Sirach 12

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 If thou do good, know to whom thou dost it, and there shall be much thanks for thy good deeds.	1 If you do good, know for whom you are doing it, and your kindness will have its effect.
2 Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of the Lord.	2 Do good to the just man and reward will be yours, if not from him, from the LORD.
3 For there is no good for him that is always occupied in evil, and that giveth no alms: for the Highest hateth sinners, and hath mercy on the penitent.	3 No good comes to him who gives comfort to the wicked, nor is it an act of mercy that he does.
4 Give to the merciful and uphold not the sinner: God will repay vengeance to the ungodly and to sinners, and keep them against the day of vengeance.	4 Give to the good man, refuse the sinner; refresh the downtrodden, give nothing to the proud man.
5 Give to the good, and receive not a sinner.	5 No arms for combat should you give him, lest he use them against yourself;
6 Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee.	6 With twofold evil you will meet for every good deed you do for him.
7 For thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done to him: for the Highest also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.	7 The Most High himself hates sinners, and upon the wicked he takes vengeance.
8 A friend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hidden in adversity.	8 In our prosperity we cannot know our friends; in adversity an enemy will not remain concealed.
9 In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are grieved: and a friend is known in his adversity.	9 When a man is successful even his enemy is friendly; in adversity even his friend disappears.
10 Never trust thy enemy: for as a brass pot his wickedness rusteth:	10 Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in bronze.
11 ,11Though he humble himself and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him.	11 Even though he acts humbly and peaceably toward you, take care to be on your guard against him. Rub him as one polishes a brazen mirror, and you will find that there is still corrosion.
12 Set him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest he turn into thy place, and seek to take thy seat: and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.	12 Let him not stand near you, lest he oust you and take your place. Let him not sit at your right hand, lest he then demand your seat, And in the end you appreciate my advice, when you groan with regret, as I warned you.
13 Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins.	13 Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten, or anyone who goes near a wild beast?
14 For an hour he will abide with thee: but if thou begin to decline, he will not endure it.	14 So is it with the companion of the proud man, who is involved in his sins:
15 An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he lieth in wait, to throw thee into a pit.	15 While you stand firm, he makes no bold move; but if you slip, he cannot hold back.
16 An enemy weepeth with his eyes: but if he find an opportunity he will not be satisfied with blood:	16 With his lips an enemy speaks sweetly, but in his heart he schemes to plunge you into the abyss. Though your enemy has tears in his eyes, if given the chance, he will never have enough of your blood.
17 And if evils come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first.	17 If evil comes upon you, you will find him at hand; feigning to help, he will trip you up,
18 An enemy hath tears in his eyes, and while he pretendeth to help thee, will undermine thy feet.	18 Then he will nod his head and clap his hands and hiss repeatedly, and show his true face.
19 He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.