Ecclesiasticus 6

VULGATA	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 Noli fieri pro amico inimicus proximo : improperium enim et contumeliam malus hæreditabit : et omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis.	1 for a bad name incurs shame and reproach: so fares the double-tongued sinner.
2 Non te extollas in cogitatione animæ tuæ velut taurus, ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam :	2 Do not exalt yourself through your soul's counsel, lest your soul be torn in pieces like a bull.
3 et folia tua comedat, et fructus tuos perdat, et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.	3 You will devour your leaves and destroy your fruit, and will be left like a withered tree.
4 Anima enim nequam disperdet qui se habet, et in gaudium inimicis dat illum, et deducet in sortem impiorum.	4 An evil soul will destroy him who has it, and make him the laughingstock of his enemies.
5 Verbum dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos, et lingua eucharis in bono homine abundat.	5 A pleasant voice multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
6 Multi pacifici sint tibi : et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.	6 Let those that are at peace with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand.
7 Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum, et ne facile credas ei.	7 When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily.
8 Est enim amicus secundum tempus suum, et non permanebit in die tribulationis.	8 For there is a friend who is such at his own convenience, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
9 Et est amicus qui convertitur ad inimicitiam, et est amicus qui odium et rixam et convitia denudabit.	9 And there is a friend who changes into an enemy, and will disclose a quarrel to your disgrace.
10 Est autem amicus socius mensæ, et non permanebit in die necessitatis.	10 And there is a friend who is a table companion, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
11 Amicus si permanserit fixus, erit tibi quasi coæqualis, et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.	11 In prosperity he will make himself your equal, and be bold with your servants;
12 Si humiliaverit se contra te, et a facie tua absconderit se, unanimem habebis amicitiam bonam.	12 but if you are brought low he will turn against you, and will hide himself from your presence.
13 Ab inimicis tuis separare, et ab amicis tuis attende.	13 Keep yourself far from your enemies, and be on guard toward your friends.
14 Amicus fidelis protectio fortis : qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.	14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure.
15 Amico fideli nulla est comparatio, et non est digna ponderatio auri et argenti contra bonitatem fidei illius.	15 There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence.
16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitæ et immortalitatis : et qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.	16 A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him.
17 Qui timet Deum æque habebit amicitiam bonam, quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.	17 Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbor also.
18 Fili, a juventute tua excipe doctrinam, et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.	18 My son, from your youth up choose instruction, and until you are old you will keep finding wisdom.
19 Quasi is qui arat et seminat accede ad eam, et sustine bonos fructus illius.	19 Come to her like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest. For in her service you will toil a little while, and soon you will eat of her produce.
20 In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis, et cito edes de generationibus illius.	20 She seems very harsh to the uninstructed; a weakling will not remain with her.
21 Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus ! et non permanebit in illa excors.	21 She will weigh him down like a heavy testing stone, and he will not be slow to cast her off.
22 Quasi lapidis virtus probatio erit in illis : et non demorabuntur projicere illam.	22 For wisdom is like her name, and is not manifest to many.
23 Sapientia enim doctrinæ secundum nomen est ejus, et non est multis manifestata : quibus autem cognita est, permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.	23 Listen, my son, and accept my judgment; do not reject my counsel.
24 Audi, fili, et accipe consilium intellectus, et ne abjicias consilium meum.	24 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar.
25 Injice pedem tuum in compedes illius, et in torques illius collum tuum.	25 Put your shoulder under her and carry her, and do not fret under her bonds.
26 Subjice humerum tuum, et porta illam, et ne acedieris vinculis ejus.	26 Come to her with all your soul, and keep her ways with all your might.
27 In omni animo tuo accede ad illam, et in omni virtute tua conserva vias ejus.	27 Search out and seek, and she will become known to you; and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
28 Investiga illam, et manifestabitur tibi : et continens factus, ne derelinquas eam :	28 For at last you will find the rest she gives, and she will be changed into joy for you.
29 in novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea, et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.	29 Then her fetters will become for you a strong protection, and her collar a glorious robe.
30 Et erunt tibi compedes ejus in protectionem fortitudinis et bases virtutis, et torques illius in stolam gloriæ :	30 Her yoke is a golden ornament, and her bonds are a cord of blue.
31 decor enim vitæ est in illa, et vincula illius alligatura salutaris.	31 You will wear her like a glorious robe, and put her on like a crown of gladness.
32 Stolam gloriæ indues eam, et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.	32 If you are willing, my son, you will be taught, and if you apply yourself you will become clever.
33 Fili, si attenderis mihi, disces : et si accommodaveris animum tuum, sapiens eris.	33 If you love to listen you will gain knowledge, and if you incline your ear you will become wise.
34 Si inclinaveris aurem tuam, excipies doctrinam : et si dilexeris audire, sapiens eris.	34 Stand in the assembly of the elders. Who is wise? Cleave to him.
35 In multitudine presbyterorum prudentium sta, et sapientiæ illorum ex corde conjungere, ut omnem narrationem Dei possis audire, et proverbia laudis non effugiant a te.	35 Be ready to listen to every narrative, and do not let wise proverbs escape you.
36 Et si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum, et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.	36 If you see an intelligent man, visit him early; let your foot wear out his doorstep.
37 Cogitatum tuum habe in præceptis Dei, et in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto : et ipse dabit tibi cor, et concupiscentia sapientiæ dabitur tibi.	37 Reflect on the statutes of the Lord, and meditate at all times on his commandments. It is he who will give insight to your mind, and your desire for wisdom will be granted.