Proverbiorum 25
1 haec quoque parabolae Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda
These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
2 gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem
It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
3 caelum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile
Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4 aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum
Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
5 aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius
Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6 ne gloriosus appareas coram rege et in loco magnorum ne steteris
Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
7 melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe
For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.
8 quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum
The things that your eyes have seen, do not offer hastily in a quarrel, lest afterward you may not be able to make amends, when you have dishonored your friend.
9 causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles
Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset
lest perhaps he may insult you, when he has heard it, and he might not cease to reproach you. Grace and friendship free a man; preserve these for yourself, lest you fall under reproach.
11 mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo
Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 inauris aurea et margaritum fulgens qui arguit sapientem et aurem oboedientem
Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
13 sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum animam illius requiescere facit
Just like the cold of snow in a time of harvest, so also is a faithful messenger to him who sent him: he causes his soul to rest.
14 nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens
A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
15 patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam
By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud
You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17 subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te
Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
18 iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum
A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae
Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo
and like one who loosens his garment in cold weather. Whoever sings verses to a wicked heart is like vinegar on baking soda. Just like a moth to a garment, and a worm to wood, so too does the sadness of a man do harm to the heart.
21 si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere
If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 prunam enim congregabis super caput eius et Dominus reddet tibi
For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
23 ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem
The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
24 melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi
It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
25 aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
26 fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio
The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
27 sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprimitur gloria
Just as whoever eats too much honey, it is not good for him, so also whoever is an investigator of what is majestic will be overwhelmed by glory.
28 sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum
Just like a city lying in the open and without surrounding walls, so also is a man who is unable to restrain his own spirit in speaking.
