Proverbiorum 3
1 Fili mi, ne obliviscaris legis meæ, et præcepta mea cor tuum custodiat.
My son, do not forget my commands and keep my teachings in your heart,
2 longitudinem enim dierum, et annos vitæ, et pacem apponent tibi.
for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Misericordia, et veritas te non deserant, circumda eas gutturi tuo, et describe in tabulis cordis tui:
Do not let covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness ever leave you, tie them together about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 et invenies gratiam, et disciplinam bonam coram Deo et hominibus.
Then you will find favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.
5 Habe fiduciam in Domino ex toto corde tuo, et ne innitaris prudentiæ tuæ.
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding;
6 In omnibus viis tuis cogita illum, et ipse diriget gressus tuos.
in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
7 Ne sis sapiens apud temetipsum: time Deum, et recede a malo:
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.
8 sanitas quippe erit umbilico tuo, et irrigatio ossium tuorum.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment for your body.
9 Honora Dominum de tua substantia, et de primitiis omnium frugum tuarum da ei:
Honor Yahweh with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce,
10 et implebuntur horrea tua saturitate, et vino torcularia tua redundabunt.
and your storehouses will be filled up and your vats will be bursting, full of new wine.
11 Disciplinam Domini, fili mi, ne abiicias: nec deficias cum ab eo corriperis:
My son, do not despise Yahweh's instruction and do not hate his rebuke,
12 quem enim diligit Dominus, corripit: et quasi pater in filio complacet sibi.
for Yahweh disciplines those he loves, as a father deals with a son who pleases him.
13 Beatus homo, qui invenit sapientiam, et qui affluit prudentia:
The one who finds wisdom is blessed; he also gets understanding.
14 melior est acquisitio eius negotiatione argenti, et auri primi et purissimi fructus eius:
What you gain from wisdom is better than what silver will give in return and its profit is better than gold.
15 pretiosior est cunctis opibus: et omnia, quæ desiderantur, huic non valent comparari.
Wisdom is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare to her.
16 Longitudo dierum in dextera eius, et in sinistra illius divitiæ, et gloria.
She has length of days in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Viæ eius viæ pulchræ, et omnes semitæ illius pacificæ.
Her ways are ways of kindness and all her paths are peace.
18 Lignum vitæ est his, qui apprehenderint eam: et qui tenuerit eam, beatus.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, those who hold on to it are happy.
19 Dominus sapientia fundavit terram, stabilivit cælos prudentia.
By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens.
20 Sapientia illius eruperunt abyssi, et nubes rore concrescunt.
By his knowledge the depths broke open and the clouds dropped their dew.
21 Fili mi, ne effluant hæc ab oculis tuis: Custodi legem atque consilium:
My son, keep sound judgment and discernment, and do not lose sight of them.
22 et erit vita animæ tuæ, et gratia faucibus tuis.
They will be life to your soul and an adornment of favor to wear around your neck.
23 tunc ambulabis fiducialiter in via tua, et pes tuus non impinget:
Then you will walk on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble;
24 si dormieris, non timebis: quiesces, et suavis erit somnus tuus.
when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 ne paveas repentino terrore, et irruentes tibi potentias impiorum.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes,
26 Dominus enim erit in latere tuo, et custodiet pedem tuum ne capiaris.
for Yahweh will be on your side and will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Noli prohibere benefacere eum, qui potest: si vales, et ipse benefac:
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
28 Ne dicas amico tuo: Vade, et revertere: cras dabo tibi: cum statim possis dare.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have the money with you.
29 Ne moliaris amico tuo malum, cum ille in te habeat fiduciam.
Do not make a plan to harm your neighbor— the one who lives close and trusts you.
30 Ne contendas adversus hominem frustra, cum ipse tibi nihil mali fecerit.
Do not argue with a person without a reason, when he has done nothing to harm you.
31 Ne æmuleris hominem iniustum, nec imiteris vias eius:
Do not envy a violent person or choose any of his ways.
32 quia abominatio Domini est omnis illusor, et cum simplicibus sermocinatio eius.
For the devious person is detestable to Yahweh, but he brings the upright person into his confidence.
33 Egestas a Domino in domo impii: habitacula autem iustorum benedicentur.
The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked person, but he blesses the home of righteous people.
34 Ipse deludet illusores, et mansuetis dabit gratiam.
He mocks mockers, but he gives his favor to humble people.
35 Gloriam sapientes possidebunt: stultorum exaltatio, ignominia.
Wise people inherit honor, but fools will be lifted up in their shame.
