Proverbiorum 22
1 Melius est nomen bonum, quam divitiae multae: super argentum et aurum, gratia bona.
A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
2 Dives, et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 Callidus videt malum, et abscondit se: innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 Finis modestiae timor Domini, divitiae et gloria et vita.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Arma et gladii in via perversi: custos autem animae suae longe recedit ab eis.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
6 Proverbium est: Adolescens iuxta viam suam, etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
7 Dives pauperibus imperat: et qui accipit mutuum, servus est foenerantis.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 Qui seminat iniquitatem, metet mala, et virga irae suae consummabitur.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
9 Qui pronus est ad misericordiam, benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera: animam autem aufert accipientium.
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Eiice derisorem, et exibit cum eo iurgium, cessabuntque causae et contumeliae.
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam: et supplantantur verba iniqui.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est foris, in medio platearum occidendus sum.
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
14 Fovea profunda, os alienae: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinae fugabit eam.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
16 Qui calumniatur pauperem, ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
17 Fili mi! Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 quae pulchra erit tibi, cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 Ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem, et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis, qui miserunt te.
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
22 Non facias violentiam pauperi, quia pauper est: neque conteras egenum in porta:
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
23 quia iudicabit Dominus causam eius, et configet eos, qui confixerunt animam eius.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
25 ne forte discas semitas eius, et sumas scandalum animae tuae.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Noli esse cum his, qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causae est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
