The Latin Vulgate VUL
New International Version NIV
1 quomodo nix aestate et pluvia in messe sic indecens est stulto gloria
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 sicut avis ad alia transvolans et passer quolibet vadens sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet
2
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 flagellum equo et camus asino et virga dorso inprudentium
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 ne respondeas stulto iuxta stultitiam suam ne efficiaris ei similis
4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 responde stulto iuxta stultitiam suam ne sibi sapiens esse videatur
5
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 claudus pedibus et iniquitatem bibens qui mittit verba per nuntium stultum
6
Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 quomodo pulchras frustra habet claudus tibias sic indecens est in ore stultorum parabola
7
Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem
8
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 quomodo si spina nascatur in manu temulenti sic parabola in ore stultorum
9
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 iudicium determinat causas et qui inponit stulto silentium iras mitigat
10
Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 sicut canis qui revertitur ad vomitum suum sic inprudens qui iterat stultitiam suam
11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 vidisti hominem sapientem sibi videri magis illo spem habebit stultus
12
Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13 dicit piger leaena in via leo in itineribus
13
A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 sicut ostium vertitur in cardine suo ita piger in lectulo suo
14
As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 abscondit piger manus sub ascellas suas et laborat si ad os suum eas converterit
15
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 sapientior sibi piger videtur septem viris loquentibus sententias
16
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 sicut qui adprehendit auribus canem sic qui transit et inpatiens commiscetur rixae alterius
17
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 sicut noxius est qui mittit lanceas et sagittas et mortem
18
Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 sic vir qui fraudulenter nocet amico suo et cum fuerit deprehensus dicit ludens feci
19
is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 cum defecerint ligna extinguetur ignis et susurrone subtracto iurgia conquiescunt
20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 sicut carbones ad prunam et ligna ad ignem sic homo iracundus suscitat rixas
21
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 verba susurronis quasi simplicia et ipsa perveniunt ad intima ventris
22
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 quomodo si argento sordido ornare velis vas fictile sic labia tumentia cum pessimo corde sociata
23
Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 labiis suis intellegitur inimicus cum in corde tractaverit dolos
24
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 quando submiserit vocem suam ne credideris ei quoniam septem nequitiae sunt in corde illius
25
Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 qui operit odium fraudulenter revelabitur malitia eius in concilio
26
Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 qui fodit foveam incidet in eam et qui volvit lapidem revertetur ad eum
27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 lingua fallax non amat veritatem et os lubricum operatur ruinas
28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.