Sirach 8

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Strive not with a mighty man' lest thou fall into his hands.	1 Contend not with an influential man, lest you fall into his power.
2 Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.	2 Quarrel not with a rich man, lest he pay out the price of your downfall; For gold has dazzled many, and perverts the character of princes.
3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.	3 Dispute not with a man of railing speech, heap no wood upon his fire.
4 Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.	4 Be not too familiar with an unruly man, lest he speak ill of your forebears.
5 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.	5 Shame not a repentant sinner; remember, we all are guilty.
6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.	6 Insult no man when he is old, for some of us, too, will grow old.
7 Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.	7 Rejoice not when a man dies; remember, we are all to die.
8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.	8 Spurn not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs; From them you will acquire the training to serve in the presence of princes.
9 Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.	9 Reject not the tradition of old men which they have learned from their fathers; From it you will obtain the knowledge how to answer in time of need.
10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.	10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest you be consumed in his flaming fire.
11 Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words	11 Let not the impious man intimidate you; it will set him in ambush against you.
12 Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.	12 Lend not to one more powerful than yourself; and whatever you lend, count it as lost.
13 Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.	13 Go not surety beyond your means; think any pledge a debt you must pay.
14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.	14 Contend not at law with a judge, for he will settle it according to his whim.
15 Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.	15 Travel not with a ruthless man, lest he weigh you down with calamity; For he will go his own way straight, and through his folly you will perish with him.
16 Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.	16 Provoke no quarrel with a quick-tempered man, nor ride with him through the desert, For bloodshed is nothing to him; when there is no one to help you, he will destroy you.
17 Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.	17 Take no counsel with a fool, for he can keep nothing to himself.
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.	18 Before a stranger do nothing that should be kept secret, for you know not what it will engender.
19 Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.	19 Open your heart to no man, and banish not your happiness.