Sirach 20

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	JERUSALEM
1 How much better is it to reprove, than to become angry, so as not to hinder him who may confess in prayer.	1 Il y a des reproches intempestifs, il y a un silence qui dénote l'homme sensé.
2 The lust of an eunuch will deflower a young maiden;	2 Mieux vaut faire des reproches que garder sa colère.
3 similar is he who by violence gives an iniquitous judgment.	3 Celui qui s'accuse d'une faute évite la peine.
4 How good it is, when you are corrected, to show contrition! For in this way, you will escape deliberate sin.	4 Tel l'eunuque qui voudrait déflorer une jeune fille, tel celui qui prétend rendre la justice parla violence.
5 There is one who, by remaining silent, is found to be wise. And there is another who is hateful and who provokes by speaking out.	5 Tel se tait et passe pour sage, tel autre se fait détester pour son bavardage.
6 There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time.	6 Tel se tait parce qu'il ne sait que répondre, tel autre se tait qui attend son heure.
7 A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times.	7 Le sage sait se taire jusqu'au bon moment, mais le bavard et l'insensé manquent l'occasion.
8 Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated.	8 Celui qui parle trop se fait détester et celui qui prétend s'imposer suscite la haine.
9 There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment.	9 Tel trouve son salut dans le malheur et parfois une aubaine provoque un dommage.
10 There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double.	10 Il y a des générosités qui ne te profitent pas et il y a des générosités qui rapportent ledouble.
11 There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness.	11 Parfois la gloire apporte l'humiliation et certains dans l'abaissement lèvent la tête.
12 There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold.	12 Tel achète beaucoup de choses avec peu d'argent, et cependant les paie sept fois trop cher.
13 Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away.	13 Par des paroles le sage se fait aimer, mais les générosités des sots vont en pure perte.
14 A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold.	14 Le cadeau de l'insensé ne te sert à rien car ses yeux sont avides de recevoir le septuple;
15 He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame.	15 il donne peu et reproche beaucoup, il ouvre la bouche comme un crieur public; il prêteaujourd'hui, demain il redemande: c'est un homme détestable.
16 There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful.	16 L'insensé dit: "Je n'ai pas un ami, de mes bienfaits nul ne me sait gré;
17 A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds.	17 ceux qui mangent mon pain ont mauvaise langue." Tant de gens, si souvent, se gaussent delui!
18 For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him!	18 Mieux vaut un faux pas sur le pavé qu'une incartade de langage; c'est ainsi que trébuchentsoudainement les méchants.
19 For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess.	19 Un homme grossier est comme une gaudriole ressassée par des imbéciles.
20 The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly.	20 De la bouche du sot on n'accepte pas un proverbe, car il ne le dit pas à propos.
21 A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined.	21 Tel est préservé du péché par son indigence, à ses heures de loisir il n'a pas de remords.
22 A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time.	22 Tel se perd par respect humain, il se perd par égard pour un insensé.
23 There is one who is prevented from sinning by poverty, and in his rest, he will be vexed.	23 Tel par timidité fait des promesses à son ami et s'en fait un ennemi sans motif.
24 There is one who will lose his own soul because of pretense, and he will lose it by an example of imprudence. For by seeking the approval of another, he will destroy himself.	24 C'est une grave souillure pour un homme que le mensonge, il est ressassé par les ignorants.
25 There is one who, for the sake of what other’s think, makes a promise to a friend, and so he gains him as an enemy for no reason.	25 Mieux vaut un voleur qu'un maître menteur, mais l'un et l'autre vont à leur perte.
26 A lie is a wicked disgrace to a man, and yet lies will be continually in the mouths of those without discipline.	26 L'habitude du mensonge est une abomination, la honte du menteur est sans cesse sur lui.
27 A thief is better than a man who constantly lies. But both of them will inherit perdition.	27 Par ses discours le sage se fait estimer et l'homme avisé plaît aux grands.
28 The habits of lying men are without honor. And their shame is with them without ceasing.	28 Celui qui cultive la terre obtient une bonne récolte, celui qui plaît aux grands se faitpardonner l'injustice.
29 A wise man will benefit himself by his own words, and a prudent man will please the powerful.	29 Présents et cadeaux aveuglent les yeux des sages, comme un bâillon sur la bouche ilsétouffent les reproches.
30 Whoever works his land will raise high a stockpile of grain. And whoever works justice will himself be raised high. Yet truly, whoever pleases the powerful will escape unfair treatment.	30 Sagesse cachée et trésor invisible, à quoi servent-ils l'un et l'autre?
31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and silence their mouths, turning them aside from their task of correction.	31 Mieux vaut un homme qui cache sa folie qu'un homme qui cache sa sagesse.
32 Wisdom hidden, and treasure unseen: of what use is either of these?
33 He who hides his foolishness is better than a man who conceals his wisdom.