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Chapter 1

AlexandrinusVaticanus

The Usefullness of Proverbs

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israēl;

1:1 Παροιμίαι Σαλωμῶντος υἱοῦ Δαυίδ, ὃς ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἰσραήλ, 1:1 παροιμίαι Σολομῶντος υἱοῦ Δαυίδ, ὃς ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἰσραήλ,
1:1 The Proverbs of Salōmōn son of David, who reigned in Israēl; 1:1 The Proverbs of Salōmōn son of David, who reigned in Israēl;

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

1:2 γνῶναι σοφίαν καὶ παιδείαν νοῆσαί τε λόγους φρονήσεως 1:2 γνῶναι σοφίαν καὶ παιδείαν νοῆσαί τε λόγους φρονήσεως
1:2 to know wisdom and instruction, and to consider words of understanding; 1:2 to know wisdom and instruction, and to consider words of understanding;

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

1:3 δέξασθαί τε στροφὰς λόγων νοῆσαί τε δικαιοσύνην ἀληθῆ καὶ κρίμα κατευθύνειν, 1:3 δέξασθαί τε στροφὰς λόγων νοῆσαί τε δικαιοσύνην ἀληθῆ καὶ κρίμα κατευθύνειν,
1:3 to receive subtle saying, and to understand true righteousness, and how to direct judgment; 1:3 to receive subtle saying, and to understand true righteousness, and how to direct judgment;

4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

1:4 ἵνα δῷ ἀκάκοις πανουργίαν, παιδὶ δὲ νέῳ αἴσθησίν τε καὶ ἔννοιαν· 1:4 ἵνα δῷ ἀκάκοις πανουργίαν, παιδὶ δὲ νέῳ αἴσθησίν τε καὶ ἔννοιαν·
1:4 in order that he might give cleverness to the innocent, and perception and knowledge to the young person. 1:4 in order that he might give cleverness to the innocent, and perception and knowledge to the young person.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels.

1:5 τῶνδε γὰρ ἀκούσας σοφὸς σοφώτερος ἔσται, ὁ δὲ νοήμων κυβέρνησιν κτήσεται 1:5 τῶνδε γὰρ ἀκούσας σοφὸς σοφώτερος ἔσται, ὁ δὲ νοήμων κυβέρνησιν κτήσεται.
1:5 For by hearing these things, a wise man will be wiser, and an intelligent man will get guidance; 1:5 For by hearing these things, a wise man will be wiser, and an intelligent man will get guidance;

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

1:6 νοήσει τε παραβολὴν καὶ σκοτεινὸν λόγον ῥήσεις τε σοφῶν καὶ αἰνίγματα. 1:6 νοήσει τε παραβολὴν καὶ σκοτεινὸν λόγον ῥήσεις τε σοφῶν καὶ αἰνίγματα.
1:6 and will understand a parable,1 and an ambiguous2 statement; even the sayings and riddles of the wise. 1:6 and will understand a parable,1 and an ambiguous2 statement; even the sayings and riddles of the wise.
1Or: analogy or illustration
2Or: obscure

7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1:7 Ἀρχὴ σοφίας φόβος θεοῦ, σύνεσις δὲ ἀγαθὴ πᾶσι τοῖς ποιοῦσιν αὐτήν·
εὐσέβεια δὲ εἰς θεὸν ἀρχὴ αἰσθήσεως, σοφίαν δὲ καὶ παιδείαν ἀσεβεῖς ἐξουθενήσουσιν. 		1:7 Ἀρχὴ σοφίας φόβος Κυρίου, σύνεσις δὲ ἀγαθὴ πᾶσι τοῖς ποιοῦσι αὐτήν·
εὐσέβεια δὲ εἰς Θεὸν ἀρχὴ αἰσθήσεως, σοφίαν δὲ καὶ παιδείαν ἀσεβεῖς ἐξουθενήσουσιν.
1:7 The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God; and understanding is good to all who practise it; and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will despise wisdom and instruction. 1:7 The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and understanding is good to all who practise it; and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will despise wisdom and instruction.

