Siracide 37

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Omnis amicus dicet: “ Et ego amicitiam copulavi! ”; sed est amicus solo nomine amicus. Nonne tristitia appropinquans usque ad mortem:	1 Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.
2 sodalis et amicus ad inimicitiam conversus?	2 Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy?
3 O praesumptio nequissima, unde creata es cooperire aridam malitia et dolositate illius?	3 "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?"
4 Sodalis amico coniucundatur in oblectationibus et in tempore tribulationis adversarius erit;	4 A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off.
5 sodalis amico condolet causa ventris et contra hostem accipiet scutum.	5 A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer.
6 Non obliviscaris amici tui in animo tuo et non immemor sis illius in opibus tuis.	6 Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils.
7 Noli consiliari cum eo, qui tibi insidiatur, et a zelantibus te absconde consilium.	7 Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own;
8 Omnis consiliarius prodit consilium, sed est consiliarius pro semetipso.	8 Be on the alert when one proffers advice, find out first of all what he wants. For he may be thinking of himself alone; why should the profit fall to him?
9 A consiliario serva animam tuam et prius scito quae sit illius necessitas ­ et ipse enim animo suo cogitabit ­	9 He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune.
10 ne forte mittat super te sortem et dicat tibi:	10 Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden.
11 “ Bona est via tua ” et stet e contrario videre quid tibi eveniat.	11 Speak not to a woman about her rival, nor to a coward about war, to a merchant about business, to a buyer about value, to a miser about generosity, to a cruel man about mercy, to a lazy man about work, to a seasonal laborer about the harvest, to an idle slave about a great task: pay no attention to any advice they give.
12 Noli consiliari cum invido et a zelante te consilium absconde; nec cum muliere de ea, quae ei aemulatur, cum timido de bello, cum negotiatore de traiecticio, cum emptore de venditione, cum viro livido de gratiis agendis,	12 Instead, associate with a religious man, who you are sure keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself and will feel for you if you fall.
13 cum impio de pietate, cum inhonesto de honestate, cum operario otioso de omni opere,	13 Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more?
14 cum mercennario annuali de consummatione anni, cum servo pigro de multa operatione: non attendas his in omni consilio.	14 A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower.
15 Sed cum viro timorato assiduus esto, quemcumque cognoveris observantem mandata,	15 Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.
16 cuius anima est secundum animam tuam, et qui, cum titubaveris in tenebris, condolebit tibi.	16 A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act.
17 Et consilium cordis statue tecum; non est enim tibi aliud fidelius illo.	17 The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth:
18 Anima viri enuntiat aliquando vera quam septem circumspectores sedentes in excelso ad speculandum.	18 Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue.
19 Et in his omnibus deprecare Altissimum, ut dirigat in veritate viam tuam.	19 A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself.
20 Ante omnia opera verbum verax praecedat te, et ante omnem actum consilium stabile.	20 Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment.
21 Radix consiliorum cor, ex quo partes quattuor oriuntur: bonum et malum, vita et mors; et dominatrix illorum est assidua lingua.	21 When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person;
22 Est vir peritus multorum eruditor et animae suae inutilis est.	22 When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring:
23 Est qui sophistice loquitur et odibilis est; in omni cibo voluptatis defraudabitur.	23 Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number.
24 Non est illi data a Domino gratia: omni enim sapientia defraudatus est.	24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him;
25 Est sapiens animae suae sapiens, et fructus sensus illius super corpus suum.	25 One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever.
26 Vir sapiens plebem suam erudit, et fructus sensus illius fideles sunt.	26 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you;
27 Vir sapiens implebitur benedictionibus, et omnes videntes illum beatum dicent.	27 For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste.
28 Vita viri in numero dierum; dies autem Israel innumerabiles sunt.	28 Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods,
29 Sapiens in populo hereditabit honorem, et nomen illius erit vivens in aeternum.	29 For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness.
30 Fili, in vita tua tenta animam tuam et vide si quid obnoxium ei est: non des illi.	30 Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life.
31 Non enim omnia omnibus expediunt, et non omni animae omne genus placet.
32 Noli avidus esse in omni epulatione et non te effundas super omnem escam.
33 In multis enim escis erit infirmitas, et aviditas appropinquabit usque ad choleram.
34 Propter crapulam multi obierunt; qui autem abstinens est, adiciet vitam.