Proverbs 24

1 ΥΙΕ, μὴ ζηλώσῃς κακοὺς ἄνδρας μηδὲ ἐπιθυμήσῃς εἶναι μετ᾿ αὐτῶν·

1 [My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.

2 ψευδῆ γὰρ μελετᾷ ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, καὶ πόνους τὰ χείλη αὐτῶν λαλεῖ.

2 For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.

3 μετὰ σοφίας οἰκοδομεῖται οἶκος καὶ μετὰ συνέσεως ἀνορθοῦται.

3 A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.

4 μετὰ αἰσθήσεως ἐμπίπλανται ταμιεῖα ἐκ παντὸς πλούτου τιμίου καὶ καλοῦ.

4 By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.

5 κρείσσων σοφὸς ἰσχυροῦ καὶ ἀνὴρ φρόνησιν ἔχων γεωργίου μεγάλου.

5 A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.

6 μετὰ κυβερνήσεως γίνεται πόλεμος, βοήθεια δὲ μετὰ καρδίας βουλευτικῆς.

6 War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.

7 σοφία καὶ ἔννοια ἀγαθὴ ἐν πύλαις σοφῶν· σοφοὶ οὐκ ἐκκλίνουσιν ἐκ στόματος Κυρίου,

7 Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,

8 ἀλλὰ λογίζονται ἐν συνεδρίοις. ἀπαιδεύτοις συναντᾷ θάνατος,

8 but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].

9 ἀποθνήσκει δὲ ἄφρων ἐν ἁμαρτίαις. ἀκαθαρσία δὲ ἀνδρὶ λοιμῷ

9 The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.

10 ἐμμολυνθήσεται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θλίψεως, ἕως ἂν ἐκλίπῃ.

10 He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.

11 ρῦσαι ἀγομένους εἰς θάνατον καὶ ἐκπρίου κτεινομένους, μὴ φείσῃ·

11 Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [your help].

12 ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃς, οὐκ οἶδα τοῦτον, γίνωσκε ὅτι Κύριος καρδίας πάντων γινώσκει, καὶ ὁ πλάσας πνοὴν πᾶσιν, αὐτὸς οἶδε πάντα, ὃς ἀποδίδωσιν ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.

12 But if you should say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.

13 φάγε μέλι, υἱέ, ἀγαθὸν γὰρ κηρίον, ἵνα γλυκανθῇ σου ὁ φάρυγξ·

13 [My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that your throat may be sweetened.

14 οὕτως αἰσθήσῃ σοφίαν τῇ σῇ ψυχῇ· ἐὰν γὰρ εὕρῃς, ἔσται καλὴ ἡ τελευτή σου, καὶ ἐλπίς σε οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψει.

14 Thus shall you perceive wisdom in your soul: for if you find it, your end shall be good, and hope shall not fail you.

15 μὴ προσαγάγῃς ἀσεβῆ νομῇ δικαίων μηδὲ ἀπατηθῇς χορτασίᾳ κοιλίας·

15 Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.

16 ἑπτάκις γὰρ πεσεῖται δίκαιος καὶ ἀναστήσεται, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς ἀσθενήσουσιν ἐν κακοῖς.

16 For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.

17 ἐὰν πέσῃ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, μὴ ἐπιχαρῇς αὐτῷ, ἐν δὲ τῷ ὑποσκελίσματι αὐτοῦ μὴ ἐπαίρου·

17 If your enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.

18 ὅτι ὄψεται Κύριος καὶ οὐκ ἀρέσει αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀποστρέψει τὸν θυμὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

18 For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.

19 μὴ χαῖρε ἐπὶ κακοποιοῖς, μηδὲ ζήλου ἁμαρτωλούς·

19 Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.

20 οὐ γὰρ μὴ γένηται ἔκγονα πονηρῷ, λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν σβεσθήσεται.

20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.

21 φοβοῦ τὸν Θεόν, υἱέ, καὶ βασιλέα καὶ μηθετέρῳ αὐτῶν ἀπειθήσῃς·

21 [My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.

