Sirach 20

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	VULGATA
1 How much better is it to reprove, than to become angry, so as not to hinder him who may confess in prayer.	1 Quam bonum est arguere, quam irasci, et confitentem in oratione non prohibere !
2 The lust of an eunuch will deflower a young maiden;	2 Concupiscentia spadonis devirginabit juvenculam :
3 similar is he who by violence gives an iniquitous judgment.	3 sic qui facit per vim judicium iniquum.
4 How good it is, when you are corrected, to show contrition! For in this way, you will escape deliberate sin.	4 Quam bonum est correptum manifestare p?nitentiam ! sic enim effugies voluntarium peccatum.
5 There is one who, by remaining silent, is found to be wise. And there is another who is hateful and who provokes by speaking out.	5 Est tacens qui invenitur sapiens : et est odibilis qui procax est ad loquendum.
6 There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time.	6 Est tacens non habens sensum loquelæ : et est tacens sciens tempus aptum.
7 A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times.	7 Homo sapiens tacebit usque ad tempus : lascivus autem et imprudens non servabunt tempus.
8 Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated.	8 Qui multis utitur verbis lædet animam suam : et qui potestatem sibi sumit injuste, odietur.
9 There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment.	9 Est processio in malis viro indisciplinato, et est inventio in detrimentum.
10 There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double.	10 Est datum quod non est utile, et est datum cujus retributio duplex.
11 There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness.	11 Est propter gloriam minoratio, et est qui ab humilitate levabit caput.
12 There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold.	12 Est qui multa redimat modico pretio, et restituens ea in septuplum.
13 Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away.	13 Sapiens in verbis seipsum amabilem facit : gratiæ autem fatuorum effundentur.
14 A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold.	14 Datus insipientis non erit utilis tibi : oculi enim illius septemplices sunt.
15 He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame.	15 Exigua dabit, et multa improperabit : et apertio oris illius inflammatio est.
16 There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful.	16 Hodie f?neratur quis, et cras expetit : odibilis est homo hujusmodi.
17 A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds.	17 Fatuo non erit amicus, et non erit gratia bonis illius :
18 For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him!	18 qui enim edunt panem illius, falsæ linguæ sunt. Quoties et quanti irridebunt eum !
19 For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess.	19 neque enim quod habendum erat directo sensu distribuit ; similiter et quod non erat habendum.
20 The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly.	20 Lapsus falsæ linguæ quasi qui in pavimento cadens : sic casus malorum festinanter veniet.
21 A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined.	21 Homo acharis quasi fabula vana, in ore indisciplinatorum assidua erit.
22 A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time.	22 Ex ore fatui reprobabitur parabola : non enim dicit illam in tempore suo.
23 There is one who is prevented from sinning by poverty, and in his rest, he will be vexed.	23 Est qui vetatur peccare præ inopia, et in requie sua stimulabitur.
24 There is one who will lose his own soul because of pretense, and he will lose it by an example of imprudence. For by seeking the approval of another, he will destroy himself.	24 Est qui perdet animam suam præ confusione, et ab imprudenti persona perdet eam : personæ autem acceptione perdet se.
25 There is one who, for the sake of what other’s think, makes a promise to a friend, and so he gains him as an enemy for no reason.	25 Est qui præ confusione promittit amico, et lucratus est eum inimicum gratis.
26 A lie is a wicked disgrace to a man, and yet lies will be continually in the mouths of those without discipline.	26 Opprobrium nequam in homine mendacium : et in ore indisciplinatorum assidue erit.
27 A thief is better than a man who constantly lies. But both of them will inherit perdition.	27 Potior fur quam assiduitas viri mendacis : perditionem autem ambo hæreditabunt.
28 The habits of lying men are without honor. And their shame is with them without ceasing.	28 Mores hominum mendacium sine honore, et confusio illorum cum ipsis sine intermissione.
29 A wise man will benefit himself by his own words, and a prudent man will please the powerful.	29 Sapiens in verbis producet seipsum, et homo prudens placebit magnatis.
30 Whoever works his land will raise high a stockpile of grain. And whoever works justice will himself be raised high. Yet truly, whoever pleases the powerful will escape unfair treatment.	30 Qui operatur terram suam inaltabit acervum frugum, et qui operatur justitiam, ipse exaltabitur : qui vero placet magnatis effugiet iniquitatem.
31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and silence their mouths, turning them aside from their task of correction.	31 Xenia et dona excæcant oculos judicum, et quasi mutus, in ore avertit correptiones eorum.
32 Wisdom hidden, and treasure unseen: of what use is either of these?	32 Sapientia absconsa, et thesaurus invisus, quæ utilitas in utrisque ?
33 He who hides his foolishness is better than a man who conceals his wisdom.	33 Melior est qui celat insipientiam suam, quam homo qui abscondit sapientiam suam.