1En klog søn lytter til sin fars formaning,
den oprørske nægter at blive sat i rette.
2Gode ord fører gode ting med sig,
falskhed fører kun til ufred.
3De, der tænker, før de taler, beskytter deres liv,
de, der taler uden at tænke, får problemer.
4De dovne har store planer, men opnår intet,
de flittige arbejder støt og ser resultater.
5De gudfrygtige hader al falskhed,
de gudløse handler skamløst.
6De oprigtige beskyttes af deres retskaffenhed,
de ondskabsfulde fældes af deres ondskab.
7Nogle giver sig ud for at være rige, men ejer dog intet,
andre lader som om de er fattige, men ejer store rigdomme.
8De rige frygter at blive kidnappet på grund af deres penge,
den bekymring har de fattige ikke.
9Den gudfrygtiges lys skinner klart,
den gudløses flamme blafrer og går ud.
10Stolthed fører kun til strid,
men at søge råd er tegn på visdom.
11Hvad der kommer let, går let,
men hårdt tjente penge holder man fast på.
12Bristede forhåbninger giver mismod,
men ønsker, der går i opfyldelse, giver livsmod.
13Den, der ikke vil vejledes, må bøde for sin dumhed,
den, der tager imod råd, får sin belønning.
14De vises råd er en livgivende kilde,
de, der tager ved lære, undgår mange fælder.
15Sund fornuft vinder respekt,
falskhed fører til undergang.
16Kloge folk tænker, før de taler,
tåben glimrer med sin dumhed.
17En upålidelig budbringer giver problemer,
en troværdig besked gør godt.
18Den, der ikke vil vejledes, ender i fattigdom og skam,
den, der accepterer at blive irettesat, opnår hæder og ære.
19At se en drøm gå i opfyldelse er en fryd for sjælen,
en tåbe kan ikke fordrage at opgive sin ondskab.
20Hvis du holder dig nær til de kloge, bliver du klog.
Hvis du holder dig til tåberne, bliver dit liv ødelagt.
21En synder overdænges med problemer,
en retsindig belønnes med succes.
22Den gudfrygtige efterlader en arv til sine børn,
synderens rigdom overtages af de retskafne.
23Selv om en fattig mands jord giver en god afgrøde,
mister han den, hvis der er lovløshed i landet.13,23 Teksten er uklar. En fattig mand var magtesløs og blev ofte udnyttet af de rige.
24Den, der sparer på riset, hader sin søn,
den, der elsker sin søn, tugter ham i tide.
25Den gudfrygtige kan spise sig mæt,
den onde mangler mad.
1A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.13.6 the sinner: Heb. sin 7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.13.9 lamp: or, candle 10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.13.11 by labour: Heb. with the hand 12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.13.13 shall be rewarded: or, shall be in peace 14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.13.16 layeth…: Heb. spreadeth 17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.13.17 a faithful…: Heb. an ambassador of faithfulness 18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.13.20 destroyed: Heb. broken 21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
