Sirach 6

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	VULGATA
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 Noli fieri pro amico inimicus proximo : improperium enim et contumeliam malus hæreditabit : et omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis.
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 Non te extollas in cogitatione animæ tuæ velut taurus, ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam :
3 which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert.	3 et folia tua comedat, et fructus tuos perdat, et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.
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 Anima enim nequam disperdet qui se habet, et in gaudium inimicis dat illum, et deducet in sortem impiorum.
5 A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man.	5 Verbum dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos, et lingua eucharis in bono homine abundat.
6 Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor.	6 Multi pacifici sint tibi : et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.
7 If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily.	7 Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum, et ne facile credas ei.
8 For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation.	8 Est enim amicus secundum tempus suum, et non permanebit in die tribulationis.
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 Et est amicus qui convertitur ad inimicitiam, et est amicus qui odium et rixam et convitia denudabit.
10 And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need.	10 Est autem amicus socius mensæ, et non permanebit in die necessitatis.
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 Amicus si permanserit fixus, erit tibi quasi coæqualis, et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.
12 If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship.	12 Si humiliaverit se contra te, et a facie tua absconderit se, unanimem habebis amicitiam bonam.
13 Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends.	13 Ab inimicis tuis separare, et ab amicis tuis attende.
14 A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure.	14 Amicus fidelis protectio fortis : qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.
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 Amico fideli nulla est comparatio, et non est digna ponderatio auri et argenti contra bonitatem fidei illius.
16 A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one.	16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitæ et immortalitatis : et qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.
17 He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him.	17 Qui timet Deum æque habebit amicitiam bonam, quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.
18 Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs.	18 Fili, a juventute tua excipe doctrinam, et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.
19 Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits.	19 Quasi is qui arat et seminat accede ad eam, et sustine bonos fructus illius.
20 For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce.	20 In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis, et cito edes de generationibus illius.
21 How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her.	21 Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus ! et non permanebit in illa excors.
22 She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay.	22 Quasi lapidis virtus probatio erit in illis : et non demorabuntur projicere illam.
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 Sapientia enim doctrinæ secundum nomen est ejus, et non est multis manifestata : quibus autem cognita est, permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.
24 Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice.	24 Audi, fili, et accipe consilium intellectus, et ne abjicias consilium meum.
25 Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains.	25 Injice pedem tuum in compedes illius, et in torques illius collum tuum.
26 Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings.	26 Subjice humerum tuum, et porta illam, et ne acedieris vinculis ejus.
27 Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength.	27 In omni animo tuo accede ad illam, et in omni virtute tua conserva vias ejus.
28 Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her.	28 Investiga illam, et manifestabitur tibi : et continens factus, ne derelinquas eam :
29 For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight.	29 in novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea, et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.
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 Et erunt tibi compedes ejus in protectionem fortitudinis et bases virtutis, et torques illius in stolam gloriæ :
31 For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage.	31 decor enim vitæ est in illa, et vincula illius alligatura salutaris.
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 Stolam gloriæ indues eam, et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.
33 Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise.	33 Fili, si attenderis mihi, disces : et si accommodaveris animum tuum, sapiens eris.
34 If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise.	34 Si inclinaveris aurem tuam, excipies doctrinam : et si dilexeris audire, sapiens eris.
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 In multitudine presbyterorum prudentium sta, et sapientiæ illorum ex corde conjungere, ut omnem narrationem Dei possis audire, et proverbia laudis non effugiant a te.
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 Et si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum, et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.
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 Cogitatum tuum habe in præceptis Dei, et in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto : et ipse dabit tibi cor, et concupiscentia sapientiæ dabitur tibi.