Proverbs 25

1These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.

Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Juda.

2It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.

Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.

3The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.

4Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:

Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum.

5Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.

Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur justitia thronus ejus.

6Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.

Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.

7For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.

Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc, quam ut humilieris coram principe.

8The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.

Quæ viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in jurgio cito, ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.

9Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:

Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:

10Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.

ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.

11To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.

Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.

12As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.

Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem et aurem obedientem.

13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.

Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum: animam ipsius requiescere facit.

14As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.

Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus et promissa non complens.

15By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.

16Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.

Mel invenisti: comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.

17Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.

Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.

Jaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.

19To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,

Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,

20And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.

et amittit pallium in die frigoris. Acetum in nitro, qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo. Sicut tinea vestimento, et vermis ligno, ita tristitia viri nocet cordi.

21If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:

Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum; si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:

22For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.

prunas enim congregabis super caput ejus, et Dominus reddet tibi.

23The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.

Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.

24It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop: than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

Melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi.

25As cold water to a thirsty soul, so are good tidings from a far country.

Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua.

26A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot and a corrupted spring.

Fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta, justus cadens coram impio.

27As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty shall be overwhelmed by glory.

Sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum, sic qui scrutator est majestatis opprimetur a gloria.

28As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.

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