Proverbiorum 20
1 Luxuriosa res vinum, et tumultuosa ebrietas: quicumque his delectatur non erit sapiens.
It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2 Sicut rugitus leonis, ita et terror regis: qui provocat eum peccat in animam suam.
Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3 Honor est homini qui separat se a contentionibus; omnes autem stulti miscentur contumeliis.
Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 Propter frigus piger arare noluit; mendicabit ergo æstate, et non dabitur illi.
Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5 Sicut aqua profunda, sic consilium in corde viri; sed homo sapiens exhauriet illud.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Multi homines misericordes vocantur; virum autem fidelem quis inveniet?
Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 Justus qui ambulat in simplicitate sua beatos post se filios derelinquet.
The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 Rex qui sedet in solio judicii dissipat omne malum intuitu suo.
The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Quis potest dicere: Mundum est cor meum; purus sum a peccato?
Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 Pondus et pondus, mensura et mensura: utrumque abominabile est apud Deum.
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 Ex studiis suis intelligitur puer, si munda et recta sint opera ejus.
A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 Aurem audientem, et oculum videntem: Dominus fecit utrumque.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Noli diligere somnum, ne te egestas opprimat: aperi oculos tuos, et saturare panibus.
Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 Malum est, malum est, dicit omnis emptor; et cum recesserit, tunc gloriabitur.
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 Est aurum et multitudo gemmarum, et vas pretiosum labia scientiæ.
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Tolle vestimentum ejus qui fidejussor extitit alieni, et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo.
Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17 Suavis est homini panis mendacii, et postea implebitur os ejus calculo.
The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Cogitationes consiliis roborantur, et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella.
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 Ei qui revelat mysteria, et ambulat fraudulenter, et dilatat labia sua, ne commiscearis.
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 Qui maledicit patri suo et matri, extinguetur lucerna ejus in mediis tenebris:
Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 hæreditas ad quam festinatur in principio, in novissimo benedictione carebit.
When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Ne dicas: Reddam malum: exspecta Dominum, et liberabit te.
Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 Abominatio est apud Dominum pondus et pondus; statera dolosa non est bona.
Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 A Domino diriguntur gressus viri: quis autem hominum intelligere potest viam suam?
The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25 Ruina est homini devorare sanctos, et post vota retractare.
It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 Dissipat impios rex sapiens, et incurvat super eos fornicem.
A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 Lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis, quæ investigat omnia secreta ventris.
The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Misericordia et veritas custodiunt regem, et roboratur clementia thronus ejus.
Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 Exsultatio juvenum fortitudo eorum, et dignitas senum canities.
The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 Livor vulneris absterget mala, et plagæ in secretioribus ventris.
The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.
