< Proverbs 22 >

1 A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
[Melius est nomen bonum quam divitiæ multæ; super argentum et aurum gratia bona.
2 The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
Dives et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
3 The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se; innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
4 The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ, et gloria, et vita.
5 Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
Arma et gladii in via perversi; custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.
6 If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
Proverbium est: adolescens juxta viam suam; etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
7 The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
Dives pauperibus imperat, et qui accipit mutuum servus est fœnerantis.
8 By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
Qui seminat iniquitatem metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.
9 He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
Qui pronus est ad misericordiam benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera; animam autem aufert accipientium.
10 Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
Ejice derisorem, et exibit cum eo jurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.
11 He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam, et supplantantur verba iniqui.
13 The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
Dicit piger: Leo est foris; in medio platearum occidendus sum.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
Fovea profunda os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
15 Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.
16 He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
Qui calumniatur pauperem ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.]
17 Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
[Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam,
18 For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
quæ pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
19 So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
20 Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
21 To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis qui miserunt te.
22 Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
Non facias violentiam pauperi quia pauper est, neque conteras egenum in porta:
23 For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
quia judicabit Dominus causam ejus, et configet eos qui confixerunt animam ejus.
24 Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
25 For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
ne forte discas semitas ejus, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.
26 Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
Noli esse cum his qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
27 If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
28 Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
29 Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.]

< Proverbs 22 >