Sirach 33

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.	1 No evils will befall one who fears the Lord. Instead, God will preserve him during temptation and will free him from evils.
2 A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.	2 A wise man does not hate the commandments and the justices, and so he will not be thrown about violently, like a ship in a storm.
3 A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.	3 A man of understanding puts his faith in the law of God, and so the law is faithful to him.
4 Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.	4 Whoever would resolve a dispute will prepare a word, and so, having prayed, he will be heard. And he will observe discipline, and then he will respond.
5 The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.	5 The heart of a fool is like the wheel of a cart. And his thoughts are like a turning axel.
6 A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.	6 A friend who is a whisperer is like an untamed horse: he neighs under anyone who sits upon him.
7 Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?	7 Why does day follow after day, and light follow after light, and year follow after year, in accord with the sun?
8 By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.	8 By the knowledge of the Lord, they were arranged, after the sun was made, in keeping with his command.
9 Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days.	9 And so, the seasons changed, with their feast days. And according to them, they celebrated the feast days, in their hour.
10 And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:	10 Some of them, God exalted and magnified. And some of them, he set amid the ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and from the earth, from which Adam was created.
11 In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse.	11 With a mulititude of disciplines, the Lord has distinguished them and diversified their ways.
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 of them, he has blessed and exalted. And some of them he has sanctified and placed close to himself. And some of them, he has cursed and brought low, and he has turned them from their station.
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 Just as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so as to form and to shape it,
14 Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.	14 so are all his ways in accord with his dispensation, and so is man in the hand of the One who made him. And he will repay him according to his judgment.
15 So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another.	15 Good is against evil, and life is against death; so also is a sinner against a just man. And so should you consider all the works of the Most High: two and two, and one against another.
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 And I awakened at the very end, and I was like one who gathers grapes after the grape-gatherers.
17 Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.	17 I, too, have hoped in the blessing of God. And I have filled the winepress like one who gathers grapes.
18 Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.	18 Consider how I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who are seeking discipline.
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, you great ones, with all the peoples. And incline your ears, you rulers of the Church.
20 As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.	20 You should not give authority over yourself to a son or wife, to a brother or friend, in your life. And you should not give your estate to another, lest perhaps you may regret it, and then you would be begging for the same.
21 For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.	21 While you are still living and breathing, let no one among all flesh change you.
22 In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in thine honour.	22 For it is better if your children petition you, than if you look toward the hands of your children.
23 At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.	23 In all your works, be pre-eminent.
24 Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant. .	24 You should not allow a blemish upon your glory. On the day of the consummation of the days of your life, at the time of your passing, 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 a rod and a burden are for a donkey; bread and discipline and work are for a servant.
26 A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.	26 He works under discipline, and he seeks rest. Allow his hands to be idle, and he seeks liberty.
27 Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.	27 The yoke and the strap bend a stiff neck, and continual labors bend a servant.
28 Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.	28 Torture and chains are for a malevolent servant; send him to work, so that he may not be idle.
29 But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.	29 For idleness has taught much evil.
30 If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.	30 Appoint him to a task. For this is fitting for him. And if he will not be obedient, bend him with chains. But you should do no more than any flesh can bear. Truly, you should do nothing grievous without judgment.
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 a faithful servant, let him be to you like your own soul. Treat him like a brother. For you have obtained him by the blood of your soul.
32 []	32 If you harm him unjustly, he will turn away and flee.
33 []	33 And then, when he lifts himself up and departs, you will not know whom to ask, or in what way to seek him.