The Enticement of Sinners

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and don't forsake the law of your mother.

1:8 ἄκουε, υἱέ, παιδείαν πατρός σου καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ θεσμοὺς μητρός σου· 1:8 ἄκουε, υἱέ, παιδείαν πατρός σου καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ θεσμοὺς μητρός σου·
1:8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's precepts. 1:8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's precepts.

9 For they shall be an ornament of grace to your head, and chains about your neck.

1:9 στέφανον γὰρ χαρίτων δέξῃ σῇ κορυφῇ καὶ κλοιὸν χρύσεον περὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ. 1:9 στέφανον γὰρ χαρίτων δέξῃ σῇ κορυφῇ καὶ κλοιὸν χρύσεον περὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ.
1:9 For you shall receive for your head a crown of graces, and a collar of gold around your neck. 1:9 For you shall receive for your head a crown of graces, and a collar of gold around your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.

1:10 υἱέ, μή σὲ πλανήσωσιν ἄνδρες ἀσεβεῖς, μηδὲ βουληθῇς, ἐὰν παρακαλέσωσί σὲ λέγοντες 1:10 υἱέ, μή σε πλανήσωσιν ἄνδρες ἀσεβεῖς, μηδὲ βουληθῇς,
1:10 My son, don't let ungodly men lead you astray, neither consent to them if they invite you saying, 1:10 My son, don't let ungodly men lead you astray, neither consent to them,

11 If they say, “Come with us, let's lay wait for blood, let's lurk privately for the innocent without cause.

1:11 Ἐλθὲ μεθ' ἡμῶν, κοινώνησον αἵματος, κρύψωμεν δὲ εἰς γῆν ἄνδρα δίκαιον ἀδίκως, 1:11 ἐὰν παρακαλέσωσί σε λέγοντες·
ἐλθὲ μεθ' ἡμῶν, κοινώνησον αἵματος, κρύψωμεν δὲ εἰς γῆν ἄνδρα δίκαιον ἀδίκως,
1:11 “Come with us, share in blood, and let's unjustly hide the just man in the ground. 1:11 If they should invite you, saying, “Come with us, share in blood, and let's unjustly hide the just man in the ground.

12 Let's swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those who go down into the pit.

1:12 καταπίωμεν δὲ αὐτὸν ὥσπερ ᾅδης ζῶντα καὶ ἄρωμεν αὐτοῦ τὴν μνήμην ἐκ γῆς· 1:12 καταπίωμεν δὲ αὐτὸν ὥσπερ ᾅδης ζῶντα καὶ ἄρωμεν αὐτοῦ τὴν μνήμην ἐκ γῆς·
1:12 and let's swallow him alive, as Hades would, and remove his memory from the earth. 1:12 and let's swallow him alive, as Hades would, and remove his memory from the earth.

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil.

1:13 τὴν κτῆσιν αὐτοῦ τὴν πολυτελῆ καταλαβώμεθα, πλήσωμεν δὲ οἴκους ἡμετέρους σκύλων· 1:13 τὴν κτῆσιν αὐτοῦ τὴν πολυτελῆ καταλαβώμεθα, πλήσωμεν δὲ οἴκους ἡμετέρους σκύλων·
1:13 let's seize his valuable property, and let's fill our houses with spoils. 1:13 let's seize his valuable property, and let's fill our houses with spoils.

14 Cast in your lot among us; let's all have one purse.”

1:14 τὸν δὲ σὸν κλῆρον βάλε ἐν ἡμῖν, κοινὸν δὲ βαλλάντιον κτησώμεθα πάντες, καὶ μαρσίππιον ἓν γενηθήτω ἡμῖν. 1:14 τὸν δὲ σὸν κλῆρον βάλε ἐν ἡμῖν, κοινὸν δὲ βαλάντιον κτησώμεθα πάντες, καὶ μαρσίππιον ἓν γενηθήτω ἡμῖν.
1:14 but cast in your lot with us, and let's all get a common money bag, and let's have one purse.” 1:14 now throw in your lot with us, and let's all provide a common money bag, and let's have one purse.”

