- Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away
wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.
- The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the
foolish tells out evil things.
- The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every
place.
- [a] The wholesome tongue is a tree of
life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with [b] understanding.
- A fool scorns his father's instruction: but he that keeps his
commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great
strength: but the ungodly shall [c]
utterly perish from the earth.
- In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of
the ungodly shall perish.
- The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of
the foolish are not safe.
- The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but
the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him.
- The ways of an ungodly man are an abomination to the
Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness.
- The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but
they that hate reproofs die disgracefully.
- Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also
be the hearts of men?
- An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him;
neither will he associate with the wise.
- When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it
is in sorrow, the countenance is sad.
- An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the
uninstructed will experience evils.
- The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the
good are always quiet.
- Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great
treasures without the fear of the Lord.
- Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and
kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.
- A passionate man stirs up strife; but he that is slow to
anger appeases even a [d] rising one. A man
slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather
stirs them up.
- The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the
diligent are made smooth.
- A wise son gladdens his father; but a foolish son sneers
at his mother.
- The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man
proceeds on his way aright.
- They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel
abides in the hearts of counsellors.
- A bad man will by no means [e] attend
to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the
common weal.
- The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside
and escape from hell.
- The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the
border of the widow.
- An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings
of the pure are held in honour.
- A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the
receiving of bribes is safe. [By alms and by faithful dealings [f] sins are purged away;] but by the fear of
the Lord every one departs from evil.
- The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth
of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are
acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become
friends.
- God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of
righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant
fruits with unrighteousness.
[a] Gr. the healing of the tongue.
[b] Gr. spirit.
[c] Gr. with the roots wholly torn
up.
[d] Gr. future.
[e] Or, obey.
[f] Observe, this is not in the
Heb. nor any such doctrine.
[English translation of the Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee
Brenton (1807-1862) originally published by Samuel Bagster & Sons,
Ltd., London, 1851]