Proverbs 18
1 One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ: nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde eius.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
6 A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animæ eius.
8 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
9 Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsum currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
12 Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
13 One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
14 A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
16 A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
17 The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
19 An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
20 From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
21 Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
Mors, et vita in manu linguæ: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam, expellit bonum: qui autem tenet adulteram, stultus est et impius.
23 A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
24 The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
Vir amabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
