Add parallel Print Page Options

12 If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbor; else thine hand be on thy mouth, lest thou be taken in a word unwisely taught, and be ashamed. [If there is to thee understanding, answer to thy neighbour; else forsooth thine hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be taken in an undisciplined word, and thou be confounded.]

13 Honour and glory is in the word of a wise man; but the tongue of an unprudent man is his destroying. [Worship and glory in the word of the well-feeling; the tongue forsooth of the unprudent is the turning upside-down of him.]

14 Be thou not called a privy evil speaker, in thy life, and be thou not taken in (or with) thy tongue, and be ashamed. Shame and penance is on a thief, and worst shame, either cursing, is on a man of (or with) (a) double tongue. Forsooth hatred and enmity and despising is to a privy backbiter. [Be thou not called a twisel tongue, or a privy backbiter, in thy life, and be thou not taken in thy tongue, and confounded. Forsooth upon a thief is confusion, and pain taking, and worst reproof upon the twisel tongue. To the privy grudgers (or grumblers) hate, and enmity, and strife.]

Read full chapter