15 My son, walk not you in the way with them; restrain your foot from their path.

1:15 μὴ πορευθῇς ἐν ὁδῷ μετ' αὐτῶν, ἔκκλινον δὲ τὸν πόδα σου ἐκ τῶν τρίβων αὐτῶν· 1:15 μὴ πορευθῆς ἐν ὁδῷ μετ' αὐτῶν, ἔκλινον δὲ τὸν πόδα σου ἐκ τῶν τρίβων αὐτῶν·
1:15 Don't go in the way with them, but turn your foot away from their paths. 1:15 Don't go in the way with them, but turn your foot away from their paths.

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

1:16 οἱ γὰρ πόδες αὐτῶν εἰς κακίαν τρέχουσιν καὶ ταχινοὶ τοῦ ἐκχέαι αἷμα· 1:16 οἱ γὰρ πόδες αὐτῶν εἰς κακίαν τρέχουσι καὶ ταχινοὶ τοῦ ἐκχέαι αἷμα·
1:16 because their feet run to evil and are quick to shed blood. 1:16 because their feet run to evil and are quick to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

1:17 οὐ γὰρ ἀδίκως ἐκτείνεται δίκτυα πτερωτοῖς. 1:17 οὐ γὰρ ἀδίκως ἐκτείνεται δίκτυα πτερωτοῖς.
1:17 for nets are not spread for birds without purpose. 1:17 for nets are not spread for birds without purpose.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privately for their own lives.

1:18 αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἱ φόνου μετέχοντες θησαυρίζουσιν ἑαυτοῖς κακά, ἡ δὲ καταστροφὴ ἀνδρῶν παρανόμων κακή. 1:18 αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἱ φόνου μετέχοντες θησαυρίζουσιν ἑαυτοῖς κακά, ἡ δὲ καταστροφὴ ἀνδρῶν παρανόμων κακή.
1:18 For they who share in murder, store up evils for themselves; and the overthrow of lawless men is evil. 1:18 For they who share in murder, store up evils for themselves; and the overthrow of lawless men is evil.

19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain; who take away the life of the owners of it.

1:19 αὗται αἱ ὁδοί εἰσιν πάντων τῶν συντελούντων τὰ ἄνομα·
τῇ γὰρ ἀσεβείᾳ τὴν ἑαυτῶν ψυχὴν ἀφαιροῦνται. 		1:19 αὗται αἱ ὁδοί εἰσι πάντων τῶν συντελούντων τὰ ἄνομα·
τῇ γὰρ ἀσεβείᾳ τὴν ἑαυτῶν ψυχὴν ἀφαιροῦνται.
1:19 These are the ways of all who perform lawlessness; for by ungodliness they destroy their own life. 1:19 These are the ways of all who perform lawlessness; for by ungodliness they destroy their own life.

Wisdom Warns

20 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets.

1:20 Σοφία ἐν ἐξόδοις ὑμνεῖται, ἐν δὲ πλατείαις παρρησίαν ἄγει, 1:20 Σοφία ἐν ἐξόδοις ὑμνεῖται, ἐν δὲ πλατείαις παρρησίαν ἄγει·
1:20 Wisdom is sung on the road, and leads plainly in the wide streets. 1:20 Wisdom is sung on the road, and leads plainly in the wide streets.

21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying,

1:21 ἐπ' ἄκρων δὲ τειχέων κηρύσσεται, ἐπὶ δὲ πύλαις δυναστῶν παρεδρεύει, ἐπὶ δὲ πύλαις πόλεως θαρροῦσα λέγει 1:21 ἐπ' ἄκρων τειχέων κηρύσσεται, ἐπὶ δὲ πύλαις δυναστῶν παρεδρεύει, ἐπὶ δὲ πύλαις πόλεως θαρροῦσα λέγει·
1:21 And she is proclaimed on the top of the walls, and she sits by the gates of strong men; and at the gates of the city she boldly says, 1:21 And she is proclaimed on the top of the walls, and she sits by the gates of strong men; and at the gates of the city she boldly says,

