Proverbiorum 20
1 luxuriosa res vinum et tumultuosa ebrietas quicumque his delectatur non erit sapiens
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 sicut rugitus leonis ita terror regis qui provocat eum peccat in animam suam
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 honor est homini qui separat se a contentionibus omnes autem stulti miscentur contumeliis
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
4 propter frigus piger arare noluit mendicabit ergo aestate et non dabitur ei
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 sicut aqua profunda sic consilium in corde viri sed homo sapiens exhauriet illud
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 multi homines misericordes vocantur virum autem fidelem quis inveniet
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 iustus qui ambulat in simplicitate sua beatos post se filios derelinquet
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 rex qui sedet in solio iudicii dissipat omne malum intuitu suo
A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 quis potest dicere mundum est cor meum purus sum a peccato
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 pondus et pondus mensura et mensura utrumque abominabile est apud Deum
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
11 ex studiis suis intellegitur puer si munda et si recta sint opera eius
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 aurem audientem et oculum videntem Dominus fecit utrumque
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.
13 noli diligere somnum ne te egestas opprimat aperi oculos tuos et saturare panibus
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 malum est malum est dicit omnis emptor et cum recesserit tunc gloriabitur
“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 est aurum et multitudo gemmarum vas autem pretiosum labia scientiae
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 tolle vestimentum eius qui fideiussor extitit alieni et pro extraneis aufer pignus ab eo
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 suavis est homini panis mendacii et postea implebitur os eius calculo
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 cogitationes consiliis roborantur et gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 ei qui revelat mysteria et ambulat fraudulenter et dilatat labia sua ne commiscearis
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 qui maledicit patri suo et matri extinguetur lucerna eius in mediis tenebris
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 hereditas ad quam festinatur in principio in novissimo benedictione carebit
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22 ne dicas reddam malum expecta Dominum et liberabit te
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
23 abominatio est apud Deum pondus et pondus statera dolosa non est bona
Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 a Domino diriguntur gressus viri quis autem hominum intellegere potest viam suam
A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?
25 ruina est hominis devorare sanctos et post vota tractare
It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 dissipat impios rex sapiens et curvat super eos fornicem
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 lucerna Domini spiraculum hominis quae investigat omnia secreta ventris
The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 misericordia et veritas custodiunt regem et roboratur clementia thronus eius
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 exultatio iuvenum fortitudo eorum et dignitas senum canities
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 livor vulneris absterget mala et plagae in secretioribus ventris
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
