Liber Proverbiorum, 22

1. melius est nomen bonum quam divitiæ multæ super argentum et aurum gratia bona

1. A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.

2. dives et pauper obviaverunt sibi utriusque operator est Dominus

2. The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.

3. callidus vidit malum et abscondit se innocens pertransiit et adflictus est damno

3. The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.

4. finis modestiæ timor Domini divitiæ et gloria et vita

4. The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.

5. arma et gladii in via perversi custos animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis

5. Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.

6. proverbium est adulescens juxta viam suam etiam cum senuerit non recedet ab ea

6. It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

7. dives pauperibus imperat et qui accipit mutuum servus est fenerantis

7. The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.

8. qui seminat iniquitatem metet mala et virga iræ suæ consummabitur

8. He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.

9. qui pronus est ad misericordiam benedicetur de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi

9. He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.

10. eice derisorem et exibit cum eo jurgium cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ

10. Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.

11. qui diligit cordis munditiam propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem

11. He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.

12. oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam et subplantantur verba iniqui

12. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.

13. dicit piger leo foris in medio platearum occidendus sum

13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.

14. fovea profunda os alienæ cui iratus est Dominus incidet in eam

14. The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.

15. stultitia conligata est in corde pueri et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam

15. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.

16. qui calumniatur pauperem ut augeat divitias suas dabit ipse ditiori et egebit

16. He that oppresseth the poor, to in- crease his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.

17. inclina aurem tuam et audi verba sapientium adpone autem cor ad doctrinam meam

17. Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine :

18. quæ pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo et redundabit in labiis tuis

18. Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:

19. ut sit in Domino fiducia tua unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie

19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.

20. ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter in cogitationibus et scientia

20. Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge :

21. ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem et eloquia veritatis respondere ex his illi qui misit te

21. That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.

22. non facias violentiam pauperi quia pauper est neque conteras egenum in porta

22. Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:

23. quia Dominus judicabit causam ejus et configet eos qui confixerint animam ejus

23. Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.

24. noli esse amicus homini iracundo neque ambules cum viro furioso

24. Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:

25. ne forte discas semitas ejus et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ

25. Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.

26. noli esse cum his qui defigunt manus suas et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis

26. Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:

27. si enim non habes unde restituas quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo

27. For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?

28. ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos quos posuerunt patres tui

28. Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.

29. vidisti virum velocem in opere suo coram regibus stabit nec erit ante ignobiles

29. Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.