Proverbiorum 20
1 Luxuriosa res, vinum, et tumultuosa ebrietas: quicumque his delectatur, non erit sapiens.
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
2 Sicut rugitus leonis, ita et terror regis: qui provocat eum, peccat in animam suam.
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
3 Honor est homini, qui separat se a contentionibus: omnes autem stulti miscentur contumeliis.
It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
4 Propter frigus piger arare noluit: mendicabit ergo æstate, et non dabitur illi.
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
5 Sicut aqua profunda, sic consilium in corde viri: sed homo sapiens exhauriet illud.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
6 Multi homines misericordes vocantur: virum autem fidelem quis inveniet?
Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
7 Iustus, qui ambulat in simplicitate sua, beatos post se filios derelinquet.
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
8 Rex, qui sedet in solio iudicii, dissipat omne malum intuitu suo.
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
9 Quis potest dicere: Mundum est cor meum, purus sum a peccato?
Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
10 Pondus et pondus, mensura et mensura: utrumque abominabile est apud Deum.
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11 Ex studiis suis intelligitur puer, si munda et recta sint opera eius.
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
12 Aurem audientem, et oculum videntem, Dominus fecit utrumque.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
13 Noli diligere somnum, ne te egestas opprimat: aperi oculos tuos, et saturare panibus.
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
14 Malum est, malum est, dicit omnis emptor: et cum recesserit, tunc gloriabitur.
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
15 Est aurum, et multitudo gemmarum: et vas pretiosum labia scientiæ.
There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Tolle vestimentum eius, qui fideiussor extitit alieni, et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo.
Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17 Suavis est homini panis mendacii: et postea implebitur os eius calculo.
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Cogitationes consiliis roborantur: et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella.
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
19 Ei, qui revelat mysteria, et ambulat fraudulenter, et dilatat labia sua, ne commiscearis.
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20 Qui maledicit patri suo, et matri, extinguetur lucerna eius in mediis tenebris.
He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
21 Hereditas, ad quam festinatur in principio, in novissimo benedictione carebit.
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
22 Ne dicas: Reddam malum: expecta Dominum, et liberabit te.
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
23 Abominatio est apud Dominum pondus et pondus: statera dolosa non est bona.
Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
24 A Domino diriguntur gressus viri: quis autem hominum intelligere potest viam suam?
The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
25 Ruina est homini devorare sanctos, et post vota retractare.
It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26 Dissipat impios rex sapiens, et incurvat super eos fornicem.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
27 Lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis, quæ investigat omnia secreta ventris.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
28 Misericordia, et veritas custodiunt regem, et roboratur clementia thronus eius.
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 Exultatio iuvenum, fortitudo eorum: et dignitas senum canities.
The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
30 Livor vulneris absterget mala: et plagæ in secretioribus ventris.
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
