New English [1970], THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS; CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE) [word count] [B16000].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.
1 Do not flatter yourself about tomorrow,
for you never know what a day will bring forth.
2 Let flattery come from a stranger, not from yourself,
from the lips of an outsider and not from your own.
3 Stone is a burden and sand a dead weight,
but to be vexed by a fool is more burdensome than either.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger is a deluge;
but who can stand up to jealousy?
5 Open reproof is better
than love concealed.
6 The blows a friend gives are well meant,
but the kisses of an enemy are perfidious. note
7 A man full-fed refuses honey,
but even bitter food tastes sweet to a hungry man.
8 Like a bird that strays far from its nest
is a man far from his home.
9 Oil and perfume bring joy to the heart,
but cares torment a man's very soul. note
10 Do not neglect your own friend or your father's; note
a neighbour at hand is better than a brother far away.
11 Be wise, my son, then you will bring joy to my heart,
and I shall be able to forestall my critics.
12 A shrewd man sees trouble coming and lies low;
the simple walk into it and pay the penalty.
13 Take a man's garment when he pledges his word for a stranger
and hold that as a pledge for the unknown person.
14 If one man greets another too heartily, note
he may give great offence.
15 Endless dripping on a rainy day—
that is what a nagging wife is like.
16 As well try to control the wind as to control her!
As well try to pick up oil in one's fingers!
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens the wits note of another.
-- --
Other collections of wise sayings
18 He who guards the fig-tree will eat its fruit,
and he who watches his master's interests will come to honour.
19 As face answers face reflected in the water,
so one man's heart answers another's.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are insatiable;
a man's eyes too are never satisfied.
21 The melting-pot is for silver and the crucible for gold,
but praise is the test of character.
22 Pound a fool with pestle and mortar, note
his folly will never be knocked out of him.
23 Be careful to know your own sheep
and take good care of your flocks;
24 for possessions do not last for ever,
nor will a crown endure to endless generations.
25 The grass disappears, new shoots are seen
and the green growth on the hills is gathered in;
26 the lambs clothe you,
the he-goats are worth the price of a field,
27 while the goats' milk is enough for your food note
and nourishment for your maidens.
New English [1970], THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS; CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE) [word count] [B16000].
|
