by Septuagint
[16] καὶ εἶπα ἐγώ Ἀγαθὴ σοφία ὑπὲρ δύναμιν· καὶ σοφία τοῦ πένητος ἐξουδενωμένη, καὶ λόγοι αὐτοῦ οὔκ εἰσιν ἀκουόμενοι.
[16] And I said Wisdom is better than power: yet the wisdom of the poor man is set at nought, and his words not listened to.
[17] λόγοι σοφῶν ἐν ἀναπαύσει ἀκούονται ὑπὲρ κραυγὴν ἐξουσιαζόντων ἐν ἀφροσύναις.
[17] The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of them that rule in folly.
[18] ἀγαθὴ σοφία ὑπὲρ σκεύη πολέμου, καὶ ἁμαρτάνων εἷς ἀπολέσει ἀγαθωσύνην πολλήν.
[18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war: and one sinner will destroy much good.
CHAPTER 10
[1] Μυῖαι θανατοῦσαι σαπριοῦσιν σκευασίαν ἐλαίου ἡδύσματος· τίμιον ὀλίγον σοφίας ὑπὲρ δόξαν ἀφροσύνης μεγάλης.
[1] Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment: and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly.
[2] καρδία σοφοῦ εἰς δεξιὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ καρδία ἄφρονος εἰς ἀριστερὸν αὐτοῦ·
[2] A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
[3] καί γε ἐν ὁδῷ ὅταν ἄφρων πορεύηται, καρδία αὐτοῦ ὑστερήσει, καὶ ἃ λογιεῖται πάντα ἀφροσύνη ἐστίν.
[3] Yea, and whenever a fool walks by the way, his heart will fail him, and all that he thinks of is folly.
[4] ἐὰν πνεῦμα τοῦ ἐξουσιάζοντος ἀναβῇ ἐπὶ σέ, τόπον σου μὴ ἀφῇς, ὅτι ἴαμα καταπαύσει ἁμαρτίας μεγάλας.
[4] If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for soothing will put an end to great offences.
[5] ἔστιν πονηρία, ἣν εἶδον ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον, ὡς ἀκούσιον, ὃ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ ἐξουσιάζοντος·
[5] There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, wherein an error has proceeded from the ruler.
[6] ἐδόθη ὁ ἄφρων ἐν ὕψεσι μεγάλοις, καὶ πλούσιοι ἐν ταπεινῷ καθήσονται·
[6] The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one.
[7] εἶδον δούλους ἐφ’ ἵππους καὶ ἄρχοντας πορευομένους ὡς δούλους ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
[7] I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.
[8] ὁ ὀρύσσων βόθρον ἐν αὐτῷ ἐμπεσεῖται, καὶ καθαιροῦντα φραγμόν, δήξεται αὐτὸν ὄφις·
[8] He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and him that breaks down a hedge a serpent shall bite.
[9] ἐξαίρων λίθους διαπονηθήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς, σχίζων ξύλα κινδυνεύσει ἐν αὐτοῖς.
[9] He that removes stones shall be troubled thereby; he that cleaves wood shall be endangered thereby.
[10] ἐὰν ἐκπέσῃ τὸ σιδήριον, καὶ αὐτὸς πρόσωπον ἐτάραξεν, καὶ δυνάμεις δυναμώσει, καὶ περισσεία τοῦ ἀνδρείου σοφία.
[10] If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength: and in that case skill is of no advantage to a man.
[11] ἐὰν δάκῃ ὁ ὄφις ἐν οὐ ψιθυρισμῷ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν περισσεία τῷ ἐπᾴδοντι.
[11] If a serpent bite when there is no charmer’s whisper, then there is no advantage to the charmer.
[12] λόγοι στόματος σοφοῦ χάρις, καὶ χείλη ἄφρονος καταποντιοῦσιν αὐτόν·
[12] The words of a wise mouth are gracious: but the lips of a fool will swallow him up.
[13] ἀρχὴ λόγων στόματος αὐτοῦ ἀφροσόνη, καὶ ἐσχάτη στόματος αὐτοῦ περιφέρεια πονηρά·
[13] The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly: and the end of his talk mischievous madness.
[14] καὶ ὁ ἄφρων πληθύνει λόγους. οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ ἄνθρωπος τί τὸ γενόμενον, καὶ τί τὸ ἐσόμενον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, τίς ἀναγγελεῖ αὐτῷ;
[14] A fool moreover multiplies words: man knows not what has been, nor what will be: who shall tell him what will come after him?
