Old/New Testament
13 A wise son is the teaching of the father; but he that is a scorner, heareth not, when he is reproved. (A wise son listeneth to his father’s teaching; but he who is a mocker, heareth not, when he is rebuked.)
2 A man shall be filled with goods of the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of unpious men is wicked. (A good person shall be filled with things from the fruit of his mouth; but the souls of evil people be wicked.)
3 He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his soul; but he that is unwary to speak, shall feel evils. (He who guardeth his mouth, keepeth his soul safe; but he who is careless when he speaketh, shall experience evil.)
4 A slow man will, and will not; but the soul of them that work shall be made fat. (A lazy person desireth, and desireth not; but those who do work shall prosper.)
5 A just man shall loathe a false word; but a wicked man shameth, and shall be shamed. (The righteous loathe a lie; but the wicked shame, and shall be shamed.)
6 Rightfulness keepeth (safe) the way of an innocent man; but wickedness deceiveth a sinner.
7 A man is as rich, when he hath nothing; and a man is as poor, when he is in many riches. (A person can be rich, even when he hath nothing; and a person can be poor, even when he hath many riches.)
8 [The] Redemption of the soul of [a] man is his riches; but he that is poor, suffereth not blaming. (The ransom for a man’s life is his riches; but he who is poor, shall not even suffer threats.)
9 The light of just men maketh glad; but the lantern of wicked men shall be quenched. (The light of the righteous maketh happy, or inspireth; but the lantern of the wicked shall be quenched.)
10 Strives be ever among proud men; but they that do all things with counsel, be governed by wisdom. (There is always strife, or arguments, among the proud; but they who do all things with advice, be governed by wisdom.)
11 Hasted chattel, that is, gotten hastily, shall be made less; but that that is gathered little and little with hand, shall be multiplied (but that which is gathered little by little, shall be multiplied).
12 Hope which is delayed, tormenteth the soul; a tree of life is (a) desire (that is) coming.
13 He that backbiteth anything, bindeth himself into [the] time to coming; but he that dreadeth the commandment, shall live in peace. (He who backbiteth for something said to him, bindeth himself to the time to come; but he who feareth the commandment, shall live in peace.)
14 The law of a wise man is a well of life; that he bow away from the falling of death, that is, of sin, and of hell. (The teaching of the wise is a well of life; so that thou bow away from the falling of death, that is, from sin, and from hell.)
15 Good teaching shall give grace; a swallow is in the way of despisers. (Good teaching shall bring favour; a pit is on the way of despisers.)
16 A fell man doeth all things with counsel; but he that is a fool, shall open folly. (A clever person doeth everything with forethought, or only after advice; but he who is a fool, shall lay open his foolishness for all to see.)
17 The messenger of a wicked man shall fall into evil; a faithful messenger is health. (A wicked messenger shall fall into evil; but a faithful messenger bringeth health/victory/salvation, or deliverance.)
18 Neediness and shame is to him that forsaketh teaching; but he that assenteth to a blamer, shall be glorified. (Neediness and shame shall be for him who abandoneth his teaching, or his instruction; but he who assenteth to a rebuker, shall be honoured.)
19 Desire, if it is [ful]filled, delighteth the soul; fools loathe them that flee evils.
20 He that goeth with wise men, shall be wise (He who goeth with the wise, shall be wise); the friend of fools shall be made like them.
21 Evil pursueth sinners; and goods shall be given to just men (but good things shall be given to the righteous).
22 A good man shall leave after him heirs, sons, and the sons of sons; and the chattel of a sinner is kept to a just man. (A good person shall leave heirs after him, yea, sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters; but a sinner’s possessions shall be given to the righteous.)
23 Many meats be in the new-tilled fields of fathers; and be gathered to other men without doom. (Much food for the poor could be in untilled fields; but other men unjustly keep that land from being worked.)
24 He that spareth the rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him, teacheth busily (but he who loveth him, busily teacheth him).
25 A just man eateth, and [ful]filleth his soul; but the womb of wicked men is unable to be filled. (The righteous eat, and fill their hunger; but the bellies of the wicked be unable to be filled.)
14 A wise woman buildeth her house; and an unwise woman shall destroy with hands, that is, with her evil works, an house builded. (A wise woman buildeth up her own house; but an unwise woman shall destroy with her own hands, that is, with her own evil works, the house that she hath built.)
