Proverbiorum 25
1 Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Juda.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum.
Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur justitia thronus ejus.
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
7 Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc, quam ut humilieris coram principe.
For better is it that it be said unto thee: 'Come up hither', than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Quæ viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in jurgio cito, ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem et aurem obedientem.
As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum: animam ipsius requiescere facit.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus et promissa non complens.
As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Mel invenisti: comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
18 Jaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris. Acetum in nitro, qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo. Sicut tinea vestimento, et vermis ligno, ita tristitia viri nocet cordi.
As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum; si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 prunas enim congregabis super caput ejus, et Dominus reddet tibi.
For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
25 Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua.
As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta, justus cadens coram impio.
As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum, sic qui scrutator est majestatis opprimetur a gloria.
It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
