מִשְׁלֵי 18
| לתאוה יבקש נפרד בכל-תושיה יתגלע | 1 |
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
| לא-יחפץ כסיל בתבונה כי אם-בהתגלות לבו | 2 |
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
| בבוא-רשע בא גם-בוז ועם-קלון חרפה | 3 |
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
| מים עמקים דברי פי-איש נחל נבע מקור חכמה | 4 |
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
| שאת פני-רשע לא-טוב-- להטות צדיק במשפט | 5 |
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
| שפתי כסיל יבאו בריב ופיו למהלמות יקרא | 6 |
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
| פי-כסיל מחתה-לו ושפתיו מוקש נפשו | 7 |
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
| דברי נרגן כמתלהמים והם ירדו חדרי-בטן | 8 |
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
| גם מתרפה במלאכתו-- אח הוא לבעל משחית | 9 |
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
| מגדל-עז שם יהוה בו-ירוץ צדיק ונשגב | 10 |
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
| הון עשיר קרית עזו וכחומה נשגבה במשכתו | 11 |
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
| לפני-שבר יגבה לב-איש ולפני כבוד ענוה | 12 |
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
| משיב דבר בטרם ישמע-- אולת היא-לו וכלמה | 13 |
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
| רוח-איש יכלכל מחלהו ורוח נכאה מי ישאנה | 14 |
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
| לב נבון יקנה-דעת ואזן חכמים תבקש-דעת | 15 |
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
| מתן אדם ירחיב לו ולפני גדלים ינחנו | 16 |
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
| צדיק הראשון בריבו יבא- (ובא-) רעהו וחקרו | 17 |
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
| מדינים ישבית הגורל ובין עצומים יפריד | 18 |
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
| אח--נפשע מקרית-עז ומדונים (ומדינים) כבריח ארמון | 19 |
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
| מפרי פי-איש תשבע בטנו תבואת שפתיו ישבע | 20 |
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
| מות וחיים ביד-לשון ואהביה יאכל פריה | 21 |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
| מצא אשה מצא טוב ויפק רצון מיהוה | 22 |
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
| תחנונים ידבר-רש ועשיר יענה עזות | 23 |
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
| איש רעים להתרעע ויש אהב דבק מאח | 24 |
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
