1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

1 Responsio mollis frangit iram;
sermo durus suscitat furorem.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

2 Lingua sapientium ornat scientiam;
os fatuorum ebullit stultitiam.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

3 In omni loco, oculi Domini
contemplantur bonos et malos.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

4 Lingua placabilis lignum vitæ;
quæ autem immoderata est conteret spiritum.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

5 Stultus irridet disciplinam patris sui;
qui autem custodit increpationes astutior fiet.
In abundanti justitia virtus maxima est:
cogitationes autem impiorum eradicabuntur.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

6 Domus justi plurima fortitudo,
et in fructibus impii conturbatio.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

7 Labia sapientium disseminabunt scientiam;
cor stultorum dissimile erit.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

8 Victimæ impiorum abominabiles Domino;
vota justorum placabilia.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

9 Abominatio est Domino via impii;
qui sequitur justitiam diligitur ab eo.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

10 Doctrina mala deserenti viam vitæ;
qui increpationes odit, morietur.

11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

11 Infernus et perditio coram Domino;
quanto magis corda filiorum hominum!

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

12 Non amat pestilens eum qui se corripit,
nec ad sapientes graditur.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

13 ¶ Cor gaudens exhilarat faciem;
in mœrore animi dejicitur spiritus.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

14 Cor sapientis quærit doctrinam,
et os stultorum pascitur imperitia.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

15 Omnes dies pauperis, mali;
secura mens quasi juge convivium.

16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

16 Melius est parum cum timore Domini,
quam thesauri magni et insatiabiles.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

17 Melius est vocari ad olera cum caritate,
quam ad vitulum saginatum cum odio.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

18 Vir iracundus provocat rixas;
qui patiens est mitigat suscitatas.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

19 Iter pigrorum quasi sepes spinarum;
via justorum absque offendiculo.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

20 Filius sapiens lætificat patrem,
et stultus homo despicit matrem suam.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

21 Stultitia gaudium stulto,
et vir prudens dirigit gressus suos.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

22 Dissipantur cogitationes ubi non est consilium;
ubi vero sunt plures consiliarii, confirmantur.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

23 Lætatur homo in sententia oris sui,
et sermo opportunus est optimus.

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

24 Semita vitæ super eruditum,
ut declinet de inferno novissimo.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

25 ¶ Domum superborum demolietur Dominus,
et firmos faciet terminos viduæ.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

26 Abominatio Domini cogitationes malæ,
et purus sermo pulcherrimus firmabitur ab eo.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

27 Conturbat domum suam qui sectatur avaritiam;
qui autem odit munera, vivet.
Per misericordiam et fidem purgantur peccata:
per timorem autem Domini declinat omnis a malo.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

28 Mens justi meditatur obedientiam;
os impiorum redundat malis.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

29 Longe est Dominus ab impiis,
et orationes justorum exaudiet.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

30 Lux oculorum lætificat animam;
fama bona impinguat ossa.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

31 Auris quæ audit increpationes vitæ
in medio sapientium commorabitur.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

32 Qui abjicit disciplinam despicit animam suam;
qui autem acquiescit increpationibus possessor est cordis.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

33 Timor Domini disciplina sapientiæ,
et gloriam præcedit humilitas.