24 Proverbs

148: 13

IOH;5 ; l i N

J-:9: 17 i» .t:7

D' 7:6 lEn 2; 13

THE PSALMS

930

Let them a ll prai se th e name of Y ah weh, fo r h is name a nd n o o t her is -s u b lim e , t ra nscending eart h and heave n in majest y, raising the fo rtu nes of" h is peo ple, 10 the pra ise s o f the d e vo u t, o f Israel, the peop le dea r to h im .

13

14

INTRODUCTfON TO PSALM 149 Song of tr iumph"

THE PROVERBS

A lle lu ia !

f

40 :9 J dt 16: I

H7:7 ; 150 A 6H:25:

Kl : ~

Is 6 1;4 : oz. 4-5 I S 2::\

Nc 4 : 1()· 12 2 M i 5:2 7 ws 3:H ,.Z c 9:13 - 16

2;J

S ing Ya hwe h a new so ng, le t the con g rega tio n o f th e fa ithful s ing h is prai se ! Le t Is ra e l rej oi ce in hi s ma ke r, a nd Zio n's child ren ex u lt in t he ir K ing; let t hem dance in pra ise of hi s na me, pl a yi ng to him on str ings a nd dr ums!

For Ya hwe h ha s be en k ind t o hi s peo ple , co n fe r ring victo ry o n us w ho a re w ea k ; th e faith ful ex u lt in tri umph, pr o st rat e before God /, they accla im h im with pa negyri c s on t heir lips , and a tw o- edged swo rd in th e ir han d s to exact ve ng ea nce on t he pagans, to inflic t p uni shmen t u n the hea the n , to shackl e the ir ki ngs w ith c ha ins a nd th e ir nobles w it h fett e rs , to execute th e preordained sente nce." T h us g lor io u sly a re th c fait hful rewarded!

P SA LM 150 Final chorus of praiseA lle lu ia! 1) 11 3:53

2 S 0;5

149;3

2 S 6:5

x v 5: I J

Pr a ise pr ai se p ra ise pra ise

G o d in h is Te mple on ea rt h , h im in hi s te mp le in heaven , h im for h is mi g h ty ac hievement s, h im fo r h is t ran sce ndent g reatness !

Pr ai se him w it h bla sts o f t hc t r umpet , prai se h im w ith ly re and ha r p , pr ai se h im w ith drums and danc in g, pr ai se him with st rings a nd reed s, pra ise h im w it h c las h ing cy mba ls, pra ise h im w ith c la ng ing cym ba ls' Let eve ry th ing th a t breathes prai se Y a h we h ! A lle lu ia! h . L iL ' r uis iu u a ho rn for'. l 49 :1 . nt is na tiona l hymn 10(11\.... to th e esc hnto lo aic al fu tu re . cr, Is (I I :2r. w he n Isr ael w il l he t he instrumen t of di vin e iusu cc. d. Z ..:9: 1.\ - 1fl . b. Lit. 'o n t hei r co uc hes ', i.c .. from the pla ce w here t hc v lie nros trtu e in wor s h ip . d . 95:6 : J d t 6: IR: or it m n y m ean : p rai se th a t docs not ce a se , eve n at

ni g h t . C f. H o 7: 14: Ps 4:4 ; 6 3:6. c. A llusion to t he 'Oracl es aga inst the Nat ion s ' in t he prophe tic books. 150 a. A m o re e la bo ra te doxology tha n t hose co nel ud ing t he first fo u r boo ks o f th e Psal te r, 4 1: 1.\: 72 :1 8-20 : F9:5 1 ; 106: 41-:: t his o ne in vites e ve r y mus ic a l ins tr umen t a nd eve ry livin g bein g to praise Y a h we h .

Th e Book of Prov erbs is the most represe nta tive wor k of Israelite wisdom liter ature, cf. Introd uction to Wisdom Books. T he body of the book is made up of two co llect ions: 10-22: 16, ca lled ' T he proverbs of Solomon' (375 ap ho risms) a nd ch. 25-29, introduced by 'The followi ng a lso are pro verbs of So lomon, tra nscribed by the men of Heze kiah' (128 ap ho risms) . Appendices have been ad ded to each of these two co llections : to the first, 'sayings of the sages' (22: 17- 24:22) and 'The following a lso are taken from the sages' (24 :23-34); to th e second, 'the sayi ng s of Agur' (30 :1-14), fo llowed by numerical proverbs (30:15-33) and 'the sayi ngs of Lem uel' (31: 1-9). The who le is preceded by a long introd uction, ch , 1-9, in which a fat her co mme nds wisdom to his son a nd in which Wisdo m herse lf in tervenes. The book closes with an alphabetical poem in pra ise of t he idea l wife, 31: 10-31. The order in which the cen tra l sect ions are arra nged is of littl e importance: it differs in the Greek Bible, and the max ims inside the various sect ions are j uxtaposed with out co ncern for log ical seq uence . T he book is therefore a collection of collections, with in the fra mewo rk o f a prologue and ep ilogue. It reflects a hint of liter ary develop ment, ou tlined in the general Introd uction to the W isdom Books. The two ma in collectio ns sho w th e mashal in its most prim itive form and consist excl usively o f brief ap ho risms, usually of a single couplet. In the append ices, however, the fo rm is more ela borate ; the short numerical poems of 30: 15-33 , cf. 6:16-19 , ad d the charm of a riddling manner to their edifying matter, a device already practi sed in ea rlier times, cf. A m I. T he pr ologue, ch. 1-9, co nsists of a lon g discourse interrupted by tw o exho rtation s fro m W isdom per sonified ; th e epi logue, 3 1:10-31, is a ' learned' co mpo sition. T his evo lution of form co rr espond s to successive peri ods of litera ry act ivity. T he ea rliest sections a re the two great co llections, ch. 10-22 and 25-29 . T hese are att ribut ed to So lomon who , accor ding to I K 5: 12, was the a utho r of ' three thousand prover bs' a nd wh o was always co ns ide red to have been the grea test sage of Israel. The impersonal accent o f the proverbs make s it imp ossible for us to assign any particular ma xim to the kin g, but there is no reaso n to doubt that this co llection as a whole dates from his tim e: the maxims of th e second collection were already anci ent when ' t he men o f Hezeki ah ' co llected them , in about 700 B.C. T hese two collection s form th e co re o f the book and give it its full name, ' the pr overb s of Solomon' , 1:1. T he sub-titles of th e sma ller sections however show tha t thi s titl e is not to be tak en too lite rally , embracing, as it doe s, the aphorisms of a no nymo us sages, 22 : 17- 24:34, a nd the say ings of Agu r and Lemuel, 30: J - 3 1:9. Even if the nam es of these two A rabian sages

~ 0.

IX:

iii


s

I N T R OD UCTION T O

II If

I~

I

~I

I

P R OVE R B S

93 2

are fictitious and did not be lo ng t o rea l people, they testify to a res pec t for the wisd o m o f other land s, cf. Int ro d uc t ion to Wisd o m Bo oks. C lea r proof of th is respect is to be found in some of the 'sayings of t he sages', 22: 17-23: I I , which a re bas ed on t he Egypt ian m ax ims o f Arn enemophis, co m m itted to wr it ing at the begi nni ng of t he first m ille nni um B.C. The im it a tion is by no means slavish , and be a rs w itness to t he origina lity o f the Israelite sa ges. T he nu cle us o f the book , ch. 10-29, may t herefore sa fely be dated in t he p re-exilic period : the d ate of ch. 30-31 is u nc er tai n . T he pro logue, ch . 1-9, is certainly late r: it has lite ra ry affi n ities w it h post-ex ilic wr it in gs s ugges ti ng th e fifth centu ry as the d a te of it s co m pos it io n , wh ic h is also p re suma bly when t he wh o le book was give n its defini tive fo rm . Since, th e n, the bo ok re p rese nts se ve ra l centuries of though t o n t he part of t he sa ges , develop me nts of doc tr ine a re d isce rn ib le in it. In t he t wo pr imitive co llec tions th e domin an t to ne is t ha t of h um a n , worl d ly wisdom, d isco ncert ing t o t he C hrist ia n reader, thoug h eve n he re o ne p rove rb in every se ven is rel igio us in t he me . T h is re ligi o us teach ing is not s pec ulat ive b ut pr actica l: God reward s t r uth , c harity, pur ity of hear t, humility, and p uni sh es t he ir co ntr a ry vice s. The sou rce a nd th e sum of all the se virt ues is wisdom , tha t is to sa y th e fea r of God , 15: 16,33 : 16:6 : 22 :4, in whom alo ne man mu st p ut hi s t ru st , 20:22, 29:25. T he ope ning c hapters o ffer the same p rincipl es of hum an an d sa c red wisdom; th ey e mp has ise vice s of w hic h t he ea rlier sages do not s pea k, s uch as adultery, 2: 161'; 5:2f, 151'. T he e pilo g ue, to o , bears witness to a gr eat er resp ect for wo men . More important st ill, t he p ro lo gu e o ffers t he fir st exa m ple o f a lo gicall y o rdered doct r ine o f w isd o m , its worth a nd it s fun cti o n as g uide and cont ro ller of beh a viou r. T he s pea ker is W isdo m he rself: she sings her own p ra ise a nd exp la in s her re lat ion ship with God , in wh om s he ha s been fro m a ll e tern ity a nd w hom she a ssist ed wh en he ma de th e world, 8:22 -30. T h is is th e earl iest of a ll the texts (listed in Intr od uct io n to W isdo m Books ) to d eal w ith W isdom person ified . T he teac hing of t he Bo o k o f Pro ve rbs ha s und oubtedl y bee n fa r tr an scen ded by th a t of C hr ist, t he W isdo m of God : even so , se ve ra l m a xim s ant icipa te t he m o ra l teaching o f th e go sp el. It sho uld a lso be re mem bered t hat t ru e re ligio n can only de velop on t he fo un d a t io n s o f h um a n d ecen cy : while t he fre q uent usc of t he bo ok (fo urteen qu o tati on s and a bo ut tw enty a llusion s) ma d e by the New T es ta me nt, co m ma nd s the resp ect of C h rist ia ns fo r t hes e thou g hts of the an cient sa ges of Is rael.

THE PROVERBS

s 0..

Titl e and purpose of the book l I T he proverbs of So lo mo n son of Da vid, king of Israe l: for learni ng what wisdom and discipline are , for und erstan d ing word s of deep mea ning, fo r ac q uiring a n enlightened attit ude of mind - virtue, ju stice and fair dea ling : for teac hing so und judgemen t to th e ignora nt , a nd know ledge a nd sense to t he yo ung ; fo r pe rceiving the meanin g of pro verbs a nd o bscure sayin gs, t he say ings o f the sa ges a nd their ridd les. Let t he wise liste n a nd he will lea rn yet more, a nd the man of discernmen t will acq uire the art of guida nce. T he fea r of Ya hweh is the begin ning of knowledge;" foo ls spurn wisdom a nd d iscipline. I.

22: 17 009:1 7 9: 10 : 15:33 D ( 4 :6

Jb

2H :2 ~

I Ps 111:10 Si 1: 14

PRO L O G U E

A COMME NDATION OF WISDOM

The sage speaks : avoid bad company

10

II

12

13

14 15

Listen, my so n, to yo ur fathe r's instru ction, do not reject yo ur mot her's teaching: they will be a crown of grace for your head, a circlet fo r yo ur neck . My so n, if sinne rs try to sed uce yo u, do no t give way. If they say, ' Co me wit h us: there is blood to be had if we lie in wait for it, if we pla n an am bush fo r the innocent; we ca n swa llow them a live, like Sheol, alive an d whole like th ose who go dow n to the Pit. We sha ll find t reasu res of ever y so rt, we sha ll fill o ur hou ses with plund er ; throw in you r lot with us: one pur se between us all.' My son, do not follo w them in their way, keep you r step s ou t of th eir path a. T he 'fea r o f Y a hwe h ' in t he Bib le is a n p rox lmate lv w hat we ca ll t he virt ue o f re lig ion . or devot ion

to God . W isdo m , be ing it s p ro d uc t, is ess e n t ia lly reli gio us .

~ 6: 20

Ps 34 : 11

3:22 : 4:9 Si 6:24 .29

Ps 1:1 Ps 64:5 . Ps 10:8 Si 11:32

Nb 16:3 3 -1 Ps 55: 15

'I

I

I

1: 16 6 :1 ~

PROVERBS (for the ir feet hasten to evil, they a rc q uick to shed bloodj ; the net is always spread in vain if the bird is watc hing." It is for their own blood these men lie in wait, their own selves they lie in am bush for. To this co me' a ll men who are after d isho nest ga in, wh ich rob s o f their lives a ll those who take it for their own .

Is 59 :7

15:27

935

934

17

IS

Wisdom speaks: a warning to the heedless X: I·] : 9:3 S i 14

Wisdo m ca lls aloud in the streets," she ra ises her voice ' in the public squares; she ca lls out at the street corners, she delivers her message at the city gates, 'You igno ra nt peo ple, how much longer will you cling to yo ur ignora nce? How much lon ger will mockers revel in their mocki ng a nd fools ho ld know ledge con te mpt ible? Pay a ttent ion to my warn ing: now I will po ur out my heart to you, and tell you what I have to sa y. Since I ha ve ca lled and you have refused me, since I have beckoned and no one has taken notice, since yo u have ign ored a ll my adv ice a nd rejec ted a ll my warn ings, I, fo r my part, will laug h at yo ur d istress, I will jee r at yo u when ca lam ity com es, when ca lam ity bea rs dow n on yo u like a storm and yo ur d istress like a whirlw ind, when d isaster and a ngu ish bea r down o n you. Then they sha ll ca ll to me, but I will not a nswer, they sha ll seek me eage rly a nd sha ll not find me. T hey despised k no wledge, they had no love for the fear of Ya hweh , th ey wo uld ta ke no advice from me, a nd spu rne d a ll my warn ings: so the y must eat th e fruits of thei r ow n cou rses, an d cho ke themselves with their ow n scheming. For the erro rs o f the ign orant lead to their death , a nd the co mplacency of fools works their ow n rui n ; bu t whoe ver listens to me may live secure, he will ha ve q uiet, fear ing no mischan ce.'

In 7:37

'I

r J

W s6:16

Ps <)-1-:1-:

<

i~~

S i 16:24

Ps 107: 11 1, 65'2 12 ' (;6:'4 ' J r 7 : 13 I S S: I S

W s 4 :IS Dc 2S:6.i

J r 23: 19

Jr 1[:11 1Ho 5:6 i-

I n 7:34

J r 6: [9

X:36 Ba 4: 1 J r 5: 12- 1J Am 6: 1

Wisdom, a sa fegua rd aga inst bad company

2 3: 14 : S: 19 ; 16 : 16

M I 13;44-4 6

I K 4;9

Jb 2X:23; 3 2 :~

Ps 141:5

My so n, if yo u tak e my wo rds to hea rt," if yo u set sto re by my co mman dm en ts, tuning your ea r to wisdo m, a nd a pplying you r hear t to tr uth : yes, if yo ur plea is fo r clea r percep tion, if yo u cry o ut for d iscern ment , if you look fo r it as if it were silver, and sea rch for it as for buried treas ure, yo u will then understan d wha t the fea r o f Ya hweh is, a nd d iscover th e kn owledge o f God. Fo r Ya hwe h him self is giver of wisdom, from his mouth issue kno wledge and discernmen t.

H e keeps his help for hon est men, he is th e shield of those whose ways are hon ou ra ble ; he sta nds guard over the pa ths o f ju stice, he keeps watc h on the way of his devo ted o nes. T hen yo u will understa nd what virtue is, ju stice, and fair dealing, a ll pat hs t hat lead to happiness.

16

19

21

22

12

13

14

IS

23

16

17 24 IX 25 1'1 26

27

28

22 29

31

32

33

Ws9 :10 ... S i 1:1'" Dn 2:2 1... J m 1:5A

P s 141:5

So yo u will pu rsue the way of goo d men, persist ing in the paths of the virt uou s. For the la nd will be for ho nest men to live in t he innocent will have it fo r their ho me ; while the wicked will be cut off from the la nd, and th e faithless root ed out o f it.

20

21

30

3:5

W hen wisdom comes into yo ur hea rt a nd know ledge is a del ight to you, then prudence will be there to watch over you , and discernment be your guard ian to keep you from th e way that is evil, from the ma n whose speech is dece itful, fro m those who leave the pat hs of hon esty to walk the roads of dar kness: men who find the ir jo y in doing wro ng, a nd their delight in dece itfu lness, whose track s a re twisted , a nd the pat hs that they tread croo ked. Keepi ng you also from t he alien wo man, " from the st ra nger, with her wheed ling word s ; she has left the pa rtn er of her yo unger days, she has forgotte n the cove na nt o f G od ; towards dea th her ho use is decl ining, d own to th e Shades her paths go . Of those who go to her not o ne return s, they never regai n t he pa ths of life.

10

II

20

PROVER BS

H ow to aequire wisdom My son, do not forg et my teachin g, let your heart keep my principles, for these will give yo u len gth ier days, lon ger years of life, a nd grea ter ha ppiness.

13

Let kindliness a nd loyalt y neve r lea ve yo u: tie th em rou nd your nec k, writ e them o n the ta blet o f yo ur hea rt. So sha ll yo u enjoy favo ur a nd good repute in th e sight o f G od a nd mall. Tr ust wholehear tedl y in Ya hweh, pu t no fa ith in you r own perception : b. T he m ean in g is . a p pa re n tly . tha t as th e b ird min d . vv. 3 ~ 4, a nd a willin gne ss 10 lea r n from the a vo ids th e net if i t has see n th e hunter spre ad it . so th e te a ching o f o ne's eld ers . vv . 1 ~ 2 , e tc . youth duly ad mo nished will k no w h o w to avoid th e b . l.c . a no the r m an ' s wife . T hi s firs t sec tion of Pr o pitfa lls of life. e. Lit. ' Suc h is th e en d' G reek ; ' Suc h is th e way ' th e la st to he ad ded to the co llec t io n, o fte n warn s agai ns t ad ulte ry , 2 : 1 6 ~ 1 9 : 5:2- 23: 6:24 - 7:27. Ad u lte ry He b r . is id entifie d , 2: 17. wit h apostasy fro m the co ve na nt of d. 'i n th e st ree ts ' G ree k ; ' outsid e' He br. e . W isdom per sonified . cf', 8:22+. a c ts lik e a God . cr. a lso 5: 15 + ; it leads 10 S hcul. 2 : 1 ~ : 5:5,6 ; pr ophet . cf. Jr 5: I ; 7:2. wa lk in g th ro ugh the s tree ts an d 7:26-27 . In these nassa acs th e re is o nly o ne all usi o n to pr os t itut ion . 6;26. which th e o lder pr o ve r bs ide nt ify ur gin g her doctr ine o n the pe op le . 2 a . All w isdom ce rnes from G o d . v , 6. but th e wit h a d u lte ry. cf. 23:27 ;3 1:3. cf. 29:3 . s im:c bo th co rr upt di sp ositi on s needed fo r re cei vin g it are a n e nq ui r ing k ings a nd rob war rio rs o f th e ir vigo ur .

