Proverbiorum 24
1 [Ne æmuleris viros malos, nec desideres esse cum eis:
Be not you envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 quia rapinas meditatur mens eorum, et fraudes labia eorum loquuntur.
For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Sapientia ædificabitur domus, et prudentia roborabitur.
Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established:
4 In doctrina replebuntur cellaria, universa substantia pretiosa et pulcherrima.
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 Vir sapiens fortis est, et vir doctus robustus et validus:
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength.
6 quia cum dispositione initur bellum, et erit salus ubi multa consilia sunt.
For by wise counsel you shall make your war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7 Excelsa stulto sapientia; in porta non aperiet os suum.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate.
8 Qui cogitat mala facere stultus vocabitur:
He that devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 cogitatio stulti peccatum est, et abominatio hominum detractor.
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 Si desperaveris lassus in die angustiæ, imminuetur fortitudo tua.]
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
11 [Erue eos qui ducuntur ad mortem, et qui trahuntur ad interitum, liberare ne cesses.
If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 Si dixeris: Vires non suppetunt; qui inspector est cordis ipse intelligit: et servatorem animæ tuæ nihil fallit, reddetque homini juxta opera sua.
If you say, Behold, we knew it not; does not he that ponders the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13 Comede, fili mi, mel, quia bonum est, et favum dulcissimum gutturi tuo.
My son, eat you honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste:
14 Sic et doctrina sapientiæ animæ tuæ: quam cum inveneris, habebis in novissimis spem, et spes tua non peribit.
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto your soul: when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your expectation shall not be cut off.
15 Ne insidieris, et quæras impietatem in domo justi, neque vastes requiem ejus.
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16 Septies enim cadet justus, et resurget: impii autem corruent in malum.
For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17 Cum ceciderit inimicus tuus ne gaudeas, et in ruina ejus ne exsultet cor tuum:
Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:
18 ne forte videat Dominus, et displiceat ei, et auferat ab eo iram suam.
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Ne contendas cum pessimis, nec æmuleris impios:
Fret not yourself because of evil men, neither be you envious at the wicked:
20 quoniam non habent futurorum spem mali, et lucerna impiorum extinguetur.
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21 Time Dominum, fili mi, et regem, et cum detractoribus non commiscearis:
My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 quoniam repente consurget perditio eorum, et ruinam utriusque quis novit?]
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?
23 Hæc quoque sapientibus. [Cognoscere personam in judicio non est bonum.
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 Qui dicunt impio: Justus es: maledicent eis populi, et detestabuntur eos tribus.
He that says unto the wicked, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall detest him:
25 Qui arguunt eum laudabuntur, et super ipsos veniet benedictio.
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 Labia deosculabitur qui recta verba respondet.
Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer.
27 Præpara foris opus tuum, et diligenter exerce agrum tuum, ut postea ædifices domum tuam.
Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
28 Ne sis testis frustra contra proximum tuum, nec lactes quemquam labiis tuis.
Be not a witness against your neighbour without cause; and deceive not with your lips.
29 Ne dicas: Quomodo fecit mihi, sic faciam ei; reddam unicuique secundum opus suum.]
Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
30 [Per agrum hominis pigri transivi, et per vineam viri stulti:
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 et ecce totum repleverant urticæ, et operuerant superficiem ejus spinæ, et maceria lapidum destructa erat.
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Quod cum vidissem, posui in corde meo, et exemplo didici disciplinam.
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Parum, inquam, dormies, modicum dormitabis; pauxillum manus conseres ut quiescas:
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 et veniet tibi quasi cursor egestas, et mendicitas quasi vir armatus.]
So shall your poverty come as one that travels; and your lack as an armed man.
