Ecclesiasticus 14

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Beatus vir, qui non est lapsus verbo ex ore suo et non est stimulatus in tristitia delicti.	1 Happy the man whose mouth brings him no grief, who is not stung by remorse for sin.
2 Felix, quem non condemnat anima sua, et non excidit a spe sua.	2 Happy the man whose conscience does not reproach him, who has not lost hope.
3 Viro tenaci sine ratione est substantia; et homini livido ad quid aurum?	3 Wealth ill becomes the mean man; and to the miser, of what use is gold?
4 Qui denegat animo suo iniuste, aliis congregat, et in bonis illius alius luxuriabitur.	4 What he denies himself he collects for others, and in his possessions a stranger will revel.
5 Qui sibi nequam est, cui alii bonus erit? Et non iucundabitur in bonis suis.	5 To whom will he be generous who is stingy with himself and does not enjoy what is his own?
6 Qui sibi invidet, nihil est illo nequius; et haec redditio est malitiae illius.	6 None is more stingy than he who is stingy with himself; he punishes his own miserliness.
7 Et, si bene fecerit, ignoranter et non volens facit et in novissimo manifestat malitiam suam.	7 If ever he is generous, it is by mistake; and in the end he displays his greed.
8 Nequam est oculus lividi et avertens faciem suam et despiciens animas.	8 In the miser's opinion his share is too small;
9 Insatiabilis oculus cupidi in parte non satiabitur, donec consumat arefaciens animam suam.	9 he refuses his neighbor and brings ruin on himself.
10 Oculus malus lividus irruit in panem et neglegens est mensae suae.	10 The miser's eye is rapacious for bread, but on his own table he sets it stale.
11 Fili, si habes, benefac tecum et Deo dignas oblationes offer.	11 My son, use freely whatever you have and enjoy it as best you can;
12 Memor esto quoniam mors non tardat, et decretum inferorum quia non demonstratum est tibi; decretum enim huius mundi: morte morietur.	12 Remember that death does not tarry, nor have you been told the grave's appointed time.
13 Ante mortem benefac amico tuo et secundum vires tuas exporrigens da ei.	13 Before you die, be good to your friend, and give him a share in what you possess.
14 Non defrauderis a bono diei, et particula desiderii boni non te praetereat.	14 Deprive not yourself of present good things, let no choice portion escape you.
15 Nonne aliis relinques res dolore partas et labores tuos in divisione sortis?	15 Will you not leave your riches to others, and your earnings to be divided by lot?
16 Da et accipe et oblecta animam tuam;	16 Give, take, and treat yourself well, for in the nether world there are no joys to seek.
17 ante obitum tuum operare iustitiam, quoniam non est apud inferos quaerere voluptates.	17 All flesh grows old, like a garment; the age-old law is: All must die.
18 Omnis caro sicut vestimentum veterascet et sicut folium fructificans in arbore viridi: alia generantur, et alia deiciuntur;	18 As with the leaves that grow on a vigorous tree: one falls off and another sprouts-- So with the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and another is born.
19 sic generatio carnis et sanguinis: alia finitur, et alia nascitur.	19 All man's works will perish in decay, and his handiwork will follow after him.
20 Omne opus corruptibile in fine deficiet, et, qui illud operatur, ibit cum illo;	20 Happy the man who meditates on wisdom, and reflects on knowledge;
21 et omne opus electum iustificabitur, et, qui operatur illud, honorabitur in illo.	21 Who ponders her ways in his heart, and understands her paths;
22 Beatus vir, qui in sapientia morabitur et qui in iustitia sua meditabitur et in sensu cogitabit circumspectionem Dei;	22 Who pursues her like a scout, and lies in wait at her entry way;
23 qui excogitat vias illius in corde suo et in absconditis suis intellegens, vadens post illam quasi investigator et in viis illius consistens;	23 Who peeps through her windows, and listens at her doors;
24 qui respicit per fenestras illius et in ianuis illius audiens;	24 Who encamps near her house, and fastens his tent pegs next to her walls;
25 qui requiescit iuxta domum illius et in parietibus illius figens palum, statuet casulam suam ad manus illius et requiescet in deversorio bonorum per aevum.	25 Who pitches his tent beside her, and lives as her welcome neighbor;
26 Statuet filios suos sub tegmine illius et sub ramis eius morabitur;	26 Who builds his nest in her leafage, and lodges in her branches;
27 protegetur sub tegmine illius a fervore et in gloria eius requiescet.	27 Who takes shelter with her from the heat, and dwells in her home.