Sirach 33

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him, and deliver him from evils.	1 No evil can harm the man who fears the LORD; through trials, again and again he is safe.
2 A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm.	2 He who hates the law is without wisdom, and is tossed about like a boat in a storm.
3 A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law is faithful to him.	3 The prudent man trusts in the word of the LORD, and the law is dependable for him as a divine oracle.
4 He that cleareth up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer.	4 Prepare your words and you will be listened to; draw upon your training, and then give your answer.
5 The heart of a fool is as a wheel of a cart: and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.	5 Like the wheel of a cart is the mind of a fool; his thoughts revolve in circles.
6 A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.	6 A fickle friend is like the stallion that neighs, no matter who the rider.
7 Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another year, when all come of the sun?	7 Why is one day more important than another, when it is the sun that lights up every day?
8 By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made, and keeping his commandment.	8 It is due to the LORD'S wisdom that they differ; it is through him the seasons and feasts come and go.
9 And he ordered the seasons, and holidays of them, and in them they celebrated festivals at an hour.	9 Some he dignifies and sanctifies, and others he lists as ordinary days.
10 Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created.	10 So too, all men are of clay, for from earth man was formed;
11 With much knowledge the Lord hath divided them and diversified their ways.	11 Yet with his great knowledge the LORD makes men unlike; in different paths he has them walk.
12 Some of them hath he blessed, and exalted: and some of them hath he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them hath he cursed and brought low, end turned them from their station.	12 Some he blesses and makes great, some he sanctifies and draws to himself. Others he curses and brings low, and expels them from their place.
13 As the potter's clay is in his hand, to fashion and order it:	13 Like clay in the hands of a potter, to be molded according to his pleasure, So are men in the hands of their Creator, to be assigned by him their function.
14 All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment.	14 As evil contrasts with good, and death with life, so are sinners in contrast with the just;
15 Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another.	15 See now all the works of the Most High: they come in pairs, the one the opposite of the other.
16 And I awaked last of all, and as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers.	16 Now I am the last to keep vigil, like a gleaner after the vintage;
17 In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress.	17 Since by the LORD'S blessing I have made progress till like a vintager I have filled my wine press,
18 See that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all that seek discipline.	18 I would inform you that not for myself only have I toiled, but for every seeker after wisdom.
19 Hear me, ye great men, and all ye people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the church.	19 Listen to me, O leaders of the multitude; O rulers of the assembly, give ear!
20 Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee while thou livest; and give not thy estate to another, lest then repent, and thou entreat for the same.	20 Let neither son nor wife, neither brother nor friend, have power over you as long as you live.
21 As long as thou livest, and hast breath in thee, let no man change thee.	21 While breath of life is still in you, let no man have dominion over you. Give not to another your wealth, lest then you have to plead with him;
22 For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that thou look toward the hands of thy children.	22 Far better that your children plead with you than that you should look to their generosity.
23 In all thy works keep the pre-eminence.	23 Keep control over all your affairs; let no one tarnish your glory.
24 Let no stain sully thy glory. In the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy inheritance.	24 When your few days reach their limit, at the time of death distribute your inheritance.
25 Fodder, and a wand, and a burden are for an ass: bread, and correction, and work for a slave.	25 Fodder and whip and loads for an ass; the yoke and harness and the rod of his master.
26 He worketh under correction, and seeketh to rest: let his hands be idle, and he seeketh liberty.	26 Make a slave work and he will look for his rest; let his hands be idle and he will seek to be free.
27 The yoke and the thong bend a stiff neck, and continual labours bow a slave.	27 Food, correction and work for a slave; and for a wicked slave, punishment in the stocks.
28 Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave: send him to work, that he be not idle:	28 Force him to work that he be not idle, for idleness is an apt teacher of mischief.
29 For idleness hath taught much evil.	29 Put him to work, for that is what befits him; if he becomes unruly, load him with chains.
30 Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any one: and do no grievous thing without judgment.	30 But never lord it over any human being, and do nothing unjust.
31 If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of thy soul thou hast gotten him.	31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself, for you have acquired him with your life's blood;
32 If thou hurt him unjustly, he will run away:	32 If you have but one slave, deal with him as a brother, for you need him as you need your life:
33 And if he rise up and depart, thou knowest not whom to ask, and in what way to seek him.	33 If you mistreat him and he runs away, in what direction will you look for him?