The Latin Vulgate VUL
Good News Translation GNT
1 haec quoque parabolae Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda
1
Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem
2
We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain.
3 caelum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile
3
You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.
4 aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum
4
Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty.
5 aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius
5
Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for its justice.
6 ne gloriosus appareas coram rege et in loco magnorum ne steteris
6
When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important.
7 melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe
7
It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
8 quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum
8
Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
9 causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles
9
If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets.
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset
10
Otherwise everyone will learn that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.
11 mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo
11
An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.
12 inauris aurea et margaritum fulgens qui arguit sapientem et aurem oboedientem
12
A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.
13 sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum animam illius requiescere facit
13
A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.
14 nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens
14
People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam
15
Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers.
16 mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud
16
Never eat more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit.
17 subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te
17
Don't visit your neighbors too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you.
18 iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum
18
A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.
19 dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae
19
Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo
20
Singing to a person who is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like rubbing salt in a wound.
21 si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere
21
If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink.
22 prunam enim congregabis super caput eius et Dominus reddet tibi
22
You will make them burn with shame, and the Lord will reward you.
23 ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem
23
Gossip brings anger just as surely as the north wind brings rain.
24 melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi
24
Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
25 aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua
25
Finally hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.
26 fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio
26
A good person who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a poisoned well.
27 sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprimitur gloria
27
Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win too much praise.
28 sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum
28
If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.