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Chapter 23

AlexandrinusVaticanus

On Life and Conduct

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you.

23:1 ἐὰν καθίσῃς δειπνεῖν ἐπὶ τραπέζης δυναστῶν, νοητῶς νόει τὰ παρατιθέμενά σοί 23:1 Ἐὰν καθίσῃς δειπνεῖν ἐπὶ τραπέζης δυναστῶν, νοητῶς νόει τὰ παρατιθέμενά σοι
23:1 If you sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before you. 23:1 If you sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before you.

2 And put a knife to your throat, if you be a man given to appetite.

23:2 καὶ ἐπίβαλλε τὴν χεῖρά σου εἰδὼς ὅτι τοιαῦτά σὲ δεῖ παρασκευάσαι· 23:2 καὶ ἐπίβαλλε τὴν χεῖρά σου, εἰδὼς ὅτι τοιαῦτά σε δεῖ παρασκευάσαι·
εἰ δὲ ἀπληστότερος εἶ,
23:2 and apply your hand, knowing that it will be necessary to prepare such things. 23:2 and apply your hand, knowing that it will be necessary to prepare such things.

3 Don't be desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful food.

23:3 εἰ δὲ ἀπληστότερος εἶ, μὴ ἐπιθύμει τῶν ἐδεσμάτων αὐτοῦ, ταῦτα γὰρ ἔχεται ζωῆς ψευδοῦς. 23:3 μὴ ἐπιθύμει τῶν ἐδεσμάτων αὐτοῦ, ταῦτα γὰρ ἔχεται ζωῆς ψευδοῦς.
23:3 but if you are very insatiable, don't desire his provisions; for these belong to a false life. 23:3 but if you are very insatiable, don't desire his provisions; for these belong to a false life.

4 Don't labour to be rich: cease from your own wisdom.

23:4 μὴ παρεκτείνου πένης ὢν πλουσίῳ, τῇ δὲ σῇ ἐννοίᾳ ἀπόσχου· 23:4 μὴ παρεκτείνου πένης ὢν πλουσίῳ, τῇ δὲ σῇ ἐννοίᾳ ἀπόσχου.
23:4 If you are poor, don't measure yourself with a rich man; but refrain yourself in your wisdom. 23:4 If you are poor, don't measure yourself with a rich man; but refrain yourself in your wisdom.

5 Will you set your eyes on what is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

23:5 ἐὰν ἐπιστήσῃς τὸ σὸν ὄμμα πρὸς αὐτόν, οὐδαμοῦ φανεῖται, κατεσκεύασται γὰρ αὐτῷ πτέρυγες ὥσπερ ἀετοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέφει εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ προεστηκότος αὐτοῦ. 23:5 ἐὰν ἐπιστήσῃς τὸ σὸν ὄμμα πρὸς αὐτόν, οὐδαμοῦ φανεῖται·
κατεσκεύασται γὰρ αὐτῷ πτέρυγες ὥσπερ ἀετοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέφει εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ προεστηκότος αὐτοῦ.
23:5 If you should fix your eye on him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master. 23:5 If you should fix your eye on him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master.

6 Don't eat the bread of him who has an evil eye, neither desire his dainty foods.

23:6 μὴ συνδείπνει ἀνδρὶ βασκάνῳ μηδὲ ἐπιθύμει τῶν βρωμάτων αὐτοῦ· 23:6 μὴ συνδείπνει ἀνδρὶ βασκάνῳ, μηδὲ ἐπιθύμει τῶν βρωμάτων αὐτοῦ·
23:6 Don't eat with an envious man, neither desire his meats. 23:6 Don't eat with an envious man, neither desire his meats.

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to you; but his heart is not with you.

23:7 ὃν τρόπον γὰρ εἴ τις καταπίοι τρίχα, οὕτως ἐσθίει καὶ πίνει. 23:7 ὃν τρόπον γὰρ εἴ τις καταπίοι τρίχα, οὕτως ἐσθίει καὶ πίνει.
23:7 so he eats and drinks as if any one should swallow a hair, and don't bring him in to yourself, nor eat your morsel with him. 23:7 so he eats and drinks as if any one should swallow a hair, and don't bring him in to yourself, nor eat your morsel with him.

