< Proverbiorum 25 >
1 haec quoque parabolae Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
3 caelum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4 aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum
Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5 aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 ne gloriosus appareas coram rege et in loco magnorum ne steteris
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe
for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
8 quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
11 mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 inauris aurea et margaritum fulgens qui arguit sapientem et aurem oboedientem
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
13 sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum animam illius requiescere facit
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15 patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17 subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18 iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 prunam enim congregabis super caput eius et Dominus reddet tibi
For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27 sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprimitur gloria
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28 sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.