Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
7 Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animæ eius.
The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
8 Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
10 Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
17 Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
19 Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
21 Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam, expellit bonum: qui autem tenet adulteram, stultus est et impius.
Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
24 Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
