Sirach 37

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	BIBLIA
1 Every friend will say: “I also am a close friend.” But there is a friend who is a friend in name only. Is this not a grief even unto death?	1 Todo amigo dice: «También yo soy tu amigo», pero hay amigo que lo es sólo de nombre.
2 But a companion and friend may turn into an enemy.	2 ¿No es para uno una mortal tristeza un compañero o amigo trocado en enemigo?
3 O wicked presumption! From what were you created that you would cover the dry land with your malice and deceitfulness?	3 ¡Oh intención perversa! ¿de dónde saliste para cubrir la tierra de engaño?
4 A companion may rejoice with his friend in good times, but in a time of tribulation, he will be an adversary.	4 El compañero disfruta en el contento del amigo, pero al tiempo de tribulación se volverá contra él.
5 There is a companion who commiserates with a friend for the sake of the stomach, but he will shield himself from the enemy.	5 El compañero compadece al amigo por interés, y cuando llega el combate embraza el escudo.
6 You should not forget your friend in your soul, and you should not be unmindful of him in your wealth.	6 No te olvides de tu amigo en tu alma, ni pierdas su recuerdo cuando seas rico.
7 Do not choose to consult with someone who waits in ambush for you. And hide your counsel from those who rival you.	7 Todo consejero da consejos, pero hay quien aconseja en su interés.
8 Every counselor offers advice, but some are counselors only for themselves.	8 Del consejero guarda tu alma, conoce primero qué necesita - porque en su propio interés dará consejo -, no sea que eche sobre ti la suerte,
9 Guard your soul from a counselor. And know beforehand what his interests are. For he will form thoughts from his own soul.	9 y te diga: «Bueno es tu camino», quedándose enfrente para ver qué te sucede.
10 Otherwise, he may set a signpost in the ground, and he may say to you:	10 No te aconsejes del que te mira con desprecio, y de los que te envidian oculta tu consejo;
11 “Your own way is good.” But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.	11 ni te aconsejes con mujer sobre su rival, con cobarde acerca la guerra, con negociante respecto del comercio, con comprador sobre la venta, con envidioso sobre la gratitud, con despiadado sobre la generosidad, con perezoso sobre cualquier trabajo, con temporero sobre el término de una obra, con siervo ocioso sobre un trabajo grande: no cuentes con éstos para ningún consejo.
12 Do not discuss holiness with an irreligious man, nor justice with one who is unjust. You should not speak with a woman about her who is a rival, nor with a coward about war, nor with a merchant about exaggeration, nor with a buyer about selling, nor with a spiteful man about giving thanks,	12 Sino recurre siempre a un hombre piadoso, de quien sabes bien que guarda los mandamientos, cuya alma es según tu alma, y que, si caes, sufrirá contigo.
13 nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,	13 Y mantén firme el consejo de tu corazón, que nadie es para ti más fiel que él.
14 nor with a worker hired for a year about the end of the year, nor with a lazy servant about great works. You should pay no heed to these persons in any matter of counsel.	14 Pues el alma del hombre puede a veces advertir más que siete vigías sentados en lo alto para vigilar.
15 But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,	15 Y por encima de todo esto suplica al Altísimo, para que enderece tu camino en la verdad.
16 whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.	16 Principio de toda obra es la palabra, y antes de toda acción está el consejo.
17 And establish a heart of good counsel within yourself. For there is nothing of greater usefulness to you than this.	17 Raíz de los pensamientos es el corazón, de él salen cuatro ramas:
18 At any time, the soul of a holy man declares more truths than seven vigilant watchmen sitting in a high place.	18 bien y mal, vida y muerte, mas la que siempre los domina es la lengua.
19 But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.	19 Hay hombre diestro que adoctrina a muchos, y para sí mismo es un inútil.
20 In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.	20 Hay quien se hace el sabio en palabras y es aborrecido, y que acabará sin tener qué comer.
21 A wicked word can change the heart. From the heart four kinds of things arise: good and evil, life and death. And the tongue is continually their ruler. There is a man who is an astute teacher of many, and yet this is useless to his own soul.	21 Pues no se le dio la gracia que viene del Señor, porque estaba vacío de toda sabiduría.
22 A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.	22 Hay quien para sí mismo es sabio, y los frutos de su inteligencia son, según él, dignos de fe.
23 Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.	23 El varón sabio enseña a su pueblo, y los frutos de su inteligencia son dignos de fe.
24 Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.	24 El varón sabio es colmado de bendiciones, y le llaman feliz todos los que le ven.
25 There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.	25 La vida del hombre tiene días contados, mas los días de Israel no tienen número.
26 A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.	26 El sabio en su pueblo se gana la confianza, y su nombre vivirá por los siglos.
27 A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.	27 Hijo, en tu vida prueba tu alma, ve lo que es malo para ella y no se los des.
28 The life of a man is in the number of his days. But the days of Israel are innumerable.	28 Pues no a todos les conviene todo, y no a todo el mundo le gusta lo mismo.
29 A wise man will inherit honor among the people, and his name will live in eternity.	29 No seas insaciable de todo placer, y no te abalances sobre la comida,
30 Son, test your own mind in your life, and if it is lacking, you should not give it authority.	30 porque en el exceso de alimento hay enfermedad, y la intemperancia acaba en cólicos.
31 For not all things are fitting for all persons, and not every kind of thing is agreeable to every soul.	31 Por intemperancia han muerto muchos, pero el que se vigila prolongará su vida.
32 Do not choose to be eager during any feast, and you should not act with excess toward any food.
33 For in excessive eating there will be infirmity, and gluttony will continue even unto illness.
34 By excessive drinking, many have passed away. But he who abstains will add to his life.