Proverbs 25
1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.
Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Iuda.
2 The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.
Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.
Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.
Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.
Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
6 Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;
Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
7 for [it is] better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, than that [one] should humble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.
Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc; quam ut humilieris coram principe.
8 Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.
Quæ viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
9 Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise [him] not;
Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
10 lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and friendship set [a man] free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.
ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
11 [As] a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so [is it] to speak a [wise] word.
Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
12 In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; [so is] a wise word to an obedient ear.
Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger [refreshes] those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.
Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei, qui misit eum, animam ipsius requiescere facit.
14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident [objects], so is he that boasts of a false gift.
Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
16 Having found honey, eat [only] what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.
Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
17 Enter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.
Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
18 [As] a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.
Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.
Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.
et amittit pallium in die frigoris. Acetum in nitro, qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo. Sicut tinea vestimento, et vermis ligno: ita tristitia viri nocet cordi.
21 If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
22 for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee [with] good.
prunas enim congregabis super caput eius, et Dominus reddet tibi.
23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.
Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
24 [It is] better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.
Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.
Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
26 As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so [is it] unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.
Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
27 [It is] not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.
Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.
Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
