- A wise son is obedient to his father: but a disobedient son will
be destroyed.
- A good man shall eat of the fruits of righteousness: but
the lives of transgressors shall perish before their time.
- He that keeps his own mouth keeps his own life: but he that is
hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself.
- Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are
diligent.
- A righteous man hates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is
ashamed, and will have no confidence. [a]
- There are some who, having nothing, enrich themselves:
and there are some who bring themselves down in the midst
of much wealth.
- A man's own wealth is the ransom of his life: but the poor [b] endures not threatening.
- The righteous always have light: but the light of the ungodly is
quenched. Crafty souls go astray in sins: but just men pity, and are
merciful.
- A bad man does evil with insolence: but they that are judges of
themselves are wise.
- Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that
gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased. The righteous
is merciful, and lends.
- Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises
and leads another to hope: for a good desire is a tree of
life.
- He that slights a matter shall be slighted of it: but he that
fears the commandment has health of soul. To a crafty son
there shall be nothing good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous
doings, and his way shall be directed aright.
- The law of the wise is a fountain of life: but the man void of
understanding shall die by a snare.
- Sound discretion gives favour, and to know the law is the part of
a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend to destruction.
- Every prudent man acts with knowledge: but the fool displays his
own mischief.
- A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a wise messenger shall
deliver him.
- Instruction removes poverty and disgrace: but he that attends to
reproofs shall be honoured.
- The desires of the godly gladden the soul, but the works of the
ungodly are far from knowledge.
- If thou walkest with wise men thou shalt be wise: but he that
walks with fools shall be known.
- Evil shall pursue sinners; but good shall overtake the righteous.
- A good man shall inherit children's children; and the wealth of
ungodly men is laid up for the just.
- The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the
unrighteous shall perish suddenly.
- He that spares the rod hates his son: but he that loves, carefully
chastens him.
- A just man eats and satisfies his soul: but the souls of
the ungodly are in want.
[a] See Appendix.
[b] Or, comes not in for.
[English translation of the Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee
Brenton (1807-1862) originally published by Samuel Bagster & Sons,
Ltd., London, 1851]