1 El perezoso se parece a una piedra ensuciada: todos silban despectivamente por su deshonra. | 1 The lazy man is pelted with a dirty stone, and all will speak about his rejection. |
2 El perezoso se parece a un montón de excrementos: el que los levanta se sacude las manos. | 2 The lazy man is pelted with the dung of oxen, and all who touch him will brush off their hands. |
3 La vergüenza de un padre es tener un hijo mal educado, y si es una hija, viene al mundo para su desgracia. | 3 An undisciplined son is the shame of his father, but an undisciplined daughter will be to his degradation. |
4 La hija prudente tendrá como herencia un marido, pero la desvergonzada será la tristeza de su padre. | 4 A prudent daughter brings an inheritance to her husband. But she who causes shame will be a disgrace to him who conceived her. |
5 La hija insolente avergüenza al padre y al marido, y es despreciada por los dos. | 5 She who is bold shames her father and her husband, and she will not be less offensive to the impious. For she will be held in dishonor by both. |
6 Música en un duelo son las palabras inoportunas, pero el castigo y la disciplina son sabiduría en todo tiempo. | 6 An untimely explanation is like music in a time of mourning. But the sharp correction and doctrine of wisdom are ever timely. |
7 Los hijos que llevan una vida honesta y tienen con qué alimentarse ocultan el origen humilde sus padres. | 7 Whoever teaches the foolish is like someone who glues together a broken pot. |
8 Los hijos jactanciosos y mal educados deshonran el noble origen de su familia. | 8 Whoever explains a word to one who is not listening is like someone who suddenly awakens a sleeping person from a deep sleep. |
9 Enseñar a un necio es reparar una vasija rota o despertar a alguien de un sueño profundo. | 9 Whoever explains wisdom to the senseless is like one speaking to a sleeping person. And at the end of the explanation, he says: “Who is this?” |
10 Razonar con un necio es razonar con un somnoliento: al final dirá: «¿De qué se trata?». | 10 Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failed. |
11 Llora por un muerto, porque ha perdido la luz; llora por un necio, porque ha perdido la inteligencia: llora serenamente por un muerto, porque él reposa; la vida del necio, en cambio, es peor que la muerte. | 11 Weep only a little over the dead, for he is at rest. |
12 El duelo por un muerto dura siete días; por el necio y el impío, todos los días de su vida. | 12 But the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death. |
13 No hables demasiado con un insensato ni vayas con el que no tiene inteligencia; cuídate de él, para no tener molestias y no salpicarte cuando él se sacuda; apártate de él: estarás tranquilo y su estupidez no te fastidiará. | 13 The mourning for the dead is seven days; but for the foolish and the impious, it is all the days of their life. |
14 ¿Qué cosa es más pesada que el plomo, y cómo llamarlo sino «necio»? | 14 You should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senseless. |
15 La arena, la sal y una masa de hierro pesan menos que un hombre sin inteligencia. | 15 Keep yourself from him, so that you may not have problems, and so that you will not be polluted by his sin. |
16 Construcción trabada con vigas de madera no se desmorona por un terremoto: así, un corazón afirmado en una convicción madura no se acobardará llegado el momento. | 16 Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishness. |
17 Un corazón apoyado en una reflexión inteligente es como el estuco que adorna un muro bien pulido. | 17 What is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolish? |
18 Una empalizada puesta sobre una altura no puede resistir los embates del viento: así, un corazón acobardado por ideas necias es incapaz de resistir el miedo. | 18 Sand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impious. |
19 El que lastima un ojo, hace brotar las lágrimas; el que lastima el corazón, hace aparecer los sentimientos. | 19 A bundle of wood strapped together in the foundation of a building will not be loosened. And similar is the heart that has been strengthened by thoughtful counsel. |
20 El que tira una piedra a los pájaros, los espanta; el que afrenta a un amigo, rompe la amistad. | 20 The thoughts of one who is understanding will not be corrupted by fear in any situation. |
21 Si has sacado la espada contra un amigo, no desesperes: es posible volver atrás; | 21 Just as chaff in a high place, or a wall made of mortar without stones set within, will not continue against the face of the wind, |
22 si has abierto la boca contra un amigo, no te inquietes: es posible la reconciliación. Pero ante la afrenta, el orgullo, la revelación de un secreto y el golpe traicionero, ante esas cosas, huirá cualquier amigo. | 22 so also a timid heart, and the thoughts of the senseless, will not withstand the forcefulness of fear. |
23 Gánate la confianza de tu prójimo en su pobreza, para saciarte con él en su prosperidad; permanece con él en el momento de la aflicción y, si él hereda, compartirás su herencia. | 23 Despite a cowardly heart, the thoughts of the foolish will not fear any situation; yet neither will one who continues always in the precepts of God. |
24 Antes del fuego, hay en el horno vapor y humo: así preceden los insultos a la sangre derramada. | 24 He who jabs an eye produces tears. And he who jabs the heart produces understanding. |
25 No me avergonzaré de proteger a un amigo ni me ocultaré de su presencia; | 25 He who throws a stone at birds will drive them away. So also, he who accuses his friend dissolves the friendship. |
26 y si por su culpa me sucede algún mal, todo el que se entere se cuidará de él. | 26 But if you have drawn a sword against a friend, you should not despair; for there may be a way back. |
27 ¡Quién le pusiera a mi boca un centinela y a mis labios un sello de discreción, para que yo no caiga a causa de ellos y mi lengua no me lleve a la ruina! | 27 If you have opened a harsh mouth against a friend, you should not fear; for there may be a reconciliation. However, if there are accusations, or abuse, or arrogance, or the revealing of secrets, or a wound from deceitfulness, in all these cases, a friend will flee away. |
| 28 Hold to faithfulness with a friend in his poverty, so that you may also rejoice in his prosperity. |
| 29 In the time of his tribulation, remain faithful to him, so that you may also be an heir with him in his inheritance. |
| 30 Just as the steam from an oven, or the smoke from a fire, rises up before a flame, so also do curses and insults and threats rise up before bloodshed. |
| 31 I shall not be ashamed to greet a friend, nor shall I hide myself from his face. And if misfortunes befall me because of him, I will endure. |
| 32 Anyone who hears of this will be wary around him. |
| 33 Who will provide a keeper for my mouth, and a reliable seal over my lips, so that I may not fall because of them, and so that my tongue does not destroy me? |