Ecclesiasticus 4

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Fili, eleemosynam pauperis ne defraudes et oculos tuos ne transvertas a paupere.	1 My son, rob not the poor man of his livelihood; force not the eyes of the needy to turn away.
2 Animam esurientem ne contristaveris et non exasperes pauperem in inopia sua.	2 A hungry man grieve not, a needy man anger not;
3 Cor inopis ne afflixeris et non protrahas datum angustianti.	3 Do not exasperate the downtrodden; delay not to give to the needy.
4 Rogationem contribulati ne abicias et non avertas faciem tuam ab egeno.	4 A beggar in distress do not reject; avert not your face from the poor.
5 Ab inope ne avertas oculos tuos propter iram et non des ei locum tibi retro maledicendi;	5 From the needy turn not your eyes, give no man reason to curse you;
6 maledicentis enim tibi in amaritudine animae, exaudietur precatio illius: exaudiet autem eum, qui fecit illum.	6 For if in the bitterness of his soul he curse you, his Creator will hear his prayer.
7 Congregationi affabilem te facito et presbytero humilia animam tuam et magnato humilia caput tuum.	7 Endear yourself to the assembly; before a ruler bow your head.
8 Declina pauperi sine tristitia aurem tuam et redde debitum tuum et responde illi pacifica in mansuetudine.	8 Give a hearing to the poor man, and return his greeting with courtesy;
9 Libera eum, qui iniuriam patitur, de manu opprimentis eum et non acide feras in anima tua in iudicando.	9 Deliver the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor; let not justice be repugnant to you.
10 Esto pupillis misericors ut pater et pro viro matri illorum;	10 To the fatherless be as a father, and help their mother as a husband would; Thus will you be like a son to the Most High, and he will be more tender to you than a mother.
11 et eris velut filius Altissimi oboediens, et miserebitur tui magis quam mater.	11 Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her.
12 Sapientia filiis suis vitam inspiravit et suscipit inquirentes se.	12 He who loves her loves life; those who seek her out win her favor.
13 Qui illam diligit, diligit vitam; et, qui vigilaverint ad illam, complectentur placorem a Domino.	13 He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
14 Qui tenuerint illam, gloriam hereditabunt, et, quo introibit, benedicet Deus.	14 Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves.
15 Qui serviunt ei, obsequentes erunt Sancto, et eos, qui diligunt illam, diligit Deus.	15 He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
16 Qui audit illam, iudicabit gentes; et, qui intuetur illam, permanebit confidens.	16 If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her.
17 Si crediderit ei, hereditabit illam, et erunt in possessione generationes illius.	17 She walks with him as a stranger, and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline; With her precepts she puts him to the proof, until his heart is fully with her.
18 Quoniam in simulatione ambulat cum eo et in primis explorat eum,	18 Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to him.
19 timorem et tremorem inducet super illum et probabit illum in tentatione doctrinae suae, donec ipse teneat eam in cogitationibus suis et credat animae illius.	19 But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
20 Et redibit recta ad illum et firmabit illum et laetificabit illum	20 Use your time well; guard yourself from evil, and bring upon yourself no shame.
21 et denudabit illi absconsa sua et thesaurizabit super illum scientiam et intellectum iustitiae.	21 There is a sense of shame laden with guilt, and a shame that merits honor and respect.
22 Si autem oberraverit, derelinquet eum et tradet eum in manus inimici sui.	22 Show no favoritism to your own discredit; let no one intimidate you to your own downfall.
23 Fili, observa tempus et devita a malo	23 Refrain not from speaking at the proper time, and hide not away your wisdom;
24 et pro anima tua ne confundaris;	24 For it is through speech that wisdom becomes known, and knowledge through the tongue's rejoinder.
25 est enim confusio adducens peccatum, et est confusio adducens gloriam et gratiam.	25 Never gainsay the truth, and struggle not against the rushing stream.
26 Ne accipias faciem adversus animam tuam nec adversus animam tuam mendacium.	26 Be not ashamed to acknowledge your guilt, but of your ignorance rather be ashamed.
27 Ne reverearis proximum tuum in casu suo	27 Do not abase yourself before an impious man, nor refuse to do so before rulers.
28 nec retineas verbum in tempore suo; non abscondas sapientiam tuam in decorem.	28 Even to the death fight for truth, and the LORD your God will battle for you.
29 In verbo enim agnoscitur sapientia, et sensus in responsione linguae.	29 Be not surly in your speech, nor lazy and slack in your deeds.
30 Non contradicas verbo veritatis ullo modo et de ineruditione tua confundere.	30 Be not a lion at home, nor sly and suspicious at work.
31 Non confundaris confiteri peccata tua et ne subicias te omni homini pro peccato.	31 Let not your hand be open to receive and clenched when it is time to give.
32 Noli resistere contra faciem potentis nec coneris contra ictum fluvii.
33 Usque ad mortem agonizare pro iustitia, et Deus expugnabit pro te inimicos tuos.
34 Noli citatus esse in lingua tua et pavidus et remissus in operibus tuis.
35 Noli esse sicut leo in domo tua evertens domesticos tuos et opprimens subiectos tibi.
36 Non sit porrecta manus tua ad accipiendum et ad dandum collecta.