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 14
Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.
The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.
The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.
The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
A wise man fears, and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends.
He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor.
Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.
In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.