Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit; sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh reproach.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate judicii.
To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis, et os ejus jurgia provocat.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Os stulti contritio ejus, et labia ipsius ruina animæ ejus.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum dejicit timor; animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 Turris fortissima nomen Domini; ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into 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 an high wall in his own imagination.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis, et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto 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 broken spirit who can bear?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam, et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam ejus, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Justus prior est accusator sui: venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum.
He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque dijudicat.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between 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: and [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus, et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21 Mors et vita in manu linguæ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
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.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of 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.
He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