2 A man going in rightful way, and dreading God, is despised of him that goeth in the way of evil fame. (A person who doeth right, and feareth God/and revereth God, is despised by him who goeth in evil ways.)
3 The rod of pride is in the mouth of a fool; the lips of wise men keep them (but the lips of the wise keep them safe).
4 Where oxen be not, the cratch is void (the stall is empty); but where full many corns appear, there the strength of the ox is [made] open.
5 A faithful witness shall not lie; a guileful witness bringeth forth a leasing (a deceitful witness bringeth forth many lies).
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and he findeth it not (A mocker seeketh wisdom, but never findeth it); the teaching of prudent men is easy.
7 Go thou against a man a fool; and he shall not know the lips of prudence. (Go thou away from a foolish person; for he shall not speak words of understanding, that is, sensible words.)
8 The wisdom of a fell man is to understand his way; and the unwariness of fools erreth. (The wisdom of a clever person is to understand his own way; but the carelessness of fools maketh them to err.)
9 A fool scorneth sin; grace shall dwell among just men. (A fool mocketh sin; favour shall dwell among the righteous.)
10 The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his soul; a stranger shall not be meddled in the joy thereof. (The heart knoweth the bitterness of its own soul; a stranger cannot be mixed in, or mingled, with its joy.)
11 The house of wicked men shall be done away; the tabernacles of just men shall burgeon. (The houses of the wicked shall be done away; but the homes of the righteous shall flourish.)
12 Soothly a way is, that seemeth just to a man (Truly there is a way, that seemeth right to a person); but the last things thereof lead forth to death.
13 Laughing shall be meddled with sorrow (Laughter shall be mixed, or mingled, with sorrow); and mourning occupieth the last things of joy.
14 A fool shall be filled with his ways; and a good man shall be above him. (A fool shall reap the fruit of his foolish ways; and a good person that of his deeds, or of his labour.)
15 An innocent man believeth to each word; a fell man beholdeth his goings. (An innocent person believeth each and every word; a clever person regardeth, or watcheth, his own steps.)
16 A wise man dreadeth, and boweth away from evil; a fool skippeth over, and trusteth.
17 A man unpatient shall work folly; and a guileful man is odious. (An impatient person will act foolishly; and a deceitful person is odious.)
18 Little men of wit shall hold folly; and fell men shall abide knowing. (People of little wit, or of low intelligence, shall hold fast to foolishness; but clever people shall gain understanding.)
19 Evil men shall lie (down) before good men; and unpious men before the gates of just men. (Evil people shall lie down before good people; and the wicked shall bow before the gates of the righteous.)
20 A poor man shall be (thought) hateful, yea, (even) to his neighbour; but many men be (the) friends of rich men.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour, doeth sin; but he that doeth mercy to a poor man, shall be blessed.
22 He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy; they err that work evil. Mercy and truth make ready goods (Mercy and truth bring forth good things);
23 abundance shall be in each good work/in every good work. Soothly where full many words be, there neediness is oft (Truly, where there be a great many words, there often is neediness, or lack, or want).
24 The crown of wise men is the riches of them; the folly of fools is unwariness. (The reward of the wise is their riches; the foolishness of fools is their recklessness.)
25 A faithful witness delivereth souls; and a false man bringeth forth leasings. (A faithful witness saveth lives; but a false accuser bringeth forth only lies.)
26 In the dread of the Lord is trust of strength; and hope shall be to the sons of him. (He who feareth the Lord/He who revereth the Lord hath trust in his strength; and his sons and daughters shall have hope and security.)
27 The dread of the Lord is a well of life; that it bow away from the falling of death. (The fear of the Lord/Reverence for the Lord is a well of life; yea, so that thou turn away from deadly traps, or snares.)
28 The dignity of the king is in the multitude of (his) people; and the shame of a prince is in the fewness of (his) people.
29 He that is patient, is governed by much wisdom; but he that is unpatient, enhanceth his folly.
30 (The) Health of (the) heart is the life of (the) flesh; envy is (the) rot of (the) bones.
31 He that falsely challengeth a needy man, despiseth his maker; but he that hath mercy on a poor man, honoureth his maker. (He who oppresseth the needy, despiseth his Maker; but he who hath mercy on the poor, honoureth his Maker.)
