Proverbiorum 25
1 Hae quoque parabolae Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda.
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Caelum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
Put not forth yourself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc; quam ut humilieris coram principe.
For better it is that it be said to you, Come up here; than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen.
8 Quae viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
Lest he that hears it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.
11 Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.
13 Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei, qui misit eum, animam ipsius requiescere facit.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviae non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.
18 Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae,
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris. Acetum in nitro, qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo. Sicut tinea vestimento, et vermis ligno: ita tristitia viri nocet cordi.
As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar on nitre, so is he that singes songs to an heavy heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 prunas enim congregabis super caput eius, et Dominus reddet tibi.
For you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD shall reward you.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 Aqua frigida animae sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