8 The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up, and lose your sweet words.

23:8 μηδὲ πρὸς σὲ εἰσαγάγῃς αὐτὸν καὶ φάγῃς τὸν ψωμόν σου μετ' αὐτοῦ·
ἐξεμέσει γὰρ αὐτὸν καὶ λυμανεῖται τοὺς λόγους σου τοὺς καλούς. 		23:8 μηδὲ πρός σε εἰσαγάγῃς αὐτὸν καὶ φάγῃς τὸν ψωμόν σου μετ' αὐτοῦ·
ἐξεμέσει γὰρ αὐτὸν καὶ λυμανεῖται τοὺς λόγους σου τοὺς καλούς.
23:8 for he will vomit it up, and spoil your fair words. 23:8 for he will vomit it up, and spoil your fair words.

9 Don't speak in the ears of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

23:9 εἰς ὦτα ἄφρονος μηδὲν λέγε, μήποτε μυκτηρίσῃ τοὺς συνετοὺς λόγους σου. 23:9 εἰς ὦτα ἄφρονος μηδὲν λέγε, μήποτε μυκτηρίσῃ τοὺς συνετοὺς λόγους σου.
23:9 Don't say anything in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at your wise words. 23:9 Don't say anything in the ears of a fool, lest at any time he sneer at your wise words.

10 Don't remove the old landmark; and don't enter into the fields of the fatherless.

23:10 μὴ μεταθῇς ὅρια αἰώνια, εἰς δὲ κτῆμα ὀρφανῶν μὴ εἰσέλθῃς· 23:10 μὴ μεταθῇς ὅρια αἰώνια, εἰς δὲ κτῆμα ὀρφανῶν μὴ εἰσέλθῃς·
23:10 Don't remove the ancient landmarks; and don't enter on the possession of the fatherless. 23:10 Don't remove the ancient landmarks; and don't enter on the possession of the fatherless.

11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with you.

23:11 ὁ γὰρ λυτρούμενος αὐτοὺς κύριος κραταιός ἐστιν καὶ κρινεῖ τὴν κρίσιν αὐτῶν μετὰ σου. 23:11 ὁ γὰρ λυτρούμενος αὐτοὺς Κύριος κραταιός ἔστι καὶ κρινεῖ τὴν κρίσιν αὐτῶν μετὰ σοῦ.
23:11 for the Lord is their redeemer; he is mighty, and will plead their cause with you. 23:11 for the Lord is their redeemer; he is mighty, and will plead their cause with you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.

23:12 δὸς εἰς παιδείαν τὴν καρδίαν σου, τὰ δὲ ὦτά σου ἑτοίμασον λόγοις αἰσθήσεως. 23:12 δὸς εἰς παιδείαν τὴν καρδίαν σου, τὰ δὲ ὦτά σου ἑτοίμασον λόγοις αἰσθήσεως.
23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and prepare your ears for words of discretion. 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and prepare your ears for words of discretion.

13 Don't withhold correction from the child; for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die.

23:13 μὴ ἀπόσχῃ νήπιον παιδεύειν, ὅτι ἐὰν πατάξῃς αὐτὸν ῥάβδῳ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ· 23:13 μὴ ἀπόσχῃ νήπιον παιδεύειν, ὅτι ἐὰν πατάξῃς αὐτὸν ῥάβδῳ, οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ·
23:13 Refrain not from chastening a child; for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die. 23:13 Refrain not from chastening a child; for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die.

14 You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell.

23:14 σὺ μὲν γὰρ πατάξεις αὐτὸν ῥάβδῳ, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐκ θανάτου ῥύσῃ. 23:14 σὺ μὲν γὰρ πατάξεις αὐτὸν ῥάβδῳ, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐκ θανάτου ῥύσῃ.
23:14 For you shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from death. 23:14 For you shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from death.