[15] μόχθος τῶν ἀφρόνων κοπώσει αὐτούς, ὃς οὐκ ἔγνω τοῦ πορευθῆναι εἰς πόλιν.
[15] The labour of fools will afflict them, as that of one who knows not to go to the city.
[16] οὐαί σοι, πόλις, ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου νεώτερος καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου ἐν πρωίᾳ ἐσθίουσιν·
[16] Woe to thee, O city, whose king is young, and thy princes eat in the morning!
[17] μακαρία σύ, γῆ, ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου υἱὸς ἐλευθέρων καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου πρὸς καιρὸν φάγονται ἐν δυνάμει καὶ οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται.
[17] Blessed art thou, O land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably, for strength, and shall not be ashamed.
[18] ἐν ὀκνηρίαις ταπεινωθήσεται ἡ δόκωσις, καὶ ἐν ἀργίᾳ χειρῶν στάξει ἡ οἰκία.
[18] By slothful neglect a building will be brought low: and by idleness of the hands the house will fall to pieces.
[19] εἰς γέλωτα ποιοῦσιν ἄρτον, καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει ζῶντας, καὶ τοῦ ἀργυρίου ἐπακούσεται σὺν τὰ πάντα.
[19] Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine and oil that the living should rejoice: but to money all things will humbly yield obedience.
[20] καί γε ἐν συνειδήσει σου βασιλέα μὴ καταράσῃ, καὶ ἐν ταμιείοις κοιτώνων σου μὴ καταράσῃ πλούσιον· ὅτι πετεινὸν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀποίσει σὺν τὴν φωνήν, καὶ ὁ ἔχων τὰς πτέρυγας ἀπαγγελεῖ λόγον.
[20] Even in thy conscience, curse not the king; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry thy voice, and that which has wings shall report thy speech.
CHAPTER 11
[1] Ἀπόστειλον τὸν ἄρτον σου ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ ὕδατος, ὅτι ἐν πλήθει τῶν ἡμερῶν εὑρήσεις αὐτόν·
[1] Send forth thy bread upon the face of the water: for thou shalt find it after many days.
[2] δὸς μερίδα τοῖς ἑπτὰ καί γε τοῖς ὀκτώ, ὅτι οὐ γινώσκεις τί ἔσται πονηρὸν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.
[2] Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil there shall be upon the earth.
[3] ἐὰν πληρωθῶσιν τὰ νέφη ὑετοῦ, ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐκχέουσιν· καὶ ἐὰν πέσῃ ξύλον ἐν τῷ νότῳ καὶ ἐὰν ἐν τῷ βορρᾷ, τόπῳ, οὗ πεσεῖται τὸ ξύλον, ἐκεῖ ἔσται.
[3] If the clouds be filled with rain, they pour it out upon the earth: and if a tree fall southward, or if it fall northward, in the place where the tree shall fall, there it shall be.
[4] τηρῶν ἄνεμον οὐ σπερεῖ, καὶ βλέπων ἐ�
� ταῖς νεφέλαις οὐ θερίσει,
[4] He that observes the wind sows not; and he that looks at the clouds will not reap.
[5] ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔστιν γινώσκων τίς ἡ ὁδὸς τοῦ πνεύματος. ὡς ὀστᾶ ἐν γαστρὶ τῆς κυοφορούσης, οὕτως οὐ γνώσῃ τὰ ποιήματα τοῦ θεοῦ, ὅσα ποιήσει σὺν τὰ πάντα.
[5] Among whom none knows what is the way of the wind: as the bones are hid in the womb of a pregnant woman, so thou shalt not know the works of God, even all things whatsoever he shall do.
[6] ἐν πρωίᾳ σπεῖρον τὸ σπέρμα σου, καὶ εἰς ἑσπέραν μὴ ἀφέτω ἡ χείρ σου, ὅτι οὐ γινώσκεις ποῖον στοιχήσει, ἢ τοῦτο ἢ τοῦτο, καὶ ἐὰν τὰ δύο ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ἀγαθά.
[6] In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thine hand be slack: for thou knowest not what sort shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether both shall be good alike.
