< Proverbs 21 >

1 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
[Sicut divisiones aquarum, ita cor regis in manu Domini: quocumque voluerit, inclinabit illud.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
Omnis via viri recta sibi videtur: appendit autem corda Dominus.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
Facere misericordiam et judicium magis placet Domino quam victimæ.
4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis; lucerna impiorum peccatum.
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
Cogitationes robusti semper in abundantia; omnis autem piger semper in egestate est.]
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
[Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.
7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
Rapinæ impiorum detrahent eos, quia noluerunt facere judicium.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
Perversa via viri aliena est; qui autem mundus est, rectum opus ejus.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
Anima impii desiderat malum: non miserebitur proximo suo.
11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Mulctato pestilente, sapientior erit parvulus, et si sectetur sapientem, sumet scientiam.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
Excogitat justus de domo impii, ut detrahat impios a malo.]
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
[Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, et ipse clamabit, et non exaudietur.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
Munus absconditum extinguit iras, et donum in sinu indignationem maximam.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Gaudium justo est facere judicium, et pavor operantibus iniquitatem.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
Vir qui erraverit a via doctrinæ in cœtu gigantum commorabitur.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
Qui diligit epulas in egestate erit; qui amat vinum et pinguia non ditabitur.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
Pro justo datur impius, et pro rectis iniquus.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Melius est habitare in terra deserta quam cum muliere rixosa et iracunda.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
Thesaurus desiderabilis, et oleum in habitaculo justi: et imprudens homo dissipabit illud.
21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Qui sequitur justitiam et misericordiam inveniet vitam, justitiam, et gloriam.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
Civitatem fortium ascendit sapiens, et destruxit robur fiduciæ ejus.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Qui custodit os suum et linguam suam custodit ab angustiis animam suam.
24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
Superbus et arrogans vocatur indoctus, qui in ira operatur superbiam.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
Desideria occidunt pigrum: noluerunt enim quidquam manus ejus operari.
26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
Tota die concupiscit et desiderat; qui autem justus est, tribuet, et non cessabit.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
Hostiæ impiorum abominabiles, quia offeruntur ex scelere.
28 A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
Testis mendax peribit; vir obediens loquetur victoriam.
29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
Vir impius procaciter obfirmat vultum suum; qui autem rectus est corrigit viam suam.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.
Equus paratur ad diem belli; Dominus autem salutem tribuit.]

< Proverbs 21 >