Sirach 33

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.	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 law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is 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 trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.	3 The prudent man trusts in the word of the LORD, and the law is dependable for him as a divine oracle.
4 Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.	4 Prepare your words and you will be listened to; draw upon your training, and then give your answer.
5 The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; 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 stallion horse is as a mocking friend, 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, when as all the light of every day in the year is 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: and he altered seasons and feasts.	8 It is due to the LORD'S wisdom that they differ; it is through him the seasons and feasts come and go.
9 Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days.	9 Some he dignifies and sanctifies, and others he lists as ordinary days.
10 And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:	10 So too, all men are of clay, for from earth man was formed;
11 In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse.	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 he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.	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 clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best.	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 Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.	14 As evil contrasts with good, and death with life, so are sinners in contrast with the just;
15 So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, 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 I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and tred my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.	16 Now I am the last to keep vigil, like a gleaner after the vintage;
17 Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.	17 Since by the LORD'S blessing I have made progress till like a vintager I have filled my wine press,
18 Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.	18 I would inform you that not for myself only have I toiled, but for every seeker after wisdom.
19 Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to another: lest it repent thee, and thou intreat for the same again.	19 Listen to me, O leaders of the multitude; O rulers of the assembly, give ear!
20 As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.	20 Let neither son nor wife, neither brother nor friend, have power over you as long as you live.
21 For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.	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 In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in thine honour.	22 Far better that your children plead with you than that you should look to their generosity.
23 At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.	23 Keep control over all your affairs; let no one tarnish your glory.
24 Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant. .	24 When your few days reach their limit, at the time of death distribute your inheritance.
25 If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.	25 Fodder and whip and loads for an ass; the yoke and harness and the rod of his master.
26 A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.	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 Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.	27 Food, correction and work for a slave; and for a wicked slave, punishment in the stocks.
28 Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.	28 Force him to work that he be not idle, for idleness is an apt teacher of mischief.
29 But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.	29 Put him to work, for that is what befits him; if he becomes unruly, load him with chains.
30 If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.	30 But never lord it over any human being, and do nothing unjust.
31 If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?	31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself, for you have acquired him with your life's blood;
32 []	32 If you have but one slave, deal with him as a brother, for you need him as you need your life:
33 []	33 If you mistreat him and he runs away, in what direction will you look for him?