Sirach 33

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 No evil wil befal one who fears the Lord, such a one will be rescued even in the ordeal.	1 No evil can harm the man who fears the LORD; through trials, again and again he is safe.
2 No one who hates the Law is wise, one who is hypocritical about it is like a storm-tossed ship.	2 He who hates the law is without wisdom, and is tossed about like a boat in a storm.
3 An intelligent person will put faith in the Law, for such a one the Law is as dependable as a prophecy.	3 The prudent man trusts in the word of the LORD, and the law is dependable for him as a divine oracle.
4 Prepare what you have to say and you will get a hearing, marshal your information before you answer.	4 Prepare your words and you will be listened to; draw upon your training, and then give your answer.
5 The feelings of a fool are like a cart-wheel, a fool's thought revolves like a turning axle.	5 Like the wheel of a cart is the mind of a fool; his thoughts revolve in circles.
6 A rutting stal ion is like a sarcastic friend; he neighs, whoever rides him.	6 A fickle friend is like the stallion that neighs, no matter who the rider.
7 Why is one day better than another, though the sun gives the same daylight throughout the year?	7 Why is one day more important than another, when it is the sun that lights up every day?
8 They have been differentiated in the mind of the Lord, who has diversified the seasons and feasts;	8 It is due to the LORD'S wisdom that they differ; it is through him the seasons and feasts come and go.
9 some he has made more important and has hal owed, others he has made ordinary days.	9 Some he dignifies and sanctifies, and others he lists as ordinary days.
10 Human beings come from the ground, Adam himself was formed out of earth;	10 So too, all men are of clay, for from earth man was formed;
11 in the fullness of his wisdom the Lord has made distinctions between them, and diversified theirconditions.	11 Yet with his great knowledge the LORD makes men unlike; in different paths he has them walk.
12 Some of them he has blessed, hal owing and setting them near him; others he has cursed andhumiliated by degrading them from their positions.	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.
13 Like clay in the hands of the potter to mould as it pleases him, so are human beings in the hands oftheir Maker to reward as he judges right.	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.
14 Opposite evil stands good, opposite death, life; so too opposite the devout stands the sinner.	14 As evil contrasts with good, and death with life, so are sinners in contrast with the just;
15 Contemplate al the works of the Most High, you wil find they go in pairs, by opposites.	15 See now all the works of the Most High: they come in pairs, the one the opposite of the other.
16 Although the last to come, I have kept my eyes open like a man picking up what the grape-pickershave left.	16 Now I am the last to keep vigil, like a gleaner after the vintage;
17 By the blessing of the Lord I have come in first, and like a true grape-picker have fil ed my winepress.	17 Since by the LORD'S blessing I have made progress till like a vintager I have filled my wine press,
18 And note, I have not been working merely for myself, but for al who seek instruction.	18 I would inform you that not for myself only have I toiled, but for every seeker after wisdom.
19 Listen to me, important public figures, presidents of the assembly, give ear!	19 Listen to me, O leaders of the multitude; O rulers of the assembly, give ear!
20 Neither to son nor wife, brother nor friend, give power over yourself during your own lifetime. And donot give your property to anyone else, in case you regret it and have to ask for it back.	20 Let neither son nor wife, neither brother nor friend, have power over you as long as you live.
21 As long as you live and there is breath in your body, do not yield power over yourself to anyone;	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;
22 better for your children to come begging to you, than for you to have to go begging to them.	22 Far better that your children plead with you than that you should look to their generosity.
23 In al you do be the master, and leave a reputation unstained.	23 Keep control over all your affairs; let no one tarnish your glory.
24 The day your life draws to a close, at the hour of death, then distribute your heritage.	24 When your few days reach their limit, at the time of death distribute your inheritance.
25 Fodder, the stick and burdens for a donkey, bread, discipline and work for a slave.	25 Fodder and whip and loads for an ass; the yoke and harness and the rod of his master.
26 Work your slave hard, and you wil have peace of mind, leave his hands idle, and he wil be asking forhis freedom.	26 Make a slave work and he will look for his rest; let his hands be idle and he will seek to be free.
27 Yoke and harness wil bow the neck, for a bad servant, torments and the rack.	27 Food, correction and work for a slave; and for a wicked slave, punishment in the stocks.
28 Set him to work, so that he will not be idle; idleness teaches every kind of mischief.	28 Force him to work that he be not idle, for idleness is an apt teacher of mischief.
29 Keep him at his duties, where he should be, if he is disobedient, clap him in irons.	29 Put him to work, for that is what befits him; if he becomes unruly, load him with chains.
30 But do not be over-exacting with anyone, and do nothing contrary to justice.	30 But never lord it over any human being, and do nothing unjust.
31 You have only one slave? Treat him like yourself, since you have acquired him with blood.	31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself, for you have acquired him with your life's blood;
32 You have only one slave? Treat him as a brother, since you need him as you need yourself.	32 If you have but one slave, deal with him as a brother, for you need him as you need your life:
33 If you ill-treat him and he runs away, which way wil you go to look for him?	33 If you mistreat him and he runs away, in what direction will you look for him?