Sirach 12

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 When thou wilt do good know to whom thou doest it; so shalt thou be thanked for thy benefits.	1 If you do good, know for whom you are doing it, and your kindness will have its effect.
2 Do good to the godly man, and thou shalt find a recompence; and if not from him, yet from the most High.	2 Do good to the just man and reward will be yours, if not from him, from the LORD.
3 There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor to him that giveth no alms.	3 No good comes to him who gives comfort to the wicked, nor is it an act of mercy that he does.
4 Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.	4 Give to the good man, refuse the sinner; refresh the downtrodden, give nothing to the proud man.
5 Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby: for [else] thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him.	5 No arms for combat should you give him, lest he use them against yourself;
6 For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.	6 With twofold evil you will meet for every good deed you do for him.
7 Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.	7 The Most High himself hates sinners, and upon the wicked he takes vengeance.
8 A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.	8 In our prosperity we cannot know our friends; in adversity an enemy will not remain concealed.
9 In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity even a friend will depart.	9 When a man is successful even his enemy is friendly; in adversity even his friend disappears.
10 Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness.	10 Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in bronze.
11 Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away.	11 Even though he acts humbly and peaceably toward you, take care to be on your guard against him. Rub him as one polishes a brazen mirror, and you will find that there is still corrosion.
12 Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith.	12 Let him not stand near you, lest he oust you and take your place. Let him not sit at your right hand, lest he then demand your seat, And in the end you appreciate my advice, when you groan with regret, as I warned you.
13 Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come nigh wild beasts?	13 Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten, or anyone who goes near a wild beast?
14 So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins, who will pity?	14 So is it with the companion of the proud man, who is involved in his sins:
15 For a while he will abide with thee, but if thou begin to fall, he will not tarry.	15 While you stand firm, he makes no bold move; but if you slip, he cannot hold back.
16 An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he imagineth how to throw thee into a pit: he will weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.	16 With his lips an enemy speaks sweetly, but in his heart he schemes to plunge you into the abyss. Though your enemy has tears in his eyes, if given the chance, he will never have enough of your blood.
17 If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first; and though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he undermine thee.	17 If evil comes upon you, you will find him at hand; feigning to help, he will trip you up,
18 He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.	18 Then he will nod his head and clap his hands and hiss repeatedly, and show his true face.