Sirach 37

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NOVA VULGATA
1 Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.	1 Omnis amicus dicet: “ Et ego amicitiam copulavi! ”; sed est amicus solo nomine amicus. Nonne tristitia appropinquans usque ad mortem:
2 Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy?	2 sodalis et amicus ad inimicitiam conversus?
3 "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?"	3 O praesumptio nequissima, unde creata es cooperire aridam malitia et dolositate illius?
4 A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off.	4 Sodalis amico coniucundatur in oblectationibus et in tempore tribulationis adversarius erit;
5 A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer.	5 sodalis amico condolet causa ventris et contra hostem accipiet scutum.
6 Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils.	6 Non obliviscaris amici tui in animo tuo et non immemor sis illius in opibus tuis.
7 Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own;	7 Noli consiliari cum eo, qui tibi insidiatur, et a zelantibus te absconde consilium.
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?	8 Omnis consiliarius prodit consilium, sed est consiliarius pro semetipso.
9 He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune.	9 A consiliario serva animam tuam et prius scito quae sit illius necessitas ­ et ipse enim animo suo cogitabit ­
10 Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden.	10 ne forte mittat super te sortem et dicat tibi:
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.	11 “ Bona est via tua ” et stet e contrario videre quid tibi eveniat.
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.	12 Noli consiliari cum invido et a zelante te consilium absconde; nec cum muliere de ea, quae ei aemulatur, cum timido de bello, cum negotiatore de traiecticio, cum emptore de venditione, cum viro livido de gratiis agendis,
13 Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more?	13 cum impio de pietate, cum inhonesto de honestate, cum operario otioso de omni opere,
14 A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower.	14 cum mercennario annuali de consummatione anni, cum servo pigro de multa operatione: non attendas his in omni consilio.
15 Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.	15 Sed cum viro timorato assiduus esto, quemcumque cognoveris observantem mandata,
16 A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act.	16 cuius anima est secundum animam tuam, et qui, cum titubaveris in tenebris, condolebit tibi.
17 The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth:	17 Et consilium cordis statue tecum; non est enim tibi aliud fidelius illo.
18 Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue.	18 Anima viri enuntiat aliquando vera quam septem circumspectores sedentes in excelso ad speculandum.
19 A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself.	19 Et in his omnibus deprecare Altissimum, ut dirigat in veritate viam tuam.
20 Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment.	20 Ante omnia opera verbum verax praecedat te, et ante omnem actum consilium stabile.
21 When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person;	21 Radix consiliorum cor, ex quo partes quattuor oriuntur: bonum et malum, vita et mors; et dominatrix illorum est assidua lingua.
22 When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring:	22 Est vir peritus multorum eruditor et animae suae inutilis est.
23 Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number.	23 Est qui sophistice loquitur et odibilis est; in omni cibo voluptatis defraudabitur.
24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him;	24 Non est illi data a Domino gratia: omni enim sapientia defraudatus est.
25 One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever.	25 Est sapiens animae suae sapiens, et fructus sensus illius super corpus suum.
26 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you;	26 Vir sapiens plebem suam erudit, et fructus sensus illius fideles sunt.
27 For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste.	27 Vir sapiens implebitur benedictionibus, et omnes videntes illum beatum dicent.
28 Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods,	28 Vita viri in numero dierum; dies autem Israel innumerabiles sunt.
29 For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness.	29 Sapiens in populo hereditabit honorem, et nomen illius erit vivens in aeternum.
30 Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life.	30 Fili, in vita tua tenta animam tuam et vide si quid obnoxium ei est: non des illi.
	31 Non enim omnia omnibus expediunt, et non omni animae 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, adiciet vitam.