Proverbiorum 22
1 Melius est nomen bonum quam divitiæ multæ; super argentum et aurum gratia bona.
More choice, is a name, than great riches, beyond silver and gold, is pleasant grace.
2 Dives et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
The rich and the poor, meet together, the maker of them all, is Yahweh.
3 Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se; innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
A prudent man, seeth calamity, and hideth himself, but, the simple, pass on, and suffer.
4 Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ, et gloria, et vita.
The reward of humility, is the reverence of Yahweh, riches, and honour, and life.
5 Arma et gladii in via perversi; custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.
Thorns and snares, are in the way of the perverse, —he that guardeth his soul, shall be far from them.
6 Proverbium est: adolescens juxta viam suam; etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
Train up a youth, in the direction of his duty, even when he becometh old, he will not depart from it.
7 Dives pauperibus imperat, et qui accipit mutuum servus est fœnerantis.
The rich, over the poor, beareth rule, —and, slave, is the borrower to the lender.
8 Qui seminat iniquitatem metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.
He that soweth perversity, shall reap trouble, and, the rod of his wrath, shall be ready.
9 Qui pronus est ad misericordiam benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera; animam autem aufert accipientium.
A benevolent eye, the same, shall be blessed, —because he hath given of his bread to the poor.
10 Ejice derisorem, et exibit cum eo jurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.
Drive away the scoffer, that strife may depart, and quarrel, and contempt may cease.
11 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
Yahweh loveth the pure in heart, gracious are his lips, his friend is the king!
12 Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam, et supplantantur verba iniqui.
The eyes of Yahweh, watch over knowledge, therefore hath he overturned the words of the treacherous.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est foris; in medio platearum occidendus sum.
Saith the sluggard, A lion outside! Amidst the broadways, shall I be slain.
14 Fovea profunda os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
A deep chasm, is the mouth of strange women, he with whom Yahweh is indignant, falleth there.
15 Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.
Foolishness, is bound up in the heart of a youth, the rod of correction, shall drive it far from him.
16 Qui calumniatur pauperem ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
He that oppresseth the poor, to make increase for himself, giving to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam,
Incline thine ear and hear the words of wise men, then, thy heart, wilt thou apply to my teaching;
18 quæ pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
For sweet shall they be, when thou shalt keep them in thine inmost mind, they shall fit well together, upon thy lips.
19 ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
That in Yahweh may be thy trust, I have made them known to thee to-day, even to thee.
20 Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
Have I not written for thee noble things, with counsels and knowledge:
21 ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis qui miserunt te.
To cause thee to know the meaning of faithful sayings, that thou mayest give back faithful sayings to them who ask thee.
22 Non facias violentiam pauperi quia pauper est, neque conteras egenum in porta:
Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, neither crush thou the oppressed in the gate;
23 quia judicabit Dominus causam ejus, et configet eos qui confixerunt animam ejus.
For, Yahweh, will plead their cause, and will despoil their despoilers of life.
24 Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
Do not have friendship with one given to anger, and, with a wrathful man, shall thou not enter in:
25 ne forte discas semitas ejus, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.
Lest thou learn his ways, and take a snare to thy soul.
26 Noli esse cum his qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
Be not of them who strike hands, of them who are sureties for debts:
27 si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
If thou hast nothing to pay, why should one take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
Do not move back the ancient boundary, which thy father’s made.
29 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
Seest thou a man prompt in his business? before kings, shall he stand, he shall not stand before men who are obscure.
