Unlike the Protestant and Catholic canons, the Ethiopian tradition (Orthodox Tewahedo Church) includes in its Old Testament a collection of wisdom writings known as 'Messalë' (መሣሌ), which corresponds to the Book of Proverbs, but with a particular order and extent. In the Ethiopian canon, Messalë is often positioned distinctly, appearing alongside other wisdom books such as Säyfon (Ecclesiasticus) and Tägsas (Wisdom of Solomon). Although the central content corresponds to the canonical Proverbs, the Ethiopian manuscript tradition preserves textual variations and a chapter organization that reflects the ancient tradition of the Church of Ethiopia. In this Ethiopian collection, Messalë corresponds specifically to chapters 1–24 of the Book of Proverbs, while chapters 25–31 are known as Tägsas.
Messalë (Provérbios 1–24)
Chapter 11
A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
A talebearer reveals secrets, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit conceals a matter.
Where no wise guidance is, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.
A merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!