Sirach 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NOVA VULGATA
1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.	1 Qui vivit in aeternum, creavit omnia simul. Deus solus iustificabitur et manet invictus rex in aeternum.
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 Et quis investigabit magnalia eius?
4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.	4 Virtutem autem magnitudinis eius quis enuntiabit? Aut quis adiciet enarrare misericordiam eius?
5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.	5 Non est minuere neque adicere 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, quis defectus, et quae est utilitas illius? Et quid est 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 aquae maris deputati sunt, et sicut calculus arenae, sic exigui anni in die aevi.
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 praesumptionem 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 aequitatis.
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 reprehendit, docet et erudit quasi pastor dirigens gregem suum.
14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.	14 Miseretur excipientibus doctrinam miserationis et festinantibus in iudiciis eius.
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 gratioso.
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 iudicium para advocatum 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 iudicium interroga teipsum et in hora visitationis invenies propitiationem.
21 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.	21 Ante languorem humilia te et in tempore peccati ostende conversionem tuam.
22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.	22 Non sinas te impediri reddere votum tempore opportuno et ne tardes usque ad mortem iustificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in aeternum.
23 Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.	23 Ante votum praepara animam tuam et noli esse quasi homo, qui tentat Dominum.
24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.	24 Memento irae in die consummationis et, suo tempore, retributionis in conversione faciei.
25 Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.	25 Memento famis in tempore abundantiae 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 mutatur tempus, et haec 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 cavebit a malitia.
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 iustitiam et effuderunt tamquam pluviam proverbia et iudicia.
30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.	30 De continentia animae. Post concupiscentias tuas non eas et a voluptatibus tuis te contine;
31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.	31 si praestes animae tuae beneplacitum concupiscentiae, faciet te in gaudium inimicis tuis.
32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;	32 Ne oblecteris in multa epulatione; duplex enim portio est paupertas illius.
33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.	33 Ne fueris ganeo et potator, cum nihil tibi est in sacculo: eris enim invidus vitae tuae.