Sirach 12

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 If you mean to do a kindness, choose the right person, then your good deeds wil not be wasted.	1 If you do good, know for whom you are doing it, and your kindness will have its effect.
2 Do good to someone devout, and you wil be rewarded, if not by that person, then certainly by the MostHigh.	2 Do good to the just man and reward will be yours, if not from him, from the LORD.
3 No good will come to one who persists in evil, or who refuses to give alms.	3 No good comes to him who gives comfort to the wicked, nor is it an act of mercy that he does.
4 Give to the devout, do not go to the help of a sinner.	4 Give to the good man, refuse the sinner; refresh the downtrodden, give nothing to the proud man.
5 Do good to the humble, give nothing to the godless. Refuse him bread, do not give him any, it mightmake him stronger than you are; then you would be repaid evil twice over for al the good you had done him.	5 No arms for combat should you give him, lest he use them against yourself;
6 For the Most High himself detests sinners, and wil repay the wicked with what they deserve.	6 With twofold evil you will meet for every good deed you do for him.
7 Give to the good, and do not go to the help of a sinner.	7 The Most High himself hates sinners, and upon the wicked he takes vengeance.
8 In prosperity you cannot always tel a true friend, but in adversity you cannot mistake an enemy.	8 In our prosperity we cannot know our friends; in adversity an enemy will not remain concealed.
9 When someone is doing well that person's enemies are sad, when someone is doing badly, even afriend wil keep at a distance.	9 When a man is successful even his enemy is friendly; in adversity even his friend disappears.
10 Do not ever trust an enemy; as bronze tarnishes, so does an enemy's malice.	10 Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in bronze.
11 Even if he behaves humbly and comes bowing and scraping, maintain your reserve and be on yourguard against him. Behave towards him as if you were polishing a mirror, you will find that his tarnish cannot last.	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.
12 Do not stand him beside you in case he thrusts you out and takes your place. Do not seat him on yourright, or he will be after your position, and then you wil remember what I have said and sadly admit that I wasright.	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.
13 Who feels sorry for a snake-charmer bitten by a snake, or for those who take risks with savageanimals? -	13 Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten, or anyone who goes near a wild beast?
14 just so for one who consorts with a sinner, and becomes an accomplice in his sins.	14 So is it with the companion of the proud man, who is involved in his sins:
15 He wil stay with you for a while, but if you once give way he wil press his advantage.	15 While you stand firm, he makes no bold move; but if you slip, he cannot hold back.
16 An enemy may have sweetness on his lips, and in his heart a scheme to throw you into the ditch. Anenemy may have tears in his eyes, but if he gets a chance there can never be too much blood for him.	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.
17 If you meet with misfortune, you will find him there before you, and, pretending to help you, he wil tripyou up.	17 If evil comes upon you, you will find him at hand; feigning to help, he will trip you up,
18 He wil wag his head and clap his hands, he wil whisper a lot and his expression wil change.	18 Then he will nod his head and clap his hands and hiss repeatedly, and show his true face.