Proverbiorum 20
1 Luxuriosa res, vinum, et tumultuosa ebrietas: quicumque his delectatur, non erit sapiens.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
2 Sicut rugitus leonis, ita et terror regis: qui provocat eum, peccat in animam suam.
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his 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 snarling.
4 Propter frigus piger arare noluit: mendicabit ergo æstate, et non dabitur illi.
The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; 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?
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?
7 Iustus, qui ambulat in simplicitate sua, beatos post se filios derelinquet.
He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
8 Rex, qui sedet in solio iudicii, dissipat omne malum intuitu suo.
A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth 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 clean, I am pure from my sin'?
10 Pondus et pondus, mensura et mensura: utrumque abominabile est apud Deum.
Divers weights, and divers 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 is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 Aurem audientem, et oculum videntem, Dominus fecit utrumque.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13 Noli diligere somnum, ne te egestas opprimat: aperi oculos tuos, et saturare panibus.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
14 Malum est, malum est, dicit omnis emptor: et cum recesserit, tunc gloriabitur.
'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 Est aurum, et multitudo gemmarum: et vas pretiosum labia scientiæ.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Tolle vestimentum eius, qui fideiussor extitit alieni, et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
17 Suavis est homini panis mendacii: et postea implebitur os eius calculo.
Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Cogitationes consiliis roborantur: et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella.
Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
19 Ei, qui revelat mysteria, et ambulat fraudulenter, et dilatat labia sua, ne commiscearis.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20 Qui maledicit patri suo, et matri, extinguetur lucerna eius in mediis tenebris.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21 Hereditas, ad quam festinatur in principio, in novissimo benedictione carebit.
An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Ne dicas: Reddam malum: expecta Dominum, et liberabit te.
Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
23 Abominatio est apud Dominum pondus et pondus: statera dolosa non est bona.
Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 A Domino diriguntur gressus viri: quis autem hominum intelligere potest viam suam?
A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man look to his way?
25 Ruina est homini devorare sanctos, et post vota retractare.
It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.
26 Dissipat impios rex sapiens, et incurvat super eos fornicem.
A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.
27 Lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis, quæ investigat omnia secreta ventris.
The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
28 Misericordia, et veritas custodiunt regem, et roboratur clementia thronus eius.
Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
29 Exultatio iuvenum, fortitudo eorum: et dignitas senum canities.
The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30 Livor vulneris absterget mala: et plagæ in secretioribus ventris.
Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
