מִשְׁלֵי 22

1 נבחר שם מעשר רב מכסף ומזהב חן טוב

A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.

2 עשיר ורש נפגשו עשה כלם יהוה

The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.

3 ערום ראה רעה ויסתר (ונסתר) ופתיים עברו ונענשו

An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.

4 עקב ענוה יראת יהוה עשר וכבוד וחיים

The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.

5 צנים פחים בדרך עקש שומר נפשו ירחק מהם

Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.

6 חנך לנער על-פי דרכו-- גם כי-יזקין לא-יסור ממנה

7 עשיר ברשים ימשול ועבד לוה לאיש מלוה

The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.

8 זורע עולה יקצור- (יקצר-) און ושבט עברתו יכלה

He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but [a man] shall fully prove the folly of his works.

9 טוב-עין הוא יברך כי-נתן מלחמו לדל

He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].

10 גרש לץ ויצא מדון וישבת דין וקלון

Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.

11 אהב טהור- (טהר-) לב-- חן שפתיו רעהו מלך

The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.

12 עיני יהוה נצרו דעת ויסלף דברי בגד

But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.

13 אמר עצל ארי בחוץ בתוך רחבות ארצח

The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

14 שוחה עמקה פי זרות זעום יהוה יפול- (יפל-) שם

The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.

15 אולת קשורה בלב-נער שבט מוסר ירחיקנה ממנו

Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.

16 עשק דל להרבות לו-- נתן לעשיר אך-למחסור

He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

17 הט אזנך--ושמע דברי חכמים ולבך תשית לדעתי

Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,

18 כי-נעים כי-תשמרם בבטנך יכנו יחדו על-שפתיך

that you may know that they are good: and if you lay them to heart, they shall also gladden you on your lips.

19 להיות ביהוה מבטחך-- הודעתיך היום אף-אתה

That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.

20 הלא כתבתי לך שלשום (שלשים)-- במעצות ודעת

And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.

21 להודיעך--קשט אמרי אמת להשיב אמרים אמת לשלחיך

I therefore teach you truth, and knowledge good to hear; that you may answer words of truth to them that question you.

22 אל-תגזל-דל כי דל-הוא ואל-תדכא עני בשער

Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless [man] in the gates.

23 כי-יהוה יריב ריבם וקבע את-קבעיהם נפש

For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.

24 אל-תתרע את-בעל אף ואת-איש חמות לא תבוא

Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:

25 פן-תאלף ארחתו ולקחת מוקש לנפשך

lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.

26 אל-תהי בתקעי-כף בערבים משאות

Become not surety from respect of a man's person.

27 אם-אין-לך לשלם-- למה יקח משכבך מתחתיך

For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.

28 אל-תסג גבול עולם-- אשר עשו אבותיך

Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.

29 חזית איש מהיר במלאכתו-- לפני-מלכים יתיצב בל-יתיצב לפני חשכים

It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.