Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit; sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate judicii.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis, et os ejus jurgia provocat.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Os stulti contritio ejus, et labia ipsius ruina animæ ejus.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
8 Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum dejicit timor; animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis.
Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 Turris fortissima nomen Domini; ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris ejus, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis, et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam; spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam, et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam ejus, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 Justus prior est accusator sui: venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque dijudicat.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
19 Frater qui adjuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma, et judicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus, et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
21 Mors et vita in manu linguæ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam invenit bonum, et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam expellit bonum; qui autem tenet adulteram stultus est et impius.
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper, et dives effabitur rigide.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 Vir amabilis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater.
A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
