Proverbs

1Boast not for tomorrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come may bring forth.

2Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth: a stranger, and not thy own lips.

3A stone is heavy, and sand weighty: but the anger of a fool is heavier than them both.

4Anger hath no mercy, nor fury when it breaketh forth: and who can bear the violence of one provoked?

5Open rebuke is better than hidden love.

6Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.

7A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb: and a soul that is hungry shall take even bitter for sweet.

8As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that leaveth his place.

9Ointment and perfumes rejoice the heart: and the good counsels of a friend are sweet to the soul.

10Thy own friend, and thy father’s friend forsake not: and go not into thy brother’s house in the day of thy affliction. Better is a neighbour that is near, than a brother afar off.

11Study wisdom, my son, and make my heart joyful, that thou mayst give an answer to him that reproacheth.

12The prudent man seeing evil hideth himself: little ones passing on have suffered losses.

13Take away his garment that hath been surety for a stranger: and take from him a pledge for strangers.

14He that blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice, rising in the night, shall be like to him that curseth.

15Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are alike.

16He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the wind, and shall call in the oil of his right hand.

17Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: and he that is the keeper of his master, shall be glorified.

19As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the water, so-the hearts of men are laid open to the wise.

20Hell and destruction are never filled: so the eyes of men are never satisfied.

21As silver is tried in the fining-pot and gold in the furnace: so a man is tried by the mouth of him that praiseth. The heart of the wicked seeketh after evils, but the righteous heart seeketh after knowledge.

22Though thou shouldst bray a fool in the mortar, as when a pestle striketh upon sodden barley, his folly would not be taken from him.

23Be diligent to know the countenance of thy cattle, and consider thy own flocks:

24For thou shalt not always have power: but a crown shall be given to generation and generation.

25The meadows are open, and the green herbs have appeared, and the hay is gathered out of the mountains.

26Lambs are for thy clothing: and kids for the price of the field.

27Let the milk of the goats be enough for thy food, and for the necessities of thy house, and for maintenance for thy handmaids.

1vì hôm nay sẽ xảy ra chuyện gì, con đâu biết được.

2đừng có hé môi khen ngợi chính mình.

3đứa ngu nổi giận còn nặng nề hơn.

4nhưng trước người nổi cơn ghen, ai nào đứng vững ?

5còn hơn yêu thương mà không bày tỏ.

6kẻ thù có ôm hôn, kẻ thù cũng giả dối.

7kẻ đói thấy đắng cay cũng ngọt.

8Người xa quê như chim xa tổ.

9tình bạn ngọt ngào giúp tinh thần thêm vững mạnh.

10vì anh em xa không bằng láng giềng gần.

11và có thể đối đáp với ai sỉ nhục thầy.

12đứa khờ dại lao tới và bị thiệt thân.

13phải đòi người đó vật thế chân.

14thì chẳng khác nào nguyền rủa họ.

15Đàn bà lắm điều như nhà dột ngày mưa.

16hay nắm được dầu trong tay.

17con người nên sắc bén nhờ bạn bè.

18bảo vệ thầy ắt sẽ được kính yêu.

19tâm tư phản ánh con người.

20cặp mắt con người chẳng bao giờ thoả.

21tiếng khen cho thấy giá trị con người.

22con cũng chẳng lột được cái ngu của nó.

23và lưu tâm đến đàn vật của con,

24và danh vọng chẳng lưu truyền muôn kiếp.

25khi cỏ xanh trên đồi núi cũng được gom về

26dê sẽ giúp con có tiền tậu ruộng,

27nuôi cả nhà và các tỳ nữ.