Proverbiorum 20
1 Luxuriosa res, vinum, et tumultuosa ebrietas: quicumque his delectatur, non erit sapiens.
Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
2 Sicut rugitus leonis, ita et terror regis: qui provocat eum, peccat in animam suam.
The feare of the King is like the roaring of a lyon: hee that prouoketh him vnto anger, sinneth against his owne soule.
3 Honor est homini, qui separat se a contentionibus: omnes autem stulti miscentur contumeliis.
It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
4 Propter frigus piger arare noluit: mendicabit ergo aestate, et non dabitur illi.
The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
5 Sicut aqua profunda, sic consilium in corde viri: sed homo sapiens exhauriet illud.
The counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters: but a man that hath vnderstanding, will drawe it out.
6 Multi homines misericordes vocantur: virum autem fidelem quis inveniet?
Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?
7 Iustus, qui ambulat in simplicitate sua, beatos post se filios derelinquet.
He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
8 Rex, qui sedet in solio iudicii, dissipat omne malum intuitu suo.
A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
9 Quis potest dicere: Mundum est cor meum, purus sum a peccato?
Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
10 Pondus et pondus, mensura et mensura: utrumque abominabile est apud Deum.
Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
11 Ex studiis suis intelligitur puer, si munda et recta sint opera eius.
A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
12 Aurem audientem, et oculum videntem, Dominus fecit utrumque.
The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.
13 Noli diligere somnum, ne te egestas opprimat: aperi oculos tuos, et saturare panibus.
Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 Malum est, malum est, dicit omnis emptor: et cum recesserit, tunc gloriabitur.
It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
15 Est aurum, et multitudo gemmarum: vas autem pretiosum labia scientiae.
There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.
16 Tolle vestimentum eius, qui fideiussor extitit alieni, et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo.
Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
17 Suavis est homini panis mendacii: et postea implebitur os eius calculo.
The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
18 Cogitationes consiliis roborantur: et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella.
Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
19 Ei, qui revelat mysteria, et ambulat fraudulenter, et dilatat labia sua, ne commiscearis.
He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Qui maledicit patri suo, et matri, extinguetur lucerna eius in mediis tenebris.
He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
21 Hereditas, ad quam festinatur in principio, in novissimo benedictione carebit.
An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Ne dicas: Reddam malum: expecta Dominum, et liberabit te.
Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
23 Abominatio est apud Dominum pondus et pondus: statera dolosa non est bona.
Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
24 A Domino diriguntur gressus viri: quis autem hominum intelligere potest viam suam?
The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
25 Ruina est homini devotare sanctos, et post vota retractare.
It is a destruction for a man to deuoure that which is sanctified, and after the vowes to inquire.
26 Dissipat impios rex sapiens, et incurvat super eos fornicem.
A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
27 Lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis, quae investigat omnia secreta ventris.
The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
28 Misericordia, et veritas custodiunt regem, et roboratur clementia thronus eius.
Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
29 Exultatio iuvenum, fortitudo eorum: et dignitas senum canities.
The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
30 Livor vulneris absterget mala: et plagae in secretioribus ventris.
The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
