Proverbiorum 18
1 occasiones quaerit qui vult recedere ab amico omni tempore erit exprobrabilis
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 non recipit stultus verba prudentiae nisi ea dixeris quae versantur in corde eius
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 impius cum in profundum venerit peccatorum contemnit sed sequitur eum ignominia et obprobrium
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 aqua profunda verba ex ore viri et torrens redundans fons sapientiae
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 accipere personam impii non est bonum ut declines a veritate iudicii
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 labia stulti inmiscunt se rixis et os eius iurgia provocat
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 os stulti contritio eius et labia illius ruina animae eius
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 verba bilinguis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 turris fortissima nomen Domini ad ipsum currit iustus et exaltabitur
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 substantia divitis urbs roboris eius et quasi murus validus circumdans eum
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 antequam conteratur exaltatur cor hominis et antequam glorificetur humiliatur
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 qui prius respondit quam audiat stultum se esse demonstrat et confusione dignum
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 spiritus viri sustentat inbecillitatem suam spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 cor prudens possidebit scientiam et auris sapientium quaerit doctrinam
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 donum hominis dilatat viam eius et ante principes spatium ei facit
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 iustus prior est accusator sui venit amicus eius et investigavit eum
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 contradictiones conprimit sors et inter potentes quoque diiudicat
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 frater qui adiuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma et iudicia quasi vectes urbium
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 de fructu oris viri replebitur venter eius et genimina labiorum illius saturabunt eum
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 mors et vita in manu linguae qui diligunt eam comedent fructus eius
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 qui invenit mulierem invenit bonum et hauriet iucunditatem a Domino
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper et dives effabitur rigide
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 vir amicalis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
