Sirach 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	VULGATA
1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.	1 Qui vivet in æternum creavit omnia simul. Deus solus justificabitur, et manet invictus rex in æternum.
2 Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?	2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius ?
3 Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?	3 quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus ?
4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.	4 virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit ? aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus ?
5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.	5 Non est minuere neque adjicere, nec est invenire magnalia Dei.
6 What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?	6 Cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet : et cum quieverit, aporiabitur.
7 The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:	7 Quid est homo ? et quæ est gratia illius ? et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius ?
8 Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.	8 Numerus dierum hominum, ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquæ maris deputati sunt : et sicut calculus arenæ, sic exigui anni in die ævi.
9 That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.	9 Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis, et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.
10 He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.	10 Vidit præsumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est : et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.
11 Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,	11 Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis, et ostendit eis viam æquitatis.
12 Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;	12 Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum : misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.
13 Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.	13 Qui misericordiam habet, docet et erudit quasi pastor gregem suum.
14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.	14 Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis, et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.
15 Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.	15 Fili, in bonis non des querelam, et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.
16 Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.	16 Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros ? sic et verbum melius quam datum.
17 Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.	17 Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum ? sed utraque cum homine justificato.
18 Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.	18 Stultus acriter improperabit : et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.
19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.	19 Ante judicium para justitiam tibi, et antequam loquaris, disce.
20 Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.	20 Ante languorem adhibe medicinam : et ante judicium interroga teipsum, et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem.
21 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.	21 Ante languorem humilia te, et in tempore infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.
22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.	22 Non impediaris orare semper, et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum.
23 Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.	23 Ante orationem præpara animam tuam, et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.
24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.	24 Memento iræ in die consummationis, et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.
25 Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.	25 Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ, et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.
26 Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.	26 A mane usque ad vesperam immutabitur tempus, et hæc omnia citata in oculis Dei.
27 A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.	27 Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet, et in diebus delictorum attendet ab inertia.
28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;	28 Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam, et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.
29 Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.	29 Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt, et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam, et impluerunt proverbia et judicia.
30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.	30 Post concupiscentias tuas non eas, et a voluntate tua avertere.
31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.	31 Si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentias ejus, faciat te in gaudium inimicis tuis.
32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;	32 Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis : assidua enim est commissio illorum.
33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.	33 Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex f?nore, et est tibi nihil in sacculo : eris enim invidus vitæ tuæ.