Proverbiorum 25
1 Hae quoque parabolae Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda.
These also, are proverbs of Solomon, —which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.
3 Caelum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.
6 Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
7 Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc; quam ut humilieris coram principe.
For better it be said to thee, Come up hither, —than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.
8 Quae viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
Do not go forth to strive in haste, —lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter end thereof, when thy neighbour, hath put thee to shame.
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
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 expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
11 Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing 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 day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him, —when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviae non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
16 Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18 Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae,
A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
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 splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
If he that hateth thee hunger, 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, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
25 Aqua frigida animae sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
26 Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.
A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
