Sirach 12

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	VULGATA
1 If you do good, know to whom you do it, and there will be many thanks for your good deeds.	1 Si benefeceris, scito cui feceris, et erit gratia in bonis tuis multa.
2 Do good to the just, and you will find great recompense, and if not from him, certainly from the Lord.	2 Benefac justo, et invenies retributionem magnam : et si non ab ipso, certe a Domino.
3 For there is no good for someone who is always occupied in evil, or who does not give alms. For the Most High holds hatred for sinners, but he takes pity on the repentant.	3 Non est enim ei bene qui assiduus est in malis, et eleemosynas non danti : quoniam et Altissimus odio habet peccatores, et misertus est p?nitentibus.
4 Give to the merciful, and you should not assist the sinner. For the impious and the sinner will be repaid with the vengeance being held for them on the day of retribution.	4 Da misericordi, et ne suscipias peccatorem : et impiis et peccatoribus reddet vindictam, custodiens eos in diem vindictæ.
5 Give to the good, but you should not receive from a sinner.	5 Da bono, et non receperis peccatorem.
6 Do good to the humble, but you should not give to the impious; withhold your bread, do not give it to him, otherwise he may overpower you with it.	6 Benefac humili, et non dederis impio : prohibe panes illi dari, ne in ipsis potentior te sit :
7 For you will find twice the evil for all the good you will have done to him. For the Most High also holds hatred for sinners, and he will repay vengeance to the impious.	7 nam duplicia mala invenies in omnibus bonis quæcumque feceris illi, quoniam et Altissimus odio habet peccatores, et impiis reddet vindictam.
8 A friend will not be known in good times, and an enemy will not be hidden in adversity.	8 Non agnoscetur in bonis amicus, et non abscondetur in malis inimicus.
9 By the good fortune of a man, his enemies are grieved; and by his misfortune, a friend is revealed.	9 In bonis viri, inimici illius in tristitia : et in malitia illius, amicus agnitus est.
10 You should never trust your enemy. For his wickedness rusts like a brass pot.	10 Non credas inimico tuo in æternum : sicut enim æramentum æruginat nequitia illius :
11 And if he humbles himself and goes about bowed down, increase your alertness and guard yourself from him.	11 et si humiliatus vadat curvus, adjice animum tuum, et custodi te ab illo.
12 You should not sit down anywhere near him, nor should you allow him to sit at your right hand, lest perhaps he may turn toward your place, and seek your seat, and then, in the very end, you would understand my words and be stung by my sermon.	12 Non statuas illum penes te, nec sedeat ad dexteram tuam, ne forte conversus in locum tuum, inquirat cathedram tuam, et in novissimo agnosces verba mea, et in sermonibus meis stimuleris.
13 Who will take pity on an enchanter struck by a serpent, or on someone who draws near to wild beasts? And so it is with one who keeps company with an iniquitous man and is involved in his sins.	13 Quis miserebitur incantatori a serpente percusso, et omnibus qui appropiant bestiis ? et sic qui comitatur cum viro iniquo, et obvolutus est in peccatis ejus.
14 For one hour, he will abide with you. But if you begin to turn aside, he will not permit it.	14 Una hora tecum permanebit : si autem declinaveris, non supportabit.
15 An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips, but in his heart, he waits in ambush, so that he may throw you into a pit.	15 In labiis suis indulcat inimicus, et in corde suo insidiatur ut subvertat te in foveam.
16 An enemy has tears in his eyes. But if he finds an opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.	16 In oculis suis lacrimatur inimicus, et si invenerit tempus, non satiabitur sanguine.
17 And if misfortunes happen upon you, you will find him there first.	17 Et si incurrerint tibi mala, invenies eum illic priorem.
18 An enemy has tears in his eyes, but while pretending to help you, he will dig under your feet.	18 In oculis suis lacrimatur inimicus, et quasi adjuvans suffodiet plantas tuas.
19 He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his expression.	19 Caput suum movebit, et plaudet manu, et multa susurrans commutabit vultum suum.