Proverbs 25
1 These also, are proverbs of Solomon, —which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Juda.
2 The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.
[Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.
Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum.
5 Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.
Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur justitia thronus ejus.
6 Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
7 For better it be said to thee, Come up hither, —than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.
Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc, quam ut humilieris coram principe.]
8 Do not go forth to strive in haste, —lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter end thereof, when thy neighbour, hath put thee to shame.
[Quæ viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in jurgio cito, ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
9 Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
10 Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
11 Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
12 A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing ear.
Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem et aurem obedientem.
13 As the cold of snow in the day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him, —when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.
Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum: animam ipsius requiescere facit.
14 Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus et promissa non complens.
15 By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.]
16 Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
[Mel invenisti: comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
17 Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
18 A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
Jaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
19 A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
20 As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.
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.
21 If he that hateth thee hunger, give him bread to eat, and, if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum; si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
22 For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
prunas enim congregabis super caput ejus, et Dominus reddet tibi.
23 A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.
Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
24 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
Melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua.
26 A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
Fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta, justus cadens coram impio.
27 To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
Sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum, sic qui scrutator est majestatis opprimetur a gloria.
28 A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.]