22 ἐξαίφνης γὰρ τίσονται τοὺς ἀσεβεῖς, τὰς δὲ τιμωρίας ἀμφοτέρων τίς γνώσεται;

22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both? [A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for [such an one] has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yes, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whoever shall be given up to [it] shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not [even] fit to be eaten by the young eagles. [My] son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.]

23 Ταῦτα δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν τοῖς σοφοῖς ἐπιγινώσκειν· αἰδεῖσθαι πρόσωπον ἐν κρίσει οὐ καλόν.

23 And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgement.

24 ὁ εἰπὼν τὸν ἀσεβῆ· δίκαιός ἐστιν, ἐπικατάρατος λαοῖς ἔσται καὶ μισητὸς εἰς ἔθνη·

24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful amongst the nations.

25 οἱ δὲ ἐλέγχοντες βελτίους φανοῦνται, ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς δὲ ἥξει εὐλογία·

25 But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;

26 χείλη δὲ φιλήσουσιν ἀποκρινόμενα λόγους ἀγαθούς.

26 and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.

27 ἑτοίμαζε εἰς τὴν ἔξοδον τὰ ἔργα σου καὶ παρασκευάζου εἰς τὸν ἀγρὸν καὶ πορεύου κατόπισθέν μου καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσεις τὸν οἶκον σου.

27 Prepare your works for [your] going forth, and prepare yourself for the field; and come after me, and you shall rebuild your house.

28 μή ἴσθι ψευδὴς μάρτυς ἐπὶ σὸν πολίτην, μηδὲ πλατύνου σοῖς χείλεσι.

28 Be not a false witness against your [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with your lips.

29 μὴ εἴπῃς· ὃν τρόπον ἐχρήσατό μοι, χρήσομαι αὐτῷ, τίσομαι δὲ αὐτὸν ἅ με ἠδίκησεν.

29 Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.

30 ὥσπερ γεώργιον ἀνὴρ ἄφρων, καὶ ὥσπερ ἀμπελὼν ἄνθρωπος ἐνδεὴς φρενῶν·

30 A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.

31 ἐὰν ἀφῇς αὐτόν, χερσωθήσεται καὶ χορτομανήσει ὅλος καὶ γίνεται ἐκλελειμμένος, οἱ δὲ φραγμοὶ τῶν λίθων αὐτοῦ κατασκάπτονται.

31 If you let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.

32 ὕστερον ἐγὼ μετενόησα, ἐπέβλεψα τοῦ ἐκλέξασθαι παιδείαν,

32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.

33 ὀλίγον νυστάζω, ὀλίγον δὲ καθυπνῶ, ὀλίγον δὲ ἐναγκαλίζομαι χερσὶ στήθη·

33 [The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.

