Proverbiorum 17
1 melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio
Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
2 servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis et inter fratres hereditatem dividet
A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.
3 sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino ita corda probat Dominus
Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
4 malus oboedit linguae iniquae et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus
Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
5 qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori eius et qui in ruina laetatur alterius non erit inpunitus
He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
6 corona senum filii filiorum et gloria filiorum patres sui
The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
7 non decent stultum verba conposita nec principem labium mentiens
Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
8 gemma gratissima expectatio praestolantis quocumque se verterit prudenter intellegit
A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
9 qui celat delictum quaerit amicitias qui altero sermone repetit separat foederatos
He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
10 plus proficit correptio apud prudentem quam centum plagae apud stultum
A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
11 semper iurgia quaerit malus angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum
Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
12 expedit magis ursae occurrere raptis fetibus quam fatuo confidenti sibi in stultitia sua
Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
13 qui reddit mala pro bonis non recedet malum de domo eius
He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 qui dimittit aquam caput est iurgiorum et antequam patiatur contumeliam iudicium deserit
A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
15 et qui iustificat impium et qui condemnat iustum abominabilis est uterque apud Dominum
He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
16 quid prodest habere divitias stultum cum sapientiam emere non possit
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
17 omni tempore diligit qui amicus est et frater in angustiis conprobatur
At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
18 homo stultus plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo
A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
19 qui meditatur discordiam diligit rixas et qui exaltat ostium quaerit ruinam
A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
20 qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum
The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
21 natus est stultus in ignominiam suam sed nec pater in fatuo laetabitur
He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
22 animus gaudens aetatem floridam facit spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa
A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
23 munera de sinu impius accipit ut pervertat semitas iudicii
A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 in facie prudentis lucet sapientia oculi stultorum in finibus terrae
Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
25 ira patris filius stultus et dolor matris quae genuit eum
A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.
26 non est bonum damnum inferre iusto nec percutere principem qui recta iudicat
Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
27 qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus
Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
28 stultus quoque si tacuerit sapiens putabitur et si conpresserit labia sua intellegens
Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
