[No italic chapter argument is printed for this second-part Parables chapter; the print sets a brief virtue-summary in the margin of each sentence:] Frugal industrie. Feare of God. Guard of the tongue. Diligent labours. Truth in al speach. Seke wisdom modestly. Felowship with the wise. Knowlege of our selues. Detestation of sinne. Internal comfort. Contempt of this world. The Catholique faith. Spiritual ioy. Reward of workes. Beleue not al reportes. Mature consideration. Patience. Desire of solide knowlege. Pietie shal be rewarded. Compassion of the poore. Almes dedes. Mercie and veritie. Good dedes with few wordes. Right vse of riches. True testimonie. Feare to offend God preuenteth punishment. Procure loue and fidelitie in subiects. Patience. Sincere intention. Compassion. Confidence in iustice. Instruction of the ignorant. Publique iustice. Industrie in euerie man.✦
A wise woman buildeth her house: the unwise will with her hands destroy that also which is built.A wise woman buildeth her house: the vnwise wil with her handes destroy that also which is built.✦Sapiens mulier ædificat domum suam ; insipiens exstructam quoque manibus destruet.
2He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God is despised of him, that goeth an infamous way.He that walketh in the right way, & feareth God is despised of him, that goeth an infamous way.✦Ambulans recto itinere, et timens Deum, despicitur ab eo qui infami graditur via.
3In the mouth of a fool the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise keep them.In the mouth of a foole the rod of pride: but the lippes of the wise keepe them.✦In ore stulti virga superbiæ ; labia autem sapientium custodiunt eos.
4Where oxen are not, the stall is empty: but where much corn is, there is the ox's strength manifest.Where oxen are not, the stal is emptie: but where much corne is, there is the oxes strength manifest.✦Ubi non sunt boves, præsepe vacuum est ; ubi autem plurimæ segetes, ibi manifesta est fortitudo bovis.
5A faithful witness will not lie: but a deceitful witness uttereth a lie.A faithful witnesse wil not lie: but a deceitful witnesse vttereth a lie.✦Testis fidelis non mentitur ; profert autem mendacium dolosus testis.
6A scorner seeketh wisdom and findeth it not: the doctrine of the prudent is easy.A scorner seeketh wisdom and findeth it not: the doctrine of the prudent is easie.✦Quærit derisor sapientiam, et non invenit ; doctrina prudentium facilis.
7Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.Goe against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lippes of prudence.✦Vade contra virum stultum, et nescit labia prudentiæ.
8The wisdom of a discreet man is to understand his way: and the imprudence of fools erreth.The wisdom of a discrete man is to vnderstand his way: and the imprudence of fooles erreth.✦Sapientia callidi est intelligere viam suam, et imprudentia stultorum errans.
9A fool will laugh at sin, and among the just grace shall abide.A foole wil laugh at sinne, & among the iust grace shal abide.✦Stultus illudet peccatum, et inter justos morabitur gratia.
10The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his soul, in his joy shall not the stranger be mingled.The hart that knoweth the bitternes of his soule, in his ioy shal not the stranger be mingled.✦Cor quod novit amaritudinem animæ suæ, in gaudio ejus non miscebitur extraneus.
11The house of the impious shall be razed: the tabernacles of the just shall spring.The house of the impious shal be rased: the tabernacles of the iust shal spring.✦Domus impiorum delebitur : tabernacula vero justorum germinabunt.
12There is a way, which seemeth to a man just: but the later ends thereof lead to death.There is a way, which seemeth to a man iust: but the later endes therof lead to death.¶✦Est via quæ videtur homini justa, novissima autem ejus deducunt ad mortem.
13Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning occupieth the later ends of joy.Laughter shal be mingled with sorow, and mourning occupieth the later endes of ioy.✦Risus dolore miscebitur, et extrema gaudii luctus occupat.
14A fool shall be replenished with his ways, and the good man shall be above him.A foole shal be replenished with his wayes, and the good man shal be aboue him.✦Viis suis replebitur stultus, et super eum erit vir bonus.
15The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps.The innocent beleueth euerie word: the discrete man considereth his steppes.✦Innocens credit omni verbo ; astutus considerat gressus suos. Filio doloso nihil erit boni ; servo autem sapienti prosperi erunt actus, et dirigetur via ejus.
16A wise man feareth and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over and is confident.A wise man feareth and declineth from euil: the foole leapeth ouer and is confident.✦Sapiens timet, et declinat a malo ; stultus transilit, et confidit.
17The impatient man shall work folly: and the subtle man is odious.The impatient man shal worke folie: and the subtel man is odious.✦Impatiens operabitur stultitiam, et vir versutus odiosus est.
18The childish man shall possess folly, and the prudent shall expect knowledge.The childish man shal possesse folie, and the prudent shal expect knowlege.✦Possidebunt parvuli stultitiam, et exspectabunt astuti scientiam.
19The evil shall lie down before the good, and the impious before the gates of the just.The euil shal lie downe before the good, and the impious before the gates of the iust.✦Jacebunt mali ante bonos, et impii ante portas justorum.
