Proverbs 16

1It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.

Hominis est animam præparare, et Domini gubernare linguam.

2All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.

Omnes viæ hominis patent oculis ejus; spirituum ponderator est Dominus.

3Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.

Revela Domino opera tua, et dirigentur cogitationes tuæ.

4The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.

Universa propter semetipsum operatus est Dominus; impium quoque ad diem malum.

5Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice: and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

Abominatio Domini est omnis arrogans; etiamsi manus ad manum fuerit, non est innocens. Initium viæ bonæ facere justitiam; accepta est autem apud Deum magis quam immolare hostias.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

Misericordia et veritate redimitur iniquitas, et in timore Domini declinatur a malo.

7When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

Cum placuerint Domino viæ hominis, inimicos quoque ejus convertet ad pacem.

8Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.

Melius est parum cum justitia quam multi fructus cum iniquitate.

9The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

Cor hominis disponit viam suam, sed Domini est dirigere gressus ejus.

10Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

Divinatio in labiis regis; in judicio non errabit os ejus.

11Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.

Pondus et statera judicia Domini sunt, et opera ejus omnes lapides sacculi.

12They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.

Abominabiles regi qui agunt impie, quoniam justitia firmatur solium.

13Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.

Voluntas regum labia justa; qui recta loquitur diligetur.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.

Indignatio regis nuntii mortis, et vir sapiens placabit eam.

15In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.

In hilaritate vultus regis vita, et clementia ejus quasi imber serotinus.

16Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.

Posside sapientiam, quia auro melior est, et acquire prudentiam, quia pretiosior est argento.

17The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.

Semita justorum declinat mala; custos animæ suæ servat viam suam.

18Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

Contritionem præcedit superbia, et ante ruinam exaltatur spiritus.

19It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

Melius est humiliari cum mitibus quam dividere spolia cum superbis.

20The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.

Eruditus in verbo reperiet bona, et qui sperat in Domino beatus est.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words, shall attain to greater things.

Qui sapiens est corde appellabitur prudens, et qui dulcis eloquio majora percipiet.

22Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.

Fons vitæ eruditio possidentis; doctrina stultorum fatuitas.

23The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

Cor sapientis erudiet os ejus, et labiis ejus addet gratiam.

24Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Favus mellis composita verba; dulcedo animæ sanitas ossium.

25There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.

Est via quæ videtur homini recta, et novissima ejus ducunt ad mortem.

26The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.

Anima laborantis laborat sibi, quia compulit eum os suum.

27The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.

Vir impius fodit malum, et in labiis ejus ignis ardescit.

28A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.

Homo perversus suscitat lites, et verbosus separat principes.

29An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

Vir iniquus lactat amicum suum, et ducit eum per viam non bonam.

30He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth evil to pass.

Qui attonitis oculis cogitat prava, mordens labia sua perficit malum.

31Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.

Corona dignitatis senectus, quæ in viis justitiæ reperietur.

32The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.

Melior est patiens viro forti, et qui dominatur animo suo expugnatore urbium.

33Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.

Sortes mittuntur in sinum, sed a Domino temperantur.