1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace,

Than a house full of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters,

And shall divide portions among brethren.

3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace,

So are choice hearts with the Lord.

4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors:

But a righteous man attends not to false lips.

5 He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him;

And he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless:

But he that has compassion shall find mercy.

6 Children’s children are the crown of old men;

And their fathers are the glory of children.

6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth;

But the faithless not even a farthing.

7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool;

Nor lying lips a just man.

8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward:

And whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.

9 He that conceals injuries seeks love;

But he that hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.

10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man;

But a fool, though scourged, understands not.

11 Every bad man stirs up strifes:

But the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.

12 Care may befall a man of understanding;

But fools will meditate evils.

13 Whoso rewards evil for good,

Evil shall not be removed from his house.

14 Rightful rule gives power to words;

But sedition and strife precede poverty.

15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust,

Is unclean and abominable with God.

16 Why has the fool wealth?

For a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom.

16a He that exalts his own house seeks ruin;

And he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischiefs.

17 Have thou a friend for every time,

And let brethren be useful in distress;

For on this account are they born.

18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself,

As he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.

19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;

20 And the hard-hearted man comes not in for good.

A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;

21 And the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor.

A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son;

But a wise son gladdens his mother.

22 A glad heart promotes health;

But the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.

23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in his bosom do not prosper;

And an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.

24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible;

But the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father,

And grief to her that bore him.

26 It is not right to punish a righteous man,

Nor is it holy to plot against righteous princes.

27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet,

And a patient man is wise.

28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom:

And he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.