Proverbiorum 20
1 Luxuriosa res, vinum, et tumultuosa ebrietas: quicumque his delectatur, non erit sapiens.
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 Sicut rugitus leonis, ita et terror regis: qui provocat eum, peccat in animam suam.
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 Honor est homini, qui separat se a contentionibus: omnes autem stulti miscentur contumeliis.
It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.
4 Propter frigus piger arare noluit: mendicabit ergo æstate, et non dabitur illi.
The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Sicut aqua profunda, sic consilium in corde viri: sed homo sapiens exhauriet illud.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Multi homines misericordes vocantur: virum autem fidelem quis inveniet?
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 Iustus, qui ambulat in simplicitate sua, beatos post se filios derelinquet.
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 Rex, qui sedet in solio iudicii, dissipat omne malum intuitu suo.
A king who sits on the throne of judgement scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Quis potest dicere: Mundum est cor meum, purus sum a peccato?
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 Pondus et pondus, mensura et mensura: utrumque abominabile est apud Deum.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Ex studiis suis intelligitur puer, si munda et recta sint opera eius.
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 Aurem audientem, et oculum videntem, Dominus fecit utrumque.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13 Noli diligere somnum, ne te egestas opprimat: aperi oculos tuos, et saturare panibus.
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 Malum est, malum est, dicit omnis emptor: et cum recesserit, tunc gloriabitur.
“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 Est aurum, et multitudo gemmarum: et vas pretiosum labia scientiæ.
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Tolle vestimentum eius, qui fideiussor extitit alieni, et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo.
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Suavis est homini panis mendacii: et postea implebitur os eius calculo.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Cogitationes consiliis roborantur: et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 Ei, qui revelat mysteria, et ambulat fraudulenter, et dilatat labia sua, ne commiscearis.
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Qui maledicit patri suo, et matri, extinguetur lucerna eius in mediis tenebris.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 Hereditas, ad quam festinatur in principio, in novissimo benedictione carebit.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Ne dicas: Reddam malum: expecta Dominum, et liberabit te.
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23 Abominatio est apud Dominum pondus et pondus: statera dolosa non est bona.
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 A Domino diriguntur gressus viri: quis autem hominum intelligere potest viam suam?
A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25 Ruina est homini devorare sanctos, et post vota retractare.
It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 Dissipat impios rex sapiens, et incurvat super eos fornicem.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis, quæ investigat omnia secreta ventris.
The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Misericordia, et veritas custodiunt regem, et roboratur clementia thronus eius.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 Exultatio iuvenum, fortitudo eorum: et dignitas senum canities.
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendour of old men is their grey hair.
30 Livor vulneris absterget mala: et plagæ in secretioribus ventris.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
