Proverbiorum 16
1 Hominis est animam præparare: et Domini gubernare linguam.
It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 Omnes viæ hominis patent oculis eius: spirituum ponderator est Dominus.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
3 Revela Domino opera tua, et dirigentur cogitationes tuæ.
Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
4 Universa propter semetipsum operatus est Dominus: impium quoque ad diem malum.
The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
5 Abominatio Domini est omnis arrogans: etiam si manus ad manum fuerit, non est innocens. Initium viæ bonæ, facere iustitiam: accepta est autem apud Deum magis, quam immolare hostias.
Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
6 Misericordia et veritate redimitur iniquitas: et in timore Domini declinatur a malo.
By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 Cum placuerint Domino viæ hominis, inimicos quoque eius convertet ad pacem.
When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Melius est parum cum iustitia, quam multi fructus cum iniquitate.
Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
9 Cor hominis disponit viam suam: sed Domini est dirigere gressus eius.
The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
10 Divinatio in labiis regis, in iudicio non errabit os eius.
Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Pondus et statera iudicia Domini sunt: et opera eius omnes lapides sacculi.
Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
12 Abominabiles regi qui agunt impie: quoniam iustitia firmatur solium.
They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
13 Voluntas regum labia iusta: qui recta loquitur, diligetur:
Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
14 Indignatio regis, nuncii mortis: et vir sapiens placabit eam.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.
15 In hilaritate vultus regis, vita: et clementia eius quasi imber serotinus.
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
16 Posside sapientiam, quia auro melior est: et acquire prudentiam, quia pretiosior est argento.
Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 Semita iustorum declinat mala: custos animæ suæ servat viam suam.
The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
18 Contritionem præcedit superbia: et ante ruinam exaltatur spiritus.
Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
19 Melius est humiliari cum mitibus, quam dividere spolia cum superbis.
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
20 Eruditus in verbo reperiet bona: et qui sperat in Domino, beatus est.
The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
21 Qui sapiens est corde, appellabitur prudens: et qui dulcis eloquio, maiora percipiet.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.
22 Fons vitæ eruditio possidentis: doctrina stultorum fatuitas.
Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
23 Cor sapientis erudiet os eius: et labiis eius addet gratiam.
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
24 Favus mellis, composita verba: dulcedo animæ, sanitas ossium.
Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 Est via quæ videtur homini recta: et novissima eius ducunt ad mortem.
There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
26 Anima laborantis laborat sibi, quia compulit eum os suum:
The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
27 Vir impius fodit malum, et in labiis eius ignis ardescit.
The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 Homo perversus suscitat lites: et verbosus separat principes.
A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
29 Vir iniquus lactat amicum suum: et ducit eum per viam non bonam.
An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
30 Qui attonitis oculis cogitat prava, mordens labia sua, perficit malum.
He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.
31 Corona dignitatis senectus, quæ in viis iustitiæ reperietur.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 Melior est patiens viro forti: et qui dominatur animo suo, expugnatore urbium.
The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
33 Sortes mittuntur in sinum, sed a Domino temperantur.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
