Sirach 37

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	VULGATA
1 Every friend will say: “I also am a close friend.” But there is a friend who is a friend in name only. Is this not a grief even unto death?	1 Omnis amicus dicet : Et ego amicitiam copulavi : sed est amicus solo nomine amicus. Nonne tristitia inest usque ad mortem ?
2 But a companion and friend may turn into an enemy.	2 sodalis autem et amicus ad inimicitiam convertentur.
3 O wicked presumption! From what were you created that you would cover the dry land with your malice and deceitfulness?	3 O præsumptio nequissima, unde creata es cooperire aridam malitia et dolositate illius ?
4 A companion may rejoice with his friend in good times, but in a time of tribulation, he will be an adversary.	4 Sodalis amico conjucundatur in oblectationibus, et in tempore tribulationis adversarius erit.
5 There is a companion who commiserates with a friend for the sake of the stomach, but he will shield himself from the enemy.	5 Sodalis amico condolet causa ventris, et contra hostem accipiet scutum.
6 You should not forget your friend in your soul, and you should not be unmindful of him in your wealth.	6 Non obliviscaris amici tui in animo tuo, et non immemor sis illius in opibus tuis.
7 Do not choose to consult with someone who waits in ambush for you. And hide your counsel from those who rival you.	7 Noli consiliari cum eo qui tibi insidiatur, et a zelantibus te absconde consilium.
8 Every counselor offers advice, but some are counselors only for themselves.	8 Omnis consiliarius prodit consilium, sed est consiliarius in semetipso.
9 Guard your soul from a counselor. And know beforehand what his interests are. For he will form thoughts from his own soul.	9 A consiliario serva animam tuam : prius scito quæ sit illius necessitas : et ipse enim animo suo cogitabit :
10 Otherwise, he may set a signpost in the ground, and he may say to you:	10 ne forte mittat sudem in terram, et dicat tibi :
11 “Your own way is good.” But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.	11 Bona est via tua : et stet e contrario videre quid tibi eveniat.
12 Do not discuss holiness with an irreligious man, nor justice with one who is unjust. You should not speak with a woman about her who is a rival, nor with a coward about war, nor with a merchant about exaggeration, nor with a buyer about selling, nor with a spiteful man about giving thanks,	12 Cum viro irreligioso tracta de sanctitate, et cum injusto de justitia, et cum muliere de ea quæ æmulatur, cum timido de bello, cum negotiatore de trajectione, cum emptore de venditione, cum viro livido de gratiis agendis,
13 nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,	13 cum impio de pietate, cum inhonesto de honestate, cum operario agrario de omni opere,
14 nor with a worker hired for a year about the end of the year, nor with a lazy servant about great works. You should pay no heed to these persons in any matter of counsel.	14 cum operario annuali de consummatione anni, cum servo pigro de multa operatione. Non attendas his in omni consilio :
15 But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,	15 sed cum viro sancto assiduus esto, quemcumque cognoveris observantem timorem Dei :
16 whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.	16 cujus anima est secundum animam tuam, et qui, cum titubaveris in tenebris, condolebit tibi.
17 And establish a heart of good counsel within yourself. For there is nothing of greater usefulness to you than this.	17 Cor boni consilii statue tecum : non est enim tibi aliud pluris illo.
18 At any time, the soul of a holy man declares more truths than seven vigilant watchmen sitting in a high place.	18 Anima viri sancti enuntiat aliquando vera, quam septem circumspectores sedentes in excelso ad speculandum.
19 But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.	19 Et in his omnibus deprecare Altissimum, ut dirigat in veritate viam tuam.
20 In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.	20 Ante omnia opera verbum verax præcedat te, et ante omnem actum consilium stabile.
21 A wicked word can change the heart. From the heart four kinds of things arise: good and evil, life and death. And the tongue is continually their ruler. There is a man who is an astute teacher of many, and yet this is useless to his own soul.	21 Verbum nequam immutabit cor : ex quo partes quatuor oriuntur : bonum et malum, vita et mors : et dominatrix illorum est assidua lingua. Est vir astutus multorum eruditor, et animæ suæ inutilis est.
22 A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.	22 Vir peritus multos erudivit, et animæ suæ suavis est.
23 Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.	23 Qui sophistice loquitur odibilis est : in omni re defraudabitur.
24 Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.	24 Non est illi data a Domino gratia, omni enim sapientia defraudatus est.
25 There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.	25 Est sapiens animæ suæ sapiens, et fructus sensus illius laudabilis.
26 A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.	26 Vir sapiens plebem suam erudit, et fructus sensus illius fideles sunt.
27 A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.	27 Vir sapiens implebitur benedictionibus, et videntes illum laudabunt.
28 The life of a man is in the number of his days. But the days of Israel are innumerable.	28 Vita viri in numero dierum : dies autem Israël innumerabiles sunt.
29 A wise man will inherit honor among the people, and his name will live in eternity.	29 Sapiens in populo hæreditabit honorem, et nomen illius erit vivens in æternum.
30 Son, test your own mind in your life, and if it is lacking, you should not give it authority.	30 Fili, in vita tua tenta animam tuam, et si fuerit nequam non des illi potestatem :
31 For not all things are fitting for all persons, and not every kind of thing is agreeable to every soul.	31 non enim omnia omnibus expediunt, et non omni animæ omne genus placet.
32 Do not choose to be eager during any feast, and you should not act with excess toward any food.	32 Noli avidus esse in omni epulatione, et non te effundas super omnem escam :
33 For in excessive eating there will be infirmity, and gluttony will continue even unto illness.	33 in multis enim escis erit infirmitas, et aviditas appropinquabit usque ad choleram.
34 By excessive drinking, many have passed away. But he who abstains will add to his life.	34 Propter crapulam multi obierunt : qui autem abstinens est adjiciet vitam.