Proverbiorum 15
1 Responsio mollis frangit iram: sermo durus suscitat furorem.
A kind reply wards off anger, but hurtful words make people mad.
2 Lingua sapientium ornat scientiam: os fatuorum ebullit stultitiam.
What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.
3 In omni loco oculi Domini contemplantur bonos et malos.
The Lord sees everywhere, watching the evil and the good.
4 Lingua placabilis, lignum vitæ: quæ autem immoderata est, conteret spiritum.
Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
5 Stultus irridet disciplinam patris sui: qui autem custodit increpationes, astutior fiet. In abundanti iustitia virtus maxima est: cogitationes autem impiorum eradicabuntur.
Only a foolish son despises his father's instruction, but one who accepts correction is sensible.
6 Domus iusti plurima fortitudo: et in fructibus impii conturbatio.
There's plenty of treasure where good people live, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
7 Labia sapientium disseminabunt scientiam: cor stultorum dissimile erit.
Wise people share their knowledge, but stupid people don't think like that.
8 Victimæ impiorum abominabiles Domino: vota iustorum placabilia:
The Lord hates the sacrifices of the wicked, but he loves the prayers of the good.
9 Abominatio est Domino via impii: qui sequitur iustitiam, diligitur ab eo.
The Lord hates the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who do what is right.
10 Doctrina mala deserenti viam vitæ: qui increpationes odit, morietur.
If you leave the right path you will be severely disciplined; anyone who hates correction will die.
Those already dead have no secrets from the Lord—how much more does he know our thoughts! (Sheol h7585)
12 Non amat pestilens eum, qui se corripit: nec ad sapientes graditur.
Scoffers don't like to be corrected, so they don't go to the wise for advice.
13 Cor gaudens exhilarat faciem: in mœrore animi deiicitur spiritus.
If you're happy inside, you'll have a cheerful face, but if you're sad, you look crushed.
14 Cor sapientis quærit doctrinam: et os stultorum pascitur imperitia.
An insightful mind looks for knowledge, but stupid people feed on foolishness.
15 Omnes dies pauperis, mali: secura mens quasi iuge convivium.
The life of poor people is hard, but if you stay cheerful, it's a continual feast.
16 Melius est parum cum timore Domini, quam thesauri magni et insatiabiles.
It's better to respect the Lord and only have a little than to have plenty of money and the trouble that comes with it.
17 Melius est vocari ad olera cum charitate: quam ad vitulum saginatum cum odio.
Better a dinner of vegetables where there's love than eating meat with hatred.
18 Vir iracundus provocat rixas: qui patiens est, mitigat suscitatas.
Short-tempered people stir up trouble, but those slow to anger calm things down.
19 Iter pigrorum quasi sepes spinarum: via iustorum absque offendiculo.
The way of lazy people is overgrown with thorns, but the path of the good is an open highway.
20 Filius sapiens lætificat patrem: et stultus homo despicit matrem suam.
A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid man despises his mother.
21 Stultitia gaudium stulto: et vir prudens dirigit gressus suos.
Stupidity makes people with no sense happy, but sensible people do what is right.
22 Dissipantur cogitationes ubi non est consilium: ubi vero sunt plures consiliarii, confirmantur.
Plans fall apart without good advice, but with plenty of advisors they're successful.
23 Lætatur homo in sententia oris sui: et sermo opportunus est optimus.
A good answer makes people happy—it's great to say the right thing at the right moment!
Life's path for the wise leads upwards, so that they can avoid the grave below. (Sheol h7585)
25 Domum superborum demolietur Dominus: et firmos faciet terminos viduæ.
The Lord pulls down the house of the proud, but he protects the boundaries of the widow's property.
26 Abominatio Domini cogitationes malæ: et purus sermo pulcherrimus firmabitur ab eo.
The Lord hates the thoughts of the wicked, but he honors the words of the pure.
27 Conturbat domum suam qui sectatur avaritiam: qui autem odit munera, vivet. Per misericordiam et fidem purgantur peccata: per timorem autem Domini declinat omnis a malo.
People greedy for ill-gotten gains make trouble for their families, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 Mens iusti meditatur obedientiam: os impiorum redundat malis.
Good people think how best to answer questions, but stupid people say all kinds of evil things.
29 Longe est Dominus ab impiis: et orationes iustorum exaudiet.
The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the good.
30 Lux oculorum lætificat animam: fama bona impinguat ossa.
Bright eyes make you happy, and good news makes you feel good.
31 Auris, quæ audit increpationes vitæ, in medio sapientium commorabitur.
If you pay attention to positive advice you'll be one of the wise.
32 Qui abiicit disciplinam, despicit animam suam: qui autem acquiescit increpationibus, possessor est cordis.
If you ignore instruction you have no self-esteem, but if you listen to correction you gain understanding.
33 Timor Domini, disciplina sapientiæ: et gloriam præcedit humilitas.
Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.