32 A wicked man is put out for his malice; but a just man hopeth in his death. (A wicked person is brought down by his own malice; but a righteous person hath hope in his death.)
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of a wise man; and he shall teach all unlearned men. (Wisdom resteth in the hearts of the wise; and they shall teach all the unlearned.)
34 Rightfulness raiseth [up] a folk; sin maketh peoples wretches. (Uprightness raiseth up the nation; sin maketh people into wretches.)
35 A servant understanding is acceptable to a king; a servant unprofitable shall suffer the wrathfulness of him. (An understanding servant shall receive the king’s favour; an unprofitable servant shall suffer his wrath.)
15 A soft answer breaketh ire; an hard word raiseth strong vengeance.
2 The tongue of wise men honoureth knowing (The speaking of the wise honoureth knowledge); the mouth of fools boileth out folly.
3 In each place the eyes of the Lord behold good men, and evil men.
4 A pleasant tongue is the tree of life; but the tongue that is unmeasurable, (or unable to be checked,) shall defoul the spirit.
5 A fool scorneth the teaching of his father; but he that keepeth blamings (but he who receiveth rebukes), shall be made wiser. Most virtue shall be in plenteous rightfulness; but the thoughts of wicked men shall be drawn up by the root.
6 (In) The house of a just man is full great strength; and troubling is in the fruits of a wicked man. (In the house of the righteous is very great wealth; and trouble is in the fruits of the wicked.)
7 The lips of wise men shall sow abroad knowing (The lips of the wise sow abroad knowledge); (but) the heart(s) of fools shall be unlike (them, that is, they shall be full of ignorance).
8 The sacrifices of wicked men be abominable to the Lord; the avows of just men be pleasant. (The sacrifices of the wicked be abominable to the Lord; but the vows of the righteous be pleasing to him.)
9 The life of the unpious man is (an) abomination to the Lord; he that followeth rightfulness, shall be loved of the Lord. (The life of an evil person is an abomination to the Lord; but he who followeth righteousness, shall be loved by the Lord.)
10 Evil teaching is of men that forsake the way of life; he that hateth blamings shall die. (Evil teaching is from those who abandon the way of life; he who hateth rebukes shall die.)
11 Hell and perdition be open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of [the] sons (and daughters) of men.
12 A man full of pestilence loveth not him that reproveth him; and he goeth not to wise men.
13 A joyful heart maketh glad the face; (but) the spirit is cast down in the mourning of (the) soul.
14 The heart of a wise man seeketh teaching; and the mouth of fools is fed with unknowing, (or with ignorance).
15 All the days of a poor man be evil; a secure soul is a continual feast. (All the days of the poor be evil; the life of a secure soul is a continual feast.)
16 Better is a little with the dread of the Lord, than many treasures and unfillable. (Better is a little with the fear of the Lord/with reverence for the Lord, than many treasures and troubles.)
17 It is better to be called to worts with charity, than with hatred to a calf made fat. (It is better to be warmly, or cordially, called to herbs, or vegetables, than to be hatefully invited to share a fattened calf.)
18 A wrathful man raiseth chidings; he that is patient, assuageth chidings that were raised.
19 The way of slow men is as an hedge of thorns; the way of just men is without [thing of] hurting. (A lazy person’s way is a hedge of thorns; but the way of the righteous is without a cause of stumbling.)
20 A wise son maketh glad his father; but a fond man despiseth his mother. (A wise son maketh his father happy; but a fool despiseth his mother.)
21 Folly is joy to a fool; but a prudent man shall (ad)dress his steps. (Foolishness bringeth joy to a fool; but a prudent person shall direct his steps.)
22 Thoughts be destroyed, where no counsel is; but where many counsellors be, they be confirmed. (Plans come to naught, where there is no wise advice; but where there be many counsellors, the plans succeed.)
23 A man is glad in the sentence of his mouth; and a covenable word is best (but a suitable word is always best).
24 The path of life is on a learned man; that he bow away from the last hell. (The path of life leadeth upward for the learned; yea, so that they turn away from Sheol, or the land of the dead/so that they turn away from hell, which is below.)
