Proverbs 25

haec quoque parabolae Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda

These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

caelum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

ne gloriosus appareas coram rege et in loco magnorum ne steteris

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe

For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum

Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

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 upon an obedient ear.

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 them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

prunam enim congregabis super caput eius et Dominus reddet tibi

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem

The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

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 with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprimitur gloria

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.