bet muļķis velti šķiežas ar savu labvēlību.
14 No nelgas dāvanas tev labuma nebūs,
nedz labums būs no tās, ko vajadzības spiests dod nenovīdīgais:
reiz devis – pats pēc daudzām lūkojas.
15 Maz devis, daudz paļās, muti vaļā kā saucējs,
šodien aizlienēs, atprasīs rīt – šādu cilvēku nīst.
16 Muļķis saka: “Man draugu nav,
un par labo man nepateicas.”
Prastu valodu tie, kas viņa maizi ēd.
17 Cik daudzkārt viņu izsmies un tik daudzi,
jo viņš nav apjautis, ko nozīmē, ka ir,
nedz to, ka nav, – viņam vienalga.
Vārdi vietā un nevietā
18 Labāk kritiens, paslīdot kājai, nevis paslīdot mēlei,
tā klūp nekrietnie – steidzoties.
19 Nesmalkjūtīgs cilvēks – kā nepiedienīgs stāsts,
kas nemācītajiem ir nepārtraukti uz mēles.
20 Sakāmvārdos, kas atskan no muļķa lūpām,
nemēdz ieklausīties. Nav pateikti īstajā brīdī.
21 Dažam trūkums neļauj grēkot:
pienāk atpūta – un it nekas nekremt viņu.
22 Dažs pazudina dvēseli kaunēdamies:
pazudina to – lai izpelnītos nelgas ievērību.
23 Dažs apsola draugam aiz kauna –
un draugu velti padara par naidnieku.
24 Kauna zīme cilvēkam – meli,
nemācītajam pastāvīgi uz mēles.
25 Labāk būt zaglim nekā melot bez mitas,
kaut arī bojā ies abi, tā rīkojoties.
26 Ieradums melot dara negodu cilvēkam,
melīgo pavada pastāvīgs kauns.
27 Ar vārdiem ver ceļu gudrais,
diženajiem iepatikties rauga saprātīgais.
28 Kas apstrādā zemi, augstu met gubu;
kas diženajiem rauga iepatikties, gandara par netaisnību.
29 Cienasts un dāvanas dara aklas gudro acis,
kā iemaukti attur no skarbiem vārdiem.
30 Apslēpta gudrība, nemanāms dārgumu krājums –
kāds gan no abiem labums?
31 Labāk cilvēks, kas slēpj savu muļķību,
nekā cilvēks, kas slēpj savu gudrību.
32 Labāk, Kungu meklējot,
neatlaisties un nepiekāpties
nekā atrasties grožiem rokā
bez valdnieka dzīves ratos.
1 There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
2 It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
3 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
6 Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
7 A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
9 There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
12 There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
13 A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
14 The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.
15 He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.
16 The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
17 How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.
18 To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
19 An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
20 A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
21 There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
22 There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
23 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
24 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
25 A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
26 The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
27 A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
28 He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
31 Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
32 Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.