10:23 (J:

iii 5:2-20 ; 6: 24-7: 27 Si 9 :1]; 23: 22

(f)

Vl Ex 20: 14 (f)

~

Ps 27:9.29 Ml 5:4 10:30 Ps 52:5

U S

Dt S: I;

30 : 16 I K 3:14 -I.-fO; 9:Jl

D l 4;40; 8:3 Ne 9:29

s: 1:20

= b:2 1,= 7:3

I>t 6:6- 9 S~ S:6 J r 17: I

.»Rm

12:17

Lk 2;52 Ps 37:5 28: 26

fll

3:6 I ll ; ] .

Si

~: 6

2(1: 12

t's 34 :9 . 14 . : R ill 12:l h

Iv1I J: IO-I :! fJt

~ h:

I

~s:s Ps ~ : 7

Dt

. ' II c b l ::!: 5-fJ

Jb 5: 17 26 : r 2 Dl H:5 . : R v J: l 'J

PROVERBS

93 6

Ho no ur Ya hweh with wha t goods yo u have a nd with the first-fr uits o f a ll yo ur ret urns ; then yo u r barns will be filled with w hea t," yo ur va ts overflow ing with new wine. My son, do not sco rn correct io n fro m Ya hwe h, do not rese nt his re buke; for Ya hweh reproves the man he loves, a s a fa ther checks a well-loved so n.

33 34

35

III

II

2;4

: 16: 16

8: 11

s: IX W s 1'; ]6 Si 4; 12 M I I I :2 9

11:3ll ( i n2 :9 : .\:22 Rv 2:7 H:22-."\I

Ps 1) (,:5

4:20

1:9 4 : 12: h;22 P s 9 1; 12

I's 12 1:3 : 127:2

Ps 3:11 Ps 9 ) :5 I P 3: 14 Jh 5: 19-27 Ps 12 1:)

S i 4:3 M 1 7; 12

U :1 2 MI 5:·0-4,'; Lk 10:25-.l7

2 ;\: 17

Ps .\7; I Si 11:2 1

Hap py the ma n who d iscovers wisdo m, t he ma n who ga ins d iscernment : ga ining her is mor e rewa rdi ng than silver, mor e pr ofitab le tha n go ld. She is beyond the pr ice of pearls, n oth ing you eou ld co vet is her eq ua l. In her rig ht ha nd is lengt h of days ; in her left han d, riches a nd ho no ur. Her ways ar e de lightfu l ways, her path s a ll lead to co nte ntme nt. She is a tree of life for those who ho ld her fast, those who clin g to her live hap py lives. By wisdo m, Ya hwe h set the ea rth o n its foundat io ns, by disce rn me nt, he fixed the hea ve ns finn . T hro ugh his kn ow ledge the dep ths were carved o ut, a nd the clouds rain d own the dew . My so n, hol d to so u nd judgment a nd to pru dence, do not let th em out o f you r sight ; they will pro ve the life o f your sou l, a n orna me nt ro und yo ur neck. Yo u will go o n yo ur way in sa fety, yo ur feet will not stum ble. W he n yo u sit d ow n, " yo u will not be af raid , whe n yo u lie d own , swee t will be yo ur slee p. Have no fea r o f sud de n te rro r o r o f assa u lt from wicke d men, since Ya hweh will be yo ur gua ra nto r, he will keep you r ste ps fro m the snar e. Do no t refu se a kindness to a nyo ne who begs it, if it is in yo ur pow er to perfo rm it. Do not say to yo u r neigh bour," 'G o awa y ' Co me an oth er time ! I will give it yo u to morrow' , if yo u ca n do it now . Do not p lot ha rm aga inst your neigh bou r as he lives unsu spect ing next doo r. Do no t pic k a gro und less q uarrel wit h a ma n who has don e yo u no harm . Do not em ula te the man o f violence," neve r model your cond uct o n his ;

1 4 2 '3

4

14

15

16

17

IS

Listen, my so ns, to a fa ther' s instruction; pa y a ttention, a nd learn wha t clea r perc ept ion is. What I am commending to you is so und doc tri ne: do not di scard my teaching. I too was on ce a so n with a father, in my mo th e r' s eyes a tender ch ild, u nique . Thi s was what he used to teach me, 'Let your hea rt treasure what I have to say, keep my princip les a nd you sha ll live; acquire wisdom, acquire percept ion , neve r forget her, never deviate from my words. D o not desert her, she will keep you safe, love her, she will watch over yo u. T he begin ning of wisdo m? T he acquis ition o f wisdom ;" a t the cost of all you ha ve, ac qu ire pe rcept ion. Ho ld her clos e, " an d she will ma ke yo u great ; em brace her, and she will be you r pr ide ; she will set a cr own of grace o n yo ur head , present you with a glor ious d iadem.'

1')

Listen, my son , ta ke my wo rds to hea rt, a nd the yea rs o f yo ur life sha ll be m ultipli ed. I hav e educated yo u in the ways o f wisdom, I have guided you a lon g the pa th s of honesty . As yo u walk , your go ing will be unhinder ed, as you run, you will not stum ble. H old fast to d iscipline, never let her go , keep you r eyes on her, she is yo ur life. Never set your foot on the pa th o f the wick ed , do not wa lk the way t hat the evil go . Avoid it, do not tak e it, turn your bac k o n it, pass it by. Fo r they cannot sleep unl ess they ha ve first d on e wro ng, the y miss their sleep if they ha ve not br o ught so meo ne dow n ; wick edness is the bre ad they eat , and viole nce the wine they drink.

10 20 11 21

12

22

13

23

14

24

15

25

16

26

17

27

18

T he path of the virt uou s is like the ligh t o f dawn , its br ight ness grow ing to the fulness o f day;

28 3 29

30

31

Ps 125:5

Ps 18:27

s: 3: IH.20 /' J m 4:6

/~ I P 5 : 5

On choosing wisdom

12

13

4: 1 8

fo r th e wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to Ya hwe h, wh o co nfides onl y in honest men . Ya hweh's cu rse lies on the ho use o f the wicked, bu t he blesses the home of the virtuous. H e mocks tho se who mock, but accord s his fa vour to the humble. H o nour is the portion of the wise, a ll tha t fools inherit' is disgrace.

32

T he joys of wisdom 20: 15

P ROV ERBS

937

in eve ry co urse yo u ta ke, have h im in mind : he will see tha t yo ur pa ths are smoo th. Do no t th ink of yo urse lf as wise, "car Ya hweh and tu rn you r back on evil : hea lth-giving, this, to your body, rel ief to yo ur bones.

a . ' wi th wheat' G re ek.

b . 'YOU si t d o w n ' G ree k; ' YOU li e d o vv n' Hebr. c. 'Ne ig hbou r ' or tai nal l v meant co m panion . frie nd. associa te . i.e.• o ne wit h whom a m a n ha d a spec ific re la t io nshi p . DUl in Pr t he \...'o r d ta kes o n a wider sense

vio le nce ' , 'pe rve rse me n' , 'w ic ked ' . ' m o c ke rs". ' foo ls '. va r io us ter ms fo r t he e nemies o f Ya hw eh ) ha s a lways bee n a threat to th e co ns ta ncy o f th e Isr ael ites . cf'. 24 : 1, 19 ; l' s 7.\. and la te r becomes a se ri o us rhe ol o ni ca l p roblem , 11' j 2: I : .Ib 2 1:7, et c .

' fellow m an ' . d . 6:1,3.29; 25:9 ; 27 : 17. This is the first c. ' In her i t " coni . s tep tow ar d s the br oa de n ing of the p recep t of chari ty. Lv 19: IR. whic h wi ll reach its fin a l for m in the c o m ma nd 4 a . I.c . to win wi sdo m om: mu s t first rea lise that it is ess en tia l 10 ha ve it and that it de m a nd .. se tf-sac r if icc . o f Je su s ' lo ve yo ur e ne m ies '. M t 5:..U f. d. T he seeming prosp e r ity of the god less (' me n of b. ' Ho ld her c los e' G reek.

Ps 34: 11

Sg 6:9 0::

.

Ui ~

7:2 ; 8:35

en ~

.

Ws6: 17 M I 13:44-4 6

en ~ ~

1:9 S.5: 16 Si 6:31 7:27 J d t 8: 14 Si 1:12

Ps 23: 3 3:23 + J b 18:7

J b 3:23 .In H:12 r

to IIJ

II I

4: 19 Iln 2: 10

PROVERBS

938

3:21 Ba 3:9

My son, pay atte ntion to my words, listen ca refully to the words I say; do not let them o ut of your sight, keep them deep in your heart. T hey are life to those who grasp t hem, health for the ent ire body . More than all else, keep watc h over your heart, sinee here are the wellsprings of life. Turn your bac k on th e mouth that misleads, keep yo ur dista nce fro m lips th at deceive . Let your eyes be fixed ahead, your gaze be straight befo re you . Let the pat h you tread be level a nd all yo ur ways made firm , Turn neither to right nor to left, keep your foot clear of evil.

He b 12: 13

0 15 :32 : zs.14

19

20

21

6:2 4 Si 9:9: 23:22 -27 2;16 i7: 12 Sg 4 :1 I Q o 7:26 S i 21:3

7:27 N b 16:)] lSi 19:3 7: I I

2 9 ;)

Si

[ : ~o

11+16 :

3 1: W f Si

.~h : 21 -2 7

Sg: 4: 12

5

My so n, pay a ttent ion to my wisdo m, listen ca refully to what I know, a nd so have prudence and knowledge to protect you; these will keep a guard o n yo ur lips. Take no not ice of a loose-living woman," for the lips of t his alien drip with honey, her word s ar e smoo ther tha n oil, but their o utco me is bitter as wor mwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps lead down to Sheol; far from following the path of life, her ways are undirected, irrespo nsib le. And no w, my son , b listen to me, never de viate fro m wha t I say: set your co urse as fa r fro m her as possible, go now here near the doo r of her house; o r you will surrende r your honour to ot hers, your yea rs to o ne who has no pity, and st ra ngers will batten on you r prope rty, your labou rs go ing to some al ien hou se, and , a t yo ur ending, when body a nd flesh are consumed, yo u will groan -and exclaim, .Alas, I hated discipline, my hear t spurned a ll co rrect ion ; I wou ld not hear the voice of my masters, I wo uld not listen to those who tried to teach me. No w I a m a ll but red uced to the dep t hs of m isery, in the presence of the whole co mm un ity.' Drink the wa ter fro m your own cistern , fresh wa ter fro m your own well. r Do not let yo ur founta ins flow to waste d elsewhere, nor yo ur stream s in the publi c st reets.

18

Find joy with the wife you married in your youth, fair as a hind, graceful as a fawn. Let her s be the co mpa ny you keep, ' hers the brea sts that ever fill you with de light, her s the love that ever holds you captive. Why be seduced, my son, by an alien woman, and fond le th e breast of a wom a n who is a stranger? For t he eyes of Ya hweh observe a man's ways and sur vey all his path s. T he wicked man is snared in his own misdeeds, is ca ught in the meshes of his own sin. For want of discipl ine, he dies, and is lost thro ugh his own excessive folly.'

19

22

23

6: 10

Let them be for yourself alone , no t for strangers at the same time. And may your fountain-head be blessed!

17

20

24 21 25 22 26 23 27

On surety rashly offered"

16

Flight from the seduct ress. Where the wise man's love should be 3 1:2

PROVERBS

939

the way of the wicked is as dark as night , they ca nno t tell wha t it is they st umble over.

4

10

I II

My son, if yo u have gone surety for your neighbou r, if you have guarant eed the bond of a stra nger, if you have commi tted yourself with your own lips, if thr oug h wo rds of yours you have been en trapped, do this, my son , to extricate yourse lfsince you have put you rself in the power of your neighbour: go, go qui ckly, and plead wit h your neighbour, give yo ur eyes no sleep, your eyelid s no rest , break free like a gazelle fro m the trap, like a bird fro m the snare . b

The idler and the ant Idle r, go to the ant; ponder her ways and grow wise:' no one gives her orders, no ove rseer, no mas ter, yet all th rou gh the summer she makes sure of her food, and gat hers her supplies at harvest tim e." How long do you inte nd to lie there, idler? When are yo u goi ng to rise from your sleep? A little sleep , a litt le drow siness, a little foldin g of the arms to tak e life easier,

II

5

12

13

14

15

16

a . F o llo wing G ree k an d Lat. T he li ne is a bse nt from Heb r. b. ' my so n' G reek ; ' my sons ' Heb r. c. M et ap hor s for th e la wful wife. T he co ndem nalion of ad ulte ry . 2 : 16 !- . is no w co mp leme n ted by this eu lo gy o f m ari ta l fideli ty a nd of the la wfu l wife, v v , I S-I Ra an d v v, l H b ~ 1 9 . For further pa ssa ges in pr a ise of th e ideal wife. a g if t fr om God a nd the co ns ol a tio n of her hus band . d. 18:22 ; 19:14 (cf ., by co n tras t, 11:22 ; 19: 13; 2 1:9.19; 25:24 : 2 7: 15: 3 1:3) a nd cf. pa rt tcuta rl v t he enth usi as tic co m m enda t io n of th e perf ect w ife w it h whic h t he b o o k en d s. 31: 10-.' 1. Perha ps here 10 0 . as in 31:I Of. be h ind th e cha rac rcrlsti cs of t he lawfu l wife we s ho u ld see a sy m bo lic portra it of Wisdom pe rso n ified . In the co n tex t of ch . 1-9. adultery a nd married fa it h wo u ld . accord in g to t he prophet ic u-adi no n , cf. Ho 1:2 I • sta nd respect ivel y fo r reli gio us apostasy a nd fa ithf u ln ess to G od a nd h is l.aw as th e source o f wis do m . d . ' Do not let' G reek : 'Let' Hebe

e . ' Let hers be th e co mpa ny yo u keep' G ree k . f. T hc fou r ad mo n ition s t hat fo llow . 6: 1-5 .6-11, 12- 15, 16-19. a rc a n ad d it io n; th e d isco urse of th e sag e Is-res u m ed at 6: 20. 6 a . Sur ety wa s p rac tise d in Isr ael fro m an cien t t imes. The cur flcs t prove rb s co n ta in wa r-nines agai nst its abuse . t houah t he lat er Si commend s it as a chari ta ble wo rk . b . ' fro m th e t ra p ' . ' fro m th e sn are' w i th Greek ; ' fro m th e ha nd ' Heb e c . A knowledge of na tur e is pa r t of the s age's in tel lect ual equ ip ment , cr. 1 K. 5: 13 ; Pr 30:24- 31. etc . d. Gr eek add s ' or eo to th c be e and see ho w dil iacn t s he is a nd ho w co ns idera ble th e wo rk s he does. Kines a nd co m mo ne rs ra ke what s he yiel d s for t heir healt h : she is so u uh t after an d revered by all ; her st re ngth m ay be feebl e. but bCl.:3uSC s he d oes hom age to wisdom sh e wins respect .'

009:9

15:3 Ps 119: 168 11:27 Ps 94:23 Ac 8:23

cr (jj

11:15 : 17: 18; 20:16 : 22:26-27 : ~ 27: 1 3

Si 29:14 -20

Ul

~

....

U)

~

.... P s 124:7

20 :4. 13 : 22: 13-16: 24:30-34 : 30:24- 25 P s 5:5-6

10:5 004:5

~~

6: I = 24:33-34

Ps 36: 1-4

10: 10 S i 27:22 Ps 64:5

1: 16

7:3 Ep6: 2

~ I:X:

~ 3: 3

3:23-2 4

Ps 119: J0 5 Da 4 :2 10: 17 2: 16- 19 : 5:2-2 0 Si 23:22 -27 Si 26:9 29:3

E x 22: I-S

J b 31:11

27:4

I

PROVER B S a nd like a vag ra nt, po vert y is at your elbow a nd, like a beggar, e wa nt.

