1 SEGUN su antojo busca el que se desvía, Y se entremete en todo negocio.
2 No toma placer el necio en la inteligencia, Sino en lo que su corazón se descubre.
3 Cuando viene el impío, viene también el menosprecio, Y con el deshonrador la afrenta.
4 Aguas profundas son las palabras de la boca del hombre; Y arroyo revertiente, la fuente de la sabiduría.
5 Tener respeto á la persona del impío, Para hacer caer al justo de su derecho, no es bueno.
6 Los labios del necio vienen con pleito; Y su boca á cuestiones llama.
7 La boca del necio es quebrantamiento para sí, Y sus labios son lazos para su alma.
8 Las palabras del chismoso parecen blandas, Y descienden hasta lo íntimo del vientre.
9 También el que es negligente en su obra Es hermano del hombre disipador.
10 Torre fuerte es el nombre de Jehová: A él correrá el justo, y será levantado.
11 Las riquezas del rico son la ciudad de su fortaleza, Y como un muro alto en su imaginación.
12 Antes del quebrantamiento se eleva el corazón del hombre, Y antes de la honra es el abatimiento.
13 El que responde palabra antes de oir, Le es fatuidad y oprobio.
14 El ánimo del hombre soportará su enfermedad: Mas ¿quién soportará al ánimo angustiado?
15 El corazón del entendido adquiere sabiduría; Y el oído de los sabios busca la ciencia.
16 El presente del hombre le ensancha el camino, Y le lleva delante de los grandes.
17 El primero en su propia causa parece justo; Y su adversario viene, y le sondea.
18 La suerte pone fin á los pleitos, Y desparte los fuertes.
19 El hermano ofendido es más tenaz que una ciudad fuerte: Y las contiendas de los hermanos son como cerrojos de alcázar.
20 Del fruto de la boca del hombre se hartará su vientre; Hartaráse del producto de sus labios.
21 La muerte y la vida están en poder de la lengua; Y el que la ama comerá de sus frutos.
22 El que halló esposa halló el bien, Y alcanzó la benevolencia de Jehová.
23 El pobre habla con ruegos; Mas el rico responde durezas.
24 El hombre que tiene amigos, ha de mostrarse amigo: Y amigo hay más conjunto que el hermano.
1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
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.
9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
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.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
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.
18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
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.
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.
22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.