Sirach 4

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 My child, do not refuse the poor a livelihood, do not tantalise the needy.	1 My son, rob not the poor man of his livelihood; force not the eyes of the needy to turn away.
2 Do not add to the sufferings of the hungry, do not bait anyone in distress.	2 A hungry man grieve not, a needy man anger not;
3 Do not aggravate a heart already angry, nor keep the destitute waiting for your alms.	3 Do not exasperate the downtrodden; delay not to give to the needy.
4 Do not repulse a hard-pressed beggar, nor turn your face from the poor.	4 A beggar in distress do not reject; avert not your face from the poor.
5 Do not avert your eyes from the needy, give no one occasion to curse you;	5 From the needy turn not your eyes, give no man reason to curse you;
6 for if someone curses you in distress, his Maker will give ear to the imprecation.	6 For if in the bitterness of his soul he curse you, his Creator will hear his prayer.
7 Gain the love of the community, in the presence of the great bow your head.	7 Endear yourself to the assembly; before a ruler bow your head.
8 To the poor lend an ear, and courteously return the greeting.	8 Give a hearing to the poor man, and return his greeting with courtesy;
9 Save the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor, and do not be mean-spirited in your judgements.	9 Deliver the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor; let not justice be repugnant to you.
10 Be like a father to the fatherless and as good as a husband to their mothers. And you wil be like a childto the Most High, who will love you more than your own mother does.	10 To the fatherless be as a father, and help their mother as a husband would; Thus will you be like a son to the Most High, and he will be more tender to you than a mother.
11 Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek her.	11 Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her.
12 Whoever loves her loves life, those who seek her early wil be fil ed with joy.	12 He who loves her loves life; those who seek her out win her favor.
13 Whoever possesses her wil inherit honour, and wherever he walks the Lord will bless him.	13 He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
14 Those who serve her minister to the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her.	14 Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves.
15 Whoever obeys her rules the nations, whoever pays attention to her dwells secure.	15 He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
16 If he trusts himself to her he wil inherit her, and his descendants will remain in possession of her;	16 If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her.
17 for though she takes him at first through winding ways, bringing fear and faintness on him, trying himout with her discipline til she can trust him, and testing him with her ordeals,	17 She walks with him as a stranger, and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline; With her precepts she puts him to the proof, until his heart is fully with her.
18 she then comes back to him on the straight road, makes him happy and reveals her secrets to him.	18 Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to him.
19 If he goes astray, however, she abandons him and leaves him to his own destruction.	19 But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
20 Take circumstances into account and beware of evil, and have no cause to be ashamed of yourself;	20 Use your time well; guard yourself from evil, and bring upon yourself no shame.
21 for there is a shame that leads to sin and a shame that is honourable and gracious.	21 There is a sense of shame laden with guilt, and a shame that merits honor and respect.
22 Do not be too severe on yourself, do not let shame lead you to ruin.	22 Show no favoritism to your own discredit; let no one intimidate you to your own downfall.
23 Do not refrain from speaking when it will do good, and do not hide your wisdom;	23 Refrain not from speaking at the proper time, and hide not away your wisdom;
24 for your wisdom is made known by what you say, your erudition by the words you utter.	24 For it is through speech that wisdom becomes known, and knowledge through the tongue's rejoinder.
25 Do not contradict the truth, rather blush for your own ignorance.	25 Never gainsay the truth, and struggle not against the rushing stream.
26 Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, do not struggle against the current of the river.	26 Be not ashamed to acknowledge your guilt, but of your ignorance rather be ashamed.
27 Do not grovel to the foolish, do not show partiality to the influential.	27 Do not abase yourself before an impious man, nor refuse to do so before rulers.
28 Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God wil war on your side.	28 Even to the death fight for truth, and the LORD your God will battle for you.
29 Do not be bold of tongue, yet idle and slack in deed;	29 Be not surly in your speech, nor lazy and slack in your deeds.
30 do not be like a lion at home, or cowardly towards your servants.	30 Be not a lion at home, nor sly and suspicious at work.
31 Do not let your hands be outstretched to receive, yet tight-fisted when the time comes to give back.	31 Let not your hand be open to receive and clenched when it is time to give.