< Proverbs 26 >
1 As the snowe in the sommer, and as the raine in the haruest are not meete, so is honour vnseemely for a foole.
[Quomodo nix in æstate, et pluviæ in messe, sic indecens est stulto gloria.
2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quolibet vadens, sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
Flagellum equo, et camus asino, et virga in dorso imprudentium.
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Ne respondeas stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne efficiaris ei similis.
5 Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
Responde stulto juxta stultitiam suam, ne sibi sapiens esse videatur.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.
Claudus pedibus, et iniquitatem bibens, qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
Quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias, sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola.
8 As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.
Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii, ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem.
9 As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.
Quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti, sic parabola in ore stultorum.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
Judicium determinat causas, et qui imponit stulto silentium iras mitigat.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
Sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum, sic imprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
Vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri? magis illo spem habebit insipiens.]
13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
[Dicit piger: Leo est in via, et leæna in itineribus.
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
Sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo, ita piger in lectulo suo.
15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
Abscondit piger manum sub ascella sua, et laborat si ad os suum eam converterit.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
Sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias.]
17 He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the eares.
[Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens et commiscetur rixæ alterius.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
Sicut noxius est qui mittit sagittas et lanceas in mortem,
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
ita vir fraudulenter nocet amico suo, et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit: Ludens feci.
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
Cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis, et susurrone subtracto, jurgia conquiescent.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
Sicut carbones ad prunas, et ligna ad ignem, sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas.
22 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
Verba susurronis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile, sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus, cum in corde tractaverit dolos.
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
Quando submiserit vocem suam, ne credideris ei, quoniam septem nequitiæ sunt in corde illius.
26 Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.
Qui operit odium fraudulenter, revelabitur malitia ejus in consilio.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
Qui fodit foveam incidet in eam, et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
Lingua fallax non amat veritatem, et os lubricum operatur ruinas.]