Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the well-spring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animæ eius.
A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of 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 tale-bearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor [is] humility.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame to him.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it.
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.
[Whoever] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