15 My son, if your heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

23:15 υἱέ, ἐὰν σοφὴ γένηταί σου ἡ καρδία, εὐφρανεῖς καὶ τὴν ἐμὴν καρδίαν. 23:15 υἱέ, ἐὰν σοφὴ γένηταί σου ἡ καρδία, εὐφρανεῖς καὶ τὴν ἐμὴν καρδίαν,
23:15 Son, if your heart be wise, you shall also gladden my heart; 23:15 Son, if your heart be wise, you shall also gladden my heart;

16 Yes, my insides shall rejoice, when your lips speak right things.

23:16 καὶ ἐνδιατρίψει λόγοις τὰ σὰ χείλη, πρὸς τὰ ἐμὰ χείλη ἐὰν ὀρθὰ ὦσιν. 23:16 καὶ ἐνδιατρίψει λόγοις τὰ σὰ χείλη πρὸς τὰ ἐμὰ χείλη, ἐὰν ὀρθὰ ὦσι.
23:16 and your lips shall converse with my lips, if they be right. 23:16 and your lips shall converse with my lips, if they be right.

17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; but be in the fear of Yahweh all the day long.

23:17 μὴ ζηλούτω ἡ καρδία σου ἁμαρτωλούς, ἀλλὰ ἐν φόβῳ κυρίου ἴσθι ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν· 23:17 μὴ ζηλούτω ἡ καρδία σου ἁμαρτωλούς, ἀλλὰ ἐν φόβῳ Κυρίου ἴσθι ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν·
23:17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; but be in the fear of the Lord all day. 23:17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; but be in the fear of the Lord all day.

18 For surely there is an end; and your expectation shall not be cut off.

23:18 ἐὰν γὰρ τηρήσῃς αὐτά, ἔσται σοί ἔκγονα, ἡ δὲ ἐλπίς σου οὐκ ἀποστήσεται. 23:18 ἐὰν γὰρ τηρήσῃς αὐτά, ἔσται σοι ἔκγονα, ἡ δὲ ἐλπίς σου οὐκ ἀποστήσεται.
23:18 For if you should keep these things, you shall have posterity; and your hope shall not be removed. 23:18 For if you should keep these things, you shall have posterity; and your hope shall not be removed.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.

23:19 ἄκουε, υἱέ, καὶ σοφὸς γίνου καὶ κατεύθυνε ἐννοίας σῆς καρδίας· 23:19 ἄκουε, υἱέ, καὶ σοφὸς γίνου, καὶ κατεύθυνε ἐννοίας σῆς καρδίας·
23:19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of your heart. 23:19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and rightly direct the thoughts of your heart.

20 Don't be among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh.

23:20 μὴ ἴσθι οἰνοπότης μηδὲ ἐκτείνου συμβολαῖς κρεῶν τε ἀγορασμοῖς· 23:20 μὴ ἴσθι οἰνοπότης, μηδὲ ἐκτείνου συμβουλαῖς κρεῶν τε ἀγορασμοῖς·
23:20 Don't be a wine-bibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh. 23:20 Don't be a wine-bibber, neither continue long at feasts, and purchases of flesh.

21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

23:21 πᾶς γὰρ μέθυσος καὶ πορνοκόπος πτωχεύσει, καὶ ἐνδύσεται διερρηγμένα καὶ ῥακώδη πᾶς ὑπνώδης. 23:21 πᾶς γὰρ μέθυσος καὶ πορνοκόπος πτωχεύσει, καὶ ἐνδύσεται διερρηγμένα καὶ ῥακώδη πᾶς ὑπνώδης.
23:21 for every drunkard and fornicator shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments. 23:21 for every drunkard and fornicator shall be poor; and every sluggard shall clothe himself with tatters and ragged garments.

22 Listen to your father who fathered you, and don't despise your mother when she is old.

23:22 ἄκουε, υἱέ, πατρὸς τοῦ γεννήσαντός σὲ καὶ μὴ καταφρόνει ὅτι γεγήρακέν σου ἡ μήτηρ. 23:22 ἄκουε, υἱέ, πατρὸς τοῦ γεννήσαντός σε καὶ μὴ καταφρόνει ὅτι γεγήρακέ σου ἡ μήτηρ.
23:22 Listen, my son, to your father who fathered you, and don't despise your mother because she is grown old. 23:22 Listen, my son, to your father who fathered you, and don't despise your mother because she is grown old.

