1 Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.

1 Noli fieri pro amico inimicus proximo:
improperium enim et contumeliam malus hæreditabit:
et omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis.

2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.

2 ¶ Non te extollas in cogitatione animæ tuæ velut taurus,
ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam:

3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.

3 et folia tua comedat, et fructus tuos perdat,
et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.

4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

4 Anima enim nequam disperdet qui se habet,
et in gaudium inimicis dat illum,
et deducet in sortem impiorum.

5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fair-speaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

5 ¶ Verbum dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos,
et lingua eucharis in bono homine abundat.

6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.

6 Multi pacifici sint tibi:
et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.

7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first, and be not hasty to credit him.

7 Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum,
et ne facile credas ei.

8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

8 Est enim amicus secundum tempus suum,
et non permanebit in die tribulationis.

9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity and strife will discover thy reproach.

9 Et est amicus qui convertitur ad inimicitiam,
et est amicus qui odium et rixam et convitia denudabit.

10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

10 Est autem amicus socius mensæ,
et non permanebit in die necessitatis.

11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.

11 Amicus si permanserit fixus, erit tibi quasi coæqualis,
et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.

12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.

12 Si humiliaverit se contra te,
et a facie tua absconderit se,
unanimem habebis amicitiam bonam.

13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

13 Ab inimicis tuis separare,
et ab amicis tuis attende.

14 A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.

14 Amicus fidelis protectio fortis:
qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.

15 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

15 Amico fideli nulla est comparatio,
et non est digna ponderatio auri et argenti contra bonitatem fidei illius.

16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.

16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitæ et immortalitatis:
et qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.

17 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

17 Qui timet Deum æque habebit amicitiam bonam,
quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.

18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.

18 ¶ Fili, a juventute tua excipe doctrinam,
et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.

19 Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.

19 Quasi is qui arat et seminat accede ad eam,
et sustine bonos fructus illius.

20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.

20 In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis,
et cito edes de generationibus illius.

21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.

21 Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus!
et non permanebit in illa excors.

22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.

22 Quasi lapidis virtus probatio erit in illis:
et non demorabuntur projicere illam.

23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,

23 Sapientia enim doctrinæ secundum nomen est ejus,
et non est multis manifestata:
quibus autem cognita est,
permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.

24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.

24 Audi, fili, et accipe consilium intellectus,
et ne abjicias consilium meum.

25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.

25 Injice pedem tuum in compedes illius,
et in torques illius collum tuum.

26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.

26 Subjice humerum tuum, et porta illam,
et ne acedieris vinculis ejus.

27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

27 In omni animo tuo accede ad illam,
et in omni virtute tua conserva vias ejus.

28 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.

28 Investiga illam, et manifestabitur tibi:
et continens factus, ne derelinquas eam:

29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.

29 in novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea,
et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.

30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.

30 Et erunt tibi compedes ejus in protectionem fortitudinis et bases virtutis,
et torques illius in stolam gloriæ:

31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.

31 decor enim vitæ est in illa,
et vincula illius alligatura salutaris.

32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

32 Stolam gloriæ indues eam,
et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.

33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise.

33 Fili, si attenderis mihi, disces:
et si accommodaveris animum tuum, sapiens eris.

34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.

34 Si inclinaveris aurem tuam, excipies doctrinam:
et si dilexeris audire, sapiens eris.

35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.

35 In multitudine presbyterorum prudentium sta,
et sapientiæ illorum ex corde conjungere,
ut omnem narrationem Dei possis audire,
et proverbia laudis non effugiant a te.

36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.

36 Et si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum,
et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.

37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord, and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine own desire.

37 Cogitatum tuum habe in præceptis Dei,
et in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto:
et ipse dabit tibi cor,
et concupiscentia sapientiæ dabitur tibi.