Sirach 34

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	BIBLES DES PEUPLES
1 The hopes of a senseless man are empty and false; and dreams extol the imprudent.	1 Les espérances vaines et mensongères sont pour les imbéciles: les songes donnent des ailes aux insensés.
2 Like one who chases a shadow and pursues the wind, so also is one who pays attention to lying visions.	2 Compter sur des songes, c’est comme poursuivre une ombre ou courir après le vent.
3 In the vision of dreams, one thing represents another, as when a mask is before the face of a man.	3 Ce qu’on voit en rêve n’est qu’un reflet: la personne voit sa propre image.
4 What can be cleansed by the unclean? And what truth can be spoken from a lie?	4 Peut-on se purifier avec une chose impure? Et trouvera-t-on la vérité dans ce qui est mensonge?
5 Erroneous divinations and false signs and the dreams of evildoers are emptiness.	5 Prédictions, voyance et songes sont aussi vides que les fantasmes d’une femme enceinte.
6 For your heart suffers from imagination, like a woman suffering in childbirth. Unless it is a visitation sent from the Most High, you should not set your heart upon it.	6 À moins qu’ils ne te soient envoyés comme une visite du Très-Haut, ne leur donne pas ton attention.
7 For dreams have caused many to go astray, and those who have hoped in them have fallen away.	7 Les songes ont égaré bien des gens; ceux qui comptaient dessus sont tombés à côté.
8 The word of the law will be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom will be made plain in the mouths of the faithful.	8 La Loi par contre s’accomplira sans faute: elle est sage en ce qu’elle dit, fidèle en ce qu’elle promet.
9 He who has not been tested, what does he know? A man with much experience will consider many things. And whoever has learned much will explain with understanding.	9 Celui qui a voyagé connaît bien des choses, un homme d’expérience parle en connaissance de cause.
10 He who has no experience knows little. And he who has done many things has made many mistakes.	10 Celui qui n’a pas été mis à l’épreuve sait peu, celui qui a roulé sa bosse a acquis bien des savoir-faire.
11 He who has not been tested, what kind of things can he know? He who has been deceived will be more cunning.	11 J’ai vu beaucoup de choses au cours de mes voyages, et j’en sais plus que je ne saurais dire.
12 I have seen much by wandering, and the customs of many things.	12 J’ai souvent été en danger de mort, et je m’en suis tiré grâce à mon expérience.
13 At times, I have even been in danger of death because of these things, but I was freed by the grace of God.	13 Ceux qui craignent le Seigneur auront la vie sauve, car ils ont mis leur espérance en celui qui peut les sauver.
14 The spirit of those who fear God is sought, and they will be blessed by his providence.	14 Celui qui craint le Seigneur sera sans crainte, il ne s’effraiera de rien car Lui est son espérance.
15 For their hope is in him who saves them, and the eyes of God are on those who love him.	15 Celui qui craint le Seigneur sait son bonheur: sur qui donc s’est-il appuyé, qui donc est sa force?
16 Those who fear the Lord will tremble at nothing, and they will not be terrified. For he is their hope.	16 Le regard du Seigneur couvre ceux qui l’aiment, il est une puissante protection, un soutien qui résiste, un abri contre le vent brûlant et le soleil de midi, une sécurité contre les chutes, une aide au moment de tomber.
17 The soul of him who fears the Lord is blessed.	17 Le Seigneur redonne le courage et illumine les yeux, il donne guérison, vie et bénédiction.
18 To whom should he look, and who is his strength?	18 Donner à Dieu un bien mal acquis, c’est une offrande souillée; les dons des méchants ne sauraient plaire à Dieu.
19 The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him. He is a powerful Protector, a Firmament of virtue, a Shelter from the heat, and a Covering from the midday sun,	19 Le Très-Haut ne prend pas plaisir aux offrandes des impies; ce n’est pas à force de sacrifices que leurs péchés seront pardonnés.
20 a Guardian from offenses, and a Helper from falling, who exalts the soul and illuminates the eyes, and who gives health and life and blessing.	20 Offrir un sacrifice pris sur les biens des indigents, c’est mettre à mort un fils en l’honneur de son père.
21 An immolation from iniquity is a stained oblation, and the derisions of the unjust are not well pleasing.	21 Le pain qu’ils ont mendié est la vie des pauvres; celui qui les en prive est un assassin.
22 The Lord is only for those who persevere for him in the way of truth and justice.	22 Il tue son prochain, celui qui lui enlève ses moyens de vivre; retenir le salaire du salarié, c’est tout comme verser le sang.
23 The Most High does not approve of the gifts of the iniquitous. Neither does he have respect for the oblations of the unjust; neither will he forgive their sins because of the multitude of their sacrifices.	23 L’un construit, l’autre abat; qu’ont-ils gagné de plus que leur peine?
24 Whoever offers a sacrifice from the substance of the poor is like one who sacrifices the son in the sight of his father.	24 L’un prie, l’autre maudit; duquel le Maître écoutera-t-il la voix?
25 The bread of the indigent is the life of the poor. Whoever cheats them out of it is a man of blood.	25 Si l’on se baigne après avoir touché un mort, et qu’on le touche à nouveau, à quoi rimait la purification?
26 Whoever takes away the bread of sweat is like one who kills his neighbor.	26 C’est le cas de celui qui jeûne pour ses péchés puis s’en va les recommencer: qui écoutera sa prière? À quoi lui a servi sa pénitence?
27 He who sheds blood, and he who cheats the hired hand out of his wages, are brothers.
28 When one builds and another destroys, what benefit do they have from their labor?
29 When one prays and another curses, whose voice will God heed?
30 He who washes himself after touching the dead, and then touches him again, what was the benefit of his washing?
31 Similarly, a man who fasts for his sins, and then does the same again, what was the benefit of his humbling himself? Who will heed his prayer?