מִשְׁלֵי 19

1 טוב רש הולך בתמו מעקש שפתיו והוא כסיל׃

Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.

2 גם בלא דעת נפש לא טוב ואץ ברגלים חוטא׃

Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.

3 אולת אדם תסלף דרכו ועל יהוה יזעף לבו׃

The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.

4 הון יסיף רעים רבים ודל מרעהו יפרד׃

Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.

5 עד שקרים לא ינקה ויפיח כזבים לא ימלט׃

A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.

6 רבים יחלו פני נדיב וכל הרע לאיש מתן׃

Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.

7 כל אחי רש שנאהו אף כי מרעהו רחקו ממנו מרדף אמרים לא המה׃

The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing.

8 קנה לב אהב נפשו שמר תבונה למצא טוב׃

But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.

9 עד שקרים לא ינקה ויפיח כזבים יאבד׃

A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.

10 לא נאוה לכסיל תענוג אף כי לעבד משל בשרים׃

Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.

11 שכל אדם האריך אפו ותפארתו עבר על פשע׃

The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.

12 נהם ככפיר זעף מלך וכטל על עשב רצונו׃

Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon the grass.

13 הות לאביו בן כסיל ודלף טרד מדיני אשה׃

A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.

14 בית והון נחלת אבות ומיהוה אשה משכלת׃

A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.

15 עצלה תפיל תרדמה ונפש רמיה תרעב׃

Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.

16 שמר מצוה שמר נפשו בוזה דרכיו יומת׃

Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.

17 מלוה יהוה חונן דל וגמלו ישלם לו׃

Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.

18 יסר בנך כי יש תקוה ואל המיתו אל תשא נפשך׃

Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.

19 גרל חמה נשא ענש כי אם תציל ועוד תוסף׃

Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.

20 שמע עצה וקבל מוסר למען תחכם באחריתך׃

Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.

21 רבות מחשבות בלב איש ועצת יהוה היא תקום׃

There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

22 תאות אדם חסדו וטוב רש מאיש כזב׃

An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.

23 יראת יהוה לחיים ושבע ילין בל יפקד רע׃

The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster.

24 טמן עצל ידו בצלחת גם אל פיהו לא ישיבנה׃

The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.

25 לץ תכה ופתי יערם והוכיח לנבון יבין דעת׃

When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.

26 משדד אב יבריח אם בן מביש ומחפיר׃

Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.

27 חדל בני לשמע מוסר לשגות מאמרי דעת׃

Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.

28 עד בליעל יליץ משפט ופי רשעים יבלע און׃

An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.

29 נכונו ללצים שפטים ומהלמות לגו כסילים׃

Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish.