Proverbiorum 24
1 ne aemuleris viros malos nec desideres esse cum eis
Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2 quia rapinas meditatur mens eorum et fraudes labia eorum loquuntur
for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.
3 sapientia aedificabitur domus et prudentia roborabitur
Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4 in doctrina replebuntur cellaria universa substantia pretiosa et pulcherrima
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5 vir sapiens et fortis est et vir doctus robustus et validus
A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6 quia cum dispositione initur bellum et erit salus ubi multa consilia sunt
for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.
7 excelsa stulto sapientia in porta non aperiet os suum
Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8 qui cogitat malefacere stultus vocabitur
One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9 cogitatio stulti peccatum est et abominatio hominum detractor
The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10 si desperaveris lassus in die angustiae inminuetur fortitudo tua
If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11 erue eos qui ducuntur ad mortem et qui trahuntur ad interitum liberare ne cesses
Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
12 si dixeris vires non suppetunt qui inspector est cordis ipse intellegit et servatorem animae tuae nihil fallit reddetque homini iuxta opera sua
If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
13 comede fili mi mel quia bonum est et favum dulcissimum gutturi tuo
My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
14 sic et doctrina sapientiae animae tuae quam cum inveneris habebis in novissimis et spes tua non peribit
so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.
15 ne insidieris et quaeras impietatem in domo iusti neque vastes requiem eius
Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
16 septies enim cadet iustus et resurget impii autem corruent in malum
for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 cum ceciderit inimicus tuus ne gaudeas et in ruina eius ne exultet cor tuum
Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18 ne forte videat Dominus et displiceat ei et auferat ab eo iram suam
lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 ne contendas cum pessimis nec aemuleris impios
Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
20 quoniam non habent futurorum spem mali et lucerna impiorum extinguetur
for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21 time Dominum fili mi et regem et cum detractoribus non commiscearis
My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22 quoniam repente consurget perditio eorum et ruinam utriusque quis novit
for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
23 haec quoque sapientibus cognoscere personam in iudicio non est bonum
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgement is not good.
24 qui dicit impio iustus es maledicent ei populi et detestabuntur eum tribus
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25 qui arguunt laudabuntur et super ipsos veniet benedictio
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 labia deosculabitur qui recta verba respondet
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27 praepara foris opus tuum et diligenter exerce agrum tuum ut postea aedifices domum tuam
Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28 ne sis testis frustra contra proximum tuum nec lactes quemquam labiis tuis
Don’t be a witness against your neighbour without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
29 ne dicas quomodo fecit mihi sic faciam ei reddam unicuique secundum opus suum
Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
30 per agrum hominis pigri transivi et per vineam viri stulti
I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31 et ecce totum repleverant urticae operuerant superficiem eius spinae et maceria lapidum destructa erat
Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 quod cum vidissem posui in corde meo et exemplo didici disciplinam
Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33 parum inquam dormies modicum dormitabis pauxillum manus conseres ut quiescas
a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34 et veniet quasi cursor egestas tua et mendicitas quasi vir armatus
so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
