Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiae: nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius.
A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit: sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri: et torrens redundans fons sapientiae.
Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
5 Accipere personam impii in iudicio non est bonum, ut declines a veritate iudicii.
Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis: et os eius iurgia provocat.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
7 Os stulti contritio eius: et labia ipsius, ruina animae eius.
The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of 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 tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo, frater est sua opera dissipantis.
He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
10 Turris fortissima, nomen Domini: ad ipsam currit iustus, et exaltabitur.
A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris eius, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis: et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam: spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam: et auris sapientium quaerit doctrinam.
The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam eius, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
17 Iustus, prior est accusator sui: venit amicus eius, et investigabit eum.
Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque diiudicat.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
19 Frater, qui adiuvatur a fratre, quasi civitas firma: et iudicia quasi vectes urbium.
A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius: et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Mors, et vita in manu linguae: qui diligunt eam, comedent fructus eius.
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it 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.
[Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquitur pauper: et dives effabitur rigide.
[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
24 Vir amicabilis ad societatem, magis amicus erit, quam frater.
A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
