Proverbiorum 22
1 Melius est nomen bonum, quam divitiæ multæ: super argentum et aurum, gratia bona.
A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Dives, et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
3 Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se: innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
4 Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ et gloria et vita.
The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
5 Arma et gladii in via perversi: custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6 Proverbium est: Adolescens iuxta viam suam, etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Dives pauperibus imperat: et qui accipit mutuum, servus est fœnerantis.
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 Qui seminat iniquitatem, metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.
He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 Qui pronus est ad misericordiam, benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera: animam autem aufert accipientium.
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10 Eiice derisorem, et exibit cum eo iurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.
Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12 Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam: et supplantantur verba iniqui.
The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est foris, in medio platearum occidendus sum.
The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
14 Fovea profunda, os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
15 Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Qui calumniatur pauperem, ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
17 Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam.
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
18 quæ pulchra erit tibi, cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
19 Ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
20 Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21 ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem, et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis, qui miserunt te.
to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
22 Non facias violentiam pauperi, quia pauper est: neque conteras egenum in porta:
Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
23 quia iudicabit Dominus causam eius, et configet eos, qui confixerunt animam eius.
for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
24 Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
25 ne forte discas semitas eius, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.
or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26 Noli esse cum his, qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
27 si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
28 Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
29 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
