Ecclesiasticus 37

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Omnis amicus dicet : Et ego amicitiam copulavi : sed est amicus solo nomine amicus. Nonne tristitia inest usque ad mortem ?	1 Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.
2 sodalis autem et amicus ad inimicitiam convertentur.	2 Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy?
3 O præsumptio nequissima, unde creata es cooperire aridam malitia et dolositate illius ?	3 "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?"
4 Sodalis amico conjucundatur in oblectationibus, et in tempore tribulationis adversarius erit.	4 A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off.
5 Sodalis amico condolet causa ventris, et contra hostem accipiet scutum.	5 A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer.
6 Non obliviscaris amici tui in animo tuo, et non immemor sis illius in opibus tuis.	6 Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils.
7 Noli consiliari cum eo qui tibi insidiatur, et a zelantibus te absconde consilium.	7 Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own;
8 Omnis consiliarius prodit consilium, sed est consiliarius in semetipso.	8 Be on the alert when one proffers advice, find out first of all what he wants. For he may be thinking of himself alone; why should the profit fall to him?
9 A consiliario serva animam tuam : prius scito quæ sit illius necessitas : et ipse enim animo suo cogitabit :	9 He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune.
10 ne forte mittat sudem in terram, et dicat tibi :	10 Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden.
11 Bona est via tua : et stet e contrario videre quid tibi eveniat.	11 Speak not to a woman about her rival, nor to a coward about war, to a merchant about business, to a buyer about value, to a miser about generosity, to a cruel man about mercy, to a lazy man about work, to a seasonal laborer about the harvest, to an idle slave about a great task: pay no attention to any advice they give.
12 Cum viro irreligioso tracta de sanctitate, et cum injusto de justitia, et cum muliere de ea quæ æmulatur, cum timido de bello, cum negotiatore de trajectione, cum emptore de venditione, cum viro livido de gratiis agendis,	12 Instead, associate with a religious man, who you are sure keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself and will feel for you if you fall.
13 cum impio de pietate, cum inhonesto de honestate, cum operario agrario de omni opere,	13 Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more?
14 cum operario annuali de consummatione anni, cum servo pigro de multa operatione. Non attendas his in omni consilio :	14 A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower.
15 sed cum viro sancto assiduus esto, quemcumque cognoveris observantem timorem Dei :	15 Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.
16 cujus anima est secundum animam tuam, et qui, cum titubaveris in tenebris, condolebit tibi.	16 A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act.
17 Cor boni consilii statue tecum : non est enim tibi aliud pluris illo.	17 The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth:
18 Anima viri sancti enuntiat aliquando vera, quam septem circumspectores sedentes in excelso ad speculandum.	18 Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue.
19 Et in his omnibus deprecare Altissimum, ut dirigat in veritate viam tuam.	19 A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself.
20 Ante omnia opera verbum verax præcedat te, et ante omnem actum consilium stabile.	20 Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment.
21 Verbum nequam immutabit cor : ex quo partes quatuor oriuntur : bonum et malum, vita et mors : et dominatrix illorum est assidua lingua. Est vir astutus multorum eruditor, et animæ suæ inutilis est.	21 When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person;
22 Vir peritus multos erudivit, et animæ suæ suavis est.	22 When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring:
23 Qui sophistice loquitur odibilis est : in omni re defraudabitur.	23 Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number.
24 Non est illi data a Domino gratia, omni enim sapientia defraudatus est.	24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him;
25 Est sapiens animæ suæ sapiens, et fructus sensus illius laudabilis.	25 One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever.
26 Vir sapiens plebem suam erudit, et fructus sensus illius fideles sunt.	26 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you;
27 Vir sapiens implebitur benedictionibus, et videntes illum laudabunt.	27 For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste.
28 Vita viri in numero dierum : dies autem Israël innumerabiles sunt.	28 Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods,
29 Sapiens in populo hæreditabit honorem, et nomen illius erit vivens in æternum.	29 For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness.
30 Fili, in vita tua tenta animam tuam, et si fuerit nequam non des illi potestatem :	30 Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life.
31 non enim omnia omnibus expediunt, et non omni animæ omne genus placet.
32 Noli avidus esse in omni epulatione, et non te effundas super omnem escam :
33 in multis enim escis erit infirmitas, et aviditas appropinquabit usque ad choleram.
34 Propter crapulam multi obierunt : qui autem abstinens est adjiciet vitam.