Sirach 6

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	JERUSALEM
1 Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued.	1 Car une mauvaise réputation produit confusion et infamie; ainsi en est-il du pécheur à laparole double.
2 You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be cast down through foolishness,	2 Ne t'exalte pas dans l'excès de ta passion, de peur que ta force ne soit déchirée (comme untaureau),
3 which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert.	3 que tu ne dévores ton feuillage et que tu ne perdes tes fruits, que tu ne te retrouves comme dubois sec.
4 For a wicked soul will destroy the one who has it. For it gladly provides enemies to him, and it will lead him to the fate of the impious.	4 Une âme passionnée est la perte d'un homme, elle fait de lui la risée de ses ennemis.
5 A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man.	5 Une parole agréable multiplie les amis, une langue affable attire maintes réponses aimables.
6 Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor.	6 Que soient nombreuses tes relations, mais pour les conseillers prends-en un entre mille.
7 If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily.	7 Si tu veux te faire un ami, commence par l'éprouver et ne te hâte pas de te confier à lui.
8 For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation.	8 Car tel lie amitié lorsque ça lui chante, qui ne restera pas fidèle au jour de ton épreuve.
9 And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults.	9 Tel est ami qui se change en ennemi et qui va dévoiler votre querelle pour ta confusion.
10 And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need.	10 Tel est ami et s'assied à ta table, qui ne restera pas fidèle au jour de l'épreuve.
11 A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household.	11 Dans ta prospérité il sera un autre toi-même, parlant librement à tes serviteurs,
12 If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship.	12 mais dans ton abaissement il se tournera contre toi et évitera ton regard.
13 Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends.	13 Eloigne-toi de tes ennemis et garde-toi de tes amis.
14 A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure.	14 Un ami fidèle est un puissant soutien: qui l'a trouvé a trouvé un trésor.
15 Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity.	15 Un ami fidèle n'a pas de prix, on ne saurait en estimer la valeur.
16 A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one.	16 Un ami fidèle est un baume de vie, le trouveront ceux qui craignent le Seigneur.
17 He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him.	17 Qui craint le Seigneur se fait de vrais amis, car tel on est, tel est l'ami qu'on a.
18 Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs.	18 Mon fils! dès ta jeunesse choisis l'instruction et jusqu'à tes cheveux blancs tu trouveras lasagesse.
19 Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits.	19 Comme le laboureur et le semeur, cultive-la et compte sur ses fruits excellents, car quelquetemps tu peineras à la cultiver, mais bientôt tu mangeras de ses produits.
20 For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce.	20 Elle est fort rude aux ignorants et l'homme court de sens ne s'y attache pas.
21 How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her.	21 Elle pèsera lourd sur lui comme une pierre de touche et il ne tardera pas à la rejeter.
22 She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay.	22 Car la sagesse mérite bien son nom, elle n'est pas accessible au grand nombre.
23 For the wisdom of doctrine is in accord with her name, and she is not manifest to many. But she continues with those by whom she is recognized, even in the sight of God.	23 Ecoute, mon fils, accueille ma pensée, ne rejette pas mon conseil:
24 Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice.	24 Engage tes pieds dans ses entraves et ton cou dans son collier.
25 Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains.	25 Présente ton épaule à son fardeau, ne sois pas impatient de ses liens.
26 Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings.	26 De toute ton âme approche-toi d'elle, de toutes tes forces suis ses voies.
27 Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength.	27 Mets-toi sur sa trace et cherche-la: elle se fera connaître; si tu la tiens ne la lâche pas.
28 Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her.	28 Car à la fin tu trouveras en elle le repos et pour toi elle se changera en joie.
29 For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight.	29 Ses entraves te deviendront une puissante protection, ses colliers une parure précieuse.
30 Then her fetters will be a strong protection and a firm foundation for you, and her chains will be a robe of glory.	30 Son joug sera un ornement d'or, ses liens des rubans de pourpre.
31 For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage.	31 Comme un vêtement d'apparat tu la revêtiras, tu la ceindras comme un diadème de joie.
32 You will be clothed with her as with a robe of glory, and you will set her upon your head like a crown of rejoicing.	32 Si tu le veux, mon fils, tu t'instruiras et ta docilité te vaudra l'intelligence.
33 Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise.	33 Si tu aimes à écouter, tu apprendras et si tu prêtes l'oreille, tu seras sage.
34 If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise.	34 Tiens-toi dans l'assemblée des vieillards et si tu vois un sage, attache-toi à lui.
35 Stand among the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself to their wisdom from the heart, so that you may be able to hear every discourse about God, and so that the proverbs of praise may not flee from you.	35 Ecoute volontiers toute parole qui vient de Dieu, que les proverbes subtils ne t'échappentpas.
36 And if you see a man of understanding, stand watch for him, and let your feet wear down the steps of his doors.	36 Si tu vois un homme de sens, va vers lui dès le matin, et que tes pas usent le seuil de saporte.
37 Set your thoughts on the precepts of God, and be entirely constant in his commandments. And he himself will give a heart to you, and the desire of wisdom will be given to you.	37 Médite sur les commandements du Seigneur, occupe-toi sans cesse de ses préceptes. C'estlui qui fortifiera ton coeur et la sagesse que tu désires te sera accordée.