Proverbs 25
1 Also these are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah have collected.
Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Juda.
2 It is the honor of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
[Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
3 As are the heavens for height, and the earth is for depth, so should the heart of kings be unsearchable.
Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there will come forth a vessel for the melter.
Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be firmly established in righteousness.
Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur justitia thronus ejus.
6 Do not glorify thyself in the presence of the king, and force thyself not into the place of great men;
Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, “Come up hither,” than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince, which thy own eyes have [often] seen.
Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc, quam ut humilieris coram principe.]
8 Do not proceed to a contest hastily, lest [thou know not] what thou wilt have to do at its end, when thy neighbor hath put thee to confusion.
[Quæ viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in jurgio cito, ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
9 Carry on thy cause with thy neighbor; but lay not open the secret of another:
Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy never be removed.
ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
11 Like apples of gold among figures of silver is a word spoken in a proper manner.
Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
12 As an earring of gold, and a pendant of fine gold, so is a wise reprover toward an ear that listeneth.
Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem et aurem obedientem.
13 As the cooling of snow on a harvest-day, so is a faithful messenger to those that send 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 Like clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that vaunteth falsely of a gift.
Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus et promissa non complens.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh bones.
Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.]
16 Hast thou found honey: eat so much as is sufficient for thee: lest thou consume too much of it, and have to vomit it forth.
[Mel invenisti: comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
17 Make thy foot scarce in the house of thy friend: lest he have too much of thee, and so hate thee.
Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
18 A battle-axe, and a sword, and a sharpened arrow is a man that testifieth as a false witness against his neighbor.
Jaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
19 Like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint, is confidence in a treacherous man in a time of distress.
Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
20 [As] he that taketh off his garment on a cold day, [as] vinegar is upon natron: so is he that singeth songs before an unhappy 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 thy 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 though thou gatherest coals of fire upon his head, yet will the Lord repay it unto thee.
prunas enim congregabis super caput ejus, et Dominus reddet tibi.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain: so doth secret talking, angry countenances.
Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman even in a roomy house.
Melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi.
25 As cold water is to a fainting soul, so are good news from a far-off country.
Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua.
26 Like a turbid spring and a corrupt fountain, is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
Fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta, justus cadens coram impio.
27 To eat too much honey is not good: so is it honor to set a limit to men's honor.
Sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum, sic qui scrutator est majestatis opprimetur a gloria.
28 Like a city that is broken in, and is without walls: so is the man that hath no control over his spirit.
Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.]