Portrait of a scoundrel A sco undrel , a vicious ma n, he goes with a leer on his lips, win king his eye, sh uffling his foot, bec koning wit h h is finger. Deceit in his hea rt, always sche ming evil, he sows disse nsion. Disas ter will ove rtake him sha rply fo r th is, suddenly, irret rievably, his fall will co me. Seven thi ngs hateful to God/ T here a re six t hings tha t Ya hweh hat es, seve n that his so ul ab hor s: a ha ughty lo o k, a lying to ngue, han ds tha t shed inn ocen t blood , a heart that weav es wicked plot s, feet tha t hurry to do evil, a false witness who lies with every brea th, a ma n wh o sows disse nsio n a mo ng brother s. M ore fatherly advice Keep your father's principle, my so n, do not sp urn yo ur mother's teaching. Bind them eve r to yo u r hea rt , tie them roun d yo u r neck . W he n yo u wa lk, these will guide yo u, wh en yo u lie d own, wa tch o ver yo u, when yo u wak e, ta lk with yo u. Fo r th is prin cip le is a la m p, this teaching is a light ; correction and disc ipline a re the way to life, preserving yo u from the woma n subject to a husban d, " fro m the smoo th tong ue of the woma n who is a stranger. Do no t covet her beauty in yo ur hea rt or let her ca pt iva te yo u wit h the play of her eyes; a harl o t ca n be bo ugh t fo r a hun k o f bread, but the ad ulteress is aim ing to catch a prec iou s life." Ca n a man h ug fire to his brea st without se tting his c lo thes a light? Ca n a ma n wa lk o n red -hot co a ls witho ut burning his feet ? So it is the man who conso rts with h is neighbour's wife: no o ne who to uc hes her will go unpuni shed . Men a ttac h sma ll blam e to the thi ef who in hun ger stea ls to fill his bel ly; tho ugh, o nce ca ug ht, he mu st pay back seve nfold, a nd ha s to han d over a ll his fami ly resou rces. Bu t the ad ult erer has no sense ; act like h im, a nd co u rt yo ur own destruct ion . A ll he gets is blo ws a nd insults, a nd di sgrace tha t will not be blo tted ou t. Fo r jea lou sy inflam es the hu sba nd who will show 110 mer cy whe n the day co mes for revenge,

94°

94 1 II

35

1 7 12

13

14

15

16

17

IX

19 I II

II 20 12 21 13 22

14

13

15

16 24 17 25

IX 26 19

27 20 2X

21 29 22

30

3I

32

33

34

23

PROVERBS

7:23

he will not co nsider any compensation, lavish wha t gifts you may, he will not be placated. My son, keep my words, and treasure my principles, keep my principles and you will live, keep my teach ing as the apple of your eye. Bind th ese to your fingers, write t hem on the tablet of your heart. To Wisdom say, 'My sister!' Call Perception your dearest friend, to preserve you fro m the alien woman, fro m the stranger, wit h her wheed ling words. Fro m the window of her hou se she loo ked o ut o n the street, to see if a mo ng the men, yo ung and callow, there was o ne yo ung man who had no sense at a ll.« And now he passes down the lane, and comes near her corner, reac hing the pat h to her ho use at twilight when day is dec lining, at dead of nigh t a nd in the da rk . But look , the wom an com es to meet him, dr essed like a harl ot , wrapped in a veiL" She is lou d a nd b razen; her feet ca nno t rest a t hom e. Now in the street, no w in the sq uare, she is o n th e look-out a t eve ry corne r. She ca tc hes hold o f him, she kisses him, the bo ld-faced crea ture says to him, 'I had to offe r sacrifices: I d ischa rged my vows tod ay, that is why I ca rne ou t to meet yo u, to lo ok for you , a nd now 1 have found yo u. 1 ha ve made my bed gay wit h quilt s, spread " the best Egyptia n sheet s, I ha ve sprinkled my bed with myrrh , with aloes and with cinna mo n. Co me, let us drink deep o f love unt il the mornin g, and a bandon ou rse lves to de ligh t. Fo r my husba nd is not at home, he ha s go ne on a very lon g journ ey, taking his moneybags with him ; he will not be back until the moo n is full.' With her per sistent coa xing she entice s h im, d raws him on with her sed uctive pa tter. Bem used ," he foll ows her like an ox bein g led to the slau gh ter , like a stag cau gh t in a noose, " till he is pierced to the liver by a n a rrow, like a bird dartin g into a sna re not know ing its life is at stake .

e . ' bcgu a r' co ni.: ' a r med m an (7 )' He br. r. ' N um e r ica l p ro ver b' , cf. 30; 15 -r- . g , G reek; ' from th e wic ked woman' He b r. h . The ad u lt er o us wo m a n is mo re d a n gerou s tha n t he p ro s titu te: t he latt e r IS co n te nt wi th a wa ge . the fo rme r dem a nds a ma n's who le life.

7

n,

vv, 6-7

fol lo w Greek . He b r. ' I loo ked aut ..

l aaw .

b. 've il' co ni. c. ' (I have I spre a d ' Greek . d. ' Be mu sed ' Greek . c. T he tr an slat io n o r t his line Follows th e Gree k,

Jb 31:9

~ 4: 4 ;

8:35

D t 6:R Jr 17: I ~ 3:3 :

6:20-21

= 2: 16 + Si 23:22

J b 24:1 5

Gn 3S: !4

5:6

23:27-28

5:3

S g 3:21

O n 7:26 : 9 : 12

P R O VE R BS

7:24

And now, my so n,r listen to me, pay attention to the words I ha ve to say: do no t let yo ur hea rt stray into her ways, or wa nde r into her pat hs ; she has done so many to death, an d t he st ro ngest have a ll been her victims. Her ho use is the way to Sheol, th e descent to the co urt s of death.

sr 19 :3 5:5

943

942 24 22 25 23 26 24 27 25

Wisdom again personified" 1:20-33 Ws 6: 16

I n 7:37 Ps -t9: If

,r

Ps 94:S

3:14 ; 16: 16

3: 15 J b2S: 15- 19

8

Does Wisdom not call mean while? Do es Discern ment no t lift up her voice? O n the hilltop , o n the road, at the crossways , she ta kes her stand ; beside the ga tes of the city," at the a pproac hes to the ga tes she cries alou d, '0 men ! I am ca lling to yo u; my cry goes o ut to the so ns o f men . Yo u ignor ant o nes! St udy discretio n ; a nd you foo ls, co me to yo ur senses! Listen, I have ser ious things to tell yo u, from my lips co rne ho nest wo rds . My mout h procla ims the tru th, wicked ness is ha teful to my lips . All the wo rds I say a re right, nothing twisted in them, nothi ng false, a ll stra ightforwa rd to him who un dersta nds, honest to those who know wha t kno wledge mea ns. Accept my discipline rather than silver, knowledge in preference to pur e go ld . Fo r wisdo m is more prec ious t ha n pearl s, a nd not hing else is so wor thy of desir e.

26

27

28

29

30

3I

Jb 2S:2S Si 15:M

Ws 1:1 ; 6: 12

.» M t7:7-1 1 Ws6:2 Is 11: 15

J r 23:5

I K 3:4- 15 Si 10:4 3: 16 Si 6 : 19

2:4 ; 16- 16 S i 1: 16f

'I , Wisdo m, am mist ress of discret ion," the invent or of lucidity of th ou ght. Good adv ice a nd so und j udgement belo ng to me, percepti on to me", st reng th to me. (To fear Ya hweh is to hate evil.) I hale pride a nd a rroga nce, wicked be hav iou r a nd a lying mouth. I lo ve t hose who lo ve me ; those who see k me eagerly sha ll find me. By me mo na rchs rule a nd pri nces issue j ust la ws ; by me rulers gov ern , a nd t he great imp ose j ust ice! o n the wor ld. With me a re rich es a nd hon o ur, lasting wea lth a nd j ustice. T he fruit I give is bette r than go ld, eve n the finest, the return I make is better than pure silver. I walk in t he way of virt ue. in th e pa ths of j ustice, enriching those who lo ve me, filling their treasur ies.

8:36

Wisdom as crea tor" 'Yahweh created me" when his pur pose first un folded, before the oldest of his wor ks. From everlasting I was firmly set, from the beginning, before earth came into being. The deep ' was not, when I was born, there were no springs to gush with water. Befo re the mountains were settled, before the hills, I came to birth ; before he made the earth, th e co untryside, or the first grains of the world's dust. When he fixed the heavens firm, I was there, when he drew a ring on th e surface of the deep, when he thickened the clouds above, when he fixed fast the spr ings of the deep , when he assig ned th e sea its bo undaries - and the wa ters will not invade the shorewhen he laid do wn the found at io ns of the earth. I was by his side, a master cra fts man, del ighti ng him da y after day, ever at play in his presence, at play everywhere in his worl d, delight ing to be with the so ns of men.

In 1:1-3+ 3: 19 ; 14:1 Gn 1:1

st 1:4 .9 ; 24:8-9 Is 40:13

In 1:1

J b 15:7

Jb 28:23-27 P s 136:5 Ws 8:4 ; 9:4 Si 24:5 Jr 10: 12 Ws9:9 J b 38:8- 11 Ps 104: 7-9

0::

iii

(fl

s Ws 1:6 Ba 3:38 In

J2 a .13

10

.\2b .J·I

II .\5

Wisdom sings her own praises. Wisdom, the guide of kings I

PROVERBS

12

.\6

The great invitation ' And now, my so ns, listen to me ; liste n to instruction a nd learn to be wise, do not ignore it. Ha ppy t hose who keep my ways! Ha ppy the man who listens to me, who day af ter day watches at my gates to guard t he po rta ls. For the man who finds me finds life, he will win favour from Ya hweh ; bu t he who does injur y to me does hurt to his own so ul, all who hat e me are in love wit h deat h.'

14

r. ' m y so n' Greek; ' my sons ' He br .

8 13

17

15

16

I~

19

20

21

a. C h . 8-9 m ar k the he igh t of Prov erb ial tea c hi ng

o n wis dom . cf. 8: 22 j- . T he sa me th e m e is d e ve lop ed in la te r b oo ks: S i I : 1-20 ; 24 ; Ws 6-9 (d . a lso J b 2M). b. T ex t ove r lo ad ed . Ad d . 'a t the wid e op e ning ' . c . ' co me to yo u r se nses' G ree k . d. Lit. ' I p ossess d isc re t io n ' S)oT. • Ta fl.~ .; ' I dwe ll wit h d isc ret io n' He br. , G reek . e. ' to me' wit h ve rsio ns . f . 'impose just ice o n' G re e k. Read v, 17 bef ore

v, IS, g, T he co ncep t o f a person ified wisdom , a me re lite ra ry device in Pr 14: I . was fu rt he r d e vel op ed in th e pos t-ex ilic pe rio d . when p ol yth e ism wa s no lo nge r a threa t to Iru e rel igio n . In J b 2M a nd Sa 3: 9- 4: -t wisdo m is rep rese nte d as a t h ing d ist inc t from G od and m an , des ira b le in itse lf ; in Pr 1:20-23 ; 3: 16· 19 and H-9 it is repre se nt ed as a pe rson . H e re W isdo m he rsel f re ve a ls he r o r igin (c reated be fo re a ll o ther c re a t ures, v v , 22-26>. the a c tive part s he p lays in th e c reat io n. vv , 27 ~3 0 , a nd the fu nc tio n s he di scharges a mo ng me n in le a d in g them to God , vv. 31. 35- 36 . T h is doc tri ne will be furt he r deve lo ped in Si: S i 1: 1- 10 rec all s J b 2S. b u t Si4: 11- 19: 14:20-1 5: 10 a nd es pecially 24: 1-29 (d. Si 24: 1+)
ho w m uc h the apprecia tio n 0 1 new ly re ve a led trut hs . Fi nally. W s 7:22-8: 1 gives th e im p re ssi on t hat wis dom a n 'o utpou ring o f God 's glory ', h as a s ha re in t h e d ivine na ture. a lt ho ug h t he a bs trac t te rm s used ma y eq ua lly we ll apply to a di vine a tt r ib ut e as to a d is tin ct pe rso na lity . The doc tri ne o f wisdom , thus o ut line d in th e D .T .. will be res um ed in t he N.T, whic h will give it ne w a nd deci sive c o m p le tio n by a p p ly in g it to t he per so n o f C hr is t. Jes us is re fe r red to as W isdom itse lf, t he W isdom of God, Mt 11: 19p ; L k 11:49. cf. M t 23: 34-36 : l C o 1:24 -.W; like W isdom, he par t lcm a tes in t he c reat io n a nd pre ser vat io n o f t he wo r ld . C o l I: 16-1 7. a nd t he pro tec t ion of Isr a el, 1 C o 10 :4 , cr. Ws 10:1 7f. F ina lly , St Joh n in h is pr o logu e attr ibu te s t he c ha racter is tics o f c rea tive W isd o m 10 th e W or d . a nd his gos pe l t hr o u gh o ut re p rese n ts C h ris t
~

SI1 4:20- 27

U

D.30:16 Ws6 : 14 R v 3:20

3: 1-2; 4:4 Ba 4:1 1 I n 5:12

1:32 W s 1:12-16

~

III

II

9: I Mt 2 2: 1·141>

9

I 1:20

S l 15:3 ; 24; 19-21 Is 55: 1-3 M15 :6 I n 6:35 I

P RO VE RBS

944

945

Wisdom as hostess

1;7 /. D 14 :6 3: 1-2

Dt 30: 16

9: 1-6

Nb Hd 3 I

S i 19:3

Correct a mock er an d yo u mak e an enemy; rebuke a wicked ma n, you get insult in return. Do no t rebuke t he mocker, he will o nly hate yo u, rebuke a wise man a nd he will lo ve yo u fo r it. Be o pen with th e wise, he grows wiser still, teach a virtuous man , he will lea rn yet more. T he fea r of Ya hwe h is the beginn ing of wisd om ; t he know ledge of t he Ho ly O ne- perc eption indeed! Fo r days a re multipli ed by me a nd yea rs of life increased . Are you wise? It is to your adva ntage. A mocker? T he bu rden is yo urs a lon e.

III

17:25 ; 19: 13 Si 5:S

11:4 ; 12:2S Ps .H :9

A wise so n is his fa ther 's j oy, a foo lish so n his mot her's gr ief. T reas ures wicked ly co me by give no benefit, but right con d uct brings del ivery fro m death . Ya hweh docs not leav e t he virtuo us man hun gry, but he th warts the greed o f th e wicked .

10: 16-24

T he virtuo us man is remembered with blessings, the wicked man's name rots awa y.

10:7 ; 12:7 : 14:1 1 Ps 109: 13 W 54: 1

T he heart that is wise is obe d ient to instruction, the gabbl ing fool is hea d ing for ruin.

Mt 7:24

II :HUO

He wa lks secure whose ways are honourable, but he who follows crooked ways is soo n d iscove red .

2S: IS

A win k of the eye, a nd a man makes troub le,

6: 13 S i 27:22

Hatred provokes disputes, love cove rs over all offences ,

11

11

On the lips o f a disce rn ing ma n is wisdo m found, on the back of a fool , the stick .

12 1·1

Wise men sto re up know ledge, but the mout h of a fool mak es ruin imminent.

1\

T he rich man's wealth is his stro nghold, po vert y is the poor man 's undo ing.

13

14

IS

18:7 !\11 12:3 4-35

= 18:1 \

Ps 49 :6 Si

s.z

10:6

Rm (,:2 1-22

1'/

T he path of life is to a bide by discipline, a nd he who ignores co rrectio n goes as tray .

6:23: 15:32

I~

T he lips of j ust men" silence ha tred, he who vo ices slande r is a fool.

1.' :3 : \ 7:27 o« 5: 2 J m 3:8

I'J

A flood of wo rds is never with ou t its fa ult,

16

17

IN

11:13

Jm 1:19 : 3:2

he who has his lips co ntro lled is a prude nt ma n. T he virtuo us ma n's to ngue is pure st silver, the hea rt of th e wicked is of t rumper y value. T he lips of the virt uo us man no ur ish a multit ude, but foo ls d ie in poverty ." I)

a , 'e rec ted' G reek . o ccasio na l su per ficial h. Ap ho ris ms s ubse q ue n t tv inserted as a co m rne n- bo ur ing m a xims.

relat io ns h tps

~

CJ)

19:29: 26:3

The virt uo us man 's wage affords him life, but destruct ion! is all the wicked ma n earns.

I"

0::

iii

CJ)

17:9 " 1 Co 13:7 Jm 5:20 . : 1 P 4: 8

12 10

MAJOR COL LECT ION ATT RIBUTED

10 Th e pro ve rbs of So lo mo n.

T he blessings of Ya hweh" a re on the head of the virtuous man , premature mourning stops the mouths of the wicked. '

The mout h of the virtuo us ma n is a life-givi ng fo untai n, violence lurks in the mo ut h of the wic ked.'

II

TO SOLOMON"

15:20

20:4 6:9- 11

a bo ld rebuke, and a man ma kes peace."

'" II. T HE

15; 19 ; 19:15

Gathering in su mmer is the mark of th e prudent, sleeping a t ha rvest is the sign of the sh am eless.

Da me Folly a pes Wisdom' Da me Fo lly act s o n impulse, is child ish a nd know s noth ing. She sits a t th e door of her ho use, o n a thro ne co mma nd ing the city, invitin g the passers-by as they pass on their lawful occasions, ' Who is ignoran t? Let him step this wa y.' To the foo l she says, 'St o le n wat ers a re sweet , a nd bread tastes bette r when ea ten in secret' . T he fello w docs not rea lise th a t here th e Shades a re ga thered, that her guests a re headin g fo r the va lleys of Sheol.

10 : 2 I

T he slac k hand brin gs po verty, bu t the d iligen t ha nd brings wealt h.

Wisdom has built herself a ho use, she has erected" her seven pillars, she has slaughtered her beasts, prepa red her wine, she has laid her tabl e. She has despatched her maids er vants a nd proclaimed from th e city's height s: 'Who is igno rant ? Let him step this way.' To the fool sh e says, 'Co me a nd eat my bread, dri nk the wine I have prepared! Leave your folly a nd you will live, wal k in the ways of perceptio n.'

Agains t cynics/

15:12 ; 19:25 Ps 141:5

PROV ERBS

be twee n

neigh-

toHY o n T. 6.

c . Fo lly is no w perso n ified in he r (u rn, a nd her b. 'o f Y a h weh ' Gree k a nd t.a r. : om itt ed by H ebr . ucuvhlcs co n tras ted w it h th ose of wisd o m. 9: 1-6 , T he c . W it h G re ek. H ebr . 'a nd th e m o ut h o f the wicked utcuuing o f the pa rable is p lai n: the re a rc two W3}-'S o pe n co ncea ls vio lenc e', cr. v. l ib . I I I ma n . o f vIrtue or o f v ice (4 : 18· 19 : [) I 30: J 5- 20 : Ps I ; d . W it h G reek . Heb r. ' t he ga b b li ng fo o l is headi ng cf. •uso Didache. Pse ud o - Ba rn abas. a nd Q um ra n MSS); fo r ruin ' , cf . ..... Sb . l li n e are t wo invit a tio ns o ffe red to m a n. two ba nq uets c . Lit. ' a nd the mo uth o f th e wicked co ncea ls he m ay a ttend . He m u st c ho o se for h imse lf, cf. vio le nce' . It III 12:21 : 2 C o 6: 14 f : T t ]:15. f. 'd es tr uc tio n' co nj. : ' s in' He br . 10 01. Pr o bab ly t he o ld es t sec tion of t he book. T he re ~ . 'o f just men ' G ree k: ' t ha t lie ' Heb r. II no apparen t o rd er in th is co llec tio n ot he r t ha n h . 'i n pover ty' Gree k; ' fo r la ck of se nse ' H ebr .

