Thereis gold,and an abundanceof jewels;But the lipsof knowledgeare a morepreciousthing.
A manhas joyin an aptanswer,And howdelightfulis a timelyword!
The lipsof the wisespreadknowledge,But the heartsof foolsare not so.
Howmuch betterit is to getwisdomthangold!And to getunderstandingis to be chosenabovesilver.
The wisein heartwill be calledunderstanding,And sweetnessof speechincreasespersuasiveness.
Pleasantwordsare a honeycomb,Sweetto the souland healingto the bones.
"Bad,bad,"saysthe buyer,But when he goeshis way,thenhe boasts.
Takehis garmentwhenhe becomessuretyfor a stranger;And for foreigners,holdhim in pledge.
[Like] an earringof goldand an ornamentof finegoldIs a wisereproverto a listeningear.
She is morepreciousthanjewels;And nothingyou desirecompareswith her.
That you may observediscretionAnd your lipsmay reserveknowledge.
"Takemy instructionand not silver,And knowledgeratherthanchoicestgold.
"For wisdomis betterthanjewels;And alldesirablethingscannotcomparewith her.
Let nounwholesomewordproceedfrom your mouth,but onlysuch[a word] as is goodfor edificationaccording to the need[of the moment], sothat it will givegraceto thosewho hear.
