Proverbiorum 25
1 Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Juda.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum.
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur justitia thronus ejus.
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst great men;
7 Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc, quam ut humilieris coram principe.
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8 Quæ viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in jurgio cito, ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Debate your case with your neighbour, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem et aurem obedientem.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum: animam ipsius requiescere facit.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus et promissa non complens.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Mel invenisti: comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 Jaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris. Acetum in nitro, qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo. Sicut tinea vestimento, et vermis ligno, ita tristitia viri nocet cordi.
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum; si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 prunas enim congregabis super caput ejus, et Dominus reddet tibi.
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta, justus cadens coram impio.
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum, sic qui scrutator est majestatis opprimetur a gloria.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
