Liber Proverbiorum, 3

1. Fili mi, ne obliviscaris legis meae, et praecepta mea cor tuum custodiat;

1. My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

2. longitudinem enim dierum et annos vitae et pacem apponent tibi.

2. for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you.

3. Misericordia et veritas te non deserant; circumda eas gutturi tuo et describe in tabulis cordis tui,

3. Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4. et invenies gratiam et successum bonum coram Deo et hominibus.

4. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.

5. Habe fiduciam in Domino ex toto corde tuo et ne innitaris prudentiae tuae.

5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.

6. In omnibus viis tuis cogita illum, et ipse diriget gressus tuos.

6. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7. Ne sis sapiens apud temetipsum; time Dominum et recede a malo.

7. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8. Sanitas quippe erit umbilico tuo, et irrigatio ossibus tuis.

8. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9. Honora Dominum de tua substantia et de primitiis omnium frugum tuarum,

9. Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;

10. et implebuntur horrea tua frumento, et vino torcularia tua redundabunt.

10. then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11. Disciplinam Domini, fili mi, ne abicias nec asperneris, cum ab eo corriperis:

11. My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,

12. quem enim diligit, Dominus corripit et quasi pater in filio complacet sibi.

12. for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13. Beatus homo, qui invenit sapientiam et qui affluit prudentia:

13. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding,

14. melior est acquisitio eius negotiatione argenti, et auro primo fructus eius.

14. for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold.

15. Pretiosior est cunctis gemmis, et omnia pretiosa tua huic non valent comparari;

15. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16. longitudo dierum in dextera eius, et in sinistra illius divitiae et gloria.

16. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17. Viae eius viae pulchrae, et omnes semitae illius pacificae.

17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18. Lignum vitae est his, qui apprehenderint eam; et, qui tenuerit eam, beatus.

18. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.

19. Dominus sapientia fundavit terram, stabilivit caelos prudentia;

19. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

20. sapientia illius eruperunt abyssi, et nubes rorem stillant.

20. by his knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21. Fili mi, ne effluant haec ab oculis tuis; custodi prudentiam atque consilium,

21. My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape from your sight,

22. et erit vita animae tuae, et gratia collo tuo;

22. and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

23. tunc ambulabis fiducialiter in via tua, et pes tuus non impinget.

23. Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.

24. Si dormieris, non timebis; quiesces, et suavis erit somnus tuus.

24. If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25. Ne paveas repentino terrore et irruentem tibi turbinem impiorum, cum venerit.

25. Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes;

26. Dominus enim erit in latere tuo et custodiet pedem tuum, ne capiaris.

26. for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

27. Noli prohibere beneficium ab eo, cui debetur, si in potestate manus tuae est, ut facias.

27. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

28. Ne dicas amico tuo: “Vade et revertere, cras dabo tibi”, cum statim possis dare.

28. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" -- when you have it with you.

29. Ne moliaris amico tuo malum, cum ille apud te sedeat cum fiducia.

29. Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly beside you.

30. Ne contendas adversus hominem frustra, cum ipse tibi nihil mali fecerit.

30. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

31. Ne aemuleris hominem iniustum nec imiteris omnes vias eius,

31. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways;

32. quia abominatio Domini est omnis pravus, et cum simplicibus societas eius.

32. for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

33. Maledictio a Domino in domo impii, habitacula autem iustorum benedicentur.

33. The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.

34. Ipse deludet illusores et mansuetis dabit gratiam;

34. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.

35. gloriam sapientes possidebunt, stultorum exaltatio ignominia.

35. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.