23 Buy the truth, and don't sell it; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

23:23 N/A 23:23 ἀλήθειαν κτῆσαι καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ σοφίαν καὶ παιδείαν καὶ σύνεσιν.
23:23 N/A 23:23 Purchase truth and don't reject wisdom and instruction and understanding

24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice; and he who fathers a wise child shall have joy of him.

23:24 καλῶς ἐκτρέφει πατὴρ δίκαιος, ἐπὶ δὲ υἱῷ σοφῷ εὐφραίνεται ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ· 23:24 καλῶς ἐκτρέφει πατὴρ δίκαιος, ἐπὶ δὲ υἱῷ σοφῷ εὐφραίνεται ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ.
23:24 A righteous father brings up his children well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son. 23:24 A righteous father brings up his children well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son.

25 Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she who gave birth to you shall rejoice.

23:25 εὐφραινέσθω ὁ πατὴρ καὶ ἡ μήτηρ ἐπὶ σοί, καὶ χαιρέτω ἡ τεκοῦσά σε. 23:25 εὐφραινέσθω ὁ πατὴρ καὶ ἡ μήτηρ ἐπὶ σοί, καὶ χαιρέτω ἡ τεκοῦσά σε.
23:25 Let your father and your mother rejoice over you, and let her who gave birth to you be glad. 23:25 Let your father and your mother rejoice over you, and let her who gave birth to you be glad.

26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

23:26 δός μοι, υἱέ, σὴν καρδίαν, οἱ δὲ σοί ὀφθαλμοὶ ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς τηρείτωσαν· 23:26 δός μοι, υἱέ, σὴν καρδίαν, οἱ δὲ σοί ὀφθαλμοὶ ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς τηρείτωσαν·
23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

27 For a prostitute is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

23:27 πίθος γὰρ τετρημένος ἐστὶν ἀλλότριος οἶκος, καὶ φρέαρ στενὸν ἀλλότριον· 23:27 πίθος γὰρ τετρημένος ἐστὶν ἀλλότριος οἶκος, καὶ φρέαρ στενὸν ἀλλότριον·
23:27 For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow. 23:27 For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow.

28 She also lies in wait as for a prey, and increases the transgressors among men.

23:28 οὗτος γὰρ συντόμως ἀπολεῖται, καὶ πᾶς παράνομος ἀναλωθήσεται. 23:28 οὗτος γὰρ συντόμως ἀπολεῖται, καὶ πᾶς παράνομος ἀναλωθήσεται.
23:28 For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off. 23:28 For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off.

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has babbling? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

23:29 τίνι οὐαί;
τίνι θόρυβος;
τίνι κρίσις;
τίνι ἀηδίαι καὶ λέσχαι;
τίνι συντρίμματα διὰ κενῆς;
τίνος πελιδνοὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοί; 		23:29 τίνι οὐαί;
τίνι θόρυβος;
τίνι κρίσεις;
τίνι δὲ ἀηδίαι καὶ λέσχαι;
τίνι συντρίμματα διακενῆς;
τίνος πελιδνοὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοί;
23:29 Who has woe? Who trouble? Who has quarrels? And who vexations and disputes? Who has bruises without a cause? Whose eyes are livid? 23:29 Who has woe? Who trouble? Who has quarrels? And who vexations and disputes? Who has bruises without a cause? Whose eyes are livid?

30 They who stay long at the wine; they who go to seek mixed wine.

23:30 οὐ τῶν ἐγχρονιζόντων ἐν οἴνοις;
οὐ τῶν ἰχνευόντων ποῦ πότοι γίνονται; 		23:30 οὐ τῶν ἐγχρονιζόντων ἐν οἴνοις;
οὐ τῶν ἰχνευόντων ποῦ πότοι γίνονται;
23:30 Are they not those who stay long at wine? Are they not those who haunt the places where banquets are? 23:30 Are they not those who stay long at wine? Are they not those who haunt the places where banquets are?

