Proverbiorum 25
1 haec quoque parabolae Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 caelum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius
Take away 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
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8 quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles
Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
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
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum animam illius requiescere facit
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so 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. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 prunam enim congregabis super caput eius et Dominus reddet tibi
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23 ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before 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 much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
