Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Iuda.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
6 Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
7 For better is it that it be said unto thee: 'Come up hither', than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc; quam ut humilieris coram principe.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Quæ viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
12 As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei, qui misit eum, animam ipsius requiescere facit.
14 As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
18 As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
20 As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy 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 be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
prunas enim congregabis super caput eius, et Dominus reddet tibi.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
25 As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
26 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
28 Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
