Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiae: nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiae.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Accipere personam impii in iudicio non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animae eius.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia: et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum deiicit timor: animae autem effeminatorum esurient.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsam currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quaerit doctrinam.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Mors, et vita in manu linguae: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam, invenit bonum: et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam, expellit bonum: qui autem tenet adulteram, stultus est et insipiens.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquitur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 Vir amicabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
