Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| A lazy man is like a stone smeared with filth, and everyone hisses at his disgrace.
2| A lazy man is like a lump of dung, and whoever picks him up shakes out his hand.
3| An undisciplined son is a father's shame, but a daughter is born to his loss.
4| A sensible daughter will win herself a husband, but one who brings shame becomes a grief to the man who fathered her.
5| A brazen daughter shames both father and husband, and by both she will be held in dishonor.
6| A story told out of season is like music at a funeral; but blows and discipline are always in season for wisdom.
7| Whoever teaches a fool is like a man gluing broken pottery together, or one waking a sleeper from a deep sleep.
8| Whoever tells a story to a drowsy man tells it to a fool, and at the end he will say, 'What was that?'
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11| Weep for the dead, for his light has failed; and weep for the fool, for his understanding has failed. Weep more gently for the dead, for he has found rest, but for the fool life is worse than death.
12| Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, but for the fool and the godless it lasts all the days of his life.
13| Do not spend many words with a senseless man, and do not go about with a fool; guard yourself against him, so that you have no trouble and are not soiled when he shakes himself off; turn away from him and you will find rest, and you will not be worn down by his folly.
14| What weighs more than lead? Its only name is 'fool.'
15| Carrying sand, salt, or a chunk of metal is less burdensome than putting up with a senseless man.
16| A wooden framework bound into a building will not come apart in an earthquake; so a heart braced by well-considered counsel will not waver in a time of crisis.
17| A heart settled on thoughtful understanding is like a stucco ornament on a polished wall.
18| Fences set up on a height, facing the wind, cannot stand firm; so a cowardly heart, resting on a fool's reasoning, cannot stand firm against any fear.
19| Whoever pokes an eye brings forth tears, and whoever pokes a heart brings out feeling.
20| Whoever throws a stone at birds drives them away, and whoever insults a friend will dissolve the friendship.
21| If you draw a sword against a friend, do not despair, for there is a way back;
22| if you open your mouth against a friend, do not be afraid, for there can be reconciliation — except in the case of insult, arrogance, betrayal of a secret, or a treacherous blow; in these, any friend will flee.
23| Win trust with your neighbor while you are poor, so that you may share alike when he prospers; stand by him in a time of trouble, so that you may share in his inheritance.
24| Before the fire come the vapor and smoke of the furnace; so before bloodshed come cursing words.
25| I will not be ashamed to shelter a friend, and I will not hide from him;
26| and if some harm should come to me because of him, whoever hears of it will be on guard against that man.
27| Who will set a guard over my mouth, and a seal of good sense upon my lips, so that I do not fall because of it, and my tongue does not destroy me?