Proverbs 18

1

A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.

Προφάσεις ζητεῖ ἀνὴρ βουλόμενος χωρίζεσθαι ἀπὸ φίλων, ἐν παντὶ δὲ καιρῷ ἐπονείδιστος ἔσται.

2

A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.

οὐ χρείαν ἔχει σοφίας ἐνδεὴς φρενῶν, μᾶλλον γὰρ ἄγεται ἀφροσύνῃ.

3

When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.

ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἀσεβὴς εἰς βάθος κακῶν, καταφρονεῖ, επέρχεται δὲ αὐτῷ ἀτιμία καὶ ὄνειδος.

4

A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.

ὕδωρ βαθὺ λόγος ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀνδρός, ποταμὸς δὲ ἀναπηδύει καὶ πηγὴ ζωῆς.

5

[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.

θαυμάσαι πρόσωπον ἀσεβοῦς οὐ καλόν, οὐδὲ ὅσιον ἐκκλίνειν τὸ δίκαιον ἐν κρίσει.

6

The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.

χείλη ἄφρονος ἄγουσιν αὐτὸν εἰς κακά, τὸ δὲ στόμα αὐτοῦ τὸ θρασὺ θάνατον ἐπικαλεῖται.

7

A fool’s mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

στόμα ἄφρονος συντριβὴ αὐτῷ, τὰ δὲ χείλη αὐτοῦ παγὶς τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ.

8

Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.

ὀκνηροὺς καταβάλλει φόβος, ψυχαὶ δὲ ἀνδρογύνων πεινάσουσιν.

9

A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.

ὁ μὴ ἰώμενος ἑαυτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις αὑτοῦ ἀδελφός ἐστι τοῦ λυμαινομένου ἑαυτόν.

10

The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.

ἐκ μεγαλωσύνης ἰσχύος ὄνομα Κυρίου, αὐτῷ δὲ προσδραμόντες δίκαιοι ὑψοῦνται.

11

The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.

ὕπαρξις πλουσίου ἀνδρὸς πόλις ὀχυρά, ἡ δὲ δόξα αὐτῆς μέγα ἐπισκιάζει.

12

Before ruin a man’s heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.

πρὸ συντριβῆς ὑψοῦται καρδία ἀνδρός, καὶ πρὸ δόξης ταπεινοῦται.

13

Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.

ὃς ἀποκρίνεται λόγον πρὶν ἀκοῦσαι, ἀφροσύνη αὐτῷ ἐστι καὶ ὄνειδος.

14

A wise servant calms a man’s anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?

θυμὸν ἀνδρὸς πραΰνει θεράπων φρόνιμος, ὀλιγόψυχον δὲ ἄνδρα τίς ὑποίσει;

15

The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.

καρδία φρονίμου κτᾶται αἴσθησιν, ὦτα δὲ σοφῶν ζητεῖ ἔννοιαν.

16

A man’s gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.

δόμα ἀνθρώπου ἐμπλατύνει αὐτὸν καὶ παρὰ δυνάσταις καθιζάνει αὐτόν.

17

A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

δίκαιος ἑαυτοῦ κατήγορος ἐν πρωτολογίᾳ, ὡς δ’ ἂν ἐπιβάλῃ ὁ ἀντίδικος ἐλέγχεται.

18

A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.

ἀντιλογίας παύει σιγηρός, ἐν δὲ δυναστείαις ὁρίζει.

19

A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and I [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.

ἀδελφὸς ὑπὸ ἀδελφοῦ βοηθούμενος ὡς πόλις ὀχυρὰ καὶ ὑψηλή, ἰσχύει δὲ ὥσπερ τεθεμελιωμένον βασίλειον.

20

A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.

ἀπὸ καρπῶν στόματος ἀνὴρ πίμπλησι κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ δὲ καρπῶν χειλέων αὐτοῦ ἐμπλησθήσεται.

21

Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

θάνατος καὶ ζωὴ ἐν χειρὶ γλώσσης, οἱ δὲ κρατοῦντες αὐτῆς ἔδονται τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς.

22

He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. 22α He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.

α ὃς ἐκβάλλει γυναῖκα ἀγαθήν, ἐκβάλλει τὰ ἀγαθά, ὁ δὲ κατέχων μοιχαλίδα ἄφρων καὶ ἀσεβής.