Proverbiorum 21
1 Sicut divisiones aquarum, ita cor regis in manu Domini: quocumque voluerit, inclinabit illud.
As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it wherever he may desire to point out.
2 Omnis via viri recta sibi videtur: appendit autem corda Dominus.
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 Facere misericordiam et judicium magis placet Domino quam victimæ.
To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
4 Exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis; lucerna impiorum peccatum.
A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 Cogitationes robusti semper in abundantia; omnis autem piger semper in egestate est.
6 Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity [on] to the snares of death.
7 Rapinæ impiorum detrahent eos, quia noluerunt facere judicium.
Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
8 Perversa via viri aliena est; qui autem mundus est, rectum opus ejus.
To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.
9 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
[It is] better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered [rooms] with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
10 Anima impii desiderat malum: non miserebitur proximo suo.
The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
11 Mulctato pestilente, sapientior erit parvulus, et si sectetur sapientem, sumet scientiam.
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 Excogitat justus de domo impii, ut detrahat impios a malo.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, et ipse clamabit, et non exaudietur.
He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him].
14 Munus absconditum extinguit iras, et donum in sinu indignationem maximam.
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 Gaudium justo est facere judicium, et pavor operantibus iniquitatem.
[It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers.
16 Vir qui erraverit a via doctrinæ in cœtu gigantum commorabitur.
A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 Qui diligit epulas in egestate erit; qui amat vinum et pinguia non ditabitur.
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 Pro justo datur impius, et pro rectis iniquus.
and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
19 Melius est habitare in terra deserta quam cum muliere rixosa et iracunda.
[It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
20 Thesaurus desiderabilis, et oleum in habitaculo justi: et imprudens homo dissipabit illud.
A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 Qui sequitur justitiam et misericordiam inveniet vitam, justitiam, et gloriam.
The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
22 Civitatem fortium ascendit sapiens, et destruxit robur fiduciæ ejus.
A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 Qui custodit os suum et linguam suam custodit ab angustiis animam suam.
He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Superbus et arrogans vocatur indoctus, qui in ira operatur superbiam.
A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 Desideria occidunt pigrum: noluerunt enim quidquam manus ejus operari.
Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 Tota die concupiscit et desiderat; qui autem justus est, tribuet, et non cessabit.
An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 Hostiæ impiorum abominabiles, quia offeruntur ex scelere.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 Testis mendax peribit; vir obediens loquetur victoriam.
A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 Vir impius procaciter obfirmat vultum suum; qui autem rectus est corrigit viam suam.
An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.
30 Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.
There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
31 Equus paratur ad diem belli; Dominus autem salutem tribuit.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