~

IO:2 2 Ps 127:1 2:1 4

Jb 3:25 Ps 3.7:4

12:3 Ps 125: I M I7 :24 -27 1 In 2:16-1 7 13:17 : 25: 13 : 20:6 4: 10 Ps 90: 10; 9 1: 16 00 7: 18 Jb H:13 Ps 112: 10

2:2 1-22

liPs 3i ;30

Qo 10: 12 16: II ;

20 : 10.23 Dt 25:13 - 16 110 12:H

A m H:5-6 Mi 6:10-11 ~

13: 10

11

PROV ERBS

94 6

Ps 49:6-H

Jill 5:3

12

Who scoffs at his neighb our is a foo l; the man of d iscern ment holds his to ngue.

14:21

T he joy of the fool lies in doi ng wrong, but the jo y of the man of discern ment in acquiring wisdom.

23

13

A titt le-ta tt ler lets secrets out, a tr ustwo rthy ma n keeps things hidden.

IO:19: 17:27 f S i 22:22

What the wicked ma n fears ove rta kes him, wha t the virtuous desire s comes to him as a present.

24

14

Fo r want of gu idance a peop le fai ls, safety lies in many adv isers.

When the sto rm is over , the wicked man is no more , but the virt uo us sta nds firm for ever .

25

15

He who goes bail for a stra nger will rue it, the man who ha tes going surety is safe .

As vinegar to the teeth , smo ke to the eyes, so the sluggard ' to the one who send s him.

26

It ,

A grac io us wo ma n brings honou r to her husband, she who has no love for justice is disho nour enthr oned . a

Th e fear of Yahweh adds length to life, th e years of th e wicked will be cut shor t:

27

T he hop e of virtuous men is a ll joy, th e expectati ons of the wicked are fru str at ed.

28

Ya hweh is a str on ghold for the man of ho nest life, for evildoers nothing but ruin.

29

T he virtuous man will never be mo ved from his own place, but the lan d will offer no hom e for th e wicked .

30

T he mou th of the virtuous man utters wisdom , the deceitfu l to ngue sha ll be torn ou t.

31

Men of depraved heart are abhorrent to Ya hweh, dea r to him, thos e whose ways are blam eless.

T he lips of the virt uous man drip with kindn ess, the mouth of the wicked with deceit.

32

Be sure of it, a wicked man will not go unpuni shed , but the race of th e virtuo us will co me to no harm .

IO;2 S

Ps 1 12: 10

Est H: [

2".1 :5

2X: 12 ; 29:2

14:1

~ 24 : 0

15:2 Ws 6:24

0: 1 :

lI: IOf S: 15 -i-

The indolent lack resources, men of ente rp rise grow rich . 17

T he gene rou s man is his own ben efacto r, a cruel man injures his own flesh .

1K

T he livelihood won by the wicked is illuso ry, he who sows virtu e rea ps a solid rewar d.

Si 14:6

10:6 2 Co 9:6

Cia 6:8

A virtuous man I, may count on life, the pur suer o f evil on death.

I"

12:22: 15:9. 11 101:3

p~

16:5 12:21

A golden ring in the snout of a pig is a lovely woma n who lacks discretion.

A false balanc e is ab horrent to Ya hweh, a j ust weight is pleasing to him.

Th e desire of th e virt uous ends in happiness, the ho pe of t he wicked is in vain. '

Pride co mes first, disgrace co mes aft er ; with the humble is wisdom found.

In the day of wrat h riches will be of no advantage, but vir tuous co ndu ct delivers from death .

One is extravagan t, yet his riche s gro w, ano ther excessively mean, but onl y grows the poo rer.

Si 11: 11 2 Co 9:6

T he gener ou s so ul will prosper, he who waters, will be watered.

28:27 Is 58: 10 M I 7:2 : 10:42

T he people's cu rse is on the man who hoards th e wheat, a blessing o n him who sells it.

Th e virtues of the blamel ess man smo oth the way befo re him , the wicked man founders in his own wickedne ss. 11:3

J 1:3 [

22

Ho nest men have their own hon esty for guidance, treachero us men ar e ru ined by their ow n perfidy . ~ 10:2 Tb 12:H Jb 2 1:30

PROV ERBS

947

T he blessing of Ya hweh is what br ings riches, to this hard to il has no thing to add.

He who stri ves after goo d is striving a fter favo ur ," he wh o looks for evil will ha ve evil come to him.

T heir virtuo us co nduct sets hon est men free, treac hero us men a rc impr isoned by th eir own desires.

He who tru sts in riches will hav e his fall, t he virtuou s will flour ish like the leaves.

Th e hop e of the wicked perishes with death , the expectatio n of the god less is fru st rated.

He who m isgoverns his ho use inherits the wind, and th e fool becomes sla ve to the wise .

T he virtuo us ma n esca pes misfortune, the wicked man incurs it instead.

'"

T hro ugh his mo ut h the godless man is the ruin of his neighb o ur, but by knowl edge the virt uo us a re safegua rded.

\I

Wh en virtuous men prosper the city rejo ices, there arc glad cr ies, to o, when the wicked are ruined .

10

A city is rais ed on t he blessing of hon est men, a nd demo lished by the mout h of the wicked.

II II .

Jb 31 :24 Ps 1:3 : 52:9- 10 Mk 10:23

Si 10:2 5

Fro m frui ts of virt ue gro ws a tr ee of life ; t he wicked are ca rried off before their time . e

3: 18 Ps 1; 10:6

If here on earth the virtuous man gets his due , how much mor e th e wicked, how muc h the sinner !

I P 4:18

t. r.e. the messenger who dawdl es.

II

12:2 5:22

Followi ng Gr eek . Hebr. 'A gracio us wo man wins

ren o wn , bo ld men acq uire rich es' .

cr.

b. Lit . 'so n' Gr eek . c . ' is in va in' G ree k . d . T he favo ur of Ya hwe h who rewa rds t he virtuo us . 12:2. e . Verse translate d fro m Greek.

III

12:1 13: 18 :

949

PROVERBS

23

The man of discretion keeps his knowledge hidden, the heart of fool s proclaims their folly.

11:27

The good man wins the favour of Yahweh, but he condemns the man who is a schemer.

24

For the diligent hand , authority; for the slack hand, forced labour.

10:25

No ma n is made secure by wicked ness, but nothi ng shakes the roots of virtuous men.

25

Worr y makes a man 's heart heavy, a kindly word makes it glad.

A good wife, her husband's crown, a shameless wife, a ca ncer in his bones .

26

An impartial arbiter is his own best friend ;' the way of the wicked leads them astray .

The plans of virtuous men are honest, the intrigues of the wicked are no thing if not dece it.

17

The idle man has no game to roast:" diligence is a man's most precio us possess ion.

T he words of wicked men are snares to shed blood, but ho nest men have an answer and elude them .

28

Life lies alon g the path of virtue, the way of the vicious leads to dea th. h

14:3

10:7 M l7:24-27

l

948

He who loves disc ipline, loves kno wled ge, st upid is the man who hat es correction.

IS:§il~I : 6

3 1: to r Si 26: 1

fr

12

PROVERBS

10:2

Si 10:27

113

Once thrown down, the wicked are no more, but the ho use of virtuous men stands firm. The pra ise of a man is in pro po rtio n to his prudence, men of depraved hea rt are held in cont empt.

He keeps his life who guards his mo ut h, /, he who ta lks too much is lost.

2 1:23

6:6- 11: 21:25

T he virtuo us man hate s lying word s, but the wicked man slande rs a nd defam es.

sr 20:24

He who tills his lan d sha ll have bread a nd to spare, he who chases fantas ies ha s no sense.

II

T he des ires of the god less a re sickly, the roots of the devout are firmly set

12

Virtue preser ves the man of hon est life, wickedness pr oves the ruin of th e sinner.'

13

There a re so me who, o n noth ing, pretend to be rich, so me, with great wealth, pretend to be poo r.

14

A man 's wealt h may ran som his life, but the poor man sees no threat."

15

Th e light of virt uo us men burns bright,' the lamp of the wicked goes out.

c

29: 11 2S I 3:20r.32

14:25

15:4 Ps 55 :21

T he fool shows his displeasure st raight away , th e d iscreet man over loo ks th e insul t. To tell th e tru th is to fur ther justice, a false witn ess is nothing but deceit. T here are some wh ose th ou ghtless wo rds pierce like a sword , but th e tongue of t he wise br ings heal ing. Lips th at te ll t he tr uth abide firm fo r ever , the to ngue t hat lies lasts o nly fo r a moment.

Mt 5:9 11:2 1 Jb 4:7 Ps 9 1:10 S i 33: 1 11:20 : 15:9 Si 20 -26

Bitte rness' is in the hea rt of the schemer, joy with t hose wh o give co unsels of peac e. No har m can corne to the vir tuou s man , but the wicked have their fill of t roubles. Lips tha t lie are abho rre nt to Ya hweh ; dear to him t hose who speak the truth.

ItO

16

Insolence breeds disputes ; with t he humble! is wisdom found.

22

U

006:8 Lk 12:21.3 3 Rv 3: 17 15:16

Qo 5:1 1

Ps 97 : 11: 112:4

~ 1 1: 2

20:21

11

H o pe deferred mak es the heart sick , des ire fulfiIled is a tree of life.

3;28 : 13; 19

II

He who des pises the word will dest roy himself, he who respects the commandment will be safe."

19

21

,,II

A sudden » fortune will dwindle a way, he grows rich who accumu lates litt le by little .

18

20

en ~

II

17

12 a . ' who d oes his o wn wor k' Greek; 'w ho has a 13 a. ' loves' co rr. s la ve' Hebr. b. Poss ib ly a play o n word s: th e Heb r. fo r 'sou l' b. Lit. ' bo wels' . (he re translated ' lifc') ca n a lso mea n ' th ro at ' . c. Ver se tr ansl at ed fro m G reek . c . 'o f th e sin ner' corr. : 'of sin' Hebr. d . 't he wicked m an is e n trapped' G reek . d. Sin ce he has no th ing to lose . e, ' Bitt e r ness ' co nj. : 'deceit' He br. e . ' b u r ns briu tn' co rr.: ' rejo ices' Hebr. I, ' wi th t he humb le' co rr. : 'v.... ith tho se who lake advice' H eb r, r. Fo llow ing Greek . He br. ' A just ma n sh ow s the g , ' s ud de n' corr. ( He br. lit. ' th a t co me s fro m wuy(,?) to h is ne igh bo ur ' . empt iness ') . g , Since he has not ca ught anything. h . ' w il l destro y h imself ' carr. ' will be safe' Greek; h. Fo llow ing Greek. 'wi ll he rew a rde d' Heb r.

~

S i 2H:25· 26 Jm 3:2- 12

T he idler yearns, but there is no foo d for him; hard workers get their fill.

= 28: 19

In the eyes of a fool the way he goes is right, the wise man listens to advi ce.

a:

(jj

12: 14 : 18:20

10

When a man is filled with goo d things, it is the fruit of his own wo rds, each man 's lab our bri ngs its own return.

10:16 Rm 6:21-23

When a man has good things to eat, it is the fruit of his own words, bu t the a ppe tite of the treacherou s feeds o n violence .

Th e virtuous ma n loo ks aft er the lives of his beast s, but the wicked man' s hea rt" is ruth less.

13:2: 18:20: 22:8 Ps 94:23 L k 6:37-38

15:13

til

Better a co mmon man who does his o wn wo rk" tha n on e wh o plays t he lo rd a nd goe s sh or t of bread.

His own lips a re to blame when the wicked man is en tra pped ,« the virtu ou s man finds his own way out of misfortu ne.

10'19'l3:i6: 18:2

A wise so n loves" disc ipline, a mock er will not listen to reproof.

27:23

18:7 Ps 59: 12

13: I 3

13: 14 14:27 SI7:23; 21;)3 ~

12:23

10:20 2 5:13 12: I

II

15:5 13: 12 29:27 14 :7 Si 6:33 -34 : ~ :~

T he house of the wicked sha ll be destroyed, the tent of honest men will sta nd firm .'

10:7 Jb 8:22

Intelligent prudence secures favour, th e way of t he treacherous is ha rd .

15

12

T here is a way that some think right, but it lead s in the end to death.

~16 :25

Every man of d iscret io n acts by th e light of know ledge, the foo l parades his folly.

16

13

Even in laughter th e hear t finds sadness, and jo y ma kes way for sorrow.

Q o2:1-2 ; 7:2-6 L k 6:25

A ma licio us messenger means a fall' into misfo rt une, a trust y envoy heals.

17

14

The unstable heart is satisfied with its own ways, t he good ma n with his own hard work '!

For the man who reject s discipl ine: poverty an d disgrace; for th e man who accepts correction : ho no ur.

18

15

T he simpleto n bel ieves what he is told, the man of discretion watches how he tread s.

Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul ; fool s are loth to turn from evil'!

19

16

T he wise man sees evil coming and avo ids it, the foo l is rash and presumpt uous.

Ma ke the wise yo ur co mpa nio ns a nd yo u grow wise yourself ; ma ke foo ls your friends and suffer for it. k

20

17

A quick-tem pered man co mmits ras h acts , the pruden t man will be lon g-su fleri ng. v

Jm 1: 19

Simp leto ns have folly for their portion, men of d iscret io n knowledge for th eir crown.

14 :24

T he poor man 's fallow yields food in plent y; there a re so me who perish when ju stice fails.' 3: 12; 1-22; 15 : 23: 13- 14: 29; 15· 17 Si 30: 1- 1.1

T he man who fai ls to use the stick hate s his son; the man who is free with his cor rection loves him .

21

T he virt uo us man eats to his hea rt' s co ntent , the belly o f th e wicked goes empty . ~ :22 1 ·

:

14

13:20

&l

20

T he poor man is detestable even to his neighbou r, but the ric h man has friends and to spare .

19:4-7 S i 6:8 - 12 ; 13:22

21

He who look s down o n his neigh bour sins, blessed is he who ta kes pity on the poor .

11:12

22

To be a schemer, is this not evil? Lay worthy pla ns, and kindl iness and loyalty await you .

23

Hard wo rk always yields its profit, idle tal k brings only want.

24

Sound judgement is the crown of the wise, folly the diadem of foo ls."

25

14:18 12:17

T he fool's mouth co nta ins a rod of prid e, the wise ma n's lips watch over him . "

26

19:2 3

No oxen, no ca tt le-feed ; sto ut ox , rich crop.

Fear of Yahweh gives goo d grounds fo r co nfidence, in him his children find a refuge.

27

~ 1 3: 1 4 ;

T he trut hfu l witn ess tells no lies, th e false witnes s lies with every breath. C

T he fear of Yahweh is a life-giving spring, fo r elud ing the snare s of death.

28

In vain the mocker loo ks for wisdom, knowledge comes easy to the discern ing ma n.

A king's majesty shows in th e numbers of his peopl e, with few to rule, a prince is ruined .

29

T he equab le man is full of discern ment , th e hasty is mo re th an fooli sh )

8

G od mocks t he wicked, he sho ws favour to hone st rnen.« T he heart kno ws its own grief best, nor can a stranger sha re its joy.

10

d . Text corr. i. Lit. 'ca u ses a fa ll ' co rr . : 'fa lls' H ebr. i , T he text o f th is vers e is prob a b ly cor r up t or d efecti ve . c. ' will stan d firm ' G reek , k . 's u ffer for it' cor r. ; 'beco m e w icked ' H ebr. r. L l t , ' h is wo rk' co ni . I. Th e text se ems co rrup t . G reek 'J ust m en Pa ss g. Fo ll owing G reek . Hebr. ' t he pr uden t m an is ma ny rears in wea lt h ; the u n iu st spe ed ily per ish ' , 14 a . ' W isd o m ' co rr .; 'T he wises t wo men' Hebr.. de tes ted ' , h . ' so u nd jud gem ent' G reek : ' t he ir ric hes' He br. th oug h t he ver b is in th e s in gu la r . "d iad em o f fo o ls ' co r r. fo llow in g 4 :9 ; H ebr . 't he folly b. Te xt uncert a in . c. O n fa lse witn ess. cf. 6: 19 ; 12: 17 : 14:25 ; 19:5 ,9 : of fo ol s is roily' . i , Text corr.: Hcb r. 'craft iness utt ers lies' . 2 1:28: 24:2S : 25:18 , p ossi b ly also 10:11: 11:9 ; 12:6 . j, ' is m o re t ha n foo lish ' G reek . C r. Ex 20:16 : 23: 1; r» 19:15 -21.

~

ill

A truthful wit ness is a save r of lives, he who utters lies is an im posto r.'

To the man of disc retion, wisdom means a watch on his own cond uct, but th e folly o f fool s is delus ion.

en

P s 4 1:1

25

Kee p well clear o f the fool, yo u will not find wise lips there.

cr:

iii

en

T he evil bow do wn befor e the good , the wicked, at th e gates of the virtuo us.

24

Wisdom " builds herself a house ; with her own han ds Fo lly pulls it dow n.

10:4 ; 14:29 : 20:3 :29: 22

19

23

He whose co urse is honest fear s Ya hweh, he whose pa ths are cr ook ed scorn s him. 12:6

18

22

E D 6:4

9: 1: 11: 11: 24:3

14: 2 9

II

T he good man bequeat hs his her itage to his children's ch ildr en , the wea lth of t he sinner is stored up for th e virtu ous.

Es t H:2 Jb 27: 10-1 7 0 02:2h Si 14:4

P R O V ERB S

14

Misfortune dogs the sinner ; goo d fortune rewards th e virtuous. 2~: ~

95!

95°

T he wise man's teaching is a life-giving fountain, for elud ing t he snares of dea th .

Qo 10:3

I

P ROV ER B S

19:23

14: 17 : 15:18; 19:1 1; 20:3

14:3° 17:21

17:5

29: 4

~1

MI 24:45

Qo 10: 12

I

I 5:2 1; 15; 11 16:2 Ps 7:9 ; 139:1f

si 36:21 Zc 4 :10 12:18

12:1 ; 13:18

~ 2 1 : 27 ;

28:9 I S 15:22 + 11:20 ; 12:22

12:1 ; 15:32 i5:3

15

To o ppress the poo r is to insult his creator, to be kind to the needy is to ho nour him.

31

18

T he wicked ma n is over thrown by his own malice, the virtu o us finds shelter in his integrity. "

32

19

In the hear ts of discern ing men wisdom makes her hom e, wit hin the foo l she has no place at all.'

JJ

20

A wise son is his fat her's joy, a foo lish man despises his mother.

