Siracide 18

NOVA VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Qui vivit in aeternum, creavit omnia simul. Deus solus iustificabitur et manet invictus rex in aeternum.	1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.
2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius?	2 The Lord alone wil be found just.
3 Et quis investigabit magnalia eius?	3
4 Virtutem autem magnitudinis eius quis enuntiabit? Aut quis adiciet enarrare misericordiam eius?	4 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificentdeeds?
5 Non est minuere neque adicere nec est invenire magnalia Dei;	5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies?
6 cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet et, cum quieverit, aporiabitur.	6 Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.
7 Quid est homo, quis defectus, et quae est utilitas illius? Et quid est bonum, aut quid nequam illius?	7 When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever.
8 Numerus dierum hominum ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquae maris deputati sunt, et sicut calculus arenae, sic exigui anni in die aevi.	8 What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him?
9 Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.	9 The length of his life: a hundred years at most.
10 Vidit praesumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est; et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.	10 Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.
11 Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis et ostendit eis viam aequitatis.	11 This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.
12 Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum, misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.	12 He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater.
13 Qui reprehendit, docet et erudit quasi pastor dirigens gregem suum.	13 Human compassion extends to neighbours, but the Lord's compassion extends to everyone; rebuking,correcting and teaching, bringing them back as a shepherd brings his flock.
14 Miseretur excipientibus doctrinam miserationis et festinantibus in iudiciis eius.	14 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.
15 Fili, in bonis non des querelam et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.	15 My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.
16 Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros? Sic et verbum melius quam datum.	16 Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.
17 Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum? Sed utraque cum homine gratioso.	17 Why surely, a word is better than a good present, but a generous person is ready with both.
18 Stultus acriter improperabit, et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.	18 A fool wil offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.
19 Ante iudicium para advocatum tibi et, antequam loquaris, disce.	19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fal ill.
20 Ante languorem adhibe medicinam et ante iudicium interroga teipsum et in hora visitationis invenies propitiationem.	20 Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.
21 Ante languorem humilia te et in tempore peccati ostende conversionem tuam.	21 Humble yourself before you fall il , repent as soon as the sin is committed.
22 Non sinas te impediri reddere votum tempore opportuno et ne tardes usque ad mortem iustificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in aeternum.	22 Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.
23 Ante votum praepara animam tuam et noli esse quasi homo, qui tentat Dominum.	23 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.
24 Memento irae in die consummationis et, suo tempore, retributionis in conversione faciei.	24 Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face.
25 Memento famis in tempore abundantiae et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.	25 In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.
26 A mane usque ad vesperam mutatur tempus, et haec omnia citata in oculis Dei.	26 The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.
27 Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet et in diebus delictorum cavebit a malitia.	27 The wise wil be cautious in everything, in sinful times wil take care not to offend.
28 Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.	28 Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and wil respect anyone who has found her.
29 Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt et intellexerunt veritatem et iustitiam et effuderunt tamquam pluviam proverbia et iudicia.	29 Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.
30 De continentia animae. Post concupiscentias tuas non eas et a voluptatibus tuis te contine;	30 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.
31 si praestes animae tuae beneplacitum concupiscentiae, faciet te in gaudium inimicis tuis.	31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.
32 Ne oblecteris in multa epulatione; duplex enim portio est paupertas illius.	32 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.
33 Ne fueris ganeo et potator, cum nihil tibi est in sacculo: eris enim invidus vitae tuae.	33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.