Sirach 8

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands.	1 Do not try conclusions with anyone influential, in case you later fal into his clutches.
2 Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee.	2 Do not quarrel with anyone rich, in case he puts his weight against you; for gold has destroyed many,and has swayed the hearts of kings.
3 For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.	3 Do not argue with anyone argumentative, do not pile wood on that fire.
4 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.	4 Do not joke with anyone uncouth, for fear of hearing your ancestors insulted.
5 Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family.	5 Do not revile a repentant sinner; remember that we al are guilty.
6 Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.	6 Do not despise anyone in old age; after all, some of us too are growing old.
7 Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old.	7 Do not gloat over anyone's death; remember that we al have to die.
8 Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.	8 Do not scorn the discourse of the wise, but make yourself familiar with their maxims, since from theseyou wil learn the theory and the art of serving the great.
9 Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.	9 Do not dismiss what the old people have to say, for they too were taught by their parents; from them youwil learn how to think, and the art of the timely answer.
10 For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.	10 Do not kindle the coals of the sinner, in case you scorch yourself in his blaze.
11 Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers:	11 Refuse to be provoked by the insolent, for fear that such a one try to trap you in your words.
12 For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.	12 Do not lend to anyone who is stronger than you are -- if you do lend, resign yourself to loss.
13 Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.	13 Do not stand surety beyond your means; if you do stand surety, be prepared to pay up.
14 Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.	14 Do not go to law with a judge, since judgement wil be given in his favour.
15 Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost.	15 Do not go travel ing with a rash man, for fear he becomes burdensome to you; he wil act as the whimtakes him, and you wil both be ruined by his fol y.
16 Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it.	16 Do not argue with a quick-tempered man, do not go with him where there are no other people, sinceblood counts for nothing in his eyes, and where no help is to be had, he wil strike you down.
17 Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just.	17 Do not ask a fool for advice, since a fool wil not be able to keep a confidence.
18 Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.	18 In a stranger's presence do nothing that should be kept secret, since you cannot tel what use thestranger will make of it.
19 Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.	19 Do not open your heart to al comers, nor lay claim to their good offices.
20 Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them.
21 Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
22 Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee.