Proverbiorum 25
1 Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Iuda.
These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search it out.
3 Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
Remove the dross from the silver and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king and his throne will be established by doing what is right.
6 Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
Do not honor yourself in the king's presence and do not stand in the place designated for great people.
7 Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc; quam ut humilieris coram principe.
It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have witnessed,
8 Quæ viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
do not bring quickly to trial. For what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself and do not disclose another's secret,
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.
11 Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right situation.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
13 Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei, qui misit eum, animam ipsius requiescere facit.
Like the cold of snow at harvest time is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; he brings back the life of his masters.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
With patience a ruler can be persuaded and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
If you find honey, eat just enough— otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, he may become tired of you and hate you.
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 like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
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.
Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 prunas enim congregabis super caput eius, et Dominus reddet tibi.
for you will shovel coals of fire on his head and Yahweh will reward you.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
As surely as the north wind brings rain, so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.
24 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.
25 Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
Like cold waters to one who is thirsty, so is good news from a far country.
26 Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
It is not good to eat too much honey; that is like searching for honor after honor.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
A person without self-control is like a city breached and without walls.
