Sirach 21

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NOVA VULGATA
1 Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you.	1 Fili, peccasti? Non adicias iterum, sed et de pristinis deprecare, ut tibi dimittantur.
2 Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you.	2 Quasi a facie colubri fuge peccata: et, si accesseris ad illa, mordebunt te.
3 Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.	3 Dentes leonis dentes eorum interficientes animas hominum.
4 All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.	4 Quasi romphaea bis acuta omnis iniquitas: plagae illius non est sanitas.
5 Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated.	5 Terror et iniuriae annullabunt substantiam, et domus, quae nimis locuples est, annullabitur superbia; sic substantia superbi eradicabitur.
6 Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly.	6 Deprecatio pauperis ex ore usque ad aures Dei perveniet, et iudicium festinato adveniet illi.
7 Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.	7 Qui odit correptionem, in vestigio est peccatoris; et, qui timet Deum, convertet illam ad cor suum.
8 He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him.	8 Notus a longe potens lingua audaci, et sensatus novit illum labi.
9 Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.	9 Qui aedificat domum suam impendiis alienis, quasi qui colligit lapides suos in hiemem.
10 The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.	10 Stuppa collecta synagoga peccantium, et consummatio illorum flamma ignis.
11 The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.	11 Via peccantium complanata lapidibus, et in fine illius fovea inferi.
12 Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.	12 Qui custodit legem, continebit sensum suum;
13 The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.	13 consummatio timoris Dei sapientia et sensus.
14 One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.	14 Non erudietur, qui non est prudens;
15 Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.	15 est autem astutia, quae abundat in malo, et non est sensus, ubi est amaritudo.
16 The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.	16 Scientia sapientis tamquam inundatio abundabit, et consilium illius sicut fons vitae permanet.
17 The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.	17 Cor fatui quasi vas confractum et omnem sapientiam non tenebit.
18 A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back.	18 Verbum sapiens, quodcumque audierit scius, laudabit et ad illud adiciet; audivit luxuriosus, et displicebit illi et proiciet illud post dorsum suum.
19 The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found.	19 Narratio fatui quasi sarcina in via, sed in labiis sensati invenietur gratia.
20 The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts.	20 Os prudentis quaeretur in ecclesia, et verba illius cogitabunt in cordibus suis.
21 Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words.	21 Tamquam domus exterminata sic fatuo sapientia; et scientia insensati inenarrabilia verba.
22 Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.	22 Compedes in pedibus stulto doctrina et quasi vincula manuum super manum dexteram.
23 A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.	23 Fatuus in risu exaltat vocem suam; vir autem sapiens vix tacite ridebit.
24 Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.	24 Tamquam ornamentum aureum prudenti doctrina et quasi brachiale in brachio dextro.
25 The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful.	25 Pes fatui facilis in domum proximi, sed homo peritus verebitur personam.
26 A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside.	26 Stultus a fenestra respiciet in domum, vir autem eruditus foris stabit.
27 It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.	27 Ineruditio hominis auscultare per ostium, et prudenti gravis contumelia.
28 The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.	28 Labia imprudentium stulta narrabunt, verba autem prudentium statera ponderabuntur.
29 The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts.	29 In ore fatuorum cor illorum, et in corde sapientium os illorum.
30 Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.	30 Dum maledicit impius adversarium, maledicit ipse animam suam.
31 Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored.	31 Susurro coinquinabit animam suam et in omnibus odietur; et, qui cum eo manserit, odiosus erit: tacitus et sensatus honorabitur.