Premio o castigo, tú lo decides
1 El que es egoísta
solo piensa en sí mismo
y no acepta ningún consejo.
2 Al tonto no le interesa aprender,
sino mostrar lo poco que sabe.
3 La maldad nunca llega sola;
viene siempre acompañada
de vergüenza y desprecio.
4 Las palabras del sabio
son fuente de sabiduría.
5 ¡Qué malo es
declarar inocente al malvado
y no hacerle justicia al inocente!
6 Cuando el tonto abre la boca,
causa discusiones y pleitos.
7 Cuando el necio abre la boca,
pone su vida en peligro.
8 ¡Qué sabrosos son los chismes,
pero cuánto daño causan!
9 El vago y el destructor,
¡hasta parecen hermanos!
10 Dios es como una alta torre;
hacia él corren los buenos
para ponerse a salvo.
11 El rico cree estar protegido,
piensa que sus riquezas
son como una ciudad con murallas
donde nadie puede hacerle daño.
12 El orgullo acaba en fracaso;
la honra comienza con la humildad.
13 Es muy tonto y vergonzoso
responder antes de escuchar.
14 Con ánimo se alivia al enfermo,
pero no a quien está deprimido.
15 El que es sabio e inteligente
presta atención y aprende más.
16 Con un regalo generoso
todo el mundo te recibe;
¡hasta la gente más importante
te abre sus puertas!
17 El primero en defenderse
alega ser inocente,
pero llegan los testigos
y afirman lo contrario.
18 Los pleitos más difíciles
hay que ponerlos en manos de Dios.
19 Es más fácil derribar un muro
que calmar al amigo ofendido.
20 Cada uno recibe por sus palabras
su premio o su castigo.
21 La lengua tiene poder
para dar vida y para quitarla;
los que no paran de hablar
sufren las consecuencias.
22 Si ya tienes esposa,
ya tienes lo mejor:
¡Dios te ha demostrado su amor!
23 El pobre suplica;
el rico insulta.
24 Con ciertos amigos,
no hacen falta enemigos,
pero hay otros amigos
que valen más que un hermano.
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it , it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing , and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.