Sirach 8

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Strive not with a mighty man' lest thou fall into his hands.	1 You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands.
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 You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you.
3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.	3 For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings.
4 Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.	4 You should not quarrel with a man who is full of words, for you should not cast wood upon his fire.
5 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.	5 You should not confide in an ignorant man, lest he speak evil about your family.
6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.	6 You should not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him with it. Remember that we are all subject to correction.
7 Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.	7 You should not spurn a man in his old age. For we are all subject to growing old.
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 Do not be willing to rejoice at the death of your enemy, knowing that we all die, and that we do not want others rejoice over us.
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 You should not despise the discourse of those who are old and wise; instead, ponder their proverbs.
10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.	10 For from them, you will learn wisdom and intelligent doctrine, so as to serve great men without blame.
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 Do not allow the discourse of your elders to pass you by. For they have learned from their fathers.
12 Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.	12 And from them, you will learn understanding, and you will learn what response to give in a time of necessity.
13 Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.	13 You should not kindle the coals of sinners by arguing with them. For you might be scorched by the flame from the fire of their sins.
14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.	14 You should not stand against the face of a contemptuous person, otherwise he may sit down as if waiting in ambush against your words.
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 You should not lend to a man who is stronger than you. But if you do lend, consider it lost.
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 You should not promise beyond your ability. But if you do promise, consider how to fulfill it.
17 Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.	17 You should not judge against a judge. For he judges according to what is just.
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.	18 You should not go forth on the way with an audacious man, lest perhaps he may burden you with his evils. For he goes forth according to his own will, and you will perish with him in his folly.
19 Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.	19 You should not start a conflict with an angry man, and you should not go into the desert with an audacious man. For shedding blood is nothing to him, and in a place where there is no help for you, he will overthrow you.
	20 You should not hold counsel with the foolish. For they are not able to love anything except what pleases them.
	21 You should not take counsel in the sight of an outsider. For you do not know what he will do next.
	22 You should not reveal your heart to every man, lest perhaps he may offer a false kindness to you, and then speak reproachfully about you.