31 Look not you on the wine when it is red, when it gives his colour in the cup, when it moves itself aright.

23:31 μὴ μεθύσκεσθε οἴνῳ, ἀλλὰ ὁμιλεῖτε ἀνθρώποις δικαίοις καὶ ὁμιλεῖτε ἐν περιπάτοις·
ἐὰν γὰρ εἰς τὰς φιάλας καὶ τὰ ποτήρια δῷς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου, ὕστερον περιπατήσεις γυμνότερος ὑπέρου, 		23:31 μὴ μεθύσκεσθε ἐν οἴνοις, ἀλλὰ ὁμιλεῖτε ἀνθρώποις δικαίοις καὶ ὁμιλεῖτε ἐν περιπάτοις·
ἐὰν γὰρ εἰς τὰς φιάλας καὶ τὰ ποτήρια δῷς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου, ὕστερον περιπατήσεις γυμνότερος ὑπέρου.
23:31 Don't be drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse with them openly. For if you should set your eyes on bowls and cups, you shall afterward go more naked than a pestle. 23:31 Don't be drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse with them openly. For if you should set your eyes on bowls and cups, you shall afterward go more naked than a pestle.

32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.

23:32 τὸ δὲ ἔσχατον ὥσπερ ὑπὸ ὄφεως πεπληγὼς ἐκτείνεται καὶ ὥσπερ ὑπὸ κεράστου διαχεῖται αὐτῷ ὁ ἰός. 23:32 τὸ δὲ ἔσχατον ὥσπερ ὑπὸ ὄφεως πεπληγὼς ἐκτείνεται, καὶ ὥσπερ ὑπὸ κεράστου διαχεῖται αὐτῷ ὁ ἰός.
23:32 But at last such a one stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent. 23:32 But at last such a one stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent.

33 Your eyes shall behold strange women, and your heart shall utter perverse things.

23:33 οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου ὅταν ἴδωσιν ἀλλοτρίαν, τὸ στόμα σου τότε λαλήσει σκολιά, 23:33 οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου ὅταν ἴδωσιν ἀλλοτρίαν, τὸ στόμα σου τότε λαλήσει σκολιά,
23:33 Whenever your eyes shall behold a strange woman, then your mouth shall speak perverse things. 23:33 Whenever your eyes shall behold a strange woman, then your mouth shall speak perverse things.

34 Yes, you shall be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies on the top of a mast.

23:34 καὶ κατακείσῃ ὥσπερ ἐν καρδίᾳ θαλάσσης καὶ ὥσπερ κυβερνήτης ἐν πολλῷ κλύδωνι· 23:34 καὶ κατακείσῃ ὥσπερ ἐν καρδίᾳ θαλάσσης καὶ ὥσπερ κυβερνήτης ἐν πολλῷ κλύδωνι.
23:34 And you shall lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm. 23:34 And you shall lie as in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot in a great storm.

35 They have stricken me, you shall say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

23:35 ἐρεῖς δέ τύπτουσίν με, καὶ οὐκ ἐπόνεσα, καὶ ἐνέπαιξάν μοι, ἐγὼ δὲ οὐκ ᾔδειν·
πότε ὄρθρος ἔσται, ἵνα ἐλθὼν ζητήσω μεθ' ὧν συνελεύσομαι; 		23:35 ἐρεῖς δέ·
τύπτουσί με καὶ οὐκ ἐπόνεσα, καὶ ἐνέπαιξάν μοι, ἐγὼ δὲ οὐκ ᾔδειν·
πότε ὄρθρος ἔσται, ἵνα ἐλθὼν ζητήσω μεθ' ὧν συνελεύσομαι;
23:35 And you shall say, They smote me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I didn't know it: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company? 23:35 And you shall say, They smote me, and I was not pained; and they mocked me, and I didn't know it: when will it be morning, that I may go and seek those with whom I may go in company?