Siracide 6

NOVA VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
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 for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.
2 Non te extollas in cogitatione animae tuae velut taurus, ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam,	2 Do not get carried aloft on the wings of passion, for fear your strength tear itself apart like a bul ,
3 et folia tua comedat et fructus tuos perdat, et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.	3 and you devour your own foliage and destroy your own fruit and end by making yourself like a piece of dried-up wood.
4 Anima enim nequam disperdet eum, qui se habet, et in gaudium inimicis dat illum et deducet in sortem impiorum.	4 An evil temper destroys the person who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.
5 Os dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos; et lingua eucharis salutem dicit.	5 A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response.
6 Multi pacifici sint tibi, et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.	6 Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand.
7 Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum et ne facile credas ei.	7 If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him;
8 Est enim amicus secundum opportunitatem suam et non permanebit in die tribulationis.	8 for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but wil not stand by you in your day of trouble.
9 Et est amicus, qui convertitur ad inimicitiam et rixam convicii tui denudabit.	9 Another kind of friend wil fal out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,
10 Est autem amicus socius mensae et non permanebit in die necessitatis;	10 and a third kind of friend wil share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:
11 in prosperis erit tibi quasi coaequalis et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.	11 when you are doing well he wil be your second self, ordering your servants about;
12 Si humiliatus fueris, convertetur contra te et a facie tua abscondet se.	12 but, if disaster befal s you, he wil recoil from you and keep out of your way.
13 Ab inimicis tuis separare et de amicis tuis attende.	13 Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.
14 Amicus fidelis protectio fortis; qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.	14 A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure.
15 Amico fideli nulla est comparatio, et non est ponderatio contra bonitatem illius.	15 A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.
16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitae, et, qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.	16 A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.
17 Qui timet Deum, aeque habebit amicitiam eius, quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.	17 Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too.
18 Fili, a iuventute tua excipe doctrinam et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.	18 My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and til your hair is white you wil keep findingwisdom.
19 Quasi is qui arat et seminat, accede ad eam et sustine bonos fructus illius.	19 Like ploughman and sower, cultivate her and wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you wil toil a littlewhile, but very soon you wil be eating her crops.
20 In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis et cito edes de generationibus illius.	20 How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:
21 Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus, et non permanebit in illa excors.	21 she wil weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time inthrowing her off;
22 Quasi lapis probationis gravis erit super illum, et non demorabitur proicere illam.	22 for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.
23 Doctrina est enim secundum nomen eius et non est multis manifesta; quibus autem cognita est, permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.	23 Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:
24 Audi, fili, et accipe sententiam meam et ne abicias consilium meum.	24 put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;
25 Inice pedem tuum in compedes illius et in torques illius collum tuum;	25 offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;
26 subice umerum tuum et porta illam et ne acedieris vinculis eius.	26 court her with al your soul, and with al your might keep in her ways;
27 In omni animo tuo accede ad illam et in omni virtute tua conserva vias eius.	27 search for her, track her down: she wil reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.
28 Investiga et scrutare, exquire et invenies, et continens factus ne derelinquas eam.	28 For in the end you wil find rest in her and she wil take the form of joy for you:
29 In novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea, et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.	29 her fetters you will find a mighty defence, her col ars, a precious necklace.
30 Et erunt tibi compedes eius in protectionem fortitudinis, et torques illius in stolam gloriae;	30 Her yoke wil be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;
31 decor enim aureus est in illa, et vincula illius alligatura hyacinthina.	31 you wil wear her like a robe of honour, you wil put her on like a crown of joy.
32 Stolam gloriae indues eam et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.	32 If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intel igent.
33 Fili, si attenderis, disces; et, si accommodaveris animum tuum, prudens eris.	33 If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.
34 Si dilexeris audire, excipies doctrinam; et, si inclinaveris aurem tuam, sapiens eris.	34 Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself 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 Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.
36 Et, si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum, et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.	36 If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out 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 injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at al times with his commandments. He wilstrengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.