Sirach 18

NEW JERUSALEM	NOVA VULGATA
1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.	1 Qui vivit in aeternum, creavit omnia simul. Deus solus iustificabitur et manet invictus rex in aeternum.
2 The Lord alone wil be found just.	2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius?
3	3 Et quis investigabit magnalia eius?
4 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificentdeeds?	4 Virtutem autem magnitudinis eius quis enuntiabit? Aut quis adiciet enarrare misericordiam eius?
5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies?	5 Non est minuere neque adicere nec est invenire magnalia Dei;
6 Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.	6 cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet et, cum quieverit, aporiabitur.
7 When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever.	7 Quid est homo, quis defectus, et quae est utilitas illius? Et quid est bonum, aut quid nequam illius?
8 What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him?	8 Numerus dierum hominum ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquae maris deputati sunt, et sicut calculus arenae, sic exigui anni in die aevi.
9 The length of his life: a hundred years at most.	9 Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.
10 Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.	10 Vidit praesumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est; et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.
11 This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.	11 Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis et ostendit eis viam aequitatis.
12 He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater.	12 Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum, misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.
13 Human compassion extends to neighbours, but the Lord's compassion extends to everyone; rebuking,correcting and teaching, bringing them back as a shepherd brings his flock.	13 Qui reprehendit, docet et erudit quasi pastor dirigens gregem suum.
14 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.	14 Miseretur excipientibus doctrinam miserationis et festinantibus in iudiciis eius.
15 My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.	15 Fili, in bonis non des querelam et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.
16 Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.	16 Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros? Sic et verbum melius quam datum.
17 Why surely, a word is better than a good present, but a generous person is ready with both.	17 Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum? Sed utraque cum homine gratioso.
18 A fool wil offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.	18 Stultus acriter improperabit, et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.
19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fal ill.	19 Ante iudicium para advocatum tibi et, antequam loquaris, disce.
20 Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.	20 Ante languorem adhibe medicinam et ante iudicium interroga teipsum et in hora visitationis invenies propitiationem.
21 Humble yourself before you fall il , repent as soon as the sin is committed.	21 Ante languorem humilia te et in tempore peccati ostende conversionem tuam.
22 Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.	22 Non sinas te impediri reddere votum tempore opportuno et ne tardes usque ad mortem iustificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in aeternum.
23 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.	23 Ante votum praepara animam tuam et noli esse quasi homo, qui tentat Dominum.
24 Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face.	24 Memento irae in die consummationis et, suo tempore, retributionis in conversione faciei.
25 In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.	25 Memento famis in tempore abundantiae et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.
26 The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.	26 A mane usque ad vesperam mutatur tempus, et haec omnia citata in oculis Dei.
27 The wise wil be cautious in everything, in sinful times wil take care not to offend.	27 Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet et in diebus delictorum cavebit a malitia.
28 Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and wil respect anyone who has found her.	28 Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.
29 Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.	29 Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt et intellexerunt veritatem et iustitiam et effuderunt tamquam pluviam proverbia et iudicia.
30 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.	30 De continentia animae. Post concupiscentias tuas non eas et a voluptatibus tuis te contine;
31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.	31 si praestes animae tuae beneplacitum concupiscentiae, faciet te in gaudium inimicis tuis.
32 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.	32 Ne oblecteris in multa epulatione; duplex enim portio est paupertas illius.
33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.	33 Ne fueris ganeo et potator, cum nihil tibi est in sacculo: eris enim invidus vitae tuae.