[7] καὶ γλυκὺ τὸ φῶς καὶ ἀγαθὸν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς τοῦ βλέπειν σὺν τὸν ἥλιον·
[7] Moreover the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
[8] ὅτι καὶ ἐὰν ἔτη πολλὰ ζήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ἐν πᾶσιν αὐτοῖς εὐφρανθήσεται καὶ μνησθήσεται τὰς ἡμέρας τοῦ σκότους, ὅτι πολλαὶ ἔσονται· πᾶν τὸ ἐρχόμενον ματαιότης.
[8] For even if a man should live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity.
[9] Εὐφραίνου, νεανίσκε, ἐν νεότητί σου, καὶ ἀγαθυνάτω σε ἡ καρδία σου ἐν ἡμέραις νεότητός σου, καὶ περιπάτει ἐν ὁδοῖς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐν ὁράσει ὀφθαλμῶν σου καὶ γνῶθι ὅτι ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις ἄξει σε ὁ θεὸς ἐν κρίσει.
[9] Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart blameless, but not in the sight of thine eyes: yet know that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement.
[10] καὶ ἀπόστησον θυμὸν ἀπὸ καρδίας σου καὶ παράγαγε πονηρίαν ἀπὸ σαρκός σου, ὅτι ἡ νεότης καὶ ἡ ἄνοια ματαιότης.
[10] Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for youth and folly are vanity.
CHAPTER 12
[1] καὶ μνήσθητι τοῦ κτίσαντός σε ἐν ἡμέραις νεότητός σου, ἕως ὅτου μὴ ἔλθωσιν ἡμέραι τῆς κακίας καὶ φθάσωσιν ἔτη, ἐν οἷς ἐρεῖς Οὐκ ἔστιν μοι ἐν αὐτοῖς θέλημα·
[1] And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the days of evil come, and the years overtake thee in which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.
[2] ἕως οὗ μὴ σκοτισθῇ ὁ ἥλιος καὶ τὸ φῶς καὶ ἡ σελήνη καὶ οἱ ἀστέρες, καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν τὰ νέφη ὀπίσω τοῦ ὑετοῦ·
[2] While the sun and light are not darkened, nor the moon and the stars; nor the clouds return after the rain:
[3] ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, ᾗ ἐὰν σαλευθῶσιν φύλακες τῆς οἰκίας καὶ διαστραφῶσιν ἄνδρες τῆς δυνάμεως, καὶ ἤργησαν αἱ ἀλήθουσαι, ὅτι ὠλιγώθησαν, καὶ σκοτάσουσιν αἱ βλέπουσαι ἐν ταῖς ὀπαῖς·
[3] in the day wherein the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the mighty men shall become bent, and the grinding women cease because they have become few, and the women looking out at the windows be dark;
[4] καὶ κλείσουσιν θύρας ἐν ἀγορᾷ ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ φωνῆς τῆς ἀληθούσης, καὶ ἀναστήσεται εἰς φωνὴν τοῦ στρουθίου, καὶ ταπεινωθήσονται πᾶσαι αἱ θυγατέρες τοῦ ᾄσματος·
[4] and they shall shut the doors in the market-place, because of the weakness of the voice of her that grinds at the mill; and he shall rise up at the voice of the sparrow, and all the daughters of song shall be brought low;
[5] καί γε ἀπὸ ὕψους ὄψονται, καὶ θάμβοι ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ· καὶ ἀνθήσῃ τὸ ἀμύγδαλον, καὶ παχυνθῇ ἡ ἀκρίς, καὶ διασκεδασθῇ ἡ κάππαρις, ὅτι ἐπορεύθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος εἰς οἶκον αἰῶνος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν ἐν ἀγορᾷ οἱ κοπτόμενοι·
[5] and they shall look up, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall blossom, and the locust shall increase, and the caper shall be scattered: because man has gone to his eternal home, and the mourners have gone about the market:
[6] ἕως ὅτου μὴ ἀνατραπῇ σχοινίον τοῦ ἀργυρίου, καὶ συνθλιβῇ ἀνθέμιον τοῦ χρυσίου, καὶ συντριβῇ ὑδρία ἐπὶ τὴν πηγήν, καὶ συντροχάσῃ ὁ τροχὸς ἐπὶ τὸν λάκκον,
[6] before the silver cord be let go, or the choice gold be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel run down to the cistern;
[7] καὶ ἐπιστρέψῃ ὁ χοῦς ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ὡς ἦν, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ὃς ἔδωκεν αὐτό.
