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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4 Aufer rubiginem de argento,
et egredietur vas purissimum.

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

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

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

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

7 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.

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

8 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

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

13 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.

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

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

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

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

15 Patientia lenietur princeps,
et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20 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.

20 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.

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

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

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

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

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

23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias,
et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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