Proverbs

1Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.

2As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.

3It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.

4Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.

5Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.

6Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?

7The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.

8The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.

9Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?

10Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.

11By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.

12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.

13Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.

14It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.

15There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

16Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.

17The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.

19Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.

20He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.

21The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.

22Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.

23Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.

24The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?

25It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.

26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.

27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.

28Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.

29The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.

30The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.

1kẻ nào vướng vào đó, đâu còn là người khôn.

2kẻ làm vua nổi giận là làm hại chính mình.

3mọi kẻ ngu đều hay sinh sự.

4đến mùa gặt, nó tìm kiếm cũng uổng công.

5người hiểu biết mới kín múc được.

6nhưng người thành tín, nào ai kiếm cho ra ?

7phúc cho đàn con nối dõi tông đường !

8đưa mắt sàng lọc mọi xấu xa.

9và tôi đã sạch tội rồi !”

10ĐỨC CHÚA ghê tởm cả hai.

11tính hạnh đứa trẻ có trong sáng thẳng ngay.

12ĐỨC CHÚA làm nên cả hai.

13chong mắt thức, bạn sẽ được cơm bánh no nê.

14lúc đi khỏi, lại tự khen mua được giá hời !

15miệng lưỡi thông thái : thật hiếm hoi !

16phải đòi người đó vật thế chân.

17nhưng sau đó, miệng nó đầy đá sỏi.

18lúc giao tranh, hãy nghe lời cố vấn.

19vậy đừng giao du với kẻ lắm lời.

20ngay giữa đêm khuya, đèn nó bị tắt ngúm.

21thì về sau sẽ không được chúc phúc.

22Hãy cậy trông ĐỨC CHÚA, Người sẽ cứu bạn.

23bàn cân gian dối, nào tốt đẹp chi !

24nẻo đời mình, phàm nhân sao hiểu hết.

25rồi sau đó lại tiếc nuối nghĩ suy.

26cho bánh xe cán lên bọn chúng.

27dò xét mọi ngõ ngách tâm can.

28nhờ nhân ái, ngai vàng người bền vững.

29mái đầu bạc là vinh dự của hàng bô lão.

30và roi vọt thấu đến tận cõi lòng.