34

21

Folly appeals to a man with no sense, the man of discernment goes stra ight fo rwar d .

35

22

Without deliberati o n plan s com e to noth ing, where counsello rs ar e man y pla ns succeed.

A mild a nswe r turns away wra th, sha rp words st ir up anger.

23

When a man has a rea dy an swer he has jo y too : how sati sfyin g is the apt rep ly!

T he tongue of wise men distils " kno wledge, the mouth of fools spews folly.

24

T he upward path to life is for th e wise man, that he may avoid Sheol below."

T he eyes of Yahweh are everywh ere: observing the evil an d the good .

25

Ya hweh pulls down the hous e of the proud, but he keeps the widow 's boundaries intact.

T he ton gue tha t soo thes is a tree of life ; the barbed tongue, a brea ker of hearts.

26

In the hou se o f the virtuous there is no lack of treas ure, the earni ngs of the wicked a re fraught with anxiety.

28

Wise men's lips keep gua rd on > knowledge, not so the hea rt of fools.

29

T he sac rifice of the wicked is a bho rrent to Ya hweh, dear to him is th e prayer of honest men.

30

T he conduct of the wicked is abhorrent to Ya hweh, bu t he loves the man who makes virtue his goal.

31

10

The moc ker does no t care to be repr ima nded, he will not choose th e wise for his compa nio ns.

12

12:25

G lad hea rt mea ns ha ppy face, where the hea rt is sad the spirit is brok en .

13

18:15

T he heart of the discern ing makes knowledge its searc h, the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

14

Fo r th e so rrowi ng every day is evil, for the jo you s heart it is festi val always .

15

Bette r to have little a nd with it fea r of Ya hweh than to have treas ure a nd with it anxiety.

16

9:8

s: 13:25

s: 30: 25 13:8 : 16:8 ; 17:1 Ps37: 16

17:1

14:29; 2S:2,25

s: 8:16 : 28:H M15 ;9

T he way of t he lazy is strew n with thorns, the pa th of the indus triou s is a broad highway."

27

II

I n 2:25

The hot -headed man provokes disputes, the eq uabl e man allays dissension.

He who sp urns his father's discipl ine is a foo l, he who accepts co rrect ion is discreet.

Co rrec tion is severe for him who leaves the way ; he who hat es being reprima nded will die .

16:3

Better a d ish of herbs when love is there than a fatte ned ox and hatred to go with it.

17

Sheo l a nd Perd ition lie o pen to Ya hweh ; ho w much more the hea rts of mankind !

Jb 26 :6

PROVERBS

953 30

A clever servant enjoys the favour of the king, he uses his shre wd ness to avoid disgrace. m

sr H:S

95 2

T he life of the bod y is a tranqu il hea rt, but en vy is a can cer in the bones.

Virtue makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced.

16:13 G n 4 1:37-44

I S 25:32- 33 I K 12:12- 19 S16 :5

PROVERBS

11: 14

" (jj

Q o 3:2 1

N b 16:3 3 -i(f)

22:28 : 23: 10- 11

He who seeks dishonest gain bri ngs trouble on his hou se, he who hates bribes shall have life. The hea rt of th e virtuous ma n contemplates kind acti on s,' t he mout h of wicked men spews out malice. Yahweh stands far from the wicked, but he listens to the prayers of the virt uous .

III

~

...

1: 19 17:23

J

o

"'

= 19::' 8

Is 59 :2 I n 9:31

A kindly glan ce gives joy to the hea rt, goo d news lends streng th to! the bo nes. T he ear attenti ve to wholeso me co rrection finds itse lf at ho me in the compa ny of the wise. He who rejects discipline despises his own self ; he who listens to correction wins discern ment. The fear of Ya hweh is a school of wisdom, hum ility goes before honou r.

33

16

A ma n's co nd uct may str ike him as pure, Ya hweh , ho wever, weighs the mo tives. Co mmend what you do to Yahweh, and you r plans will find achievement. k . ' in hi s int e gri ty' c o r r. follow ing G ree k: ' in h is d e ath ' Hc b r . I. Gree k (IiI. 'she is no t known') . m. Following Gree k . 15 a . ' d is t ils' corr.: ' m a ke s pl easi ng' Hebr . b . ' ke e p g ua rd on' Svmrnachus. c . Verse translated a ccordi ng to G reek .

25; 12

15: 10 10:17 : 19: 20 1:7 1. : ~ 1 6:9

Si 1:27 : 32 : 10

16:9 : 19:11 009:1

Man's hea rt makes the plan s, Ya hweh gives the a nswer."

d . ' upward' a nd ' belo w': o mitted b y G ree k . T he ' p a t h o f l i fe' seem s to mean a p r ol o n ga t io n o f earth l y

li fe : d escent to Shc n l t-cin ~ dea t h . La te r it co mes to be u ndersto od a s th e w'a y III heavenl y happiness. e. ' ki nd a ct ion s ' coni. : "(c on siders) ho \'" 10 a nswer' Hcbr. r. Lit. ' Ia u c ns". 16 a . Man proposes, G o d di sp ose s .

~

D1 19:14 Hn 5: 10

Wick ed schemin g is ab horre nt to Ya hweh, but wo rds that a re kind a re pu re.

32

I

~ I O: I

17:25 ; 23:22

15:3 ; ~ 2 1 : 2 24: 12

3:6 Ps 37:5

"

16:4

P ROVE R BS Ya hweh mad e eve rything for its own pur pose, yes, even the wicked for the day of disaster. b

26

A wor ker's a ppetit e works on his behalf, his hungry mouth drives him on.

T he arroga nt hea rt is ab hor rent to Yahweh, be sure it will not go un punished .

27

A scou ndrel digs deep for mischief-making, on his lips is a fire that scorches.

By kind liness and loyal ty atonement is made fo r sin; wit h the fear of Yahweh goes avoidance of evil.

28

Let Ya hweh be pleased with a man's way of life a nd he makes his very enemies into frien ds.

29

A viole nt man lures his neighbour astray and leads him by a way that is not good .

Better have littl e and with it virtue, t han grea t revenue s and no right to them.

30

He who closes his eyes meditates mischief ; he who purses his lips has a lready do ne wrong.

A man 's heart plan s o ut his way but it is Ya hweh who ma kes his steps secure.

31

White hairs are a crown of ho nou r, the y are found in the pat hs of vir tue.

32

Bett er a n equ a ble ma n than a hero , a man master of himself than o ne who takes a city.

T he lips of the king utt er o racles, c he does not err when he speaks in judgement. To Ya hweh belon g th e balance a nd sca les," a ll the weights in t he bag are of his making. Evil-do ing is a bho rrent to kin gs, since virtue is the throne's fou nda tio n. Virtu ous lips a re welcome to a king, he loves a ma n of hon est word s. T he king's wra th is th e herald of deat h, but a wise ma n will a ppease it.

16:2 1 Qo 10 :12

~ 1 4: 1 2

PRO V ERBS

955

954

A t ro ub lem aker sows strife, a ta lebearer divides friend from frien d.

10

12

13

14

Ps 120:4 Jm 3:6: 5:3 17:9 S1 28 :IJf

20:29 W s4:9 S I25:4-6 I Th 2:19

17

iii

Better a d ry crus t and with it peace than a hou se where feast and dispu te go together. "

15:16.17

17l

Where th e son is profligat e the shrewd slave is master, with the ot her brot hers, he will sha re th e inheritance.

Si 10:25

A cru cible for silver, a furn ace for gold , bu t Yahweh for th e testin g of hear ts!

~27:2 1

(/)

(/)

~ W s 3:6

S123: 19 J r 11:20 + ; 17:10

When the king's face bright ens it spells life, his favo ur is like th e rai n in spring.

15

An evil-doe r pays att ent ion to ma licious lips, a liar listens to a slande ro us tongue.

Better gai n wisdo m than gold, choose discern ment rath er t han silver.

16

To mock the poor is to insult his creator, he who laughs at distress sha ll not go unpunished.

14:3 1 Lv 19: 14 Jb 31: 15 Ps 127:3

17

T he crown of the aged is th eir children's children; th e children' s glory is th eir father.

Ps 128:3.6

To turn fro m evil is the way of ho nest men ; he kee ps his life safe who watches where he goes. Pr ide goes before des truction, a hau ghty sp irit before a fall.

18

F ine word s do not beco me the foo lish, false words becom e a pr ince st ill less.

19

A gift wo rk s like a talisman for him who gives it: he prospers whichever way he turns.

18:16; 2 1:14

Bette r be humble a mo ng the lowly than sha re the boot y with the proud.

10:12; 16:28

He who listens closely to the word sha ll find ha ppiness ; he who put s his tru st in Ya hweh is blessed .

20

He who covers an offence promotes love, he who raises the matter again d ivides friend s.

He whose heart is wise is proclaimed discerni ng; sweetness of speech makes words the more pers uasive .

21

Shrewd ness is a fo unt ain of life for its possessor, the folly of fools is their own pun ishme nt.

21

T he wise man's heart lends shrewdness to his mout h a nd makes his words mo re pers uasive.

23

Kind ly words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste, wholesome to the body.

24

There is a way that some think right, but it leads in the end to death.

25

4

cr:

25:2 8

On the breast the lot is drawn ,' from Yahweh th e decis ion comes.

33 II

I

17: 1 2

10

On a man of discernment a repro of makes more impression tha n a hundred strokes on a fool.

II

The wicked man thinks of nothing but rebellion, hence a cruel messenger will be sent against him. b

12

Rather com e on a bear robbed of her cu bs than on a fool in his folly. b. When misfortune co mes to him it will be a lesson breast . Ex 28:6 + . here identified with the o ther epnod in God 's justice . which held the sacred lo ts. I S 2:28 +. c . Since the king pronou nces judgemen t in the 17 a . LiL 'full of sac riftces o f disput e', Pr oba bly a nam e of G od. cf. 2 S 14:18- 20; I K 3:4-2 8. Vv . 10-15 reference to mea t offered in sacrifice and then eaten

(excep t v. I I) are roya l proverbs. d. Hebr. inserts 'just'.

at a sac red meal. But the text is not certain . b. Poss ibly 'the destroying angel ', cr. Ex 12:23 +-; Greek 'The Lord will send a ruthle ss angel against e. Allusio n to the enhod worn o n the high priest's him'.

SI3:1O-11

17:23 +

U

... UJ

17: I 3 Ps 109:4!

IM:5 Ex 23:7

1 6 :1 ~ - 2 0

Is 5:20

18:19,24 1520 12:8 6: 1+

r~ \

Ps 101:5

10:14: 13.3 Ps 59:12

As well loose a flood as initiate legal pro ceedings; break o ff before t he dispu te begins.

14

8

The words of a ta lebearer are tasty mo rsels that go right do wn into the belly.

~2 6 : 2 2

To absolve the guilty a nd conde mn the virtuous, bot h a like a rc a bhorrent to Ya hweh.

15

9

The man who is idle at work is blood -brother to the destroyer.

Wha t good is money in a foo lish hand ? To pur chase wisdo m, when he has no sense ?

16

10

The na me of Ya hweh is a st rong tower; the virtuous man runs to it and is secur e.

Ps 20: 1;

17

II

The rich man 's wealth is his stronghold, a high wall, as he supposes.

~ 1 0: 1 5

He lacks sense who offers guarantee s and goes sure ty for his neighb ou r.

1M

12

The hum a n heart is hau ghty until destruction come s, humili ty goes before honour.

16: IM

He who has a tas te for dispute has a tas te for blows ,« the man o f haugh ty speech" cour ts destruction.

19

He who begets a stu pid son begets him to his sor ro w, the father of a fool kn ows no joy.

14:30

A glad hea rt is excellent medicine, a spirit dep ressed wastes the bo nes awa y.'

15:27 Ex 23:X

Unde r cover of t he cloak a vena l man tak es t he gift to pervert the course of j ustice. "

Dt I 6:19 ;

27:25 1 5 ":3

I s 1:23 Am 5: 12

The man of d iscern ment has wisdo m t here befo re him, but the eyes of the fool range to the ends of the ea rth. fI

\0: I : 15:20 :

A foo lish son is his fat her's sorrow, a nd the gr ief of her who gave him birth.

J9: i 3 ;29: 15

To fine the inn oce nt is not right , to str ike the noble is sti ll worse. 10:19 ; II :U

A man who can control his tongue has knowledge, a man of discern ment keeps his temper cool.

Jb 13:5 Si 20:5

If a fool ca n hold his ton gue, even he ca n pass for wise, a nd pass for clever if he keeps his lips tight shut.

18 12:23

Who lives by himself follo ws his ow n whim, he is an gered by advice of any kind."

0::

iii

15

T he hea rt of t he discernin g gains in kno wledge, the ear of the wise man sear ches for knowledge.

15:14

22

16

A prese nt opens every door for you and wins you access to the great.

17:8. 23 + : 21:14 S120:29

23

17

The first to plead is adjudged to be righ t, in com es his opponent, then t he trial begins.

24

18

The lot puts an end to disputes and decid es between men of po wer.

25

19

Brother helped by broth er is a fortress," friends are like the bar s of a keep. C

17: 17 0 0 4:9-12 S16 : 14

20

When a man 's stomach is full, it is the fruit of his ow n- mout h, it is the yield of his lips that fills him.

12:14: 13:2

21

Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, tho se who indulge it must eat the fru it it yields.

21:2 3 SI5:1) : 37:14 Jrn 3:2-1 2

22

Who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Ya hweh.

5:15 + : 31:IOf SI26:1-4

23

The poo r man 's language is entreaty, the rich man's answ er harshness.

S1 13:3

24

There are! friends who lead one to ruin , others ar e closer than a bro ther.

17: 17: 27: 10

Better a poo r man living an hone st life tha n the ad ept at doubl e-talk who is a fool.

~ 28:6

en

l:iJ

en ~

U

IU

26

2,

28

I

5

and so to dep rive the virtuo us when giving j udgeme nt. T he lips of the fool draw him ' into arguments and his mouth pleads for a beating.

Si 11:8

21

3

It is no t good to show pa rt iality for the wicked

15:33

Sickness the spirit of man can endure, but when th e spirit is broke n, who can bear th is?

When wickedn ess co mes, co ntempt com es too, and, with disgra ce, dishonour.

17: 15 +

~

Si 32:10

14

2

Deep waters, such are the words of man: a swelling torrent, a fountain of life. b

To retor t with out first listening is folly to work one's own confusion.

13

61:3: 124:8

20

T he fool has no love for reflection but only for a iring his opin ion.

20:5 S121: 13 In 7:38

24:23 +

19: 1

T he mou th of the foo l works his own ruin, his lips are a snar e for his own life.

The contrary hea rt does not find hap piness, the deceitful tongue falls into distre ss.

10:1 S, 16:1 : 22:3

PROV E RBS

7

A friend is a friend at all times, it is for adversity that a brother is born .

Sih:7- 1O.16:

957

95 6 13

He who ret urns evil for good will not rid his house of evil.

1'115:25 .40

Dt

PR O VERBS

6

1

19 c. d. e. f.

'blows ' cor r.; 'sin' Hebr. demn ed ? Lit. 'he who make s his do or high'. b. ' fountain of life' G reek : 'fountain of wisdom' Lit. 'dries up the bo nes'. Heb r. Bribes taken by judges and false Witnesses . Cf. c . 'draw him' G reek. 17:8i 18:16 and 21:14 where the 'gift' has a more general sense. d. Fo llo wing Greek. Hebr. 'a brother sinned g. Le . the fool misses not hing and interferes in aga inst is more than a fortress'. everything. e . 'friends' conl.: 'quarrels' Hebr. 18 a. Text uncertain: so litude co mmended or con r. 'There arc' corr.

19 : 2 2 1:5

Si I.~ : 11- 20 Jm I : iJ 1-1

1-1:20 Si 6:1'· 12 : 12:X :

U: 2 1 ~ 1 9: 9

21:2X Si 13:5- 6 005: 10

Si JJ:2 1

95 8

P R OVE R B S

959 24

Into the d ish the idler dips h is han d, bu t bring it back to his mo uth he cannot.

~26: 15

It is man 's folly th at spo ils his fortunes, yet it is aga ins t Ya hweh tha t his heart rages.

25

Strike a mocker a nd the ignorant will be more wary, correct a man of discernment and he will listen to reason .

9:8; 21:11 Si 42:8

Wea lth multip lies friend s, but the o ne friend th e poo r man has is taken from him!

26

He who dispossesses his father a nd drives out his mother is a son as shameless as depraved.

20 :20; 23:22 ; 30 :17 Ex 21:17-1

The fa lse witness will not go unpuni shed, the man who utte rs lies will not go free .

27

Giv e up listening to instruction , my son , a nd ignoring what knowledge ha s to say. "

28

A witness of bad character holds ju stice in contempt ; the mouth of thc wicked gorges on in iquity,

The genero us man ha s man y to court his favour , to one who gives, ever yone is friend. T he poor man's brothers hate him , everyone ; his friends -how m uch the more do the se desert him!

29

120

He who obtains wisdom work s his own good, he who ca res abou t discernment finds happi ness . = 19:5 ; 2 1:2S

30 :22 00 10 :(1- 7

The false wit ness shall not go u npunis hed, the man who utte rs lies will meet his end .

20:2 I h: J4· 15

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,

27: 15

I ~: 2 2 ; J 1: l UI'

111:4

Si .U ::'..1

Lk 1O : 2 ,~ I J:2S 22:9: 2X:2 7 ·1h 4:7 • .\11 25 :40 2 t U : 29: 17 D t 2 1: I X-21

15:32

16 :1 .9 : 20:2 4 Ps B :11

Ps 25 :12 14 :27

~ 1 5 : 28

The stick ' was created for mockers, a nd beati ng for the backs of foo ls.

10:13 ; 26:3 5 142: 8

Wine is reckless, stro ng dr ink q uarrelsome; unwise is he whom it seduces.

23:29-35 S i 31:25 -31

Like the roaring of a lion the fury o f a k ing; whoever provo kes his a nger wro ngs his own life.

16: 14;

It is to a man's hon ou r if he avoids quarre ls, but fools never exercise self-co ntro l."

10

CIl

14: 17; 29 6:6: 10:5; 21:25

A ma n's shrewd ness shows in equanim ity, his self- respect in overlooki ng an offence.

II

12

Dee p in water are the purposes in human hearts, the discern ing man has on ly to draw the m out.

