Proverbiorum 25
1 Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Iuda.
These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.
2 Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
3 Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
6 Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
7 Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc; quam ut humilieris coram principe.
For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
8 Quæ viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
11 Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.
13 Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei, qui misit eum, animam ipsius requiescere facit.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
18 Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris. Acetum in nitro, qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo. Sicut tinea vestimento, et vermis ligno: ita tristitia viri nocet cordi.
And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
22 prunas enim congregabis super caput eius, et Dominus reddet tibi.
For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
25 Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.
26 Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
