Siracide 40

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Occupatio magna creata est omnibus hominibus, et iugum grave super filios Adam a die exitus de ventre matris eorum usque in diem reditus in matrem omnium:	1 A great anxiety has God allotted, and a heavy yoke, to the sons of men; From the day one leaves his mother's womb to the day he returns to the mother of all the living,
2 cogitationes eorum et timores cordis, adinventio exspectationis, dies finitionis.	2 His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies--
3 A residente super sedem gloriosam, usque ad humiliatum in terra et cinere;	3 Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes,
4 ab eo, qui portat hyacinthum et coronam, usque ad eum, qui operitur lino crudo: furor, zelus, tumultus, fluctuatio et timor mortis et iracundia perseverans et contentio.	4 Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks--
5 Et in tempore requiei in cubili somnus noctis immutat scientiam eius.	5 Are of wrath and envy, trouble and dread, terror of death, fury and strife. Even when he lies on his bed to rest, his cares at night disturb his sleep.
6 Modicum tamquam nihil in requie, et ab eo in somnis quasi in die laborat	6 So short is his rest it seems like none, till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day, Terrified by what his mind's eye sees, like a fugitive being pursued;
7 conturbatus in visu cordis sui tamquam qui evaserit a facie belli; in tempore somni necessarii exsurrexit et admirans ad nullum timorem.	7 As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear.
8 Cum omni carne ab homine usque ad pecus; et super peccatores septuplum amplius:	8 So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more.
9 ad haec mors, sanguis, contentio et romphaea, oppressiones, fames et contritio et flagella.	9 Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death:
10 Super iniquos creata sunt haec omnia, et propter illos factus est cataclysmus.	10 For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction.
11 Omnia, quae de terra sunt, in terram convertentur, et omnia, quae de aquis sunt, in mare revertentur.	11 All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above.
12 Omne munus corruptionis et iniquitas delebitur, et fides in saeculum stabit.	12 All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages.
13 Substantiae iniustorum sicut fluvius siccabuntur et sicut tonitruum magnum in pluvia evanescent.	13 Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate: like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder,
14 In aperiendo manus suas laetabitur, sic praevaricatores in consummationem deficient.	14 Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.
15 Nepotes impiorum non multiplicabunt ramos, et radices immundae super cacumen petrae.	15 The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is on sheer rock;
16 Viriditas super omnem aquam et ad oram fluminis ante omne fenum evelletur.	16 Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants;
17 Gratia sicut paradisus in benedictionibus, et eleemosyna in saeculum permanet.	17 But goodness will never be cut off, and justice endures forever. Wealth or wages can make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure.
18 Vita sibi sufficientis et operarii condulcabitur, et super utrumque, eius qui inveniet thesaurum.	18 A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom.
19 Filii et aedificatio civitatis confirmant nomen, et super haec mulier immaculata computabitur.	19 Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either, a devoted wife;
20 Vinum et musica laetificant cor, et super utraque dilectio sapientiae.	20 Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either, conjugal love.
21 Tibiae et psalterium suavem faciunt melodiam, et super utraque lingua suavis.	21 The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either, a voice that is true.
22 Gratiam et speciem desiderabit oculus, et super haec virides sationes.	22 Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either, the flowers of the field.
23 Amicus et sodalis in tempore convenientes, et super utrosque mulier cum viro.	23 A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife.
24 Fratres et adiutorium in tempore tribulationis, et super utraque eleemosyna liberabit.	24 A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues.
25 Aurum et argentum firmant pedem, et super utrumque consilium acceptum habetur.	25 Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment.
26 Facultates et virtutes exaltant cor, et super haec timor Domini.	26 Wealth and vigor build up confidence, but better than either, fear of God. Fear of the LORD leaves nothing wanting; he who has it need seek no other support:
27 Non est in timore Domini minoratio, et non est super eo inquirere adiutorium.	27 The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious.
28 Timor Domini sicut paradisus benedictionis, et super omnem gloriam obumbratio eius.	28 My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg;
29 Fili, in tempore vitae tuae ne indigeas; melius est enim mori quam indigere.	29 When one has to look to another's table, his life is not really a life. His neighbor's delicacies bring revulsion of spirit to one who understands inward feelings:
30 Vir respiciens in mensam alienam, non est vita eius in computatione vitae. Contaminat enim animam suam cibis alienis;	30 In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire.
31 vir autem disciplinatus et eruditus custodiet se.
32 In ore impudentis condulcabitur mendicatio, et in ventre eius ignis ardebit.