Sirach 8

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Do not try conclusions with anyone influential, in case you later fal into his clutches.	1 You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands.
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 You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you.
3 Do not argue with anyone argumentative, do not pile wood on that fire.	3 For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings.
4 Do not joke with anyone uncouth, for fear of hearing your ancestors insulted.	4 You should not quarrel with a man who is full of words, for you should not cast wood upon his fire.
5 Do not revile a repentant sinner; remember that we al are guilty.	5 You should not confide in an ignorant man, lest he speak evil about your family.
6 Do not despise anyone in old age; after all, some of us too are growing old.	6 You should not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him with it. Remember that we are all subject to correction.
7 Do not gloat over anyone's death; remember that we al have to die.	7 You should not spurn a man in his old age. For we are all subject to growing old.
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 Do not be willing to rejoice at the death of your enemy, knowing that we all die, and that we do not want others rejoice over us.
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 You should not despise the discourse of those who are old and wise; instead, ponder their proverbs.
10 Do not kindle the coals of the sinner, in case you scorch yourself in his blaze.	10 For from them, you will learn wisdom and intelligent doctrine, so as to serve great men without blame.
11 Refuse to be provoked by the insolent, for fear that such a one try to trap you in your words.	11 Do not allow the discourse of your elders to pass you by. For they have learned from their fathers.
12 Do not lend to anyone who is stronger than you are -- if you do lend, resign yourself to loss.	12 And from them, you will learn understanding, and you will learn what response to give in a time of necessity.
13 Do not stand surety beyond your means; if you do stand surety, be prepared to pay up.	13 You should not kindle the coals of sinners by arguing with them. For you might be scorched by the flame from the fire of their sins.
14 Do not go to law with a judge, since judgement wil be given in his favour.	14 You should not stand against the face of a contemptuous person, otherwise he may sit down as if waiting in ambush against your words.
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 You should not lend to a man who is stronger than you. But if you do lend, consider it lost.
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 You should not promise beyond your ability. But if you do promise, consider how to fulfill it.
17 Do not ask a fool for advice, since a fool wil not be able to keep a confidence.	17 You should not judge against a judge. For he judges according to what is just.
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 You should not go forth on the way with an audacious man, lest perhaps he may burden you with his evils. For he goes forth according to his own will, and you will perish with him in his folly.
19 Do not open your heart to al comers, nor lay claim to their good offices.	19 You should not start a conflict with an angry man, and you should not go into the desert with an audacious man. For shedding blood is nothing to him, and in a place where there is no help for you, he will overthrow you.
	20 You should not hold counsel with the foolish. For they are not able to love anything except what pleases them.
	21 You should not take counsel in the sight of an outsider. For you do not know what he will do next.
	22 You should not reveal your heart to every man, lest perhaps he may offer a false kindness to you, and then speak reproachfully about you.