Sirach 8

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Do not try conclusions with anyone influential, in case you later fal into his clutches.	1 Contend not with an influential man, lest you fall into his power.
2 Do not quarrel with anyone rich, in case he puts his weight against you; for gold has destroyed many,and has swayed the hearts of kings.	2 Quarrel not with a rich man, lest he pay out the price of your downfall; For gold has dazzled many, and perverts the character of princes.
3 Do not argue with anyone argumentative, do not pile wood on that fire.	3 Dispute not with a man of railing speech, heap no wood upon his fire.
4 Do not joke with anyone uncouth, for fear of hearing your ancestors insulted.	4 Be not too familiar with an unruly man, lest he speak ill of your forebears.
5 Do not revile a repentant sinner; remember that we al are guilty.	5 Shame not a repentant sinner; remember, we all are guilty.
6 Do not despise anyone in old age; after all, some of us too are growing old.	6 Insult no man when he is old, for some of us, too, will grow old.
7 Do not gloat over anyone's death; remember that we al have to die.	7 Rejoice not when a man dies; remember, we are all to die.
8 Do not scorn the discourse of the wise, but make yourself familiar with their maxims, since from theseyou wil learn the theory and the art of serving the great.	8 Spurn not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs; From them you will acquire the training to serve in the presence of princes.
9 Do not dismiss what the old people have to say, for they too were taught by their parents; from them youwil learn how to think, and the art of the timely answer.	9 Reject not the tradition of old men which they have learned from their fathers; From it you will obtain the knowledge how to answer in time of need.
10 Do not kindle the coals of the sinner, in case you scorch yourself in his blaze.	10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest you be consumed in his flaming fire.
11 Refuse to be provoked by the insolent, for fear that such a one try to trap you in your words.	11 Let not the impious man intimidate you; it will set him in ambush against you.
12 Do not lend to anyone who is stronger than you are -- if you do lend, resign yourself to loss.	12 Lend not to one more powerful than yourself; and whatever you lend, count it as lost.
13 Do not stand surety beyond your means; if you do stand surety, be prepared to pay up.	13 Go not surety beyond your means; think any pledge a debt you must pay.
14 Do not go to law with a judge, since judgement wil be given in his favour.	14 Contend not at law with a judge, for he will settle it according to his whim.
15 Do not go travel ing with a rash man, for fear he becomes burdensome to you; he wil act as the whimtakes him, and you wil both be ruined by his fol y.	15 Travel not with a ruthless man, lest he weigh you down with calamity; For he will go his own way straight, and through his folly you will perish with him.
16 Do not argue with a quick-tempered man, do not go with him where there are no other people, sinceblood counts for nothing in his eyes, and where no help is to be had, he wil strike you down.	16 Provoke no quarrel with a quick-tempered man, nor ride with him through the desert, For bloodshed is nothing to him; when there is no one to help you, he will destroy you.
17 Do not ask a fool for advice, since a fool wil not be able to keep a confidence.	17 Take no counsel with a fool, for he can keep nothing to himself.
18 In a stranger's presence do nothing that should be kept secret, since you cannot tel what use thestranger will make of it.	18 Before a stranger do nothing that should be kept secret, for you know not what it will engender.
19 Do not open your heart to al comers, nor lay claim to their good offices.	19 Open your heart to no man, and banish not your happiness.