The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 22: Proverbs
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Unknown >> The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 22: Proverbs
As a bird, etc... The meaning is, that a curse uttered without cause
shall do no harm to the person that is cursed, but will return upon him
that curseth, as whithersoever a bird flies, it returns to its own nest.
26:3. A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the
back of fools.
26:4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like
him.
Answer not a fool, etc... Viz., so as to imitate him but only so as to
reprove his folly.
26:5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to
be wise.
26:6. He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and
drinketh iniquity.
26:7. As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in
the mouth of fools.
26:8. As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that
giveth honour to a fool.
26:9. As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a
parable in the mouth of fools.
26:10. Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to
silence, appeaseth anger.
26:11. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that
repeateth his folly.
26:12. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be
more hope of a fool than of him.
26:13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness
in the roads.
26:14. As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon
his bed.
26:15. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth
him to turn it to his mouth.
26:16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that
speak sentences.
26:17. As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in
anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.
26:18. As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death.
26:19. So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is
taken, saith: I did it in jest.
26:20. When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the
talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
26:21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man
stirreth up strife.
26:22. The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach
to the innermost parts of the belly.
26:23. Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern
vessel adorned with silver dross.
26:24. An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth
deceit.
26:25. When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven
mischiefs in his heart.
26:26. He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid
open in the public assembly.
26:27. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a
stone, it shall return to him.
26:28. A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh
ruin.
Proverbs Chapter 27
27:1. Boast not for to morrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come
may bring forth.
27:2. Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth: a stranger, and
not thy own lips.
27:3. A stone is heavy, and sand weighty: but the anger of a fool is
heavier than them both.
27:4. Anger hath no mercy: nor fury, when it breaketh forth: and who can
bear the violence of one provoked?
27:5. Open rebuke is better than hidden love.
27:6. Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an
enemy.
27:7. A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb: and a soul
that is hungry shall take even bitter for sweet.
27:8. As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that leaveth
his place.
27:9. Ointment and perfumes rejoice the heart: and the good counsels of
a friend are sweet to the soul.
27:10. Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not: and go not
into thy brother's house in the day of thy affliction. Better is a
neighbour that is near than a brother afar off.
27:11. Study wisdom, my son, and make my heart joyful, that thou mayst
give an answer to him that reproacheth.
27:12. The prudent man seeing evil hideth himself: little ones passing
on have suffered losses.
27:13. Take away his garment that hath been surety for a stranger: and
take from him a pledge for strangers.
27:14. He that blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice, rising in the
night, shall be like to him that curseth.
27:15. Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are
alike.
27:16. He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the wind, and
shall call the oil of his right hand.
27:17. Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his
friend.
27:18. He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: and he
that is the keeper of his master, shall be glorified.
27:19. As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the water, so
the hearts of men are laid open to the wise.
27:20. Hell and destruction are never filled: so the eyes of men are
never satisfied.
27:21. As silver is tried in the fining-pot, and gold in the furnace: so
a man is tried by the mouth of him that praiseth. The heart of the
wicked seeketh after evils, but the righteous heart seeketh after
knowledge.
27:22. Though thou shouldst bray a fool in the mortar, as when a pestle
striketh upon sodden barley, his folly would not be taken from him.
27:23. Be diligent to know the countenance of thy cattle, and consider
thy own flocks:
27:24. For thou shalt not always have power: but a crown shall be given
to generation and generation.
27:25. The meadows are open, and the green herbs have appeared, and the
hay is gathered out of the mountains.
27:26. Lambs are for thy clothing: and kids for the price of the field.
27:27. Let the milk of the goats be enough for thy food, and for the
necessities of thy house, and for maintenance for thy handmaids.
Proverbs Chapter 28
28:1. The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as
a lion, shall be without dread.
28:2. For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the
wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the
life of the prince shall be prolonged.
28:3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower,
which bringeth a famine.
28:4. They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep
it, are incensed against him.
28:5. Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord,
take notice of all things.
28:6. Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in
crooked ways.
28:7. He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth
gluttons, shameth his father.
28:8. He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them
for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
28:9. He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer
shall be an abomination.
28:10. He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own
destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.
