Sirach 33

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 No evil can harm the man who fears the LORD; through trials, again and again he is safe.	1 No evils will befall one who fears the Lord. Instead, God will preserve him during temptation and will free him from evils.
2 He who hates the law is without wisdom, and is tossed about like a boat 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 The prudent man trusts in the word of the LORD, and the law is dependable for him as a divine oracle.	3 A man of understanding puts his faith in the law of God, and so the law is faithful to him.
4 Prepare your words and you will be listened to; draw upon your training, and then give your 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 Like the wheel of a cart is the mind of a fool; his thoughts revolve in circles.	5 The heart of a fool is like the wheel of a cart. And his thoughts are like a turning axel.
6 A fickle friend is like the stallion that neighs, no matter who the rider.	6 A friend who is a whisperer is like an untamed horse: he neighs under anyone who sits upon him.
7 Why is one day more important than another, when it is the sun that lights up every day?	7 Why does day follow after day, and light follow after light, and year follow after year, in accord with the sun?
8 It is due to the LORD'S wisdom that they differ; it is through him the seasons and feasts come and go.	8 By the knowledge of the Lord, they were arranged, after the sun was made, in keeping with his command.
9 Some he dignifies and sanctifies, and others he lists as 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 So too, all men are of clay, for from earth man was formed;	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 Yet with his great knowledge the LORD makes men unlike; in different paths he has them walk.	11 With a mulititude of disciplines, the Lord has distinguished them and diversified their ways.
12 Some he blesses and makes great, some he sanctifies and draws to himself. Others he curses and brings low, and expels them from their place.	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 Like clay in the hands of a potter, to be molded according to his pleasure, So are men in the hands of their Creator, to be assigned by him their function.	13 Just as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so as to form and to shape it,
14 As evil contrasts with good, and death with life, so are sinners in contrast with the just;	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 See now all the works of the Most High: they come in pairs, the one the opposite of the other.	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 Now I am the last to keep vigil, like a gleaner after the vintage;	16 And I awakened at the very end, and I was like one who gathers grapes after the grape-gatherers.
17 Since by the LORD'S blessing I have made progress till like a vintager I have filled my wine press,	17 I, too, have hoped in the blessing of God. And I have filled the winepress like one who gathers grapes.
18 I would inform you that not for myself only have I toiled, but for every seeker after wisdom.	18 Consider how I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who are seeking discipline.
19 Listen to me, O leaders of the multitude; O rulers of the assembly, give ear!	19 Listen to me, you great ones, with all the peoples. And incline your ears, you rulers of the Church.
20 Let neither son nor wife, neither brother nor friend, have power over you as long as you live.	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 While breath of life is still in you, let no man have dominion over you. Give not to another your wealth, lest then you have to plead with him;	21 While you are still living and breathing, let no one among all flesh change you.
22 Far better that your children plead with you than that you should look to their generosity.	22 For it is better if your children petition you, than if you look toward the hands of your children.
23 Keep control over all your affairs; let no one tarnish your glory.	23 In all your works, be pre-eminent.
24 When your few days reach their limit, at the time of death distribute your inheritance.	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 Fodder and whip and loads for an ass; the yoke and harness and the rod of his master.	25 Fodder and a rod and a burden are for a donkey; bread and discipline and work are for a servant.
26 Make a slave work and he will look for his rest; let his hands be idle and he will seek to be free.	26 He works under discipline, and he seeks rest. Allow his hands to be idle, and he seeks liberty.
27 Food, correction and work for a slave; and for a wicked slave, punishment in the stocks.	27 The yoke and the strap bend a stiff neck, and continual labors bend a servant.
28 Force him to work that he be not idle, for idleness is an apt teacher of mischief.	28 Torture and chains are for a malevolent servant; send him to work, so that he may not be idle.
29 Put him to work, for that is what befits him; if he becomes unruly, load him with chains.	29 For idleness has taught much evil.
30 But never lord it over any human being, and do nothing unjust.	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 you have but one slave, treat him like yourself, for you have acquired him with your life's blood;	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 If you have but one slave, deal with him as a brother, for you need him as you need your life:	32 If you harm him unjustly, he will turn away and flee.
33 If you mistreat him and he runs away, in what direction will you look for him?	33 And then, when he lifts himself up and departs, you will not know whom to ask, or in what way to seek him.