Sirach 34

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	JERUSALEM
1 The hopes of a senseless man are empty and false; and dreams extol the imprudent.	1 Les espérances vaines et trompeuses sont pour l'insensé et les songes donnent des ailes auxsots.
2 Like one who chases a shadow and pursues the wind, so also is one who pays attention to lying visions.	2 C'est saisir une ombre et poursuivre le vent que de s'arrêter à des songes.
3 In the vision of dreams, one thing represents another, as when a mask is before the face of a man.	3 Miroir et songes sont choses semblables: en face d'un visage paraît son image.
4 What can be cleansed by the unclean? And what truth can be spoken from a lie?	4 De l'impur que peut-on tirer de pur? Du mensonge que peut-on tirer de vrai?
5 Erroneous divinations and false signs and the dreams of evildoers are emptiness.	5 Divination, augures, songes, autant de vanités, ce sont là rêveries de femme enceinte.
6 For your heart suffers from imagination, like a woman suffering in childbirth. Unless it is a visitation sent from the Most High, you should not set your heart upon it.	6 A moins qu'ils ne soient envoyés en visiteurs du Très-Haut, n'y applique pas ton coeur.
7 For dreams have caused many to go astray, and those who have hoped in them have fallen away.	7 Les songes ont égaré beaucoup de gens, ceux qui comptaient dessus ont échoué.
8 The word of the law will be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom will be made plain in the mouths of the faithful.	8 C'est sans mensonge que s'accomplit la Loi et la sagesse est parfaite dans la sincérité.
9 He who has not been tested, what does he know? A man with much experience will consider many things. And whoever has learned much will explain with understanding.	9 On a beaucoup appris quand on a beaucoup voyagé et un homme d'expérience parle avecintelligence.
10 He who has no experience knows little. And he who has done many things has made many mistakes.	10 Celui qui n'a pas été à l'épreuve connaît peu de choses, mais celui qui a voyagé déborde desavoir-faire.
11 He who has not been tested, what kind of things can he know? He who has been deceived will be more cunning.	11 J'ai beaucoup vu au cours de mes voyages et j'en ai compris plus que je ne saurais dire.
12 I have seen much by wandering, and the customs of many things.	12 Bien des fois j'ai été en danger de mort, et j'ai été sauvé, voici de quelle manière:
13 At times, I have even been in danger of death because of these things, but I was freed by the grace of God.	13 Ceux qui craignent le Seigneur, leur esprit vivra, car leur espérance s'appuie sur qui peutles sauver.
14 The spirit of those who fear God is sought, and they will be blessed by his providence.	14 Celui qui craint le Seigneur n'a peur de rien, il ne tremble pas, car Dieu est son espérance.
15 For their hope is in him who saves them, and the eyes of God are on those who love him.	15 Heureuse l'âme de qui craint le Seigneur: sur qui s'appuie-t-il et qui est son soutien?
16 Those who fear the Lord will tremble at nothing, and they will not be terrified. For he is their hope.	16 Les regards du Seigneur sont fixés sur ceux qui l'aiment, puissante protection, soutien pleinde force, abri contre le vent du désert, ombrage contre l'ardeur du midi, protection contre les obstacles, assurancecontre les chutes.
17 The soul of him who fears the Lord is blessed.	17 Il élève l'âme, il illumine les yeux, il donne santé, vie et bénédiction.
18 To whom should he look, and who is his strength?	18 Sacrifier un bien mal acquis, c'est se moquer, les dons des méchants ne sont pas agréables.
19 The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him. He is a powerful Protector, a Firmament of virtue, a Shelter from the heat, and a Covering from the midday sun,	19 Le Très-Haut n'agrée pas les offrandes des impies, ce n'est pas pour l'abondance desvictimes qu'il pardonne les péchés.
20 a Guardian from offenses, and a Helper from falling, who exalts the soul and illuminates the eyes, and who gives health and life and blessing.	20 C'est immoler le fils en présence de son père que d'offrir un sacrifice avec les biens despauvres.
21 An immolation from iniquity is a stained oblation, and the derisions of the unjust are not well pleasing.	21 Une maigre nourriture, c'est la vie des pauvres, les en priver, c'est commettre un meurtre.
22 The Lord is only for those who persevere for him in the way of truth and justice.	22 C'est tuer son prochain que de lui ôter la subsistance, c'est répandre le sang que de priver lesalarié de son dû.
23 The Most High does not approve of the gifts of the iniquitous. Neither does he have respect for the oblations of the unjust; neither will he forgive their sins because of the multitude of their sacrifices.	23 L'un bâtit, l'autre démolit; qu'en retirent-ils sinon de la peine?
24 Whoever offers a sacrifice from the substance of the poor is like one who sacrifices the son in the sight of his father.	24 L'un bénit, l'autre maudit: de qui le Maître écoutera-t-il la voix?
25 The bread of the indigent is the life of the poor. Whoever cheats them out of it is a man of blood.	25 Qui se purifie du contact d'un mort et de nouveau le touche, que lui sert son ablution?
26 Whoever takes away the bread of sweat is like one who kills his neighbor.	26 Ainsi l'homme qui jeûne pour ses péchés, puis s'en va et les commet encore; qui exaucerasa prière? Que lui sert de s'humilier?
27 He who sheds blood, and he who cheats the hired hand out of his wages, are brothers.
28 When one builds and another destroys, what benefit do they have from their labor?
29 When one prays and another curses, whose voice will God heed?
30 He who washes himself after touching the dead, and then touches him again, what was the benefit of his washing?
31 Similarly, a man who fasts for his sins, and then does the same again, what was the benefit of his humbling himself? Who will heed his prayer?