2 A kindly man wins the Lord’s favour, a schemer is his enemy. 3 Wickedness shall never thrive; the just have roots immovable.
2 Qui bonus est hauriet gratiam a Domino;qui autem confidit in cogitationibus suis impie agit. 3 Non roborabitur homo ex impietate,et radix justorum non commovebitur.
5 Honourable thoughts the just conceive, the wicked are all double-dealing; 6 yet, when the accusations of the wicked lay a fatal snare, the just shall find words to deliver them. 7 A turn in their fortunes, and no more is heard of the wicked; only the just have abiding prosperity.
5 Cogitationes justorum judicia,et consilia impiorum fraudulenta. 6 Verba impiorum insidiantur sanguini;os justorum liberabit eos. 7 Verte impios, et non erunt;domus autem justorum permanebit.
11 Till field and fill belly; idle pursuits are but foolishness. (Sit long enjoying thy wine, and there is no strong fortress will win thee renown.[1])
11 Qui operatur terram suam satiabitur panibus;qui autem sectatur otium stultissimus est.Qui suavis est in vini demorationibus,in suis munitionibus relinquit contumeliam.
12 In unholy ambitions the wicked put their trust, but it is honesty that strikes deep root. 13 Ruin comes upon the sinner for a word spoken amiss, while honest men find acquittal.
12 Desiderium impii munimentum est pessimorum;radix autem justorum proficiet. 13 Propter peccata labiorum ruina proximat malo;effugiet autem justus de angustia.
15 A fool is ever right to his own thinking; the wise listen to advice. 16 Fools betray anger on the instant, when prudence would pass the insult by.
15 Via stulti recta in oculis ejus;qui autem sapiens est audit consilia. 16 Fatuus statim indicat iram suam;qui autem dissimulat injuriam callidus est.
17 Nothing but his honest thought a lover of truth declares, a false witness nothing but lies. 18 Rash promises can stab the heart with remorse;[2] wise words bring healing. 19 Lips that speak the truth shall fade never; a lie serves but the haste of the moment.
17 Qui quod novit loquitur, index justitiæ est;qui autem mentitur, testis est fraudulentus. 18 Est qui promittit, et quasi gladio pungitur conscientiæ:lingua autem sapientium sanitas est. 19 Labium veritatis firmum erit in perpetuum;qui autem testis est repentinus, concinnat linguam mendacii.
20 The schemer’s thoughts dwell ever on treachery; for peace be all thy plotting, if thou wouldst have a contented heart. 21 Nothing can befall the just man to do him hurt; the wicked shall have their fill of mischief.
20 Dolus in corde cogitantium mala;qui autem pacis ineunt consilia, sequitur eos gaudium. 21 Non contristabit justum quidquid ei acciderit:impii autem replebuntur malo.
26 It is well done to put up with loss for a neighbour’s need; the calculations of the sinner do but lead him astray. 27 Never yet did cunning achieve the gains it hoped for; a contented heart is precious as fine gold.[3] 28 Wouldst thou attain life, honesty is the high road; by-way there is none but leads to death.
26 Qui negligit damnum propter amicum, justus est;iter autem impiorum decipiet eos. 27 Non inveniet fraudulentus lucrum,et substantia hominis erit auri pretium. 28 In semita justitiæ vita;iter autem devium ducit ad mortem.
[1] The second half of this verse is found in the Septuagint Greek, but not in the Hebrew text.
[2] The meaning of the Hebrew text is perhaps rather, ‘he who speaks rashly can wound like a sword’.
[3] The Latin version here disagrees with the Hebrew text, which is obscure and perhaps corrupt.