Sirach 5

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS
1 Do not choose to seek iniquitous possessions, and you should not say: “I have all I need in life.” For it will be of no benefit to you in the time of retribution and darkness.	1 No te fíes de tus riquezas ni digas: «Con esto me basta».
2 You should not pursue, in your strength, the desires of your heart.	2 No dejes que tu deseo y tu fuerza te lleven a obrar según tus caprichos.
3 And you should not say: “How powerful am I?” or, “Who will cast me down because of my deeds?” For God will vindicate with vengeance.	3 No digas: «¿Quién podrá dominarme?», porque el Señor da a cada uno su merecido.
4 You should not say, “I sinned, and what grief has befallen me?” For the Most High is a patient recompensor.	4 No digas: «Pequé, ¿y qué me sucedió?, porque el Señor es paciente.
5 Do not be willing to be without fear concerning a forgiven sin, and you should not add sin upon sin.	5 No estés tan seguro del perdón, mientras cometes un pecado tras otro.
6 And you should not say: “The compassion of the Lord is great; he will take pity on the multitude of my sins.”	6 No digas: «Su compasión es grande; él perdonará la multitud de mis pecados», porque en él está la misericordia, pero también la ira, y su indignación recae sobre los pecadores.
7 For both mercy and wrath go forth quickly from him, and his wrath sets its gaze upon sinners.	7 No tardes en volver al Señor, dejando pasar un día tras otro, porque la ira del Señor irrumpirá súbitamente y perecerás en el momento del castigo.
8 You should not delay being converted to the Lord, and you should not set it aside from day to day.	8 No te fíes de las riquezas adquiridas injustamente: de nada te servirán en el día de la desgracia.
9 For his wrath will approach suddenly, and in the time of vindication, he will destroy you.	9 No te dejes llevar por todos los vientos ni vayas por cualquier camino: así obra el pecador que habla con doblez.
10 Do not choose to be anxious for unjust wealth. For these things will not benefit you in the day of darkness and retribution.	10 Sé firme en tus convicciones y que tu palabra sea una sola.
11 You should not winnow in every wind, and you should not go forth into every path. For so is every sinner proven by his duplicitous tongue.	11 Está siempre dispuesto a escuchar y sé lento para responder.
12 Be steadfast in the way of the Lord and in the truth of your understanding and knowledge, and let words of peace and justice overtake you.	12 Si sabes, responde a tu prójimo; de lo contrario, quédate callado.
13 Be meek when listening to a word, so that you may understand. And offer a true response in wisdom.	13 Las palabras traen gloria o deshonor, y la lengua del hombre puede provocar su caída.
14 If you understand, then answer your neighbor. But if you do not, then let your hand be over your mouth, so that you are not caught by an inept word, and then confounded.	14 Que no tengan que llamarte chismoso, y no seas insidioso al hablar, porque la vergüenza pesa sobre el ladrón y una severa condena sobre el que habla con doblez.
15 Honor and glory are in the words of those who understand, yet truly, the tongue of the imprudent man is his undoing.	15 No faltes ni en lo grande ni en lo pequeño, y de amigo, no te vuelvas enemigo,
16 You should not be called a whisperer, and you should not be caught by your own tongue, and then confounded.
17 For confusion and remorse is upon a thief, and a wicked mark is upon the double-tongued; but for the whisperer, there is hatred and animosity and disgrace.
18 Justify the small and the great similarly.