1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.

1 Fili, peccasti, non adjicias iterum:
sed et de pristinis deprecare, ut tibi dimittantur.

2 Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.

2 Quasi a facie colubri fuge peccata:
et si accesseris ad illa, suscipient te.

3 All iniquity is as a two-edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.

3 Dentes leonis dentes ejus,
interficientes animas hominum.

4 To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.

4 Quasi rhomphæa bis acuta omnis iniquitas:
plagæ illius non est sanitas.

5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.

5 Objurgatio et injuriæ annullabunt substantiam,
et domus quæ nimis locuples est annullabitur superbia:
sic substantia superbi eradicabitur.

6 He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.

6 Deprecatio pauperis ex ore usque ad aures ejus perveniet,
et judicium festinato adveniet illi.

7 An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.

7 Qui odit correptionem vestigium est peccatoris,
et qui timet Deum convertetur ad cor suum.

8 He that buildeth his house with other men's money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.

8 Notus a longe potens lingua audaci,
et sensatus scit labi se ab ipso.

9 The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.

9 Qui ædificat domum suam impendiis alienis,
quasi qui colligit lapides suos in hieme.

10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.

10 Stupa collecta synagoga peccantium,
et consummatio illorum flamma ignis.

11 He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

11 Via peccatorum complanata lapidibus:
et in fine illorum inferi, et tenebræ, et pœnæ.

12 He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.

12 ¶ Qui custodit justitiam, continebit sensum ejus.

13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.

13 Consummatio timoris Dei, sapientia et sensus.

14 The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.

14 Non erudietur
qui non est sapiens in bono.

15 If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.

15 Est autem sapientia quæ abundat in malo,
et non est sensus ubi est amaritudo.

16 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.

16 Scientia sapientis tamquam inundatio abundabit,
et consilium illius sicut fons vitæ permanet.

17 They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.

17 Cor fatui quasi vas confractum,
et omnem sapientiam non tenebit.

18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.

18 Verbum sapiens quodcumque audierit scius,
laudabit, et ad se adjiciet:
audivit luxuriosus, et displicebit illi,
et projiciet illud post dorsum suum.

19 Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.

19 Narratio fatui quasi sarcina in via:
nam in labiis sensati invenietur gratia.

20 A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.

20 Os prudentis quæritur in ecclesia,
et verba illius cogitabunt in cordibus suis.

21 Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.

21 Tamquam domus exterminata, sic fatuo sapientia:
et scientia insensati inenarrabilia verba.

22 A foolish man's foot is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.

22 Compedes in pedibus, stulto doctrina:
et quasi vincula manuum super manum dextram.

23 A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.

23 Fatuus in risu exaltat vocem suam:
vir autem sapiens vix tacite ridebit.

24 It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.

24 Ornamentum aureum prudenti doctrina,
et quasi brachiale in brachio dextro.

25 The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.

25 Pes fatui facilis in domum proximi:
et homo peritus confundetur a persona potentis.

26 The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.

26 Stultus a fenestra respiciet in domum:
vir autem eruditus foris stabit.

27 When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.

27 Stultitia hominis auscultare per ostium:
et prudens gravabitur contumelia.

28 A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.

28 Labia imprudentium stulta narrabunt;
verba autem prudentium statera ponderabuntur.

29 In ore fatuorum cor illorum,
et in corde sapientium os illorum.

30 Dum maledicit impius diabolum,
maledicit ipse animam suam.

31 Susurro coinquinabit animam suam, et in omnibus odietur,
et qui cum eo manserit odiosus erit:
tacitus et sensatus honorabitur.