Proverbiorum 25
1 Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Iuda.
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.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes forth a vessel for the refiner.
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
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.
Put not thyself forward 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 it is better that it be said to thee, Come up here, than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Quæ viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
Go not forth hastily to strive. What will thou do in the end of it when thy neighbor has put thee to shame?
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Debate thy case with thy neighbor himself, and disclose 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 who hears 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 apples of gold in a network of silver.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
An earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, 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, is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
Clouds and wind without rain, is he who boasts himself of his gifts falsely.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
By long-suffering a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
Have thou found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18 Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is 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 he who takes off a garment in cold weather, and vinegar upon soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If thine enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 prunas enim congregabis super caput eius, et Dominus reddet tibi.
For thou will heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah will reward thee.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
The north wind brings forth rain. So does 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 the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
25 Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
A troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
It is not good to eat much honey, so for men to search out their own glory is grievous.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
He whose spirit is without restraint is a city that is broken down and without walls.
