Proverbiorum 3
1 [Fili mi, ne obliviscaris legis meæ, et præcepta mea cor tuum custodiat:
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 longitudinem enim dierum, et annos vitæ, et pacem, apponent tibi.
for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
3 Misericordia et veritas te non deserant; circumda eas gutturi tuo, et describe in tabulis cordis tui:
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 et invenies gratiam, et disciplinam bonam, coram Deo et hominibus.
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5 Habe fiduciam in Domino ex toto corde tuo, et ne innitaris prudentiæ tuæ.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 In omnibus viis tuis cogita illum, et ipse diriget gressus tuos.
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Ne sis sapiens apud temetipsum; time Deum, et recede a malo:
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 sanitas quippe erit umbilico tuo, et irrigatio ossium tuorum.
This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honora Dominum de tua substantia, et de primitiis omnium frugum tuarum da ei:
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
10 et implebuntur horrea tua saturitate, et vino torcularia tua redundabunt.]
then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 [Disciplinam Domini, fili mi, ne abjicias, nec deficias cum ab eo corriperis:
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;
12 quem enim diligit Dominus, corripit, et quasi pater in filio complacet sibi.
for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam, et qui affluit prudentia.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
14 Melior est acquisitio ejus negotiatione argenti, et auri primi et purissimi fructus ejus.
for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
15 Pretiosior est cunctis opibus, et omnia quæ desiderantur huic non valent comparari.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Longitudo dierum in dextera ejus, et in sinistra illius divitiæ et gloria.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Viæ ejus viæ pulchræ, et omnes semitæ illius pacificæ.
All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
18 Lignum vitæ est his qui apprehenderint eam, et qui tenuerit eam beatus.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
19 Dominus sapientia fundavit terram; stabilivit cælos prudentia.
The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
20 Sapientia illius eruperunt abyssi, et nubes rore concrescunt.]
By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
21 [Fili mi, ne effluant hæc ab oculis tuis. Custodi legem atque consilium,
My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
22 et erit vita animæ tuæ, et gratia faucibus tuis.
They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23 Tunc ambulabis fiducialiter in via tua, et pes tuus non impinget.
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
24 Si dormieris, non timebis; quiesces, et suavis erit somnus tuus.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Ne paveas repentino terrore, et irruentes tibi potentias impiorum.
Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 Dominus enim erit in latere tuo, et custodiet pedem tuum, ne capiaris.]
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
27 [Noli prohibere benefacere eum qui potest: si vales, et ipse benefac.
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
28 Ne dicas amico tuo: Vade, et revertere: cras dabo tibi: cum statim possis dare.
Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means.
29 Ne moliaris amico tuo malum, cum ille in te habeat fiduciam.
Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.
30 Ne contendas adversus hominem frustra, cum ipse tibi nihil mali fecerit.
Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
31 Ne æmuleris hominem injustum, nec imiteris vias ejus:
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
32 quia abominatio Domini est omnis illusor, et cum simplicibus sermocinatio ejus.
for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.
33 Egestas a Domino in domo impii; habitacula autem justorum benedicentur.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.
34 Ipse deludet illusores, et mansuetis dabit gratiam.
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
35 Gloriam sapientes possidebunt; stultorum exaltatio ignominia.]
The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.