18:4

Like the roa ring of a lion, the a nger of a king, but like de w o n the grass his favour.

13

Man y describe themselves as kindl y men , but who can find a man reall y to be tru sted ?

s: 37:1

A foolish so n is the ruin o f his father, a wo ma n's sco ld ing is like a dripping gutter.

14

A virtuous man whos e ways a rc blamelcss ha ppy his children after him!

P s 10 1:6

Fro m fathe rs comes in herit ance of ho use and wea lth, from Ya hweh a wife who is discreet.

IS

A k ing enthron ed o n t he j ud gem ent scat with one loo k scatters " a ll that is evil.

16:10

Idleness lu lls a ma n to sleep, the feckless so ul will go hung ry. He who keeps t he co mma ndment is keeper o f himself, but he who des pises the word I, sha ll d ie.

What man ca n say , 'I have cleansed my heart ; I a m purified of my sin'?

I K R:46 Jb 4: 17 1'

16

O ne weight her e, a not her ther e ; here one measure, there a no ther: bot h a like a re ab horrent to Ya hwe h.

11: 1;. DI 25:13-16 Jb 3 1:5

9

T hc ma n who is kind to thc poo r lend s to Yahwe h: he will re pay hi m fo r what he has do ne.

17

All the wh ile there is hope , chastise yo u r son, but do not set o ut to destroy him a ltoge ther.

IR

A vio lent ma n lays hi mself opcn to a pena lty; spa re him, and you aggravate yo ur o wn misfortune."

10

27:2

MI 6:2.5. 16

Ps 51

1 I n I:H-IO

II

Even at playa ch ild revea ls whether his actions will be pure a nd rig ht.

19

12

Ear th a t hea rs, eye that sees, Ya hwe h has made both of these.

Ex 4:1 I Ps 94:9

Liste n to adv ice, accept correctio n, to be the wiser in the time to com e.

13

Do not love sleep or you will know po verty; keep your eyes open and have bread an d to spare.

6:6

20

Plan s mult iply in the hu ma n heart, bu t the purpose of Ya hweh sta nds firm .

21

14

' N o good, no good!' says the buye r, but he goes off co ngratulati ng hi mse lf.

Si 37:11

A ma n's att raction lies in his kin d ness, better a poor man than a liar.

22

The fear o f Yahweh leads to life, a man has food and shelter, and no evil

23

to

OC

iii

~ 1 9: 1 2

Autumn is over but th e idler docs no t ploug h, at harvest ti me he loo ks- nothi ng thcre!

4

6 10: 1 : 17:25 ; 2 1:\);

s: 3: 12 , 16

11l

still less for a sla ve to gove rn princ es. 14 :29

20:14

Where reflectio n is wan tin g, zea l is not good ; he who goes too qu ickly misses his wa y.

He goes in sea rch o f wor ds, but the re are no ne to be had."

f

PROVERBS

fear.

19 a. Fragmentary proverb. probab ly lacking first line. of evil co unse llors. Others co nsider the proverb to be iron ic . b . 'the word' corr.. cf. 13:13; 'his ways ' Heb r. e . 'The stick' Greek ; 'J ud geme nts' Hebr. c . Text very dou btful. 20 a. li t. 'but every fool breaks out '. b. Or 'win nows ', 'sifts', (by dlsunguis hing between d. The co ntex t s ugg ests that the ' Instr uctio n' is that just and unjust suits) cf. 20:26.

CIl

~

2 0 : 15

T here is gold, a nd pro fusio n of pearls , but lips th a t speak of kno wledge, that is the priceless ornament.

= 27 : 13

PROVERBS The marauding of the wicked entraps them through their refusal to do what is righ t.

Take th e man 's clothes! He has go ne sure ty for a str an ger. Seize him to the profi t of persons unknown !

16

The way of the felon is devious, the con duct of the innocent straightforward.

A ma n finds bread sweet when it is got by fra ud, but late r his mout h is full of grit.

17

Better the corner of a loft to live in than a house shared with a seolding woma n.

Weigh" your plan s in consu ltat ion , with so und guidance wage you r war.

18

10

The wicked man's soul is intent on evil, he looks on his neighbour with dislike .

1 1: iJ . Si 22: 22

T he bea rer of gossip lets ou t secrets ; have no thing to do with chatterers.

19

II

When a mocker is pun ished, the ignorant man grows wiser, when a wise man is instructed he acquires more knowledge.

29 :26

Whoever curses fat her or mo ther in blackest darkness shall have his lamp snuffed out.

20

12

T he J ust One- watches the house of the wicked : he hurls the wicked to destruction .

Pro perty q uickly co me by at first will not be blessed in the end .

21

13

He who shu ts his ear to the poor man's cry shall himself plead and not be heard.

Do not say, 'I will re pay evil' ; put yo ur hope in Ya hweh and he will keep you safe.

22

One weight here, a not her th ere: thi s is a bhor rent to Yah weh, false scale s ar e not good.

r x 20: iz, 21: 17 i13: II

25 :22 . H ml2: 17 1 T il 5: 15 11:1 -i-'

II'I

96 l 15

Jb 20 :12-1 4

rr\

960

3: 13-15

6: 1

u

PROVERBS

16:9 : 19:2 1 IP S 3 7:2 3

O l1 5:3- 5 Si

[ N : :.! .~

For the virtuous man it is a joy to execute j ustice , but it br ings dismay to evil-doers.

24

16

The man who strays from the way of prudence will rest where th e Shades gather round him .

Ws 5:6

25

17

Pleasure-lovers stay poor, he will no t grow rich who loves wine and good living."

23:2 0-21

26

18

Th e wicked man is the price to be paid for the virtuous, th e deceiver for the upright.'

27

19

Better to live in a desert land tha n wit h a scolding and irri table woman .

28

20

If in a wise man 's dwelling the re is prec ious treasu re and oil, the fool will gobble it up.

29

21

He who pursues virtu e and kindness shall find life and honour tool

M 1 5:6

30

22

The wise man can scale a citadel of warriors and throw do wn the ram pa rt it trusted in.

Qo7:19: 9:13 -15

Like flowing wa ter is the heart of the king in the hand of Yahweh, who t urn s it where he pleases.

23

H e who keeps wat ch over his mo uth and his to ngue preserves himself from disaster.

13:3: 18:2 1

A man 's conduct may strike him as upright, Ya hweh, howe ver, weighs t he hear t.

24

Arrogant, haughty, his na me is ' Mocker' ; overweening pride ma rks his beha viou r.

To ac t vir tu ous ly an d with ju st ice is mo re pleas ing to Yahweh than sacrifice."

25

Th e idler' s desires are the death of him , since his ha nds will do no wor k.

Ma n's spirit is th e lam p of Yahweh, sear chin g his deepest self. Kindness an d loyalt y mount guard over the king, his throne is fou nded on kindness. The glor y of th e yo ung is th eir st rength, t he dignit y of the old, grey ha irs.

16:31

Wounding stro kes are goo d medicine for evil, blows bring healin g to the deepest self."

21 -= 0 16:2

I.k 16: 15 : 1H:Sl ~ 14

1 S [5:2 2 I· A m 5:22~.4 I

Ps 10 1:5

19:2 Si 1 1:1 1

Ha ughty eye, pro ud heart, lamp of th e wicked, nothi ng bu t sin." T he ha rd workin g man is thoughtful, a nd all is ga in ; to o much haste, and all that com es o f it is want. To mak e a fortu ne with the help of a lying to ngue, suc h the idle fantasy of t hose who look fo r deat h.

4

c. I.e. Y a hweh (cf. Jb 34:17), b ut t he text is u ncer ta in . d . Li t. ' wine an d o il'. e . Cf. 11:8 . T he proverb a pp ar entl y assu mes that n ecessary co nd itio n o f a ll r it ual ob se rv ance recurs the re must be a cert a in Quo ta of m isery in thi s wo rld t h ro u ghou t the O .T. c r. A m 5:22f; H o 6:6; Is 1:11; from whic h, however, G od shie lds the virtuous and to J r 7:21 -23. wh ic h he co nd em ns the wicked . b. Tr anslat io n u nce r ta in . Li t. 't he lam p of the f. 'life a nd ho no ur ' G reek ; 'life, just ice . and wicked is sin'. h onour' He br . c . ' W eigh ' co r r.: Hebr. ' P la ns take shape'. d. 'sp ite', co re , cf . Ps 94:23; ' the wheel' H eb r.

e. Text very d oubtful. 21 a. Th is insi st en ce on since ri ty of heart as t he

0::

iii

17:8.23 t

15

A wise kin g winnow s th e wicked , and ma kes their spited recoil o n themselves.

Ps 61: 7 Is 16:5

M 16 :15 Jm 2:13

23

Mt 15:5n

M l 6:22 " I Co 2: 11

~ IY:25

An ger is mollified by a covert gift, ra ging fury by a bribe under cove r of the cloak .

A man is t rap ped when he shouts 'Ded ica ted! ' and only begins to reflect after the vow.

1)[ ~ J : n f

~2 5 : 24

19: 13: 2 1: 19 Si 25:16

14

Yahweh guides a man 's steps: how co uld man discern th e way he goes ?

" h 10:23

2 1: 2 5

Si 20:29

'"~ '"~

.

U W

" 21:9 + Si 25:16

13:4 : 20:4

II

2 1:26 Lk 6:30 .34

PROVERBS

9 62

9 63

T he godless ' is foreve r covetin g, the virtuo us man gives witho ut ever refusing.

26

~

15:8 S1 7:9

T he sac rifice of wicke d men is a bhorrent," above all whe n they offer fo r bad motives.

27

19:5 ,9

T he false witne ss will meet his doom, bu t the speech of the obedient will always be heard .

28

T he wicked man assumes a n air of co nfidence, the honest man gives his ow n con d uct careful t houg ht.

29

Ne ither wisdom, nor prudence, nor adv ice, ca n sta nd in Ya hwe h's presence.'

30

T he ho rse is ca pa riso ned fo r the day of battle, bu t to Ya hwe h th c victory belongs.

3I

PROVERBS III. A COLLECTION OF THE SAGES

17

Say ings of the sages. G ive ear to my words' and apply you r heart to kn owing the m; for it will be a delight to keep them dee p wit hin yo u to ha ve them all ready o n yo ur lips. So that your tru st may be in Ya hweh, today I propose to mak e yo ur way! know n to yo u.

1S

19 Is

t( 9~ I O

Ps 20:7 Ho 1:7 +

Q ., 7:122

S i 41 :1 2

= 29: 13 Jb 3 I: 15 Ws 6:7 M t 5:4 5 = 27: 12

S132 :23

Si b: I H

21

A good nam c is mo re desirable than great wea lth , the respect of o thers is bett er than silver or go ld.

0::

Beca use a man is poor, do not therefore che a t him, nor , a t the cit y gat e, ' o pp ress anybody in affiictio n; fo r Ya hweh tak es up their ca use, a nd extor ts the life of th eir exto rtioners.

22

Ric h and poor arc found together, Ya hweh has made them all.

23

T he d iscreet man sees danger a nd tak es shelter, the ignoran t go fo rwa rd an d pay for it.

24

T he rewa rd o f hu mility is the fear of Ya hweh, riches, hon our and life.

25

T horns a nd snares line the path of the wilful, he who va lues his life will keep his d istance.

26

Instr uct a child in t he way he sho uld go, " and whcn he grows o ld he will not lea ve it.

27

28

II I

4:~;

12: 14

15:15 Si 7:3

19; 17 ; 2H:27 P s 112:9 Lk 14:13 -14

123 10

In : 13 /' M t 5:x

Ya hwe h" lo ves the pure in heart, friend to the king is the ma n of gracio us speech .

II

Ws I :H

T he eyes of Ya hweh see know ledge sa fe preserv ed, but he co nfounds the word s of lia rs.

12

'T here is a lion o utside,' says the idler "l shall be killed in the street!'

13

T he mou th of a lien women is a deep pit, into it falls th e ma n who m Ya hweh detes ts.

14

l nnate in the hea rt of a ch ild is folly , jud icio us beatin g will rid him of it.

15

O pp ress th e po or a nd yo u enrich him, give to the rich a nd yo u make him poo r."

16

0:0; = 211: 13

5:2

A blessing awa its the man who IS kind ly, since he sha res his bread wit h the poor.

r ;

23: 27

13:24 : 29;15

Ex 23:6

23: 11 Is 33: 1

Qo 7:9

Do not be on e of those who go gua ra ntor, who go surety for debts: if yo u have no mean s of paying yo u will find yo ur bed taken! fro m under yo u. Do not disp lace the an cien t landmark, set by yo ur a ncesto rs.

6:1 +

If you take your seat a t a great man 's ta ble, tak e careful note of what you have before yo u; put a knife to your throat " if you a re prone to gluttony. Do not crave his cho ice food , for it is do ubt ful nouri sh ment. Do not weary yo urself with gett ing rich , and ha ve no thing to do with d isho nest ga in," Yo u fix yo ur gaze on th is, a nd it is there no longer,

g . ' t he god less ' G ree k ; ' he covets ' Heb r. h. The Greek add s ' to Ya hweh' as in 15:8. i. Or ' p revail aga ins t Ya hwe h', 2 2 a . Ot he rs transla te ' fr o m h is ear lies t years' (li t , 'begtn ning of h is way') or 'acco rd in g to hi s disposit ions'. b. ' fa lls on hi mself' co r r.; 'fa ils ' He br. Meaning un cert ain . c . ' Ya h weh ' fo llowing ve rs ion s. d. This pr o verb exp resses e ithe r a na tural law by whic h ha rd sh ip a lo ne st im ulates effo rt and p roc ures success , or a re ligious fa ith in the justice of Y a hweh who will reverse the sit ua tions of r ich and po or . e.

F o llo wing Greek.

Heb r.

(which lacks the

h eading) 'Give ear and listen to th e words of th e wise' . f . 'your way' G r eek. g . The ' thi rty chapters' (co rr .: l Icbr , ' the day be fore yes te rday ' or 't h ree times') is appare n tly de rived fro m t he te xt of the Wisdom of Amenenumhis o n wh ich this who le passage is based . h. T he text add s ' o f the wo rds of t rut h ' afte r ' tr ut h ' . ' who Quest ion yo u ' ca rr. followin g Greek . i. The city ga te w he re cases were lu d ged , cf. 24: 7. I. Lit. 'they will take' co r r. fo llowi ng G re ek . 23 a . P resumab ly ' set bo unds to yo u r g lut to ny", Others interp ret 'To be a ulutton is to PU I a kni fe to you r t hroat (I.e . to endange r your lire)' . b. Tex t co r r.: 're frain from dw ellin g o n it ' Hebr.

iii

en

~

Ma ke friends wit h no man who gives way to ang er, ma ke no hast y-tempered man a co mpa nion of yo urs , for fear yo u learn from his behaviour a nd in this risk the loss of yo ur ow n life.

Si 8: 15

15:25 + ; ~ 23 : 1 0

D11 9: 14

Yo u see some man sha rp at bu siness? He will come to se rve kings . N ot for him the ser vice of obscure peo ple.

29

He who so ws inj ustice reap s d isaster, and th e rod of his a nger falls o n him self ."

Expel th e mocker a nd strife goes to o, dispu te and abuse die down.

26:20

1:5

Have I not written for you thirty chapters ' of advice and know ledge, for you to be a ble to expo und the trut h a nd with sound words to a nswer those who q uestion yo u?"

20

T he rich ma n lords it o ver the poor, the bor rower is the lender's slave. Jt

23:5

S i 13:7 ; 31: 12-24

~ 23 : 6

23:6

~I I

I'

PROVERBS

9 64

9 65

for it is able to sprout wings like an eagle that flies off to the sky. ~ 2 3: 3

Si 3 1:12-24

Mt 7:6

Do not waste words on a fool, he will not appr eciate the shrewdness of your rema rks.

15: 25 ;

Do not displace the ancient lan dmark o r encroach on or phans' lands, for he who avenges them is strong and will take up their ca use against you.«

~ 2 2: 28 +

J b 24:9 S135 : 14

Ex 22:2 1-23

Pr 22:23

Apply your hea rt to discipline, and yo ur ea rs to words that are wise. 13:24 : 19: 18 Sl 30: 1- 13

7-

II

Do not be chary of cor recting a child, a str oke of the ca ne is not likely to kill him. A stroke of the can e and you save him from Sheof. My son , if your heart is wise, then my own hear t is glad, and my inmost self rejoices when from yo ur lips co me honest words.

24: 1 Ps 37: 1-4 ; 73:3 3:31 : = 24: 14 Ps 9: 18 ; 37:37 28:7

Si 18:33 ; 3 1:25-31 21;1 7

15:20 ; 19:26 j . Dt 2 1: 18-2 1 T b4:3

10:1

17:25

22: 14 519: 3 7: 12

Do not let you r heart be envious of sinners but be steady every day in the fear of Ya hweh; for there is a morrow, and your hope will not be nullified. Listen, my son , and learn to be wise, and guide your heart in the way . . . e Do not be one of those forever tipp ling wine nor one of those who gorge themselves with meat ; for the drunkard a nd glutton impoverish themsel ves, and a drowsy head makes a wearer of rags. Listen to your fath er who begot you, do not despise your moth er in her old age.

30

31

32

33 10

34 11 35 12

13

14

16

4

17

18

14: 1

Better the wise man than the stro ng, the man with knowledg e than the brawny fellow;" for war is won by sound thinki ng and victory rests in having many co unsellors.

1 S 16:7 009: 16

The man intent on evil-doi ng is called a ran k intriguer.

22

23

The father of the virtu ous man will rejoice indeed, he who fathers a wise ma n will have jo y of it.

24

25

26

27

28

10

11

12

Ps 107:26-27

By wisdom a house is built , by discernment the found ation is laid ; by knowledge its storerooms filled with riches of every kind , rare and desirable.

20

9

Ep 5:18 -19

23:17

Wisdo m is co ral" to the fool : at the city gate he does not open his mouth.

21

20:1 S1 31;25

Do not be envious of wicked men or wish for the ir company, for their hearts ar e scheming violence, their lips talking of mischief.

19

Tr uth you must purchase, never sell; this is wisdom, discipline, and discern ment.

