< Proverbiorum 22 >

1 Melius est nomen bonum, quam divitiæ multæ: super argentum et aurum, gratia bona.
A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold—good grace.
2 Dives, et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
Rich and poor have met together, YHWH [is] the Maker of them all.
3 Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se: innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
The prudent has seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4 Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ et gloria et vita.
The end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, and honor, and life.
5 Arma et gladii in via perversi: custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.
Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoever is keeping his soul is far from them.
6 Proverbium est: Adolescens iuxta viam suam, etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he does not turn from it.
7 Dives pauperibus imperat: et qui accipit mutuum, servus est fœnerantis.
The rich rules over the poor, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
8 Qui seminat iniquitatem, metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.
Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, And the rod of his anger wears out.
9 Qui pronus est ad misericordiam, benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera: animam autem aufert accipientium.
The good of eye—he is blessed, For he has given of his bread to the poor.
10 Eiice derisorem, et exibit cum eo iurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.
Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, And strife and shame cease.
11 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, His lips [are] grace, A king [is] his friend.
12 Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam: et supplantantur verba iniqui.
The eyes of YHWH have kept knowledge, And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est foris, in medio platearum occidendus sum.
The slothful has said, “A lion [is] outside, I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”
14 Fovea profunda, os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit, The abhorred of YHWH falls there.
15 Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of discipline puts it far from him.
16 Qui calumniatur pauperem, ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], Is giving to the rich—only to want.
17 Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam.
Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, And set your heart to my knowledge,
18 Quæ pulchra erit tibi, cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis,
For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, They are prepared together for your lips.
19 ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
That your trust may be in YHWH, I caused you to know today, even you.
20 Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
Have I not written to you three times With counsels and knowledge?
21 ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem, et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis, qui miserunt te.
To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending you.
22 Non facias violentiam pauperi, quia pauper est: neque conteras egenum in porta:
Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.
23 quia iudicabit Dominus causam eius, et configet eos, qui confixerunt animam eius.
For YHWH pleads their cause, And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24 Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
Do not show yourself friendly with an angry man, And do not go in with a man of fury,
25 ne forte discas semitas eius, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.
Lest you learn his paths, And have received a snare to your soul.
26 Noli esse cum his, qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
Do not be among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
27 si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
If you have nothing to pay, Why does he take your bed from under you?
28 Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
Do not remove a border of ancient times, That your fathers have made.
29 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? Coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, He does not station himself before obscure men!

< Proverbiorum 22 >