The Latin Vulgate VUL
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 haec quoque parabolae Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda
1
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezeki'ah king of Judah copied.
2 gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem
2
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 caelum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile
3
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius
5
take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 ne gloriosus appareas coram rege et in loco magnorum ne steteris
6
Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great;
7 melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe
7
for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince. What your eyes have seen
8 quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum
8
do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles
9
Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not disclose another's secret;
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset
10
lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
11 mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 inauris aurea et margaritum fulgens qui arguit sapientem et aurem oboedientem
12
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum animam illius requiescere facit
13
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
14 nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens
14
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
15 patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam
15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud
16
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you be sated with it and vomit it.
17 subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te
17
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18 iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum
18
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae
19
Trust in a faithless man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo
20
He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on a wound.
21 si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 prunam enim congregabis super caput eius et Dominus reddet tibi
22
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem
23
The north wind brings forth rain; and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi
24
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio
26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprimitur gloria
27
It is not good to eat much honey, so be sparing of complimentary words.
28 sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum
28
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.