Sirach 18

NEW JERUSALEM	VULGATA
1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.	1 Qui vivet in æternum creavit omnia simul. Deus solus justificabitur, et manet invictus rex in æternum.
2 The Lord alone wil be found just.	2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius ?
3	3 quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus ?
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 ejus quis enuntiabit ? aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus ?
5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies?	5 Non est minuere neque adjicere, 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 ? et quæ est gratia illius ? et quid 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 aquæ maris deputati sunt : et sicut calculus arenæ, sic exigui anni in die ævi.
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 præsumptionem 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 æquitatis.
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 misericordiam habet, docet et erudit quasi pastor gregem suum.
14 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.	14 Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis, et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.
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 justificato.
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 judicium para justitiam 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 judicium interroga teipsum, et in conspectu Dei 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 infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.
22 Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.	22 Non impediaris orare semper, et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum.
23 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.	23 Ante orationem præpara animam tuam, et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.
24 Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face.	24 Memento iræ in die consummationis, et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.
25 In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.	25 Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ, 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 immutabitur tempus, et hæc 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 attendet ab inertia.
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 justitiam, et impluerunt proverbia et judicia.
30 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.	30 Post concupiscentias tuas non eas, et a voluntate tua avertere.
31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.	31 Si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentias ejus, faciat te in gaudium inimicis tuis.
32 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.	32 Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis : assidua enim est commissio illorum.
33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.	33 Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex f?nore, et est tibi nihil in sacculo : eris enim invidus vitæ tuæ.