Sirach 5

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Rely not on your wealth; say not: "I have the power."	1 Do not put your confidence in your money or say, 'With this I am self-sufficient.'
2 Rely not on your strength in following the desires of your heart.	2 Do not be led by your appetites and energy to follow the passions of your heart.
3 Say not: "Who can prevail against me?" for the LORD will exact the punishment.	3 And do not say, 'Who has authority over me?' for the Lord will certainly give you your deserts.
4 Say not: "I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?" for the LORD bides his time.	4 Do not say, 'I have sinned, but what harm has befal en me?' for the Lord's forbearance is long.
5 Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin.	5 Do not be so sure of forgiveness that you add sin to sin.
6 Say not: "Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive."	6 And do not say, 'His compassion is great, he will forgive me my many sins'; for with him are both mercyand retribution, and his anger does not pass from sinners.
7 For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked alights his wrath.	7 Do not delay your return to the Lord, do not put it off day after day; for suddenly the Lord's wrath wilblaze out, and on the day of punishment you wil be utterly destroyed.
8 Delay not your conversion to the LORD, put it not off from day to day;	8 Do not set your heart on il -gotten gains, they wil be of no use to you on the day of disaster.
9 For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed.	9 Do not winnow in every wind, or walk along every by-way (as the double-talking sinner does).
10 Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath.	10 Be steady in your convictions, and be a person of your word.
11 Winnow not in every wind, and start not off in every direction.	11 Be quick to listen, and deliberate in giving an answer.
12 Be consistent in your thoughts; steadfast be your words.	12 If you understand the matter, give your neighbour an answer, if not, keep your hand over your mouth.
13 Be swift to hear, but slow to answer.	13 Both honour and disgrace come from talking, the tongue is its owner's downfal .
14 If you have the knowledge, answer your neighbor; if not, put your hand over your mouth.	14 Do not get a name for scandal-mongering, do not set traps with your tongue; for as shame lies in storefor the thief, so harsh condemnation awaits the deceitful.
15 Honor and dishonor through talking! A man's tongue can be his downfall.	15 Avoid offences in great as in smal matters, and do not exchange friendship for enmity,
16 Be not called a detractor; use not your tongue for calumny;
17 For shame has been created for the thief, and the reproach of his neighbor for the double-tongued.