1 WYC Betere is a pore man, that goith in his simplenesse, than a riche man bitynge hise lippis, and vnwijs. BSB BSB: Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 WYC Where is not kunnyng of the soule, is not good; and he that is hasti, in feet hirtith. BSB BSB: Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 WYC The foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis; and he brenneth in his soule ayens God. BSB BSB: A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 WYC Richessis encreessen ful many freendis; forsothe also thei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde. BSB BSB: Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 WYC A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesingis, schal not ascape. BSB BSB: A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 WYC Many men onouren the persoone of a myyti man; and ben frendis of hym that deelith yiftis. BSB BSB: Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 WYC The britheren of a pore man haten hym; ferthermore and the freendis yeden awei fer fro hym. He that sueth wordis oonli, schal haue no thing; BSB BSB: All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8 WYC but he that holdith stabli the mynde, loueth his soule, and the kepere of prudence schal fynde goodis. BSB BSB: He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 WYC A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesyngis, schal perische. BSB BSB: A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 WYC Delices bicomen not a fool; nether `it bicometh a seruaunt to be lord of princes. BSB BSB: Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 WYC The teching of a man is knowun bi pacience; and his glorie is to passe ouere wickid thingis. BSB BSB: A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 WYC As the gnasting of a lioun, so and the ire of the king; and as deewe on eerbe, so and the gladnesse of the kyng. BSB BSB: A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 WYC The sorewe of the fadir is a fonned sone; and roofes droppynge contynueli is a womman ful of chiding. BSB BSB: A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 WYC Housis and richessis ben youun of fadir and modir; but a prudent wijf is youun propirli of the Lord. BSB BSB: Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 WYC Slouth bringith in sleep; and a negligent soule schal haue hungur. BSB BSB: Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 WYC He that kepith the comaundement of God, kepith his soule; but he that chargith not his weie, schal be slayn. BSB BSB: He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 WYC He that hath mercy on a pore man, leeneth to the Lord; and he schal yelde his while to hym. BSB BSB: Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 WYC Teche thi sone, and dispeire thou not; but sette thou not thi soule to the sleyng of hym. BSB BSB: Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 WYC Forsothe he that is vnpacient, schal suffre harm; and whanne he hath rauyschid, he schal leie to anothir thing. BSB BSB: A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 WYC Here thou counsel, and take thou doctryn; that thou be wijs in thi laste thingis. BSB BSB: Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 WYC Many thouytis ben in the herte of a man; but the wille of the Lord schal dwelle. BSB BSB: Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 WYC A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iust man, than a man liere. BSB BSB: The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 WYC The drede of the Lord ledith to lijf `of blis; and he `that dredith God schal dwelle in plentee, with outen visityng `of the worste. BSB BSB: The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 WYC A slow man hidith his hond vndur the armpit; and putteth it not to his mouth. BSB BSB: The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 WYC Whanne a man ful of pestilence is betun, a fool schal be wisere. If thou blamist a wijs man, he schal vndurstonde techyng. BSB BSB: Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 WYC He that turmentith the fadir, and fleeth fro the modir, schal be ful of yuel fame, and schal be cursid. BSB BSB: He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 WYC Sone, ceesse thou not to here techyng; and knowe thou the wordis of kunnyng. BSB BSB: If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 WYC A wickid witnesse scorneth doom; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith wickidnesse. BSB BSB: A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 WYC Domes ben maad redi to scorneris; and hameris smytynge ben maad redi to the bodies of foolis. BSB BSB: Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.