28:11. The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is
prudent shall search him out.
28:12. In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked
reign, men are ruined.
28:13. He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall
confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
28:14. Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is
hardened in mind shall fall into evil.
28:15. As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over
the poor people.
28:16. A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he
that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
28:17. A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee
even to the pit, no man will stay him.
28:18. He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in
his ways, shall fall at once.
28:19. He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he
that followeth idleness, shall be filled with poverty.
28:20. A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to
be rich, shall not be innocent.
28:21. He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such
a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
28:22. A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is
ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
28:23. He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him,
more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
28:24. He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother:
and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
28:26. He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels:
but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
28:26. He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh
wisely, he shall be saved.
28:27. He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that despiseth his
intreaty, shall suffer indigence.
28:28. When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they
perish, the just shall be multiplied.
Proverbs Chapter 29
29:1. The man that with a stiff neck despiseth him that reproveth him,
shall suddenly be destroyed: and health shall not follow him.
29:2. When just men increase, the people shall rejoice: when the wicked
shall bear rule, the people shall mourn.
29:3. A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that
maintaineth harlots, shall squander away his substance.
29:4. A just king setteth up the land: a covetous man shall destroy it.
29:5. A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling
words, spreadeth a net for his feet.
29:6. A snare shall entangle the wicked man when he sinneth: and the
just shall praise and rejoice.
29:7. The just taketh notice of the cause of the poor: the wicked is
void of knowledge.
29:8. Corrupt men bring a city to ruin: but wise men turn away wrath.
29:9. If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be angry, or laugh,
he shall find no rest.
29:10. Bloodthirsty men hate the upright: but just men seek his soul.
29:11. A fool uttereth all his mind: a wise man deferreth, and keepeth
it till afterwards.
29:12. A prince that gladly heareth lying words, hath all his servants
wicked.
29:13. The poor man and the creditor have met one another: the Lord is
the enlightener of them both.
29:14. The king that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be
established for ever.
29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but the child that is left to
his own will, bringeth his mother to shame.
29:16. When the wicked are multiplied, crimes shall be multiplied: but
the just shall see their downfall.
29:17. Instruct thy son and he shall refresh thee, and shall give
delight to thy soul.
29:18. When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be scattered abroad:
but he that keepeth the law, is blessed.
29:19. A slave will not be corrected by words: because he understandeth
what thou sayest, and will not answer.
29:20. Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to be looked
for, than his amendment.
29:21. He that nourisheth his servant delicately from his childhood,
afterwards shall find him stubborn.
29:22. A passionate man provoketh quarrels: and he that is easily
stirred up to wrath, shall be more prone to sin.
29:23. Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the
humble of spirit.
29:24. He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth
one putting him to his oath, and discovereth not.
29:25. He that feareth man shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the
Lord, shall be set on high.
29:26. Many seek the face of the prince: but the judgment of every one
cometh forth from the Lord.
29:27. The just abhor a wicked man: and the wicked loathe them that are
in the right way. The son that keepeth the word, shall be free from
destruction.
Proverbs Chapter 30
The wise man thinketh humbly of himself. His prayer and sentiments upon
certain virtues and vices.
30:1. The words of Gatherer the son of Vomiter. The vision which the man
spoke, with whom God is, and who being strengthened by God, abiding with
him, said:
Gatherer, etc... Or, as it is in the Latin, Congregans the son of
Vomens. The Latin interpreter has given us in this place the
signification of the Hebrew names, instead of the names themselves,
which are in the Hebrew, Agur the son of Jakeh. But whether this Agur be
the same person as Solomon, as many think, or a different person, whose
doctrine was adopted by Solomon, and inserted among his parables or
proverbs, is uncertain.
30:2. I am the most foolish of men, and the wisdom of men is not with
me.
30:3. I have not learned wisdom, and have not known the science of
saints.
30:4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? who hath held
the wind in his hands? who hath bound up the waters together as in a
garment? who hath raised up all the borders of the earth? what is his
name, and what is the name of his son, if thou knowest?
30:5. Every word of God is fire tried: he is a buckler to them that hope
in him.
Is fire tried... That is, most pure, like gold purified by fire.