22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

1:22 Ὅσον ἄν χρόνον ἄκακοι ἔχωνται τῆς δικαιοσύνης, οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται·
οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες, τῆς ὕβρεως ὄντες ἐπιθυμηταί, ἀσεβεῖς γενόμενοι ἐμίσησαν αἴσθησιν 		1:22 ὅσον ἄν χρόνον ἄκακοι ἔχωνται τῆς δικαιοσύνης, οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται·
οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες, τῆς ὕβρεως ὄντες ἔπιθυμηταί, ἀσεβεῖς γενόμενοι ἐμίσησαν αἴσθησιν
1:22 “As long as naïve people cling to righteousness, they shall not be ashamed; but the fools, being lovers of pride, after having become ungodly, have hated discernment. 1:22 “As long as naïve people cling to righteousness, they shall not be ashamed; but the fools, being lovers of pride, after having become ungodly, have hated discernment.

23 Turn at my reproof: look, I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make known my words to you.

1:23 καὶ ὑπεύθυνοι ἐγένοντο ἐλέγχοις.
ἰδοὺ προήσομαι ὑμῖν ἐμῆς πνοῆς ῥῆσιν, διδάξω δὲ ὑμᾶς τὸν ἐμὸν λόγον. 		1:23 καὶ ὑπεύθυνοι ἐγένοντο ἐλέγχοις, ἰδοὺ προήσομαι ὑμῖν ἐμῆς πνοῆς ῥῆσιν, διδάξω δὲ ὑμᾶς τὸν ἐμὸν λόγον.
1:23 and are liable to reproofs. Look, I will bring forth to you the word of my breath, and I will teach you my statement. 1:23 and are liable to reproofs. Look, I will bring forth to you the word of my breath, and I will teach you my statement.

24 Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

1:24 ἐπειδὴ ἐκάλουν καὶ οὐχ ὑπηκούσατε καὶ ἐξέτεινον λόγους καὶ οὐ προσείχετε, 1:24 ἐπειδὴ ἐκάλουν καὶ οὐχ ὑπηκούσατε καὶ ἐξέτεινα λόγους καὶ οὐ προσείχετε,
1:24 And after calling, you didn't listen; and I spoke at length, and you didn't pay attention; 1:24 And after calling, you didn't listen; and I spoke at length, and you didn't pay attention;

25 But you have set at nothing all my counsel, and would have none of my reproof.

1:25 ἀλλὰ ἀκύρους ἐποιεῖτε ἐμὰς βουλάς, τοῖς δὲ ἐμοῖς ἐλέγχοις ἠπειθήσατε, 1:25 ἀλλὰ ἀκύρους ἐποιεῖτε ἐμᾶς βουλάς, τοῖς δὲ ἐμοῖς ἐλέγχοις οὐ προσείχετε,
1:25 but you made my advice invalid, and disobeyed my reproofs; 1:25 but you made my advice invalid, and disobeyed my reproofs;

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes;

1:26 τοιγαροῦν κἀγὼ τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ ἀπωλείᾳ ἐπιγελάσομαι, καταχαροῦμαι δέ, ἡνίκα ἄν ἔρχηται ὑμῖν ὄλεθρος, 1:26 τοιγαροῦν κἀγὼ τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ ἀπωλείᾳ ἐπιγελάσομαι, καταχαροῦμαι δὲ ἡνίκα ἔρχηται ὑμῖν ὄλεθρος,
1:26 therefore I also will laugh at your destruction; and I will rejoice over you when ruin comes on you. 1:26 therefore I also will laugh at your destruction; and I will rejoice over you when ruin comes on you.

