< Proverbiorum 22 >
1 Melius est nomen bonum, quam divitiæ multæ: super argentum et aurum, gratia bona.
A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 Dives, et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se: innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ et gloria et vita.
By humility and the fear of the LORD are 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 fraudulent: he that does keep his soul shall be 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 rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Qui seminat iniquitatem, metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.
He that sows iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 Qui pronus est ad misericordiam, benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera: animam autem aufert accipientium.
He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Eiice derisorem, et exibit cum eo iurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yes, strife and reproach shall cease.
11 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
He that loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam: et supplantantur verba iniqui.
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est foris, in medio platearum occidendus sum.
The slothful man says, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 Fovea profunda, os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 Qui calumniatur pauperem, ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam.
Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.
18 quæ pulchra erit tibi, cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; they shall with be fitted in your lips.
19 Ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to you this day, even to you.
20 Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
Have not I written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem, et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis, qui miserunt te.
That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth; that you might answer the words of truth to them that send to you?
22 Non facias violentiam pauperi, quia pauper est: neque conteras egenum in porta:
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 quia iudicabit Dominus causam eius, et configet eos, qui confixerunt animam eius.
For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go:
25 ne forte discas semitas eius, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.
Lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul.
26 Noli esse cum his, qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
Be not you one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.
29 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.