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 honour 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 thyself 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 unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine 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 thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour 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 heareth it put thee to shame, and thine 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 upon 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 refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviae non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
Whoso boasteth 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 breaketh the bone.
16 Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour 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 taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If thine 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 thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth 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 hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
