Sirach 12

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NOVA VULGATA
1 If you do good, know for whom you are doing it, and your kindness will have its effect.	1 Si benefeceris, scito cui feceris, et erit gratia in bonis tuis multa.
2 Do good to the just man and reward will be yours, if not from him, from the LORD.	2 Benefac iusto et invenies retributionem magnam et, si non ab ipso, certe a Domino.
3 No good comes to him who gives comfort to the wicked, nor is it an act of mercy that he does.	3 Non est enim ei bene, qui assiduus est in malis et eleemosynas non dat, quoniam et Altissimus odio habet peccatores et misertus est paenitentibus.
4 Give to the good man, refuse the sinner; refresh the downtrodden, give nothing to the proud man.	4 Da misericordi et ne suscipias peccatorem; et impiis et peccatoribus reddet vindictam custodiens eos in diem vindictae.
5 No arms for combat should you give him, lest he use them against yourself;	5 Da bono et non receperis peccatorem.
6 With twofold evil you will meet for every good deed you do for him.	6 Benefac humili et non dederis impio; vasa belli ne dederis illi, ne in ipsis potentior te sit.
7 The Most High himself hates sinners, and upon the wicked he takes vengeance.	7 Nam duplicia mala invenies in omnibus bonis quaecumque feceris illi, quoniam et Altissimus odio habet peccatores et impiis reddet vindictam.
8 In our prosperity we cannot know our friends; in adversity an enemy will not remain concealed.	8 Non agnoscetur in bonis amicus, et non abscondetur in malis inimicus.
9 When a man is successful even his enemy is friendly; in adversity even his friend disappears.	9 In bonis viri etiam inimici illius sunt amici, et in malis etiam amicus discedit.
10 Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in bronze.	10 Non credas inimico tuo in aeternum, sicut enim aeramentum aeruginat nequitia illius
11 Even though he acts humbly and peaceably toward you, take care to be on your guard against him. Rub him as one polishes a brazen mirror, and you will find that there is still corrosion.	11 et, si humiliatus vadat curvus, adice animum tuum et custodi te ab illo et fias ei sicut qui extergit speculum, et cognosces quoniam in finem aeruginavit.
12 Let him not stand near you, lest he oust you and take your place. Let him not sit at your right hand, lest he then demand your seat, And in the end you appreciate my advice, when you groan with regret, as I warned you.	12 Non statuas illum penes te, nec sedeat ad dexteram tuam, ne forte conversus in locum tuum inquirat cathedram tuam; et in novissimo agnoscas verba mea et in sermonibus meis stimuleris.
13 Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten, or anyone who goes near a wild beast?	13 Quis miserebitur incantatori a serpente percusso et omnibus, qui appropiant bestiis? Et sic qui comitatur cum viro iniquo et obvolutus est in peccatis eius: non evadet, donec incendat eum ignis.
14 So is it with the companion of the proud man, who is involved in his sins:	14 Una hora tecum permanebit; si autem declinaveris, non supportabit.
15 While you stand firm, he makes no bold move; but if you slip, he cannot hold back.	15 In labiis suis indulcat inimicus et in corde suo insidiatur, ut subvertat te in foveam.
16 With his lips an enemy speaks sweetly, but in his heart he schemes to plunge you into the abyss. Though your enemy has tears in his eyes, if given the chance, he will never have enough of your blood.	16 In oculis suis lacrimatur inimicus et, si invenerit opportunitatem, non satiabitur sanguine.
17 If evil comes upon you, you will find him at hand; feigning to help, he will trip you up,	17 Si incurrerint tibi mala, invenies eum illic priorem,
18 Then he will nod his head and clap his hands and hiss repeatedly, and show his true face.	18 et quasi adiuvans suffodiet plantas tuas.
	19 Caput suum movebit et plaudet manu et multa susurrans commutabit vultum suum.