Proverbiorum 24
1 ne aemuleris viros malos nec desideres esse cum eis
Do not be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
2 quia rapinas meditatur mens eorum et fraudes labia eorum loquuntur
for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
3 sapientia aedificabitur domus et prudentia roborabitur
Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4 in doctrina replebuntur cellaria universa substantia pretiosa et pulcherrima
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5 vir sapiens et fortis est et vir doctus robustus et validus
A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
6 quia cum dispositione initur bellum et erit salus ubi multa consilia sunt
for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
7 excelsa stulto sapientia in porta non aperiet os suum
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.
8 qui cogitat malefacere stultus vocabitur
One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9 cogitatio stulti peccatum est et abominatio hominum detractor
The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10 si desperaveris lassus in die angustiae inminuetur fortitudo tua
If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11 erue eos qui ducuntur ad mortem et qui trahuntur ad interitum liberare ne cesses
Rescue those who are being led away to death. Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter.
12 si dixeris vires non suppetunt qui inspector est cordis ipse intellegit et servatorem animae tuae nihil fallit reddetque homini iuxta opera sua
If you say, "Look, we did not know this;" doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
13 comede fili mi mel quia bonum est et favum dulcissimum gutturi tuo
My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste.
14 sic et doctrina sapientiae animae tuae quam cum inveneris habebis in novissimis et spes tua non peribit
Likewise, know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 ne insidieris et quaeras impietatem in domo iusti neque vastes requiem eius
Do not lie in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place.
16 septies enim cadet iustus et resurget impii autem corruent in malum
For the righteous may fall seven times, but gets up again, but the wicked will stumble in adversity.
17 cum ceciderit inimicus tuus ne gaudeas et in ruina eius ne exultet cor tuum
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. Do not let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
18 ne forte videat Dominus et displiceat ei et auferat ab eo iram suam
lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 ne contendas cum pessimis nec aemuleris impios
Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
20 quoniam non habent futurorum spem mali et lucerna impiorum extinguetur
for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
21 time Dominum fili mi et regem et cum detractoribus non commiscearis
My son, fear Jehovah and the king. Do not join those who are rebellious:
22 quoniam repente consurget perditio eorum et ruinam utriusque quis novit
for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows?
23 haec quoque sapientibus cognoscere personam in iudicio non est bonum
These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 qui dicit impio iustus es maledicent ei populi et detestabuntur eum tribus
He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him?
25 qui arguunt laudabuntur et super ipsos veniet benedictio
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26 labia deosculabitur qui recta verba respondet
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27 praepara foris opus tuum et diligenter exerce agrum tuum ut postea aedifices domum tuam
Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28 ne sis testis frustra contra proximum tuum nec lactes quemquam labiis tuis
Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Do not deceive with your lips.
29 ne dicas quomodo fecit mihi sic faciam ei reddam unicuique secundum opus suum
Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
30 per agrum hominis pigri transivi et per vineam viri stulti
I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 et ecce totum repleverant urticae operuerant superficiem eius spinae et maceria lapidum destructa erat
Look, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 quod cum vidissem posui in corde meo et exemplo didici disciplinam
Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33 parum inquam dormies modicum dormitabis pauxillum manus conseres ut quiescas
a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
34 et veniet quasi cursor egestas tua et mendicitas quasi vir armatus
so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