May you be the joy of your father, " the gladness of her who bore you ! My son , attend to me, keep your eyes fixed on my advic e: a harl ot is a dee p pit, a narrow well, the woma n who is a stranger. Yes, like a ro bbe r she is o n the watch and man y are the men she dupes.•

124

15

2 4 : 12

For whom is everybod y's pity and everyone 's contempt, for whom is str ife reserved, for whom dissatisfaction, for whom blows struck from all sides, for whom the clouded eye? For th ose who linger over wine too long, ever on the look-out for the well-blended wine. Never relish how red it is, this wine, how sparkling in th e cup, how smooth its flow. In the end its bite is like a serpe nt's, its sting as sharp as an adder's . Your eyes will see strange things , distorted words will come from you r heart. You will be like one sleeping in mid-ocean, like one asleep at the mast-head. 'Struck me, ha ve they? But I'm not hu rt. Beaten me? I do n't feel anything. When shall I wake up? .. I'll ask for more of it!'

29

Do not dine with a niggardly man, do not crave his choice food . It would be like a tempest in his th roat.« 'Eat a nd dri nk', he tells you , but his heart is not in it. You will spit out what little you have eate n and find your comp liments wasted.

P R OV E R B S

L k 14:31

= 11: 14 3 1:23 Si 6:20

The foolish scheme not hing but sin, the mocker is ab horren t to men. If you lose heart, when adversity comes your strength will only be weakness. C Rescue those being led away to dea th, hold back those who are being dragged to the slaughter .s Will you object, 'But look, we did not know'? Has he who weighs the heart no understanding, he who scans your soul no knowledge? He himself will repay a man as his deeds deserve. c . Text cor r. d. T he avenger. cf N b 35:19 +. is Y ahweh. c. Poss ibly a word om itted: '(way) o f pru dence"?

2 4 a. T ra nslatio n fo llo wi ng versio ns . b. Too deli cate a thing for him to app reci ate . Text uncertain . 'The gate ' is the cit y gate where public r. Li t. ' M ay your father rejo ice at y OU' ; 'at YOu' business is transac ted. corr., cr. G reek; 'and your mother ' He b r. c. T he thou ght is o bscure; possibly 'when YOU g . Lit. 'she increases dupes (co rr. : Hebr. 'deceivers') prospe r' sho uld be supplied in the first line . among men' , d. Apparently a reference to innocen t men unjustly co nde mned . It is not certain whethe r this verse sho uld be taken wi th the rouowtna.

J b 4:5

16:2 Jb 34:11 Si 23:19 2 T m 4:14

Jr 17:10

24: 13

Ps 37:37

= 23: 18

PROV ER B S

9 66

9 67

Ea t honey, my son , since it is goo d ; hon ey tha t d rips from the co mb is sweet to the ta ste: an d such is knowledge of wisdom for your soul : find it, a nd there will be a mo rro w, and your ho pe will not be in vain.

~l

:2.;1

Ps 3 7:1

I

/" 1 P 2:17

o« S:2

Fea r Ya hweh, my son, a nd fear the king ; do not rebel aga inst eith er of them ; for sud denly their vengea nce will ari se, a nd then wh o knows what ru in bo th of t hem will send 'I'-

V.

14

15

125

16

17

3 1:5 s. 35: 13 Jm 2:9

To sho w parti al ity in j udgemen t is not goo d.! T he man who says, ' You are innocen t' to the guilty ; th e peop les will have on ly curses for him, and the nat ions horror ; but those who deal o ut pun ish ment have cau se for satisfaction, o n them a blessing rests. He who retu rns an hon est answer plants a kiss o n the lips.

S1 7: 15

Mt

b: 12. [ ~ ­

15

6:6 : 26: 13- 16

6: 10- 11

O n the op en gro und, plan what you have to do make yo ur preparation in the field ; then you may go a nd build yo ur ho use.

Fro m silver remo ve th e dross and it emerges wh olly purified ;" from th e king' s presence remove t he wicked an d o n virtue his thro ne is fou nded .

19

16: 12; 29 :14 Ps 10 1:7

20

In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not put yourself whe re the great ar e sta nding ; better to be invited , 'Come up here' than be hum iliated in th e presence of the pr ince.

21

22

23

,4 25

10

II

12

26

" L k 14: 7- 11

Do not say, ' I will treat him as he has treat ed me; I will repay each ma n as he deserves' .

29

3()

31

32

33

34

Like ap ples of gold in a silver sett ing is a wor d that is aptly spoken . A golde n ring, an o rna me nt of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.

.

s: 6:9 ; 19:8 ; 22:22

15:31

P s 14 1:5

14

Clo uds an d gusts and yet no rain , such is the man wh ose promi ses ar e prin cely but never kep t.«

Jude 12

15

With pat ience a ju dge may be cajo led: a soft tongue break s bo nes.

S i 28: 17 Lk 18:1- 8

t hey will no t serve to feed even the eagles' you n g . A ft er t h is th e G reek in sert s 30:1-1 4. f. T he La w forb ids th e Iu d ae to b e a re spe ct er of person s, Lv 19:1 5 : D t 1: 17 : 16: 19. T he pr op h ets sim ila r-ly in sist , th ou gh in differen t ter ms, o n t h is same d u ty , Am .2:6 : 5:7. 10; Is 10:2 : M i 3:9, 11; Je 5:28 ; Ezk 22 : 12. T h e Messiah w ill jud ge impart ially, Is 11:3-5 ; J r 23:5-6: Ps 72:4 , 12, 14. lik e G o d h ims elf. cr. Ga 2:6 . g, G reek ' Do no t bear fa lse witn ess' , h . ' like a beg ga r ' tr an sl ati o n co ni.

25 a . ' who lly purified ' Gree k ; ' a vessel fo r t he s m it h' Hcbr , b. T ra ns la t io n foll o ws the vers io ns . c . Lit. 'd o no t br ing o u t' co rr. d. Lit. ' who boa st s of a lyin g gift ' .

U

w

10:26 ; 25:25

c. T he seco nd lines o f vv. 21 an d 22 are co r rected accordin g to G reek. Heb r. ' do n o t a lly yo urself wi th a gita tor s . and wh o knows what ru in w ill com e to th em b oth ?' T he G reek tex t here adds five verse s: 22a A so n who che ris hes t he word will es ca pe d estr uctio n, for he has accepted it willin gly. 22h Le t n othin g false be spoke n by the ton gue of t he kin g, let no th in g fa lse proceed from his to n gu e . 22 c T he ton gue of t he k ing is a sword , no t a th in g o f fles h: t he man who is ha nd ed o ver to hi m will be cr us hed. 22t1 Fo r o nce h is wra th is aroused he d est roy s men , sine ws a nd all. 22e He devours th e bones of men and , like a flam e, b urns th em up ,

en

lil en ~

T he coolness of snow in har vest tim e, such is the trusty messeng er to thos e who send him: he revives th e soul of his master.

13 27

2X

H ave t he q uarrel o ut with yo ur neighbo ur, but do no t disclose ano ther's secret, or someone, hea ring , will reproach you with it, and so you lose your reputation.

0: (jj

Si7:4 ; 13: 9-10 L k 14:8

Wh at you r eyes have witn essed I, do not com e out wit h' too q uiekly at the trial, for what are you to do at the end should your neighbour confu te you?

Do not bear witness lightly aga inst yo ur ncighbo ur, « nor with yo ur lips deceive.

By the idler's fie ld I was passing, by the vineya rd of a man who had no sense, there it a ll lay, deep in t horn s, entirely overgrown with nettl es, a nd its sto ne wa ll broken down. And as I gazed I po nde red , I dr ew this lesso n from the sight, 'A litt le sleep, a little drow siness, a litt le folding of the arms to tak e life mo re easily, and like a vagra nt, pover ty is at yo ur elb ow a nd , like a beggar , want ' .•

D , 29:2 8 3b 12:7 Rm 11:33

IS

IV . ANOTHER C OL L EC TI O N OF TH E SAGES T he following a re a lso tak en from the sages:

T he following also are proverbs of Solom on transcribed by Hezekiah , king of Judah . To conceal a matter, th is is the glory of God, to sift it tho roug hly, the glory of kings. High though the heavens are, deep the earth, the re is no fat hom ing th e heart of kings.

\I

18:5 : 2X:2 1:

THE SE COND C O L L E C TI O N ATT RIBU T ED TO SOLOMON

Should yo ur enemy fall, do not rejoice , when he stumbles do no t let your hea rt exult ; for fear that at the sight Yah weh will be displeased a nd tu rn his anger away fro m him. Do no t be ind ignan t a bo ut the wicked , do not be envio us of evil men, since t here is no morrow fo r the wicked ma n ; the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed o ut.

2 5=1 5

13

Do not lurk, wicked man , ro und t he virt uous man's dwelling, do not despoi l his ho use. Fo r t hough the virtuo us man falls seven times, he stands up aga in; the wieked a re the o nes who stu mble in adversity. Jb

PROVERB S

13:17

25: 16 25:27 : 27 :7

P ROV ERB S Eat to your satisfacti o n wha t ho ney yo u may find, but no t to excess or yo u will bring it up again. Do not set foo t too often in yo ur neighbour's hou se, for fear he tires of you and comes to ha te you . A mace,' a swo rd, a keen arrow, such is the man who bea rs false witness against his neighbo ur. Decaying too th , lame foo t, such is t he fickle ma n when trusted in time of tro uble. As well take off yo ur coat in bitter weather.

968

9 69

PROVERBS

16

10

An arc her wo undi ng all who pass: such is the man who emp loys a fool ."

17

II

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his folly.

IH

12

Yo u see so me ma n who thinks himself wise? More hope for a fool than for him!

3:7

13

"There is a lio n in the street,' says the idler 'a lion in the square!'

= 22:13 : 24:30

14

T he door turn s on its hinges, th e idler , on his bed .

15

Into t he dis h the idler dips his hand but is too tired to bring it back to his mou th.

16

T he idler thinks himself wiser than seven men who answer with d iscretion.

17

Like catch ing a st ray dog by the tai l," so is interfering in the quarrels of o thers.

19

20

It is to treat a wound! wit h vinega r to sing songs to a sorrowing heart. Ex 23:4-5 fM1 5:44f

If yo ur enemy is hungry, give him so mething to eat ; if thirsty, so mething to dr ink . By this yo u heap red-ho t coals o n his head, a nd Ya hweh will reward you.

20:22 /' R m 12:20

T he rai n is born of the north wind , the ravaged face of a backbiting tongue.

(

= 2 1:9 Si 25:16

25: 13

2 5: 16

16:32

26 Nb 23:8 Dt 23 :5f Si 33:25 : 42 :8 10:13 : 19:29

= 26:9 Si 20:2 0

Si 20:20

23 18

Cold water to a thirs ty th roat: such is good news fro m a distant land .

25

A churned up spr ing, a fou ntai n fou led: such is the virtuo us man trembling before the wicked .

26

It is not good to eat too much ho ney, o r to be taken in by fawning words. 9

27

An open town, and wit hout defences : such is the man lacking self-co ntro l.

28

As the spa rrow esca pes, and the swa llow flies away, so the undese rved curse will never hit its ma rk.

19

20

(l:

Cii

Vl

17l

Like a madman hurling fireb rands , ar rows and death, so is the man who lies to his neighbou r and then says , 'It was a ll a joke'.

Jm 3:6

No wood, a nd the fire goes out; no talebearer, an d quarrelling dies down.

Si 28:10

Vl

~ 22:10

u

w

T he words of a talebearer a re tasty mo rsels t hat go right down into the belly.

~

23

A glaze ap plied to an eart hen pot : such are smoo th lips and wicked heart.

Mt 23:25 -28

Where ha tred is there are dissembling lips, but deep wit hin lies treac hery; do no t trust him if th e man be fair of speech, since in his hea rt lurk seven a bominat ions. Hatred may well disguise itself with guile, only to un mask its spite before the community.

S i 12:10- 11. 16

24

25

27

A th orn branch in a drunk ard's hand: such is a proverb in the mo uth of fools.

~ 19: 24

22

Do not a nswer a foo l in the ter ms of his folly for fea r you grow like him you rself.

Unrelia ble as a lame man 's legs: so is a prove rb in the mo uth of fools.

~ 2 9: 20

C ha rcoal for live ember s, wood for fire, for kindling strife a qu arr elsom e man .

26

. . . He drinks a bitter draug ht" who sends a message by a fool.

» 2 P 2:22

21

A whip fo r the ho rse, a bridle for the donk ey, a nd for the backs of foo ls, the stic k.

Like fixing a sto ne tight in the sling,« so is giving ho no urs to a fool. ~ 2 6: 7

22

24

Answer a fool in the ter ms of his folly fo r fear he imagines himse lf wise." 10 :26

21

Better the corner of a loft to live in t ha n a ho use shared with a sco lding woman.

Sno w no mo re befits the summer, or rai n the ha rvest-time, than hon o urs befit a fool.

27: I

T he man who d igs a pit falls into it, the stone comes back on him that roll s it.

18:8

I I n 3: 18

Si 27 :23

Jr 9:4-8 p " 28:3

28: 10

Est 8:1 Ps 7:15 0 010: 8

Si 27:25-27

T he lying tongue hates the tr uth,! the faw ning mouth brings ruin .

28

127

Do not boast about tomorrow, since you do not know what today will brin g forth .

very doubtfu l. e . 'mace' Greek . c. Fixed too securely in the sling and therefore f . 'a wound ' Greek ; 'sal tpetre' Hebr . g. Fo llo wing versio ns. Hebr. 'to search out their likely (0 recoil on thp'sli nger. glorY is

arorv' .

26 a. T he co ntradi c tio n betw een this and the precedin g pro verb is deliber ate a nd plays on the tw o meanin gs of the phr ase ' in the terms of his foll y' .

b. Lit. 'he cuts off his feet. he drinks o f sha me', Gree k 'he drink s of the shame of hi s own feet' . T ext

d. Te xt coni. H cbr . lu . IAn archer (7 ) wound ing everyone, the man who employs a fool, and (he man who emplo ys passers-by". T he G reek isentirely different. c. ' by the tail ' G reek : 'by the ears' Hebr. f. 'the tru th' G reek: ' Its vlcttms' He br

L k 12:19-20

Jm 4: 13-14

-I I

I

27:2 2Co lO:12- 13

PROVERBS Let the ot her ma n praise you, but no t your own mouth. A stranger, but not your lips.

S122 :15

Heaviness of stone, weight of sand, heavier th an bot h: annoyance from a fool.

6:34- 35

Cruelty of wrath, surge of anger. But jealousy, who can withstand tha t?

28:23

26:24-26 M1 26:49 25: 16 Lk 15: 16

Si 29:2 1-28

97 /

970

25

26

27

128

From one who loves, wou nds ar e well-intentio ned ; from one who hates, kisses are ominous . The gorged throa t revolt s at ho ney, the hungry th roat finds all bitte rness sweet .

18:24

Learn to be wise, my son, and glad den my heart , that I may have an answer for the man who insu lts me. ~ 22 : 3

- 20: 16 6: 1+

The discreet man sees da nger and tak es shelter , the ignorant go fo rward and pa y for it. Take the man's clo thes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Seize him to the profit of persons unk nown!" He who at dawn loudly blesses his neigh bour is accounted to curse . e

19:13 S12 5:16

T he steady dripping of a gutte r o n a rainy day and a sco lding wom an are alike. Whoever can rest rai n her, ca n rest rai n the wind, and with his right hand gras p oil." Iro n is made th e finer by iron, a man is refined by co ntact wit h his neighbour. He who ten ds t he fig tree eats its figs, he who looks after his mas ter sha ll be ho no ured. As no two faces are ever alike , unlik e, too , are the hearts of men.«

30:15 -16 Q o 1:8 :6:7 Ha b 2:5 = 17:3

12: 10 51 7:22

Sheol a nd Perd ition are never satisfied, no r are the eyes of man ! ever satisfied. A crucible fo r silver, a furnace for gold, a man for testing the words of flatterers. Y

Lv 26:17 ,3ti I S 17:37 Ps 118:6

15:8

A wicked " man who o ppresses the poor: here is a devastat ing rain-and farewell, bread!

Like a bird th a t st rays from its nest, so is the ma n who strays fro m where he belon gs.

Do not abandon friend, or father's friend ; when trouble com es, do not go running to your broth er's house. Better a friend near than a bro ther far away.

T he wicked man flees whe n no one is after him. the virt uo us ma n is bo ld as a lion. The fau lt lies wit h the headstron g when qua rrels flare up, the discreet man q uenches them. "

Cl:


T hose who for sak e the law have a good word for the wicked, those who observe the law have no time for such .

F rag rant oil glad de ns the heart, friends hip's sweetness comforts the sou l. a S137 :6

28: 15

since riches do not last for ever, wea lth is not ha nded dow n' from age to age . T he grass once go ne, th e afte rgrowt h appearing, the hay gat hered in fro m t he mo untai ns, you shou ld have lambs to clo the yo u, goats to pay for your fields, goat's milk sufficient to feed you , ' and to prov ide for your servin g girls.

24

Better open reproof than voiceless love .

PROVERB S

T he wicked do not know what j ustice mean s, those who fea r Ya hweh under stand everyt hing. 10

I n 10:26 + Ws3 :9 I Co 2: 14

Better a poor man living an hon est life than a man of devious ways, rich t houg h he be.

~ 1 9: 1

A discern ing son is he who keeps the Law; an assoc iate of profligates bri ngs sha me on his fat her.

23: 19-22

II

12

He who increases his wealth by usu ry and inte rest amasses it for so meone else who will bestow it o n the poor.«

13:22 Ex 22:24 +

He who turns his car away from listen ing to the Law, his praye r is an abom ination .

13 10 14

15

11

He who sed uces honest men to evil ways will fall into his own pit. Blameless men are the heirs to ha ppiness. T he rich man may t hink himself wise, but a poor man with sense will unm ask him.

16

12

When t he virt uous triump h, the re is grea t rejo icing ; when t he wicked a re in the ascendant, men take cover.

17

13

He who co ncea ls his faul ts will not prosper, he who co nfesses" a nd reno unces them will find mercy.

18

14

Ha ppy the man who is never witho ut fear, he who hardens his heart will fall into distre ss.

