Sirach 8

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS
1 You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands.	1 No disputes con un hombre poderoso, no sea que caigas en sus manos.
2 You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you.	2 No entres en pleito con un hombre rico, no sea que oponga todo su peso contra ti: porque el oro fue la ruina de muchos e hizo desviar el corazón de los reyes.
3 For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings.	3 No disputes con un charlatán, no eches más leña a su fuego.
4 You should not quarrel with a man who is full of words, for you should not cast wood upon his fire.	4 No bromees con un hombre grosero, para que tus antepasados no sean injuriados.
5 You should not confide in an ignorant man, lest he speak evil about your family.	5 No reproches el pecador que se arrepiente: recuerda que todo somos culpables.
6 You should not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him with it. Remember that we are all subject to correction.	6 No desprecies a un hombre en su vejez porque también nosotros envejecemos.
7 You should not spurn a man in his old age. For we are all subject to growing old.	7 No te alegres por la muerte de nadie: recuerda que todos tenemos un fin.
8 Do not be willing to rejoice at the death of your enemy, knowing that we all die, and that we do not want others rejoice over us.	8 No menosprecies la conversación de los sabios: vuelve sobre sus máximas una y otra vez, porque de ellos recibirás la instrucción y el arte de servir a los grandes.
9 You should not despise the discourse of those who are old and wise; instead, ponder their proverbs.	9 No te apartes de la conversación de los ancianos, porque ellos mismos aprendieron de sus padres: de ellos aprenderás a ser inteligente y a dar una respuesta en el momento justo.
10 For from them, you will learn wisdom and intelligent doctrine, so as to serve great men without blame.	10 No remuevas las brasas del pecador, no sea que te quemes con sus lamas.
11 Do not allow the discourse of your elders to pass you by. For they have learned from their fathers.	11 No cedas en presencia de un insolente, porque él sería como una trampa tendida ante tu boca.
12 And from them, you will learn understanding, and you will learn what response to give in a time of necessity.	12 No prestes a un hombre más fuerte que tú, y si prestas, dalo por perdido.
13 You should not kindle the coals of sinners by arguing with them. For you might be scorched by the flame from the fire of their sins.	13 No ofrezcas garantía más allá de tus medios, y si lo haces, prepárate a pagar.
14 You should not stand against the face of a contemptuous person, otherwise he may sit down as if waiting in ambush against your words.	14 No entres en pleito con un juez: en razón de su dignidad, fallarán a su favor.
15 You should not lend to a man who is stronger than you. But if you do lend, consider it lost.	15 No te pongas en camino con un aventurero, no sea que se convierta en una carga para ti, porque él obrará según su capricho y su locura te hará perecer junto con él.
16 You should not promise beyond your ability. But if you do promise, consider how to fulfill it.	16 No te pelees con un hombre iracundo, ni atravieses el desierto con él, porque la sangre no vale nada a sus ojos y cuando estés indefenso, te derribará.
17 You should not judge against a judge. For he judges according to what is just.	17 No consultes tus asuntos con un necio, porque es incapaz de mantener el secreto.
18 You should not go forth on the way with an audacious man, lest perhaps he may burden you with his evils. For he goes forth according to his own will, and you will perish with him in his folly.	18 No hagas un extraño lo que debe quedar oculto, porque no sabes con qué puede salir.
19 You should not start a conflict with an angry man, and you should not go into the desert with an audacious man. For shedding blood is nothing to him, and in a place where there is no help for you, he will overthrow you.	19 No abras tu corazón a cualquiera ni dejes que cualquiera te haga un favor.
20 You should not hold counsel with the foolish. For they are not able to love anything except what pleases them.
21 You should not take counsel in the sight of an outsider. For you do not know what he will do next.
22 You should not reveal your heart to every man, lest perhaps he may offer a false kindness to you, and then speak reproachfully about you.