(No prolog)

 1 A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.
Melius est nomen bonum quam divitiae multae; super argentum et aurum gratia bona.

 2 The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.
Dives et pauper obviaverunt sibi : utriusque operator est Dominus.

 3 The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se; innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.

 4 The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
Finis modestiae timor Domini, divitiae, et gloria, et vita.

 5 Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.
Arma et gladii in via perversi; custos autem animae suae longe recedit ab eis.

 6 It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbium est : adolescens juxta viam suam; etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.

 7 The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
Dives pauperibus imperat, et qui accipit mutuum servus est foenerantis.

 8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
Qui seminat iniquitatem metet mala, et virga irae suae consummabitur.

 9 He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
Qui pronus est ad misericordiam benedicetur, de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera; animam autem aufert accipientium.

 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
Ejice derisorem, et exibit cum eo jurgium, cessabuntque causae et contumeliae.

 11 He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.
Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.

 12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam, et supplantantur verba iniqui.

 13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.
Dicit piger : Leo et foris, in medio platearum occidendus sum.

 14 The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.
Fovea profunda os alienae; cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.

 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.
Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinae fugabit eam.

 16 He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
Qui calumniatur pauperem ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.

 17 Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:
Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium, appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam :

 18 Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
quae pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis;

 19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.
ut sit in Domino fiducia tua : unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.

 20 Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:
Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia;

 21 That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.
ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis qui miserunt te.

 22 Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:
Non facias violentiam pauperi quia pauper est, neque conteras egenum in porta;

 23 Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
quia judicabit Dominus causam ejus, et configet eos qui confixerunt animam ejus.

 24 Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:
Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso;

 25 Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
ne forte discas semitas ejus, et sumas scandalum animae tuae.

 26 Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:
Noli esse cum his qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis;

 27 For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?
si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causae est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?

 28 Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.

 29 Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.
Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.