19

IS

20

21

A roaring lion, a hungry bear, such is the bad rule r of a poo r people. 27 a . 'co mfo rts the so ul' con j.: ' m ore th an (he counsellor of the sou l' Heb r. b . ' persons unknown ' carr. ; 'an unknown wom an' Hcbr. c . Th e T a lmu d forbids gre et ing s be fore mornin g

t. Fo llo wing G ree k . I. Heb r. adds 'to feed your ho use hol d '. 2 8 a . Fo llo wing G reek. Hebr , 'A co untry fo r its sin s d. ' grasp ' ca rr. has ma ny rulers but with o ne understanding and wise e. Fo llo wing G ree k. Bu t Hebr. ' Like wa te r , face rule r it last s ton e' . (i s) to face. so (is) the hea rt o f ma n (0 m a n ' . Th is co uld b. ' wicke d ' Greek: ' poor' Hebr . me a n: as a face is reflecte d in wa ter , so a m an rea ds c. tn- eou cn gain s aive no lastin g pro fit a nd in the h is o wn m ind in to o t he rs. en d reve rt to th e poor. r. T he eves ar c (he seat of e nvy. d . Allusio n to the co nfessio n of sins, cf. Lv 5:5 : g. ' flatt erers' G reek; ' his reput ation ' Hebr, Nb 5:7; Ps 32:5 : H o 14:2-4 : Is 1: 16-1 8. pr aye r .

Po und t he fool in a mortar" as you may, you will not separate him from his folly .

22

K now your flocks ' condition well, ta ke goo d care of your her ds;

23

h. Hebr. adds 'among wheat with a nes tle ' .

'" 111

'"~ U

W

... 15:8

26:n +

11:10 : 29:2 ~ 28 : 28

Ps 32 Si 4:26 Lk 18;9-14 1 I n 1:9

Si 3:26 Jb 4:10

28 :16

PRO VERBS

9 72

A prince lacking sen see is rich in rap acity, he who hate s avarice will lengthen his days.

10:9

- 12:11

S1 31:5

24:23 D 1 16: 19 1-

If

27 :5-6

15:18

3:5-6 1 Co 3:18

11:25; 19:17 22:9 - 28: 12; 29:2

29 11;10 ; 28:12.28

5:11; 10:1 6:26 S i 9:6 L k 15:13 14:34 Is 11:4-5 11:9

J b 18:7-10

J b 29:7

PR OVERB S

9 73

29 : 2 7

16

10

Men of bloo d hate the blameless man, but hones t men cherish" his life.

A man wante d for murder will be a fugitive until death. D o not lay hands on him .

17

11

T he fool co mes out with all his angry feelings, but the wise ma n subdues and restr ain s them.

He who lives an hones t life will be safe, he who wavers between two ways falls dow n in one of them .

18

12

When a ruler listens to false reports, all his ministers will be scound rels.

He who tills his la nd shall have bread and to spare , he who chases fa ntasies, poverty in plenty .

19

13

Poor ma n an d usure r are found to gethe r, Yahweh gives light to the eyes of both .

A trus tworthy man will be overwh elmed with blessings, but he who tr ies to get rich quickly will not go unpu nished .

20

14

The king who j udges the poor with equi ty sees his thron e set firm for ever.

16:12 : 20:28: 25:5

It is not goo d to show partiality, but men will do wro ng for a mo ut hful of bread .

21

15

T he stick and the repr ima nd bestow wisdom, a child left to himself brings shame on his mother.

10: 1: 22: 15 Si 30:1-13

He chases after wealt h, the man of greedy eye, not knowing that want is over taki ng him.

22

16

When the wicked are in power,' sin multiplie s, but the virtuo us shall witness their down fall.

He who reproves another will enjoy more favour in the end than the flatterer.

23

17

Correct your son, and he will give you peace of mind ; he will delight your soul.

He who robs his father (and his mothe r) saying, 'No wrong here!' is comrade for a brigand .

24

18

Where there is no vision the peop le get out of ha nd; blessed are they who keep the Precept ."

The covetous man provokes disp utes, he who trus ts in Yahweh shall pro sper.

25

19

Not by words is a slave co rrected: even if he underst ands, he will take no notice.

He who trus ts his own promptings is a fool, he whose ways are wise will be safe.

26

27

When the wicked are in the ascendant, men take cover , but when they perish, virtuous men mu ltip ly.

28

When virtuous men are in power, a th e people are joyful, when the wicked rule, the peopl e gro an . T he lover of Wisdo m makes his father glad, but the patro n of harlots fritters his wealth away. A king gives a co untry stab ility by justice, a n extortio ner brings it to ruin . The man who flatters his neighbo ur spreads a net for his feet.

You see some man too read y of speech? Mor e hope for a fool than for him .

21

If a man 's slave is pampe red from childhood , he will prove ungrateful in the end ."

22

A bad-tem pered man provokes disp utes, a man pro ne to a nger is a great ca use of sin.

23

A man's pride brings him humiliation, he who humb les himself will win honour.

24

Complicity with thieves and a wrong to oneself: to hear the curse" and make no disclosure.

25

To be af ra id of men is a snare, he who puts his tru st in Yahweh is secure.

26

Many a man seeks a ruler's Iavour, but the rights or each come fro m Ya hweh.

27

Abhorre nt to the virtuous is the sinful man , abhorrent to the wicked is the man or honou r.

Under the feet of the wicked man- there is a snare, but the virtuous ru ns on rejoicing. The virtu ou s man is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked knows no such concern. C Scoffers set cities in a ferme nt, but wise men moderate anger. Let a wise man argue with a fool, be he angry or good-humoured he will not gain his end .

~ 22 : 2

M 1 5:45

n:: iii 13:24 ; 19:18

en &1

Si 33:2 5-30

en ~

~ 26: 1 2

U

He who gives to the poor shall never want, he who closes his eyes to them will bear man y a curse .

The man often rebuked but stubborn still: suddenly, irre tr ievably, his fall will come.

20

12:16

e . G reek ' sho r t of reve nue '. 2 9 a . 'a re in po wer' corr.: 'increase' H ebr.

f. T he 'v ision' seems 10 be an all usion to the (unc tio n of the prop het s . 'Prece pt', o r 'ins truc tio n', b. Lit. 'On the wicked man's ) step s' cor r. : 'sin' Hebr. (to ral:> may also refer to this. or possibly to the c . Lit. 'docs not underst an d kn o wl ed ge' . wriucu Law . Cr. E7.k 7:26: Lm 2:9. ~ . Tr ansla tion un cer tain . h. T he curse pronounced on the unidentified

d. 'cherish' co rr.: 'seck' Hcb r.

c . 'arc in power ' co rr., cf. 29:2; 'increase' Hebr .

cri minal o r on wi tn esses who refuse to come for ward. C r. Lv 5: 1: J R 17:2.

w

14:17 Si 1:22

M l2 3:12p

16:20

13:19

3°:1

PROV ERBS

PROVERBS

975

974

shall be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, and ea ten by the vultures.

V I. THE SAYINGS OF AGUR

The re are three things beyo nd my co mprehensio n, four , indeed, that I do not understa nd : the way of an eagle through the skies , the way of a snake over the rock, the way of a sh ip in mid-ocea n, the way of a man with a girl.

18

30 Is 40: 12 In 3: 13 Jb 38:39 Sl 1:2-3

11 2 S 22:31 Ps 12:6 ; - IX:30

Ps 119:29 M16:11 DI6:12 : 32: 15

Lv 5:21

Ps 10 1:5 Phm X-20

Ex 21:17

Jb 19:22 Is 9: 11

The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh, of Massa.« Oracle of this man for Ithiel , for Ithiel and for Ucal. b

I

19

Surely I must be the most stupid of men, bereft of human intelligence, I have not learnt wisdom, and I lack the knowledge of the Holy Ones.' Who has mounted to the heavens, then descended? Who has gat hered the wind in the clasp of his hand? Who has wrapped the waters in his cloak? Who has set all t he ends of the earth firm? What is his name, or the name of his so n, if you know it?

20

T his is how the adu lteress behave s: when she has eat en, she wipes her mout h clean and says , 'I have done nothing wro ng' ,

21

Th ere are three things at which the earth tremb les, fou r, indeed, which it cannot end ure: a slave become king, a churl ish man full-fed, a j ilted girl wed a t last , a maid suppla nt ing" mistre ss.

22

Every word o f God is unalloyed, he is the shie ld of those who take refuge in him . To his words make no add ition, lest he reprove you and know you for a fraud .

23

25

26

27

28

II 31 12

13

32

14

33

If yo u have been foolish eno ugh to fly into a passio n an d now have seco nd tho ughts, lay your ha nd o n yo ur lips. Fo r by churning the milk yo u prod uce butter , by wringing the nose yo u prod uce blood, an d by whipp ing up a nger yo u pr od uce st rife. 30 a . o f Ma ssa' co rr . ; 'the oracle' Hcb r . Un Ma ssa cf. 3 1: I T he Vu lgate d ocs not take these as pr oper names and tr anslat es ' W o rd s of him who ga t hers. son o f him who vomi ts'. In the Greek text 30:1-14 has bee n insert ed be tween 24: 22 and 24:23. and 30: 15- 31:9 fo llo ws 24:3 4 , h . l n ter p r erau o n ver y doub t fu l . O t hers render ' I am weary. 0 God , I am weary. 1 am worn out ', VUhL ' Visio n tol d by t he m a n with whom G od is a nd who, God bei ng wi t h him , has been conso led' . Greek ' T h is is what t he ma n says to those who tru st in God , - e-" ,

VI I.

27:20 G n 30:1 N b 16; .'3

19:26 I 0121 : I X-21

S i 3: 16

Qo 10:5-7

19: 10

oc Cii

G n 16:3-6

NUMERICAL PROVERBS '

The leech has two da ughters: 'G ive, give !' their cry.

15

There are three insa tia ble things, four , indeed, that never say, ' Enough !' Sheol, the ba rren wom b, earth which can never have its fill of water, fire which never says, 'Enough!'

16

The eye which looks jeeringly on a fat her, a nd sco rn fully on a n ageing rnother,r

17

~ 6:6-8

en ~

ow

The re are three thi ngs of stately tread , four, indeed, of stately bearing: the lio n, bravest of beasts, he will dr aw back from noth ing ; the cock th at pro ud ly st ruts amo ng the hens. the he-goat , leader of the flock , a nd t he ki ng when he har an gues his peop le,"

29 10 30

T here is a breed of man who curses his fat her and does not bless his mother; a breed t hat, laying cla im to puri ty, has yet not been clea nsed of its filth; a breed hau ghty of eye, with disdain in every glance; a breed with swo rds for teeth, wit h kn ives for jaws, with which to devo ur the poor a nd rid the earth of them , to devour the needy and rid manki nd of them."

Ws 5:10 -12

(fl

The re are four creatures litt le on the earth, tho ugh wisest of the wise:" t he a nts, a racc with no stre ngt h, yet in the su mmer they ma ke sure of their food ; th e roc k rabbit s.' a race wit h no defences , yet the y make their home in the rock s ; th e locusts, the se ha ve no king, a nd yet the y a ll march in good ordcr ;' t he lizard which you ca n ca tch in yo ur hand, yet it freq uents the pa laces of kin gs.

24

Two things I beg of you , do not gr udge me them before I die: keep falsehoo d a nd lies far fro m me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me on ly my sha re of bread to eat, for fear that surrou nded by plenty, I should fall awa y a nd say, 'Yahwe h-who is Yahweh?' or else, in dest itution, take to stealing a nd profane the name of my God. Do not denounce a slave to his master, lest he curse you, and you suffer for it.

3° :33

an d I ccasc ',

is a lread y fo u nd ca rlic r in an und eveloped fo r m, in He b e. n ron hetic Htcrar urc . Am 1:3.6,9,1 1. 13 : Is 17:6; Mi 5: 4: d . Ps 6~ :11r. a nd rec urs t hro ug ho u t t he Wisdom hooks, Pr 6: [6f : 30: 15-3 3: Jb 5:19: 40:5; Qo 11:2 ; 4 : 12('.1) : Si 23: 16f : 25 :7 : 26:5- 7.2X: 50:2 5 : cr. 25: 1,2. T h is sma ll co llect io n . 30:15-33. bet r ays a sncc lu t in te rest in the wonders of na tu re ami in the ha b its of an imal s. r. ' an agein g m o t her ' G r eek: ' the m an w ho o beys h is m o t her ' Hcbr. J:, 's u o nla n t tnu' G reek : ' inhe r i ting, fr om' H eb r.

h. 'w ises t o f t he wise' vers io ns. c . I.e . o f th e sages. o r 'o f the H o ly One ' (w ith pl u ra l i. T he h yra x. a s ma ll a nd ver y s hy ro ck -dwell ing o f m a jest y), i.c. of God. d . It is no t kn o wn whe the r t his po rtra it , vv. 11- m a m m a l, C r. Ps 104: 11\: L v 11:5. l . ' in zo od o rder' Gr eek : ' in band s' H ebr . 14 , shou ld be a pp lied to a spec ific na tio n or socia l k , Fo llow ing Greek . He br, 't he an ima l with ag ilc ('?) cl ass, o r to ind ivid ual s . c . The ' n ume r ica l p r over b ' has in it an elem ent lo in s and the he -goa l, and 3 k in g whe n h is ar m}' is wit h of m a xim . o f rid d le, o f co mp ar iso n . Thi s li ter ary d evice hi m ' .

Si 5: 12

'I

I

3 I: I

PROV ER BS

976

977 21

Lamed

Snow may co me, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clot hed J

22

Mem

She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine line n and purple.

VIII. THE SAYINGS OF LEMUEL

1:1-14

31

I K 11:1-4 SI 9:2: 19:2

0010: 16-17 S I31:25 -31

23 N Ull

Not for kings, 0 Lemuel, not for kin gs the dri nking of wine,' not for pr inces to loved stro ng d rin k, for fear t hat in liqu or they forget what the y have decreed a nd ove rride the right s of all in distress.

24:24

M1 27:J4

Jr

The sayings of Lemuel king of Massa," ta ught him by his mot her : What, my so n! What , so n of my womb ! What, son of my vows! Do not spend all yo ur energ y on wom en, nor your loins« on th ese dest royers of kings.

Proc ure stro ng dr ink for a man a bo ut to peri sh, wine fo r the heart th at is full of bitterness: let him d rink a nd forget his misfor tun e, and remem ber his misery no more.

u Ps 72:2 -4 ; 12-14

Speak, yourself, on behalf of the d um b, on beha lf of all the unwanted ; speak , yo urself, pronounce a just verdict, uph old th e right s of th e poor, of th e need y.

(

IX. ALPHABETIC POEM ON THE PERFECT WIFE' 5: 1 5U :I~: 6 :

A leph

10

Beth

Her husban d's heart has co nfide nce in her, from her he will deri ve no littl e profit.

11

Chime!

Advantage and no t hurt she brings him all the days of her life.

t2

Da leth

She is always bu sy with wool and with flax, she does her work with eager ha nds .

13

He

She is like a merc ha nt vessel bringing her food from far away.

14

Wa ll'

She gets lip while it is sti ll dark giving her hou seho ld their foo d, giving o rders to her serving girls.

Za in

She sets her mind o n a field, th en she buy s it ; with what her hands have ea rned she plan ts a vineyard.

16

Het h

She put s her back into her work a nd sho ws how stro ng her a rms can be.

17

Teth

She finds her labour well worth while; her la mp docs no t go out at nigh t.

18

Yod

She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle .

19

Kaph

She hold s o ut her hand to the po o r, she o pens her a rms to the need y.

20

3 1: 3 1

Her hus band is respected at the city gates , taki ng his seat among the elders of the land .

24

Samek

She weaves linen sheets and sells them, she supplies the merchant wit h sash es.

25

Ain

She is clothed in strength and dig nity , she can laugh at the day s to come."

26

Pe

When she ope ns her mo ut h, she does so wisely ; on her tongue is kind ly instruction.

27

Sade

She keeps good watch o n the conduct of her hou sehold , no bread of idlen ess for her.

2M

Qoph

Her sons stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husba nd, too, sings her pra ises:

29

Resli

'Many women have done adm irable t hings, but you sur pass them all !'

)0

Shin

Cha rm is deceit ful, and beauty emp ty; the woman who is wise" is the one to praise. G ive her a share in wha t her hands have worke d for , a nd let her wo rks tell her praises a t the city gates.

31

A perfect wife- who can find her? She is far beyo nd the price of pea rls.

I M: 22 Si 26

PROVERBS

15

31

It. Ish mae lite tr ibe o f N . A ra b ia. G n 25: 14. T he wisd o m o f ' t he so ns o f the Eas t ', N b 24:2 1 1- , was ren o wned . cr . I K 5: 10: Jr 4 9:7. a nd the frie nds o f Jo b . b. ' yo ur loi ns ' co rr.: ' yo ur wa ys' Hebr, c . Insis te nce o n the d a nec rs o f wine is a characcrts tic of 'deser t' m orality (c f. the Rec habi res. J r 35. ,m d the modern Arabs). d . 'to love ' cor r. c. A lp ha be tica l p oem (d. Ps 9- 10; 25 : 34: 37: 11 1: Il l : 119 : 145 : Lm 1-4 : Na 1:2-S, S i 5 1:13-29 ( He br .) : c'uc h verse (in o the r ex a m ples. ea c h strophe) be gins wit h u co nsec u tive lett e r of t he Hebr, a lp ha bet. O n the inter pre ta tio n o f th is poem d . v , 30 1 a nd 5: 15 f . rr. 1 1: 16; 12:4 ; IS :2 2: 19: 14 and Si 7: 19.

r. Li t. "d o ub ly clot hed' Yulu. e , She look s co nfldc nt lv to t he futur e. whet he r LO t he h ri ~: hl Io r tuues o f her fa m ily or (0 th e rewar d G o d w ill o ne d a y a ivc he r for he r diliu cn ...e. h. ' the wo ma n who is wise' cor r. : ' t he wo ma n , t he fea r o f Yahwe h' II cb T, T hc H c b r. ulos s, incorp orated a nd developed by th e Greek ('a wi se wo m a n will be n ru lscd c- t hc fear of t he l.ord. tha t is th e rhin e to boast o f') seem s I I I sho w that th e s cr ibes understood this \.."ho le nn ssu ec al lc uo nc allv as a de scr iptio n of W isdom pe rson ified , c f'. H: 2 2 , T h is wou ld make it an a p t concl usion to the bonk . The R o man litu rgy ap plies t he pus sae e to Ho ly Wom en,

24:7 + Ps 127:5

oc

iii Sg

6:9 (J)

~