Proverbiorum 24
1 ne aemuleris viros malos nec desideres esse cum eis
[My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
2 quia rapinas meditatur mens eorum et fraudes labia eorum loquuntur
For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
3 sapientia aedificabitur domus et prudentia roborabitur
A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
4 in doctrina replebuntur cellaria universa substantia pretiosa et pulcherrima
By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
5 vir sapiens et fortis est et vir doctus robustus et validus
A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
6 quia cum dispositione initur bellum et erit salus ubi multa consilia sunt
War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
7 excelsa stulto sapientia in porta non aperiet os suum
Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
8 qui cogitat malefacere stultus vocabitur
but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
9 cogitatio stulti peccatum est et abominatio hominum detractor
The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
10 si desperaveris lassus in die angustiae inminuetur fortitudo tua
He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
11 erue eos qui ducuntur ad mortem et qui trahuntur ad interitum liberare ne cesses
Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [your help].
12 si dixeris vires non suppetunt qui inspector est cordis ipse intellegit et servatorem animae tuae nihil fallit reddetque homini iuxta opera sua
But if you should say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
13 comede fili mi mel quia bonum est et favum dulcissimum gutturi tuo
[My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that your throat may be sweetened.
14 sic et doctrina sapientiae animae tuae quam cum inveneris habebis in novissimis et spes tua non peribit
Thus shall you perceive wisdom in your soul: for if you find it, your end shall be good, and hope shall not fail you.
15 ne insidieris et quaeras impietatem in domo iusti neque vastes requiem eius
Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
16 septies enim cadet iustus et resurget impii autem corruent in malum
For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
17 cum ceciderit inimicus tuus ne gaudeas et in ruina eius ne exultet cor tuum
If your enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
18 ne forte videat Dominus et displiceat ei et auferat ab eo iram suam
For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
19 ne contendas cum pessimis nec aemuleris impios
Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
20 quoniam non habent futurorum spem mali et lucerna impiorum extinguetur
For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
21 time Dominum fili mi et regem et cum detractoribus non commiscearis
[My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
22 quoniam repente consurget perditio eorum et ruinam utriusque quis novit
For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
23 haec quoque sapientibus cognoscere personam in iudicio non est bonum
And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 qui dicit impio iustus es maledicent ei populi et detestabuntur eum tribus
He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.
25 qui arguunt laudabuntur et super ipsos veniet benedictio
But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
26 labia deosculabitur qui recta verba respondet
and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
27 praepara foris opus tuum et diligenter exerce agrum tuum ut postea aedifices domum tuam
Prepare your works for [your] going forth, and prepare yourself for the field; and come after me, and you shall rebuild your house.
28 ne sis testis frustra contra proximum tuum nec lactes quemquam labiis tuis
Be not a false witness against your [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with your lips.
29 ne dicas quomodo fecit mihi sic faciam ei reddam unicuique secundum opus suum
Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
30 per agrum hominis pigri transivi et per vineam viri stulti
A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
31 et ecce totum repleverant urticae operuerant superficiem eius spinae et maceria lapidum destructa erat
If you let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
32 quod cum vidissem posui in corde meo et exemplo didici disciplinam
Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
33 parum inquam dormies modicum dormitabis pauxillum manus conseres ut quiescas
[The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.
34 et veniet quasi cursor egestas tua et mendicitas quasi vir armatus
But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your lack like a swift courier.
