Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiae: nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiae.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Accipere personam impii in iudicio non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animae eius.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animae autem effeminatorum esurient.
The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsam currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quaerit doctrinam.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Mors, et vita in manu linguae: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
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 insipiens.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquitur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Vir amicabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
