Proverbs 18
1 He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
Occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiae: nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiae.
5 To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
Accipere personam impii in iudicio non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animae eius.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animae autem effeminatorum esurient.
9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsam currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15 The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quaerit doctrinam.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17 He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
Mors, et vita in manu linguae: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
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.
23 A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
Cum obsecrationibus loquitur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
24 He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Vir amicabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
