Siracide 6

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Nec pusillum nec multum noceas et noli fieri pro amico inimicus. Nomen enim malum et improperium et contumeliam hereditabis; sic omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis.	1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; A bad name and disgrace will you acquire: "That for the evil man with double tongue!"
2 Non te extollas in cogitatione animae tuae velut taurus, ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam,	2 Fall not into the grip of desire, lest, like fire, it consume your strength;
3 et folia tua comedat et fructus tuos perdat, et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.	3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree,
4 Anima enim nequam disperdet eum, qui se habet, et in gaudium inimicis dat illum et deducet in sortem impiorum.	4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies.
5 Os dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos; et lingua eucharis salutem dicit.	5 A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
6 Multi pacifici sint tibi, et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.	6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.
7 Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum et ne facile credas ei.	7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him
8 Est enim amicus secundum opportunitatem suam et non permanebit in die tribulationis.	8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.
9 Et est amicus, qui convertitur ad inimicitiam et rixam convicii tui denudabit.	9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
10 Est autem amicus socius mensae et non permanebit in die necessitatis;	10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
11 in prosperis erit tibi quasi coaequalis et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.	11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants;
12 Si humiliatus fueris, convertetur contra te et a facie tua abscondet se.	12 But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you.
13 Ab inimicis tuis separare et de amicis tuis attende.	13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends.
14 Amicus fidelis protectio fortis; qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.	14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
15 Amico fideli nulla est comparatio, et non est ponderatio contra bonitatem illius.	15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.
16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitae, et, qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.	16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
17 Qui timet Deum, aeque habebit amicitiam eius, quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.	17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.
18 Fili, a iuventute tua excipe doctrinam et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.	18 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.
19 Quasi is qui arat et seminat, accede ad eam et sustine bonos fructus illius.	19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops.
20 In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis et cito edes de generationibus illius.	20 For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.
21 Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus, et non permanebit in illa excors.	21 How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her.
22 Quasi lapis probationis gravis erit super illum, et non demorabitur proicere illam.	22 She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside.
23 Doctrina est enim secundum nomen eius et non est multis manifesta; quibus autem cognita est, permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.	23 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.
24 Audi, fili, et accipe sententiam meam et ne abicias consilium meum.	24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel.
25 Inice pedem tuum in compedes illius et in torques illius collum tuum;	25 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.
26 subice umerum tuum et porta illam et ne acedieris vinculis eius.	26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds.
27 In omni animo tuo accede ad illam et in omni virtute tua conserva vias eius.	27 With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways.
28 Investiga et scrutare, exquire et invenies, et continens factus ne derelinquas eam.	28 Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go;
29 In novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea, et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.	29 Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy.
30 Et erunt tibi compedes eius in protectionem fortitudinis, et torques illius in stolam gloriae;	30 Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord.
31 decor enim aureus est in illa, et vincula illius alligatura hyacinthina.	31 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown.
32 Stolam gloriae indues eam et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.	32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.
33 Fili, si attenderis, disces; et, si accommodaveris animum tuum, prudens eris.	33 If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.
34 Si dilexeris audire, excipies doctrinam; et, si inclinaveris aurem tuam, sapiens eris.	34 Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.
35 In multitudine presbyterorum sta et sapientiae illorum ex corde coniungere, ut omnem narrationem Dei velis audire, et proverbia intellectus non effugiant a te.	35 Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.
36 Et, si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum, et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.	36 If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!
37 Cogitatum tuum habe in praeceptis Dei et in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto; et ipse firmabit tibi cor, et concupiscentia sapientiae dabitur tibi.	37 Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.