Proverbiorum 22
1 Melius est nomen bonum quam divitiæ multæ; super argentum et aurum gratia bona.
A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.
2 Dives et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
3 Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se; innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
4 Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ, et gloria, et vita.
The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
5 Arma et gladii in via perversi; custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.
Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
6 Proverbium est: adolescens juxta viam suam; etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
7 Dives pauperibus imperat, et qui accipit mutuum servus est fœnerantis.
The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
8 Qui seminat iniquitatem metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.
He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but [a man] shall fully prove the folly of his works.
9 Qui pronus est ad misericordiam benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera; animam autem aufert accipientium.
He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].
10 Ejice derisorem, et exibit cum eo jurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.
Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.
11 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
12 Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam, et supplantantur verba iniqui.
But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est foris; in medio platearum occidendus sum.
The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
14 Fovea profunda os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.
15 Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.
Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
16 Qui calumniatur pauperem ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
17 Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam,
Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,
18 quæ pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.
19 ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.
20 Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.
21 ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis qui miserunt te.
I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.
22 Non facias violentiam pauperi quia pauper est, neque conteras egenum in porta:
Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless [man] in the gates.
23 quia judicabit Dominus causam ejus, et configet eos qui confixerunt animam ejus.
For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.
24 Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
25 ne forte discas semitas ejus, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.
lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul.
26 Noli esse cum his qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
27 si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under thee.
28 Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.
29 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
