Proverbiorum 16
1 [Hominis est animam præparare, et Domini gubernare linguam.
THE preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
2 Omnes viæ hominis patent oculis ejus; spirituum ponderator est Dominus.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3 Revela Domino opera tua, et dirigentur cogitationes tuæ.
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 Universa propter semetipsum operatus est Dominus; impium quoque ad diem malum.
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Abominatio Domini est omnis arrogans; etiamsi manus ad manum fuerit, non est innocens. Initium viæ bonæ facere justitiam; accepta est autem apud Deum magis quam immolare hostias.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 Misericordia et veritate redimitur iniquitas, et in timore Domini declinatur a malo.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 Cum placuerint Domino viæ hominis, inimicos quoque ejus convertet ad pacem.
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Melius est parum cum justitia quam multi fructus cum iniquitate.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 Cor hominis disponit viam suam, sed Domini est dirigere gressus ejus.]
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
10 [Divinatio in labiis regis; in judicio non errabit os ejus.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 Pondus et statera judicia Domini sunt, et opera ejus omnes lapides sacculi.
A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 Abominabiles regi qui agunt impie, quoniam justitia firmatur solium.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Voluntas regum labia justa; qui recta loquitur diligetur.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 Indignatio regis nuntii mortis, et vir sapiens placabit eam.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In hilaritate vultus regis vita, et clementia ejus quasi imber serotinus.]
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 [Posside sapientiam, quia auro melior est, et acquire prudentiam, quia pretiosior est argento.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 Semita justorum declinat mala; custos animæ suæ servat viam suam.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Contritionem præcedit superbia, et ante ruinam exaltatur spiritus.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Melius est humiliari cum mitibus quam dividere spolia cum superbis.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Eruditus in verbo reperiet bona, et qui sperat in Domino beatus est.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
21 Qui sapiens est corde appellabitur prudens, et qui dulcis eloquio majora percipiet.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Fons vitæ eruditio possidentis; doctrina stultorum fatuitas.]
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 [Cor sapientis erudiet os ejus, et labiis ejus addet gratiam.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Favus mellis composita verba; dulcedo animæ sanitas ossium.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 Est via quæ videtur homini recta, et novissima ejus ducunt ad mortem.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 Anima laborantis laborat sibi, quia compulit eum os suum.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 Vir impius fodit malum, et in labiis ejus ignis ardescit.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 Homo perversus suscitat lites, et verbosus separat principes.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 Vir iniquus lactat amicum suum, et ducit eum per viam non bonam.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 Qui attonitis oculis cogitat prava, mordens labia sua perficit malum.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 Corona dignitatis senectus, quæ in viis justitiæ reperietur.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 Melior est patiens viro forti, et qui dominatur animo suo expugnatore urbium.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 Sortes mittuntur in sinum, sed a Domino temperantur.]
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
