< Proverbiorum 27 >
1 Ne glorieris in crastinum, ignorans quid superventura pariat dies.
Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.
2 Laudet te alienus, et non os tuum: extraneus, et non labia tua.
Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 Grave est saxum, et onerosa arena: sed ira stulti utroque gravior.
A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 Ira non habet misericordiam, nec erumpens furor: et impetum concitati spiritus ferre quis poterit?
Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5 Melior est manifesta correptio, quam amor absconditus.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Meliora sunt vulnera diligentis, quam fraudulenta oscula odientis
The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7 Anima saturata calcabit favum: et anima esuriens etiam amarum pro dulci sumet.
A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Sicut avis transmigrans de nido suo, sic vir qui derelinquit locum suum.
As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
9 Unguento et variis odoribus delectatur cor: et bonis amici consiliis anima dulcoratur.
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10 Amicum tuum, et amicum patris tui ne dimiseris: et domum fratris tui ne ingrediaris in die afflictionis tuae. Melior est vicinus iuxta, quam frater procul.
Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbour who is near is better than a distant brother.
11 Stude sapientiae fili mi, et laetifica cor meum, ut possim exprobranti respondere sermonem.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
12 Astutus videns malum, absconditus est: parvuli transeuntes sustinuerunt dispendia.
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
13 Tolle vestimentum eius, qui spopondit pro extraneo: et pro alienis, aufer ei pignus.
Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
14 Qui benedicit proximo suo voce grandi, de nocte consurgens maledicenti similis erit.
He who blesses his neighbour with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
15 Tecta perstillantia in die frigoris, et litigiosa mulier comparantur:
A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
16 qui retinet eam, quasi qui ventum teneat, et oleum dexterae suae evacuabit.
restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
17 Ferrum ferro exacuitur, et homo exacuit faciem amici sui.
Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
18 Qui servat ficum, comedet fructus eius: et qui custos est domini sui, glorificabitur.
Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honoured.
19 Quomodo in aquis resplendent vultus prospicientium, sic corda hominum manifesta sunt prudentibus.
Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
20 Infernus et perditio numquam implentur: similiter et oculi hominum insatiabiles: (Sheol )
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied. (Sheol )
21 Quomodo probatur in conflatorio argentum, et in fornace aurum: sic probatur homo ore laudantis. Cor iniqui inquirit mala, cor autem rectum inquirit scientiam.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
22 Si contuderis stultum in pila quasi ptisanas feriente desuper pilo, non auferetur ab eo stultitia eius.
Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
23 Diligenter agnosce vultum pecoris tui, tuosque greges considera:
Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,
24 Non enim habebis iugiter potestatem: sed corona tribuetur in generatione et generationem.
for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations.
25 Aperta sunt prata, et apparuerunt herbae virentes, et collecta sunt foena de montibus.
The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
26 Agni ad vestimentum tuum: et hoedi, agri pretium.
The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
27 Sufficiat tibi lac caprarum in cibos tuos, et in necessaria domus tuae: et ad victum ancillis tuis.
There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.