Proverbiorum 20
1 [Luxuriosa res vinum, et tumultuosa ebrietas: quicumque his delectatur non erit sapiens.
Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever is led astray by drink is not wise.
2 Sicut rugitus leonis, ita et terror regis: qui provocat eum peccat in animam suam.
The fear of a king is like the fear of a young lion that is roaring; the one who makes him angry forfeits his life.
3 Honor est homini qui separat se a contentionibus; omnes autem stulti miscentur contumeliis.
It is an honor for anyone to avoid conflict, but every fool jumps into an argument.
4 Propter frigus piger arare noluit; mendicabit ergo æstate, et non dabitur illi.
The lazy person does not plow in autumn; he seeks a crop at harvest time but will have nothing.
5 Sicut aqua profunda, sic consilium in corde viri; sed homo sapiens exhauriet illud.
The purpose in a human heart is like deep water, but someone with understanding will draw it out.
6 Multi homines misericordes vocantur; virum autem fidelem quis inveniet?]
Many a person proclaims he is loyal, but who can find one who is faithful?
7 [Justus qui ambulat in simplicitate sua beatos post se filios derelinquet.
The righteous person walks in his integrity, and his sons who follow after him will be blessed.
8 Rex qui sedet in solio judicii dissipat omne malum intuitu suo.
A king who sits on the throne performing the duties of a judge is winnowing with his eyes all the evil that is before him.
9 Quis potest dicere: Mundum est cor meum; purus sum a peccato?
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?
10 Pondus et pondus, mensura et mensura: utrumque abominabile est apud Deum.
Differing weights and unequal measures— Yahweh hates them both.
11 Ex studiis suis intelligitur puer, si munda et recta sint opera ejus.
Even a youth is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Aurem audientem, et oculum videntem: Dominus fecit utrumque.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— Yahweh made them both.
13 Noli diligere somnum, ne te egestas opprimat: aperi oculos tuos, et saturare panibus.
Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty; open your eyes and you will have plenty to eat.
14 Malum est, malum est, dicit omnis emptor; et cum recesserit, tunc gloriabitur.
“Bad! Bad!” says the buyer, but when he goes away he boasts.
15 Est aurum et multitudo gemmarum, et vas pretiosum labia scientiæ.]
There is gold and an abundance of costly stones, but lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 [Tolle vestimentum ejus qui fidejussor extitit alieni, et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo.
Take a garment of one who has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an immoral woman.
17 Suavis est homini panis mendacii, et postea implebitur os ejus calculo.
Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
18 Cogitationes consiliis roborantur, et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella.
Plans are established by advice and only with wise guidance should you wage war.
19 Ei qui revelat mysteria, et ambulat fraudulenter, et dilatat labia sua, ne commiscearis.
A gossip reveals secrets and so you should not associate with people who talk too much.
20 Qui maledicit patri suo et matri, extinguetur lucerna ejus in mediis tenebris:
If a person curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in the middle of darkness.
21 hæreditas ad quam festinatur in principio, in novissimo benedictione carebit.
An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning will do less good in the end.
22 Ne dicas: Reddam malum: exspecta Dominum, et liberabit te.
Do not say, “I will pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for Yahweh and he will rescue you.
23 Abominatio est apud Dominum pondus et pondus; statera dolosa non est bona.
Yahweh hates unequal weights and dishonest scales are not good.
24 A Domino diriguntur gressus viri: quis autem hominum intelligere potest viam suam?
A person's steps are directed by Yahweh; how then can he understand his way?
25 Ruina est homini devorare sanctos, et post vota retractare.]
It is a snare for a person to say rashly, “This thing is holy,” and begin to think about what it means only after making his vow.
26 [Dissipat impios rex sapiens, et incurvat super eos fornicem.
A wise king winnows the wicked and he turns a threshing wheel over them.
27 Lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis, quæ investigat omnia secreta ventris.
The spirit of a person is the lamp of Yahweh, searching all his inmost parts.
28 Misericordia et veritas custodiunt regem, et roboratur clementia thronus ejus.
Covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness preserve the king; his throne is made secure by love.
29 Exsultatio juvenum fortitudo eorum, et dignitas senum canities.
The glory of young men is their strength and the splendor of old people is their gray hair.
30 Livor vulneris absterget mala, et plagæ in secretioribus ventris.]
Blows that make a wound cleanse away evil and beatings make the innermost parts clean.
