Proverbs Chapter 21

English (Douay-Rheims)

1 As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it.
2 Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.

6 He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
7 The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11 When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.

13 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself, and shall not be heard.
14 A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom, the greatest wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
17 He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
18 The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
20 There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22 The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
27 The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.

Old Testament first published 1609 by the English College at Douay
New Testament first published 1582 by the English College at Rheims
Revised and Annotated 1749 by Bishop Richard Challoner
Imprimatur. +James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899

Latin (Clementine Vulgate)

1 Sicut divisiones aquarum, ita cor regis in manu Domini:
quocumque voluerit, inclinabit illud.
2 Omnis via viri recta sibi videtur:
appendit autem corda Dominus.
3 Facere misericordiam et judicium
magis placet Domino quam victimæ.
4 Exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis;
lucerna impiorum peccatum.
5 Cogitationes robusti semper in abundantia;
omnis autem piger semper in egestate est.

6 Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii vanus et excors est,
et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.
7 Rapinæ impiorum detrahent eos,
quia noluerunt facere judicium.
8 Perversa via viri aliena est;
qui autem mundus est, rectum opus ejus.
9 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis,
quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
10 Anima impii desiderat malum:
non miserebitur proximo suo.
11 Mulctato pestilente, sapientior erit parvulus,
et si sectetur sapientem, sumet scientiam.
12 Excogitat justus de domo impii,
ut detrahat impios a malo.

13 Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis,
et ipse clamabit, et non exaudietur.
14 Munus absconditum extinguit iras,
et donum in sinu indignationem maximam.
15 Gaudium justo est facere judicium,
et pavor operantibus iniquitatem.
16 Vir qui erraverit a via doctrinæ
in cœtu gigantum commorabitur.
17 Qui diligit epulas in egestate erit;
qui amat vinum et pinguia non ditabitur.
18 Pro justo datur impius,
et pro rectis iniquus.
19 Melius est habitare in terra deserta
quam cum muliere rixosa et iracunda.
20 Thesaurus desiderabilis, et oleum in habitaculo justi:
et imprudens homo dissipabit illud.
21 Qui sequitur justitiam et misericordiam
inveniet vitam, justitiam, et gloriam.
22 Civitatem fortium ascendit sapiens,
et destruxit robur fiduciæ ejus.
23 Qui custodit os suum et linguam suam
custodit ab angustiis animam suam.
24 Superbus et arrogans vocatur indoctus,
qui in ira operatur superbiam.
25 Desideria occidunt pigrum:
noluerunt enim quidquam manus ejus operari.
26 Tota die concupiscit et desiderat;
qui autem justus est, tribuet, et non cessabit.
27 Hostiæ impiorum abominabiles,
quia offeruntur ex scelere.
28 Testis mendax peribit;
vir obediens loquetur victoriam.
29 Vir impius procaciter obfirmat vultum suum;
qui autem rectus est corrigit viam suam.
30 Non est sapientia, non est prudentia,
non est consilium contra Dominum.
31 Equus paratur ad diem belli;
Dominus autem salutem tribuit.

Transcribed as part of the Clementine Vulgate Project
Please notify the original transcriber (little.mouth@soon.com) of any errors in this Latin edition

CONTACT US