27 When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes on you.

1:27 καὶ ὡς ἄν ἀφίκηται ὑμῖν ἄφνω θόρυβος, ἡ δὲ καταστροφὴ ὁμοίως καταιγίδι παρῇ, καὶ ὅταν ἔρχηται ὑμῖν θλῖψις καὶ πολιορκία, ἢ ὅταν ἔρχηται ὑμῖν ὄλεθρος. 1:27 καὶ ὡς ἄν ἀφίκηται ὑμῖν ἄφνω θόρυβος, ἡ δὲ καταστροφὴ ὁμοίως καταιγίδι παρῇ, καὶ ὅταν ἔρχηται ὑμῖν θλῖψις καὶ πολιορκία ἢ ὅταν ἔρχηται ὑμῖν ὄλεθρος.
1:27 as soon as confusion comes on you suddenly, and destruction arrives like a storm, and when affliction and siege comes on you, or when ruin comes on you. 1:27 as soon as confusion comes on you suddenly, and destruction arrives like a storm, and when affliction and siege comes on you, or when ruin comes on you.

28 Then shall they call on me, but I won't answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.

1:28 ἔσται γὰρ ὅταν ἐπικαλέσησθε με, ἐγὼ δὲ οὐκ εἰσακούσομαι ὑμῶν·
ζητήσουσίν με κακοὶ καὶ οὐχ εὑρήσουσιν. 		1:28 ἔσται γὰρ ὅταν ἐπικαλέσησθέ με, ἐγὼ δὲ οὐκ εἰσακούσομαι ὑμῶν·
ζητήσουσί με κακοί, καὶ οὐχ εὑρήσουσιν·
1:28 For it shall be that when you call on me, I won't listen to you: wicked men shall seek me, but shall not find me. 1:28 For it shall be that when you call on me, I won't listen to you: wicked men shall seek me, but shall not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.

1:29 ἐμίσησαν γὰρ σοφίαν, τὸν δὲ φόβον τοῦ κυρίου οὐ προείλαντο 1:29 ἐμίσησαν γὰρ σοφίαν, τὸν δὲ λόγον τοῦ Κυρίου οὐ προείλαντο,
1:29 For they hated wisdom, and didn't choose the fear of the Lord. 1:29 For they hated wisdom, and didn't choose the word of the Lord.

30 They would have none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

1:30 οὐδὲ ἤθελον ἐμαῖς προσέχειν βουλαῖς, ἐμυκτήριζον δὲ ἐμοὺς ἐλέγχους. 1:30 οὐδὲ ἤθελον ἐμαῖς προσέχειν βουλαῖς, ἐμυκτήριζον δὲ ἐμοὺς ἐλέγχους.
1:30 neither would they pay attention to my advice, but ridiculed my reproofs. 1:30 neither would they pay attention to my advice, but ridiculed my reproofs.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

1:31 τοιγαροῦν ἔδονται τῆς ἑαυτῶν ὁδοῦ τοὺς καρποὺς καὶ τῆς ἑαυτῶν ἀσεβείας πλησθήσονται· 1:31 τοιγαροῦν ἔδονται τῆς ἑαυτῶν ὁδοῦ τοὺς καρποὺς καὶ τῆς ἑαυτῶν ἀσεβείας πλησθήσονται·
1:31 Therefore shall they eat the fruits of their own way, and shall be filled with their own ungodliness. 1:31 Therefore shall they eat the fruits of their own way, and shall be filled with their own ungodliness.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

1:32 ἀνθ' ὧν γὰρ ἠδίκουν νηπίους, φονευθήσονται, καὶ ἐξετασμὸς ἀσεβεῖς ὀλεῖ. 1:32 ἀνθ' ὧν γὰρ ἠδίκουν νηπίους, φονευθήσονται, καὶ ἐξετασμὸς ἀσεβεῖς ὀλεῖ.
1:32 Because they wronged the children, they shall be killed; and an examination will ruin the ungodly. 1:32 Because they wronged the children, they shall be killed; and an examination will ruin the ungodly.

33 But whoever listens to me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

1:33 ὁ δὲ ἐμοῦ ἀκούων κατασκηνώσει ἐπ' ἐλπίδι καὶ ἡσυχάσει ἀφόβως ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ. 1:33 ὁδὲ ἐμοῦ ἀκούων κατασκηνώσει ἐπ' ἐλπίδι καὶ ἡσυχάσει ἀφόβως ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ.
1:33 But he who listens to me shall dwell in hope, and shall rest fearlessly from all evil.” 1:33 But he who listens to me shall dwell in hope, and shall rest fearlessly from all evil.”