1Kes end eraldab, otsib, mida ta himustab; kõige jõuga tülitseb ta.
1An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2Albil pole head meelt arukusest, küll aga oma arvamuste avaldamisest.
2A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3Kui tuleb ülekohtune, tuleb ka põlgus ja koos häbiga teotus.
3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4Sõnad mehe suust on sügav vesi, tarkuseallikas on vulisev oja.
4The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5Ei ole hea olla õela poolt, et õiget kohtus väärata.
5To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6Albi huuled toovad riidu ja tema suu kutsub lööke.
6A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7Albi suu on hukatuseks temale enesele ja ta huuled on püüdepaelaks ta hingele.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8Keelepeksja sõnad on nagu maiuspalad ja lähevad otse sisikonna soppidesse.
8The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9Isegi see, kes oma töös on loid, on hävitaja vend.
9One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10Issanda nimi on tugev torn: sinna jookseb õige ja leiab varju.
10The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11Rikka varandus on tema tugev linn ja ta enese kujutluses kõrge müüri sarnane.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12Enne langust läheb inimese süda ülbeks, aga enne au on alandus.
12Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13Kui keegi vastab enne ärakuulamist, siis on see tema rumalus ja häbi.
13He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14Mehine meel talub haigust, aga kes võiks kannatada rusutud vaimu?
14A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15Mõistliku süda hangib teadlikkust ja tarkade kõrv otsib teadmisi.
15The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16And avab inimesele tee ja viib teda suurte ette.
16A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17Oma riiuasjas on esimesel õigus, kuni tuleb teine ja teda läbi katsub.
17He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18Liisk lõpetab tülid ja otsustab vägevate vahel.
18The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19Petetud venda on raskem võita kui tugevat linna, ja tülid on otsekui kindluse riiv.
19A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20Oma suu viljast saab mehe kõht täis, ta küllastub oma huulte saagist.
20A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21Surm ja elu on keele võimuses, ja kes seda armastab, saab süüa selle vilja.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22Kes leiab naise, leiab õnne ja saab Issanda hea meele osaliseks.
22Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
23Kehv kõneleb anudes, aga rikas vastab karmilt.
23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24On sõpru, kes üksteist maha löövad, aga mõni sõber on ustavam kui vend.
24A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.