Sirach 6

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NOVA VULGATA
1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; A bad name and disgrace will you acquire: "That for the evil man with double tongue!"	1 Nec pusillum nec multum noceas et noli fieri pro amico inimicus. Nomen enim malum et improperium et contumeliam hereditabis; sic omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis.
2 Fall not into the grip of desire, lest, like fire, it consume your strength;	2 Non te extollas in cogitatione animae tuae velut taurus, ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam,
3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree,	3 et folia tua comedat et fructus tuos perdat, et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.
4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies.	4 Anima enim nequam disperdet eum, qui se habet, et in gaudium inimicis dat illum et deducet in sortem impiorum.
5 A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.	5 Os dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos; et lingua eucharis salutem dicit.
6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.	6 Multi pacifici sint tibi, et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.
7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him	7 Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum et ne facile credas ei.
8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.	8 Est enim amicus secundum opportunitatem suam et non permanebit in die tribulationis.
9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.	9 Et est amicus, qui convertitur ad inimicitiam et rixam convicii tui denudabit.
10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes.	10 Est autem amicus socius mensae et non permanebit in die necessitatis;
11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants;	11 in prosperis erit tibi quasi coaequalis et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.
12 But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you.	12 Si humiliatus fueris, convertetur contra te et a facie tua abscondet se.
13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends.	13 Ab inimicis tuis separare et de amicis tuis attende.
14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.	14 Amicus fidelis protectio fortis; qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.
15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.	15 Amico fideli nulla est comparatio, et non est ponderatio contra bonitatem illius.
16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;	16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitae, et, qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.
17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.	17 Qui timet Deum, aeque habebit amicitiam eius, quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.
18 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.	18 Fili, a iuventute tua excipe doctrinam et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.
19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops.	19 Quasi is qui arat et seminat, accede ad eam et sustine bonos fructus illius.
20 For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.	20 In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis et cito edes de generationibus illius.
21 How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her.	21 Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus, et non permanebit in illa excors.
22 She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside.	22 Quasi lapis probationis gravis erit super illum, et non demorabitur proicere illam.
23 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.	23 Doctrina est enim secundum nomen eius et non est multis manifesta; quibus autem cognita est, permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.
24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel.	24 Audi, fili, et accipe sententiam meam et ne abicias consilium meum.
25 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.	25 Inice pedem tuum in compedes illius et in torques illius collum tuum;
26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds.	26 subice umerum tuum et porta illam et ne acedieris vinculis eius.
27 With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways.	27 In omni animo tuo accede ad illam et in omni virtute tua conserva vias eius.
28 Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go;	28 Investiga et scrutare, exquire et invenies, et continens factus ne derelinquas eam.
29 Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy.	29 In novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea, et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.
30 Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord.	30 Et erunt tibi compedes eius in protectionem fortitudinis, et torques illius in stolam gloriae;
31 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown.	31 decor enim aureus est in illa, et vincula illius alligatura hyacinthina.
32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.	32 Stolam gloriae indues eam et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.
33 If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.	33 Fili, si attenderis, disces; et, si accommodaveris animum tuum, prudens eris.
34 Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.	34 Si dilexeris audire, excipies doctrinam; et, si inclinaveris aurem tuam, sapiens eris.
35 Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.	35 In multitudine presbyterorum sta et sapientiae illorum ex corde coniungere, ut omnem narrationem Dei velis audire, et proverbia intellectus non effugiant a te.
36 If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!	36 Et, si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum, et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.
37 Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.	37 Cogitatum tuum habe in praeceptis Dei et in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto; et ipse firmabit tibi cor, et concupiscentia sapientiae dabitur tibi.