34 ἐὰν δὲ τοῦτο ποιῇς, ἥξει προπορευομένη ἡ πενία σου καὶ ἡ ἔνδειά σου ὥσπερ ἀγαθὸς δρομεύς. 15 Τῇ βδέλλῃ τρεῖς θυγατέρες ἦσαν ἀγαπήσει ἀγαπώμεναι, καὶ αἱ τρεῖς αὗται οὐκ ἐνεπίμπλασαν αὐτήν, καὶ ἡ τετάρτη οὐκ ἠρκέσθη εἰπεῖν· ἱκανόν. 16 ᾅδης καὶ ἔρως γυναικὸς καὶ γῆ οὐκ ἐμπιπλαμένη ὕδατος καὶ ὕδωρ καὶ πῦρ οὐ μὴ εἴπωσιν· ἀρκεῖ· 17 ὀφθαλμὸν καταγελῶντα πατρὸς καὶ ἀτιμάζοντα γῆρας μητρός, ἐκκόψαισαν αὐτὸν κόρακες ἐκ τῶν φαράγγων καὶ καταφάγοισαν αὐτὸν νεοσσοὶ ἀετῶν. 18 τρία δέ ἐστι ἀδύνατά μοι νοῆσαι, καὶ τὸ τέταρτον οὐκ ἐπιγινώσκω· 19 ἴχνη ἀετοῦ πετομένου καὶ ὁδοὺς ὄφεως ἐπὶ πέτρας καὶ τρίβους νηὸς ποντοπορούσης καὶ ὁδοὺς ἀνδρὸς ἐν νεότητι. 20 τοιαύτη ὁδὸς γυναικὸς μοιχαλίδος, ἥ, ὅταν πράξῃ, ἀπονιψαμένη, οὐδέν φησι πεπραχέναι ἄτοπον. 21 διὰ τριῶν σείεται ἡ γῆ, τὸ δὲ τέταρτον οὐ δύναται φέρειν· 22 ἐὰν οἰκέτης βασιλεύσῃ καὶ ἄφρων πλησθῇ σιτίων 23 καὶ οἰκέτις ἐὰν ἐκβάλῃ τὴν ἑαυτῆς κυρίαν καὶ μισητὴ γυνὴ ἐὰν τύχῃ ἀνδρὸς ἀγαθοῦ. 24 τέσσαρα δὲ ἐλάχιστα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ταῦτα δέ ἐστι σοφώτερα τῶν σοφῶν· 25 οἱ μύρμηκες, οἷς μὴ ἔστιν ἰσχὺς καὶ ἑτοιμάζονται θέρους τὴν τροφήν· 26 καὶ οἱ χοιρογρύλλιοι, ἔθνος οὐκ ἰσχυρόν, οἳ ἐποιήσαντο ἐν πέτραις τοὺς ἑαυτῶν οἴκους· 27 ἀβασίλευτόν ἐστιν ἡ ἀκρὶς καὶ στρατεύει ἀφ᾿ ἑνὸς κελεύσματος εὐτάκτως· 28 καὶ καλαβώτης χερσὶν ἐρειδόμενος καὶ εὐάλωτος ὢν κατοικεῖ ἐν ὀχυρώμασι βασιλέως. 29 τρία δέ ἐστιν, ἃ εὐόδως πορεύεται, καὶ τέταρτον, ὃ καλῶς διαβαίνει· 30 σκύμνος λέοντος ἰσχυρότερος κτηνῶν, ὃς οὐκ ἀποστρέφεται οὐδὲ καταπτήσσει κτῆνος, 31 καὶ ἀλέκτωρ ἐμπεριπατῶν θηλείαις εὔψυχος καὶ τράγος ἡγούμενος αἰπολίου καὶ βασιλεὺς δημηγορῶν ἐν ἔθνει. 32 ἐὰν πρόῃ σεαυτὸν ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ καὶ ἐκτείνῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου μετὰ μάχης, ἀτιμασθήσῃ. 33 ἄμελγε γάλα, καὶ ἔσται βούτυρον· ἐὰν δὲ ἐκπιέζῃς μυκτῆρας, ἐξελεύσεται αἷμα· ἐὰν δὲ ἐξέλκῃς λόγους, ἐξελεύσονται κρίσεις καὶ μάχαι. 1 Οἱ ἐμοὶ λόγοι εἴρηνται ὑπὸ Θεοῦ, βασιλέως χρηματισμός, ὃν ἐπαίδευσεν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ. 2 τί, τέκνον, τηρήσεις; τί; ρήσεις Θεοῦ. πρωτογενές, σοὶ λέγω, υἱέ· τί τέκνον ἐμῆς κοιλίας; τί τέκνον ἐμῶν εὐχῶν; 3 μὴ δῷς γυναιξὶ σὸν πλοῦτον, καὶ τὸν σὸν νοῦν καὶ βίον εἰς ὑστεροβουλίαν. 4 μετὰ βουλῆς πάντα ποίει, μετὰ βουλῆς οἰνοπότει· οἱ δυνάσται θυμώδεις εἰσίν, οἶνον δὲ μὴ πινέτωσαν, 5 ἵνα μὴ πιόντες ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς σοφίας καὶ ὀρθὰ κρῖναι οὐ μὴ δύνωνται τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς. 6 δίδοτε μέθην τοῖς ἐν λύπαις καὶ οἶνον πίνειν τοῖς ἐν ὀδύναις, 7 ἵνα ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς πενίας καὶ τῶν πόνων μὴ μνησθῶσιν ἔτι. 8 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα λόγῳ Θεοῦ, καὶ κρῖνε πάντας ὑγιῶς. 9 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα καὶ κρῖνε δικαίως, διάκρινε δὲ πένητα καὶ ἀσθενῆ.

34 But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your lack like a swift courier.