Proverbiorum 16
1 Hominis est animam praeparare: et Domini gubernare linguam.
It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 Omnes viae hominis patent oculis eius: spirituum ponderator est Dominus.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
3 Revela Domino opera tua, et dirigentur cogitationes tuae.
Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
4 Universa propter semetipsum operatus est Dominus: impium quoque ad diem malum.
The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
5 Abominatio Domini est omnis arrogans: etiamsi manus ad manum fuerit, non est innocens. Initium viae bonae, facere iustitiam: accepta est autem apud Deum magis, quam immolare hostias.
All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices.
6 Misericordia et veritate redimitur iniquitas: et in timore Domini declinatur a malo.
By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
7 Cum placuerint Domino viae hominis, inimicos quoque eius convertet ad pacem.
When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Melius est parum cum iustitia, quam multi fructus cum iniquitate.
Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
9 Cor hominis disponit viam suam: sed Domini est dirigere gressus eius.
The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
10 Divinatio in labiis regis, in iudicio non errabit os eius.
Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Pondus et statera iudicia Domini sunt: et opera eius omnes lapides sacculi.
Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
12 Abominabiles regi qui agunt impie: quoniam iustitia firmatur solium.
Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
13 Voluntas regum labia iusta: qui recta loquitur, diligetur:
Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
14 Indignatio regis, nuncii mortis: et vir sapiens placabit eam.
The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.
15 In hilaritate vultus regis, vita: et clementia eius quasi imber serotinus.
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
16 Posside sapientiam, quia auro melior est: et acquire prudentiam, quia pretiosior est argento.
Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 Semita iustorum declinat mala: custos animae suae servat viam suam.
The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
18 Contritionem praecedit superbia: et ante ruinam exaltatur spiritus.
Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.
19 Melius est humiliari cum mitibus, quam dividere spolia cum superbis.
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
20 Eruditus in verbo reperiet bona: et qui sperat in Domino, beatus est.
The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
21 Qui sapiens est corde, appellabitur prudens: et qui dulcis eloquio, maiora reperiet.
Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
22 Fons vitae eruditio possidentis: doctrina stultorum fatuitas.
Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
23 Cor sapientis erudiet os eius: et labiis eius addet gratiam.
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
24 Favus mellis, composita verba: dulcedo animae, sanitas ossium.
Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.
25 Est via quae videtur homini recta: et novissima eius ducunt ad mortem.
There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
26 Anima laborantis laborat sibi, quia compulit eum os suum:
The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
27 Vir impius fodit malum, et in labiis eius ignis ardescit.
The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 Homo perversus suscitat lites: et verbosus separat principes.
A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
29 Vir iniquus lactat amicum suum: et ducit eum per viam non bonam.
A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good.
30 Qui attonitis oculis cogitat prava, mordens labia sua perficit malum.
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
31 Corona dignitatis senectus, quae in viis iustitiae reperietur.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 Melior est patiens viro forti: et qui dominatur animo suo, expugnatore urbium.
A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
33 Sortes mittuntur in sinum, sed a Domino temperantur.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.
