Proverbiorum 22
1 Melius est nomen bonum, quam divitiae multae: super argentum et aurum, gratia bona.
A good name is preferable to abundant riches, and good grace, to silver and to gold.
2 Dives, et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker them all.
3 Callidus videt malum, et abscondit se: innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
The prudent foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 Finis modestiae timor Domini, divitiae et gloria et vita.
The reward of humility [and] the fear of the Lord are riches and honor, and life.
5 Arma et gladii in via perversi: custos autem animae suae longe recedit ab eis.
Thorns and snares are on the way of a perverse man: he that doth guard his soul will keep far from them.
6 Proverbium est: Adolescens iuxta viam suam, etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
Train up the lad in accordance with his course: even when he groweth old, will he not depart from it.
7 Dives pauperibus imperat: et qui accipit mutuum, servus est foenerantis.
A rich man ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the man that lendeth.
8 Qui seminat iniquitatem, metet mala, et virga irae suae consummabitur.
He that soweth injustice will reap wrong-doing; and the rod of God's wrath will not fail.
9 Qui pronus est ad misericordiam, benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera: animam autem aufert accipientium.
A man of a benevolent eye will indeed be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Eiice derisorem, et exibit cum eo iurgium, cessabuntque causae et contumeliae.
Drive away the scorner, and strife will go off; and then will cease contention and dishonor.
11 Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
He that loveth with a pure heart, and hath grace on his lips, will have the king as his friend.
12 Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam: et supplantantur verba iniqui.
The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge, and he overturneth the words of the treacherous.
13 Dicit piger: Leo est foris, in medio platearum occidendus sum.
The slothful saith, There is a lion without, in the midst of the streets shall I be murdered.
14 Fovea profunda, os alienae: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
A deep pit is the mouth of adulterous women: he that hath obtained the indignation of the Lord will fall thereinto.
15 Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinae fugabit eam.
When folly is bound fast to the heart of a lad, the rod of correction must remove it far from him.
16 Qui calumniatur pauperem, ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, [must at length] give to the rich, and come only to want.
17 Fili mi! Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam.
Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18 quae pulchra erit tibi, cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thy bosom, if they be altogether firmly seated upon thy lips.
19 Ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
That thy trust may be in the Lord, have I made them known to thee this day, yea, even to thee.
20 Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
Have not I written for thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem, et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis, qui miserunt te.
That I might make thee know rectitude, the sayings of truth; that thou mightest bring back answers of truth to those that send thee?
22 Non facias violentiam pauperi, quia pauper est: neque conteras egenum in porta:
Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither crush the afflicted in the gate;
23 quia iudicabit Dominus causam eius, et configet eos, qui confixerunt animam eius.
For the Lord will plead their cause, and despoil the life of those that despoil them.
24 Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
Make no friendship with a man given to anger; and with a man of fury thou must have no intercourse:
25 ne forte discas semitas eius, et sumas scandalum animae tuae.
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare for thy own soul.
26 Noli esse cum his, qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
Be not one of those that pledge their hand, or of those that are sureties for debts.
27 si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causae est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
If thou have nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have established.
29 Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
Seest thou a man that is diligent in his work? before kings may he place himself: let him not place himself before obscure men.
