Sirach 34

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.	1 Vain and deceptive hopes are for the foolish, and dreams lend wings to fools.
2 Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.	2 As wel clutch at shadows and chase the wind as put any faith in dreams.
3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.	3 Dreams are no different from mirrors; confronting a face, the reflection of that face.
4 Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?	4 What can be cleansed by uncleanness, what can be verified by falsehood?
5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.	5 Divinations, auguries and dreams are nonsense, like the fantasies of a pregnant woman.
6 If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.	6 Unless sent as emissaries from the Most High, do not give them a thought;
7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.	7 for dreams have led many astray, and those who relied on them have come to grief.
8 The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.	8 Fulfil ing the Law requires no such falsehood, and wisdom is perfected in veracity.
9 A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.	9 A much travel ed man knows many things, and a man of great experience wil talk sound sense.
10 He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.	10 Someone who has never had his trials knows little; but the travel ed man is master of every situation.
11 When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.	11 I have seen many things on my travels, I have understood more than I can put into words.
12 I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.	12 I have often been in danger of death, but I have been spared, and this is why:
13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.	13 the spirit of those who fear the Lord can survive, for their hope is in someone with power to save them.
14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.	14 No one who fears the Lord need ever hesitate, or ever be daunted, since the Lord is his hope.
15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?	15 Happy the soul of one who fears the Lord. On whom does he rely? Who supports him?
16 For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.	16 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who love him, he is their powerful protection and their strongsupport, their screen from the desert wind, their shelter from the midday sun, a guard against stumbling, anassurance against a fal .
17 He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.	17 He revives the spirit and brightens the eyes, he gives health, life and blessing.
18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.	18 The sacrifice of an offering unjustly acquired is a mockery; the gifts of the impious are unacceptable.
19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.	19 The Most High takes no pleasure in offerings from the godless, multiplying sacrifices wil not gainpardon for sin.
20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father's eyes.	20 Offering sacrifice from the property of the poor is as bad as slaughtering a son before his father'seyes.
21 The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.	21 A meagre diet is the very life of the poor, to deprive them of it is to commit murder.
22 He that taketh away his neighbour's living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.	22 To take away a fel ow-man's livelihood is to kil him, to deprive an employee of his wages is to shedblood.
23 When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?	23 If one person builds while another pul s down, what wil they get out of it but trouble?
24 When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?	24 If one person prays and another cal s down a curse, to which one's voice is the Master going to listen?
25 He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?	25 If someone washes after touching a corpse, and then touches it again, what is the good of hiswashing?
26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?	26 Just so with someone who fasts for sin, and then goes and commits it again. Who is going to hear thatperson's prayer? What is the good of the self-abasement?
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