25 The Lord shall destroy the house of proud men; and he shall make steadfast the coasts of a widow. (The Lord shall destroy the house of the proud; but he shall make firm the property lines, or the boundary stones, of a widow.)
26 Evil thoughts is abomination of the Lord; and a clean word most fair shall be made steadfast of him. (Evil thoughts be an abomination to the Lord; but a most fair, and clean, word is his delight.)
27 He that followeth avarice, troubleth his house; but he that hateth gifts shall live (long). Sins be purged by mercy and faith; each man boweth away from evil by the dread of the Lord (Sins be cleansed by love and faith; all can turn away from evil by the fear of the Lord/with reverence for the Lord).
28 The soul of a just man bethinketh obedience; the mouth of wicked men is full of evils. (The righteous think before that they answer; but the ready reply of the wicked is usually full of evil.)
29 The Lord is far from wicked men; and he shall hear the prayers of just men. (The Lord is far from the wicked; but he shall hear the prayers of the righteous.)
30 The light of (the) eyes maketh glad the soul; good fame maketh fat the bones. (Sparkling eyes make a person happy; good news fatteneth up the bones.)
31 The ear that heareth the blamings of life, shall dwell in the midst of wise men. (The person who listeneth to rebukes, shall live in the midst of the wise.)
32 He that casteth away chastising, despiseth his soul; but he that assenteth to blamings, is a peaceable holder of the heart (He who casteth away discipline, despiseth his own soul; but he who accepteth rebukes, shall become wiser.)
33 The dread of the Lord is teaching of wisdom; and meekness goeth before glory. (The fear of the Lord/Reverence for the Lord is the teaching of wisdom; and humility goeth before honour.)
5 And we know, that if our earthly house of this dwelling be dissolved, that we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, everlasting in heavens.
2 For why in this thing we mourn, coveting to be clothed above with our dwelling, which is of heaven;
3 if nevertheless we be found clothed, and not naked.
4 For why we that be in this tabernacle, sorrow within, and be heavied [grieved], for that we will not be spoiled, but be clothed above; that that thing that is deadly, be swallowed up of life[a].
5 But who is it that maketh us into this same thing? God, that gave to us the earnest of the Spirit. [Forsooth he that maketh us into this same thing, is God, that gave to us the earnest of Spirit.]
6 Therefore we be hardy always, and know that the while we be in this body, we go in pilgrimage from the Lord;[b]
7 for we walk by faith, and not by clear sight.
8 But we be hardy [Forsooth we be hardy], and have good will, more to be in pilgrimage from the body, and to be present to God.
9 And therefore we strive, whether absent, whether present, to please him.
10 For it behooveth us all to be showed before the throne of Christ, that every man tell the proper things of the body[c], as he hath done, either good, either evil.
11 Therefore we witting the dread of the Lord, counsel men, for to God we be open; and I hope, that we be open also in your consciences.
12 We commend not us selves again to you, but we give to you occasion to have glory for us [We commend not ourselves again to you, but we give to you occasion to glory for us], that ye have [understanding] to them that glory in the face, and not in the heart.
13 For either we by mind pass to God, either we be sober to you. [Soothly whether we by mind, or reason, pass it is to God, whether we be sober it is to you?]
14 For the charity of Christ driveth us; guessing this thing [guessing, or deeming, this thing], that if one died for all, then all were dead.
15 And Christ died for all, that they that live, live not now to themselves, but to him that died for them, and rose again.
16 Therefore we from this time know no man after the flesh; though we (have) known Christ after the flesh [And so we from this time have known no man after the flesh; and if we knew Christ after the flesh], but [right] now we know not.
17 Therefore if any new creature is in Christ, the old things be passed [old things have passed]. Lo! all things be made new,
18 and all things be of God, which reconciled us to him by Christ, and gave to us the service of reconciling [and gave to us the ministry, or service, of reconciling].
19 And God was in Christ [Soothly, for God was in Christ], reconciling to him the world, not reckoning to them their guilts, and putted in us the word of reconciling [and put in us the word of reconciling].
20 Therefore we use message for Christ [Therefore we be set in legacy, or message, for Christ], as if God admonisheth by us; we beseech you for Christ, be ye reconciled to God.
21 God the Father made him sin for us, which knew not sin, that we should be made [the] rightwiseness of God in him.
2001 by Terence P. Noble