1 דְּבַר־יְהוָה ׀ אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־הֹושֵׁעַ בֶּן־בְּאֵרִי בִּימֵי עֻזִּיָּה יֹותָם אָחָז יְחִזְקִיָּה מַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה וּבִימֵי יָרָבְעָם בֶּן־יֹואָשׁ מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל | 1 All wisdom comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever. |
2 תְּחִלַּת דִּבֶּר־יְהוָה בְּהֹושֵׁעַ פ וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־הֹושֵׁעַ לֵךְ קַח־לְךָ אֵשֶׁת זְנוּנִים וְיַלְדֵי זְנוּנִים כִּי־זָנֹה תִזְנֶה הָאָרֶץ מֵאַחֲרֵי יְהוָה | 2 The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these? |
3 וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיִּקַּח אֶת־גֹּמֶר בַּת־דִּבְלָיִם וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד־לֹו בֵּן | 3 Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these? |
4 וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלָיו קְרָא שְׁמֹו יִזְרְעֶאל כִּי־עֹוד מְעַט וּפָקַדְתִּי אֶת־דְּמֵי יִזְרְעֶאל עַל־בֵּית יֵהוּא וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי מַמְלְכוּת בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל | 4 Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity. |
5 וְהָיָה בַּיֹּום הַהוּא וְשָׁבַרְתִּי אֶת־קֶשֶׁת יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֵמֶק יִזְרְעֶאל | 5 To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties? |
6 וַתַּהַר עֹוד וַתֵּלֶד בַּת וַיֹּאמֶר לֹו קְרָא שְׁמָהּ לֹא רֻחָמָה כִּי לֹא אֹוסִיף עֹוד אֲרַחֵם אֶת־בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי־נָשֹׂא אֶשָּׂא לָהֶם | 6 There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne: |
7 וְאֶת־בֵּית יְהוּדָה אֲרַחֵם וְהֹושַׁעְתִּים בַּיהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְלֹא אֹושִׁיעֵם בְּקֶשֶׁת וּבְחֶרֶב וּבְמִלְחָמָה בְּסוּסִים וּבְפָרָשִׁים | 7 It is the LORD; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her. |
8 וַתִּגְמֹל אֶת־לֹא רֻחָמָה וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן | 8 He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends. |
9 וַיֹּאמֶר קְרָא שְׁמֹו לֹא עַמִּי כִּי אַתֶּם לֹא עַמִּי וְאָנֹכִי לֹא־אֶהְיֶה לָכֶם׃ ס | 9 Fear of the LORD is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown. |
| 10 Fear of the LORD warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days. |
| 11 He who fears the LORD will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed. |
| 12 The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, which is formed with the faithful in the womb. |
| 13 With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides. |
| 14 Fullness of wisdom is fear of the LORD; she inebriates men with her fruits. |
| 15 Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest. |
| 16 Wisdom's garland is fear of the LORD, with blossoms of peace and perfect health. |
| 17 Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her. |
| 18 The root of wisdom is fear of the LORD; her branches are length of days. |
| 19 One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall. |
| 20 A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him. |
| 21 For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom. |
| 22 Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner. |
| 23 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you; |
| 24 For fear of the LORD is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight. |
| 25 Be not faithless to the fear of the LORD, nor approach it with duplicity of heart. |
| 26 Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch. |
| 27 Exalt not yourself lest you fall and bring upon you dishonor; |
| 28 For then the LORD will reveal your secrets and publicly cast you down, |
| 29 Because you approached the fear of the LORD with your heart full of guile. |