1Wine is a scoffer, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2The dread of a sovereign is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him sins against his own life.

3For a man to cease from strife is esteem, But every fool bursts out.

4The lazy one does not plough after the autumn; At harvest time he inquires – there is none!

5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it up.

6Most men proclaim each his own kindness, But who finds a trustworthy man?

7The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

8A sovereign who sits on the throne of judgment Is scattering all evil with his eyes.

9Who says, “I have cleansed my heart, I am purged of my sin”?

10Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are an abomination to יהוה.

11Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether his work is clear and right.

12The hearing ear and the seeing eye, יהוה has made both of them.

13Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; Open your eyes, be satisfied with bread.

14“Evil! Evil!” cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

15There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

16Take the garment of one who is guarantor for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for foreigners.

17Bread gained by deceit might be sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth is filled with gravel.

18By counsel plans are established; And by wise guidance wage a battle.

19He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with him Who speaks smoothly with his lips.

20Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp is put out in deep darkness.

21An inheritance obtained with greed at the beginning Is not blessed at the end.

22Do not say, “I repay evil.” Wait for יהוה, and He saves you.

23Differing weights are an abomination to יהוה, And a false scale is not good.

24The steps of a man are from יהוה; What does a man know about his own way?

25It is a snare for a man to say rashly, “It is set-apart,” And only later to reconsider his vows.

26A wise sovereign winnows out the wrong, And turns the wheel over them.

27The spirit of a man is the lamp of יהוה, Searching all his inmost parts.

28Kindness and truth watch over the sovereign, And he shall support his throne by kindness.

29The comeliness of young men is their strength, And the splendour of old men is their grey hair.

30The blows that wound cleanse away evil, And strokes the inner parts of the heart.