30:6. Add not any thing to his words, lest thou be reproved and found a
liar:
30:7. Two things I have asked of thee, deny them not to me before I die.
30:8. Remove far from me vanity, and lying words. Give me neither
beggary, nor riches: give me only the necessaries of life:
30:9. Lest perhaps being filled, I should be tempted to deny, and say:
Who is the Lord? or being compelled by poverty, I should steal, and
forswear the name of my God.
30:10. Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou
fall.
30:11. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not
bless their mother.
30:12. A generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not
washed from their filthiness.
30:13. A generation, whose eyes are lofty, and their eyelids lifted up
on high.
30:14. A generation that for teeth hath swords, and grindeth with their
jaw teeth, to devour the needy from off the earth, and the poor from
among men.
30:15. The horseleech hath two daughters that say: Bring, bring. There
are three things that never are satisfied, and the fourth never saith:
It is enough.
The horseleech... Concupiscence, which hath two daughters that are never
satisfied, viz., lust and avarice.
30:16. Hell and the mouth of the womb, and the earth which is not
satisfied with water: and the fire never saith: It is enough.
30:17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and that despiseth the labour
of his mother in bearing him, let the ravens of the brooks pick it out,
and the young eagles eat it.
30:18. Three things are hard to me, and the fourth I am utterly ignorant
of.
30:19. The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock,
the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man in
youth.
30:20. Such also is the way of an adulterous woman, who eateth and
wipeth her mouth, and saith: I have done no evil.
30:21. By three things the earth is disturbed, and the fourth it cannot
bear.
30:22. By a slave when he reigneth: by a fool when he is filled with
meat:
30:23. By an odious woman when she is married: and by a bondwoman when
she is heir to her mistress.
30:24. There are four very little things of the earth, and they are
wiser than the wise.
30:25. The ants, a feeble people, which provide themselves food in the
harvest:
30:26. The rabbit, a weak people, which maketh its bed in the rock:
30:27. The locust hath no king, yet they all go out by their bands:
30:28. The stellio supporteth itself on hands, and dwelleth in kings'
houses.
The stellio... A kind of house lizard marked with spots like stars, from
whence it has its name.
30:19. There are three things, which go well, and the fourth that
walketh happily:
30:30. A lion, the strongest of beasts, who hath no fear of any thing he
meeteth:
30:31. A cock girded about the loins: and a ram: and a king, whom none
can resist.
30:32. There is that hath appeared a fool after he was lifted up on
high: for if he had understood, he would have laid his hand upon his
mouth.
30:33. And he that strongly squeezeth the paps to bring out milk,
straineth out butter: and he that violently bloweth his nose, bringeth
out blood: and he that provoketh wrath, bringeth forth strife.
Proverbs Chapter 31
An exhortation to chastity, temperance, and works of mercy; with the
praise of a wise woman.
31:1. The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother
instructed him.
Lamuel... This name signifies God with him, and is supposed to have been
one of the names of Solomon.
31:2. What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the
beloved of my vows?
31:3. Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
31:4. Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there
is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
31:5. And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of
the children of the poor.
31:6. Give strong drink to them that are sad; and wine to them that are
grieved in mind:
31:7. Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow
no more.
31:8. Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the
children that pass.
31:9. Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the
needy and poor.
31:10. Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost
coasts is the price of her.
31:11. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no
need of spoils.
31:12. She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life.
31:13. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of
her hands.
31:14. She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from
afar.
31:15. And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her
household, and victuals to her maidens.
31:16. She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her
hands she hath planted a vineyard.
31:17. She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened
her arm.
31:18. She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp
shall not be put out in the night.
31:19. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have
taken hold of the spindle.
31:20. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her
hands to the poor.
31:21. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her
domestics are clothed with double garments.
31:22. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and
purple, is her covering.
31:23. Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the
senators of the land.
31:24. She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the
Chanaanite.
The Chanaanite... The merchant, for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a
merchant.
31:25. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the
latter day.
31:26. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is
on her tongue.
31:27. She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not
eaten her bread idle.
31:28. Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he
praised her.
31:29. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed
them all.
31:30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth
the Lord, she shall be praised.
31:31. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her
in the gates.