[7] before the dust also return to the earth as it was, and the spirit return to God who gave it.
[8] ματαιότης ματαιοτήτων, εἶπεν ὁ Ἐκκλησιαστής, τὰ πάντα ματαιότης.
[8] Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher; all is vanity.
[9] Καὶ περισσὸν ὅτι ἐγένετο Ἐκκλησιαστὴς σοφός, ἔτι ἐδίδαξεν γνῶσιν σὺν τὸν λαόν, καὶ οὖς ἐξιχνιάσεται κόσμιον παραβολῶν.
[9] And because the Preacher was wise above others, so it was that he taught man excellent knowledge, and the ear will trace out the parables.
[10] πολλὰ ἐζήτησεν Ἐκκλησιαστὴς τοῦ εὑρεῖν λόγους θελήματος καὶ γεγραμμένον εὐθύτητος, λόγους ἀληθείας.
[10] The Preacher sought diligently to find out acceptable words, and a correct writing, even words of truth.
[11] Λόγοι σοφῶν ὡς τὰ βούκεντρα καὶ ὡς ἧλοι πεφυτευμένοι, οἳ παρὰ τῶν συναγμάτων ἐδόθησαν ἐκ ποιμένος ἑνὸς καὶ περισσὸν ἐξ αὐτῶν.
[11] The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails firmly fastened, which have been given from one shepherd by agreement.
[12] υἱέ μου, φύλαξαι ποιῆσαι βιβλία πολλά· οὐκ ἔστιν περασμός, καὶ μελέτη πολλὴ κόπωσις σαρκός.
[12] And moreover, my son, guard thyself by means of them: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
[13] Τέλος λόγου τὸ πᾶν ἀκούεται Τὸν θεὸν φοβοῦ καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ φύλασσε, ὅτι τοῦτο πᾶς ὁ ἄνθρωπος.
[13] Hear the end of the matter, the sun: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole man.
[14] ὅτι σὺν πᾶν τὸ ποίημα ὁ θεὸς ἄξει ἐν κρίσει ἐν παντὶ παρεωραμένῳ, ἐὰν ἀγαθὸν καὶ ἐὰν πονηρόν.
[14] For God will bri
ng every work into judgment, with everything that has been overlooked, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Song of Solomon
CHAPTER 1
[1] Ἆισμα ᾀσμάτων, ὅ ἐστιν τῷ Σαλωμων.
[1] The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
[2] Φιλησάτω με ἀπὸ φιλημάτων στόματος αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀγαθοὶ μαστοί σου ὑπὲρ οἶνον,
[2] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine.
[3] καὶ ὀσμὴ μύρων σου ὑπὲρ πάντα τὰ ἀρώματα, μύρον ἐκκενωθὲν ὄνομά σου. διὰ τοῦτο νεάνιδες ἠγάπησάν σε,
[3] And the smell of thine ointments is better than all spices: thy name is ointment poured forth; therefore do the young maidens love thee.
[4] εἵλκυσάν σε, ὀπίσω σου εἰς ὀσμὴν μύρων σου δραμοῦμεν. Εἰσήνεγκέν με ὁ βασιλεὺς εἰς τὸ ταμίειον αὐτοῦ. Ἀγαλλιασώμεθα καὶ εὐφρανθῶμεν ἐν σοί, ἀγαπήσομεν μαστούς σου ὑπὲρ οἶνον· εὐθύτης ἠγάπησέν σε.
[4] They have drawn thee: we will run after thee, for the smell of thine ointments: the king has brought me into closet: let us rejoice and be glad in thee; we will love thy breasts more than wine: righteousness loves thee.
[5] Μέλαινά εἰμι καὶ καλή, θυγατέρες Ιερουσαλημ, ὡς σκηνώματα Κηδαρ, ὡς δέρρεις Σαλωμων.
[5] I am black, but beautiful, ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
[6] μὴ βλέψητέ με, ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι μεμελανωμένη, ὅτι παρέβλεψέν με ὁ ἥλιος· υἱοὶ μητρός μου ἐμαχέσαντο ἐν ἐμοί, ἔθεντό με φυλάκισσαν ἐν ἀμπελῶσιν· ἀμπελῶνα ἐμὸν οὐκ ἐφύλαξα.
