1. Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
2. A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.
3. A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah.
4. An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
5. Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6. Sons' sons [are] the crown of old men, And the glory of sons [are] their fathers.
7. Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
8. A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9. Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
10. Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.
11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12. The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And--not a fool in his folly.
13. Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.
14. The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
15. Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah.