1 E l egoísta sólo piensa en sí mismo, y se entromete en cualquier asunto.

He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

2 A l necio, la inteligencia no le causa placer; tan sólo le interesa exhibir lo que piensa.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

3 L lega el impío, llega el desprecio; con la deshonra viene la afrenta.

When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.

4 L os dichos del hombre son aguas profundas, pero la sabiduría es una fuente inagotable.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

5 N o está bien favorecer al impío y no hacerle justicia al hombre honrado.

To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 L as palabras del necio provocan contiendas; sus labios convocan a los golpes.

A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

7 E l necio provoca su propio mal; con sus propios labios se tiende una trampa.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 L os chismes empalagan, pero calan hasta lo más profundo.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

9 E l que es negligente en su trabajo es también íntimo amigo de gente nociva.

He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 E l nombre del Señor es una fortaleza a la que el justo acude en busca de ayuda.

The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 E l rico piensa que sus riquezas son una fortaleza de altas murallas.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

12 E l orgullo humano es presagio del fracaso; la humildad es preludio de la gloria.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.

13 ¡ Cuán presuntuoso y ridículo se muestra el que responde antes de oír!

He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

14 E l espíritu humano sostiene al enfermo, pero al espíritu angustiado, ¿quién lo sostiene?

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 L a mente inteligente adquiere sabiduría, y los oídos sabios van en pos de la ciencia.

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 L os obsequios te allanan el camino y te llevan ante grandes potentados.

A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

17 E l primero en defenderse alega inocencia, hasta que llega su adversario y lo desmiente.

He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

18 L as suertes ponen fin a las querellas, y dictan sentencia entre los litigantes.

The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

19 E l hermano ofendido es más impenetrable que una ciudad amurallada; persisten más los pleitos entre hermanos que los cerrojos de una fortaleza.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 H ay quienes, con lo que dicen, logran satisfacer su hambre.

A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

21 E l que ama la lengua comerá de sus frutos; ella tiene poder sobre la vida y la muerte.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 ¿ Hallaste esposa? ¡Has hallado el bien! ¡Has alcanzado el favor del Señor!

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

23 E l pobre habla con ruegos; el rico responde con rudeza.

The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

24 H ay amigos que no son amigos, y hay amigos que son más que hermanos.

He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.