1 Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.

1 Propter inopiam multi deliquerunt:
et qui quærit locupletari avertit oculum suum.

2 As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

2 Sicut in medio compaginis lapidum palus figitur,
sic et inter medium venditionis et emptionis angustiabitur peccatum:

3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

3 conteretur cum delinquente delictum.

4 As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.

4 Si non in timore Domini tenueris te instanter,
cito subvertetur domus tua.

5 The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

5 ¶ Sicut in percussura cribri remanebit pulvis,
sic aporia hominis in cogitatu illius.

6 The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.

6 Vasa figuli probat fornax,
et homines justos tentatio tribulationis.

7 Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.

7 Sicut rusticatio de ligno ostendit fructum illius,
sic verbum ex cogitatu cordis hominis.

8 If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.

8 Ante sermonem non laudes virum:
hæc enim tentatio est hominum.

9 The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.

9 Si sequaris justitiam, apprehendes illam,
et indues quasi poderem honoris:
et inhabitabis cum ea, et proteget te in sempiternum,
et in die agnitionis invenies firmamentum.

10 As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.

10 Volatilia ad sibi similia conveniunt:
et veritas ad eos qui operantur illam revertetur.

11 The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.

11 Leo venationi insidiatur semper:
sic peccata operantibus iniquitates.

12 If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.

12 Homo sanctus in sapientia manet sicut sol:
nam stultus sicut luna mutatur.

13 The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.

13 In medio insensatorum serva verbum tempori:
in medio autem cogitantium assiduus esto.

14 The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.

14 Narratio peccantium odiosa,
et risus illorum in deliciis peccati.

15 The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.

15 Loquela multum jurans horripilationem capiti statuet,
et irreverentia ipsius obturatio aurium.

16 Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.

16 Effusio sanguinis in rixa superborum,
et maledictio illorum auditus gravis.

17 Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou bewrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.

17 Qui denudat arcana amici fidem perdit,
et non inveniet amicum ad animum suum.

18 For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbour.

18 Dilige proximum,
et conjungere fide cum illo.

19 As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again.

19 Quod si denudaveris absconsa illius,
non persequeris post eum.

20 Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.

20 Sicut enim homo qui perdit amicum suum,
sic et qui perdit amicitiam proximi sui.

21 As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that bewrayeth secrets is without hope.

21 Et sicut qui dimittit avem de manu sua,
sic dereliquisti proximum tuum, et non eum capies.

22 He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.

22 Non illum sequaris, quoniam longe abest:
effugit enim quasi caprea de laqueo, quoniam vulnerata est anima ejus:

23 When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.

23 ultra eum non poteris colligare.
Et maledicti est concordatio:

24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.

24 denudare autem amici mysteria, desperatio est animæ infelicis.

25 Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.

25 ¶ Annuens oculo fabricat iniqua,
et nemo eum abjiciet.

26 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.

26 In conspectu oculorum tuorum condulcabit os suum,
et super sermones tuos admirabitur:
novissime autem pervertet os suum,
et in verbis tuis dabit scandalum.

27 He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.

27 Multa odivi, et non coæquavi ei,
et Dominus odiet illum.

28 Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.

28 Qui in altum mittit lapidem, super caput ejus cadet:
et plaga dolosa dolosi dividet vulnera.

29 They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.

29 Et qui foveam fodit incidet in eam:
et qui statuit lapidem proximo offendet in eo:
et qui laqueum alii ponit, peribit in illo.

30 Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.

30 Facienti nequissimum consilium, super ipsum devolvetur,
et non agnoscet unde adveniat illi.

31 Illusio et improperium superborum,
et vindicta sicut leo insidiabitur illi.

32 Laqueo peribunt qui oblectantur casu justorum,
dolor autem consumet illos antequam moriantur.

33 ¶ Ira et furor utraque execrabilia sunt,
et vir peccator continens erit illorum.