20The poor shall be odious even to his neighbour: but the friends of the rich be many.The poore shal be odious euen to his neighbour: but the freindes of the rich be manie.✦Etiam proximo suo pauper odiosus erit : amici vero divitum multi.
21He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that hath pity on the poor, shall be blessed.He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that hath pitie on the poore, shal be blessed.✦Qui despicit proximum suum peccat ; qui autem miseretur pauperis beatus erit. Qui credit in Domino misericordiam diligit.
22They err that work evil: mercy and truth prepare good things.They erre that worke euil: mercie and truth prepare good thinges.✦Errant qui operantur malum ; misericordia et veritas præparant bona.
23In every work there shall be abundance: but where many words are, there is oftentimes poverty.In euerie worke there shal be abundance: but where manie wordes are, there is oftentimes pouertie.✦In omni opere erit abundantia ; ubi autem verba sunt plurima, ibi frequenter egestas.
24The crown of the wise, their riches: the folly of fools, imprudence.The crowne of the wise, their riches: the follie of fooles, inprudence.✦Corona sapientium divitiæ eorum ; fatuitas stultorum imprudentia.
25A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the versipellis: a turncoat, one who shifts his true self under a false show uttereth lies.A faithful witnes deliuereth soules: and the * dissembler vttereth lyes.✦Liberat animas testis fidelis, et profert mendacia versipellis.
26In the fear of our Lord is confidence of strength, and to his children there shall be hope.In the feare of our Lord is confidence of strength, and to his children there shal be hope.✦In timore Domini fiducia fortitudinis, et filiis ejus erit spes.
27The fear of our Lord a fountain of life, that he may decline from the ruin of death.The feare of our Lord a fountaine of life, that he may decline from the ruine of death.✦Timor Domini fons vitæ, ut declinent a ruina mortis.
28In the multitude of people the dignity of the king: and in fewness of people the ignominia: dishonour, disgrace of the prince.In the multitude of people the dignitie of the king: and in fewnes of people the ignominie of the prince.✦In multitudine populi dignitas regis, et in paucitate plebis ignominia principis.
29He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.He that is patient, is gouerned with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his follie.✦Qui patiens est multa gubernatur prudentia ; qui autem impatiens est exaltat stultitiam suam.
30Health of heart, the life of the flesh: envy, the putrefaction of the bones.Health of hart, the life of the flesh: enuie, the putrefaction of the bones.¶✦Vita carnium sanitas cordis ; putredo ossium invidia.
31He that doth calumniatur: slander; oppress or deal wrongfully with the needy, upbraideth his maker: but he honoureth him, that hath pity on the poor.He that doth calumniate the needie, vpbraideth his maker: but he honoreth him, that hath pitie on the poore.✦Qui calumniatur egentem exprobrat factori ejus ; honorat autem eum qui miseretur pauperis.
32The impious shall be expelled in his malice: but the just hopeth in his death.The impious shal be expelled in his malice: but the iust hopeth in his death.✦In malitia sua expelletur impius : sperat autem justus in morte sua.
33In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the unlearned.In the hart of the prudent resteth wisdom, & it shal instruct al the vnlerned.✦In corde prudentis requiescit sapientia, et indoctos quosque erudiet.
34Justice advanceth a nation: but sin maketh peoples miserable.Iustice aduanceth a nation: but sinne maketh peoples miserable.✦Justitia elevat gentem ; miseros autem facit populos peccatum.
35A servant that understandeth is acceptable to the king: he that is unprofitable shall sustinebit: bear, endure his anger.A seruant that vnderstandeth is acceptable to the king: he that is vnprofitable shal susteyne his anger.✦Acceptus est regi minister intelligens ; iracundiam ejus inutilis sustinebit.
Annotationsfrom the original 1609 Douay Old Testament
12A way which seemeth just. If any Jews, Turks, or Heretics lead a moral good life in this world, it seemeth both to themselves, and to other rude people, that they are in a right way of salvation, but their error in faith leadeth them to eternal damnation.A way which seemeth iust. If anie Iewes, Turkes, or Heretikes lead a moral good life in this world, it semeth both to themselues, and to other rude people, that they are in a right way of saluation, but their error in faith leadeth them to eternal damnation.
30Health of the heart. As soundness of the heart conserveth the rest of the same body in life, so a pure intention often excuseth from mortal sin, as in errors committed of probable, not of gross, nor affected ignorance. But secret envy in the heart infecteth and putrefieth man's actions, and destroyeth the works that seemed good: which can no more endure strict examination in the day of judgement, than a rotten cloth can abide washing.Health of the hart. As soundnes of the hart conserueth the rest of the same bodie in life, so a pure intention often excuseth from mortal sinne, as in errours committed of probable, not of grosse, nor affected ignorance. But secrete enuie in the hart infecteth and puttifieth mans actions, and destroyeth the workes that semed good: which can no more endure strict examination in the day of iudgement, then a rotten cloth can abide washing.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.