Sirach 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Biblija Hrvatski
1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.	1 Onaj koji živi uvijek stvorio je svemir.
2 Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?	2 Jedini je Gospod pravedan!
3 Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?
4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.	4 Komu on dade moć da iskaže djela njegova i tko će iscrpsti čudesa njegova?
5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.	5 Tko može izmjeriti moć veličanstva njegova i tko ispričati dokaze milosti njegovih?
6 What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?	6 Niti im se može štogod oduzeti niti dodati, niti se mogu iscrpsti čudesa Gospodnja.
7 The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:	7 Kad čovjek završi, tek je započeo, i kad prestane, zbunjen je kao i uvijek.
8 Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.	8 Što je čovjek? Ili čemu služi? Što je njegovo dobro, a što njegovo zlo?
9 That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.	9 Trajnost života njegova? Sto godina vrlo je dugo.
10 He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.	10 A prema vječnosti te su godine kao kap morske vode ili zrno pijeska.
11 Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,	11 Zbog toga je Gospod strpljiv s ljudima i obasipa ih svojim milosrđem.
12 Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;	12 On vidi i zna kako je bijedan njihov kraj i zato je umnožio praštanje svoje.
13 Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.	13 Sućut je čovjekova za bližnjega njegova, a sućut je Gospodnja za sve živo: Gospod ih kori, odgaja i poučava te vraća kao pastir stado svoje.
14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.	14 On je milostiv onima koji se stege drže i koji su revni u naredbama njegovim.
15 Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.	15 Sine, dobročinstva ne popraćuj ukorom niti darove ujedljivim riječima.
16 Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.	16 Ne ublažava li rosa žegu? Tako je i riječ dragocjenija od milodara.
17 Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.	17 I mislim, nije li riječ bolja od dara? A oboje se nalazi u čovjeka puna milosti.
18 Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.	18 Luđak ne daje ništa i grdi, a zavidnikov dar peče oči.
19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.	19 Promisli prije nego prozboriš, traži lijeka prije bolesti.
20 Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.	20 Prosudi samog sebe prije nego sudiš, pa ćeš naći oprosta u čas Božjeg pohoda.
21 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.	21 Ponizi se prije nego se razboliš, i kad si pogriješio, pokaj se.
22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.	22 Ne oklijevaj ispuniti zavjet na vrijeme i ne čekaj smrt da bi postupio pravedno.
23 Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.	23 Pripravi se prije svoga zavjeta i ne budi kao čovjek koji iskušava Gospodina.
24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.	24 Misli na srdžbu posljednjih dana i na čas osvetni kad Bog odvrati lice svoje.
25 Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.	25 Misli na glad u vrijeme obilja i na siromaštvo i oskudnost u dane bogatstva.
26 Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.	26 Vrijeme se mijenja od jutra do večeri i sve brzo prolazi pred Gospodinom.
27 A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.	27 Mudrac je oprezan u svemu i u grešnim se danima čuva prijestupa.
28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;	28 Svaki koji je razuman prepoznaje mudrost i poštovat će onoga tko je steče.
29 Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.	29 Koji shvaćaju mudre besjede sami postaju mudri i obasipaju kišom prikladnih izreka.
30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.	30 Ne idi za svojim strastima, kroti svoje požude.
31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.	31 Ako zadovoljiš svoju dušu požudom, načinit ćeš od sebe ruglo neprijateljima.
32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;	32 Ne upuštaj se u raskošan život, ne miješaj se u takvo društvo.
33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.	33 Nemoj da osiromašiš gosteći se pozajmljenim novcem kad ništa nemaš u tobolcu svojem.