Sirach 9

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS
1 You should not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest she reveal, because of you, the malice of a wicked lesson.	1 No seas celoso de la mujer que amas, para no incitarla a comportarse mal contigo.
2 You should not give authority over your soul to a woman, lest she obtain your strength, and then you would be confounded.	2 Note entregues ciegamente a una mujer, hasta el punto que llegue a dominarte.
3 You should not look with favor on a woman with many desires, lest perhaps you may fall into her traps.	3 No te acerques a una prostituta, no sea que caigas en sus redes.
4 You should not be continually in need of entertainment, nor should you be persuaded by it, lest perhaps you may perish by its effectiveness.	4 No te entretengas con una cantante, para no ser atrapado por sus artimañas.
5 You should not stare at a virgin, lest perhaps you may be scandalized by her beauty.	5 No mires demasiado a una joven, para no incurrir en su misma condena.
6 You should not give your soul, in any way, to fornicators, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance.	6 No te entregues a las prostitutas, para no arruinar tu patrimonio.
7 Do not choose to look around in the streets of the city, nor should you wander along its thoroughfares.	7 No vayas mirando por las calles de la ciudad ni rondes por sus lugares solitarios.
8 Avert your face from an ornate woman, for you should not gaze upon strange beauty.	8 Aparta tu vista de la mujer hermosa y no fijes los ojos en la belleza ajena: muchos se extraviaron por la belleza de una mujer, y por su causa el deseo arde como fuego.
9 Many have perished because of the beauty of a woman; and by this, desire is kindled like a fire.	9 Nunca te sientes junto a una mujer casada ni bebas vino con ella en los banquetes, no sea que tu corazón se incline hacia ella y por tu pasión te precipites en la ruina.
10 Every woman who is a fornicator will be trampled down, like the filth in the street.	10 No abandones a un viejo amigo, porque uno nuevo no vale tanto como él. Amigo nuevo es como vino nuevo: que se ponga añejo, y lo beberás con placer.
11 Many, by admiring the beauty of the wife of another, have become reprobate. For familiarity with her flares up like a fire.	11 No envidies la gloria del pecador, porque no sabes cuál será su suerte.
12 You should not sit down at all with another man’s wife, nor recline with her on a couch.	12 No te deleites en lo que deleita a los impíos: recuerda que bajarán al Abismo sin ser justificados.
13 And you should not argue with her over wine, lest perhaps your heart may turn toward her, and by your emotion, you would be toppled into perdition.	13 Aléjate del que tiene poder para matar y no experimentarás el temor a la muerte. Si te acercas a él, no cometas ninguna falta, no sea que te quite la vida: ten en cuenta que avanzas entre lazos y que caminas por las almenas de la ciudad.
14 You should not abandon a old friend. For a new one will not be similar to him.	14 Dentro de lo posible, recurre a tus vecinos y busca el consejo de los sabios.
15 A new friend is like new wine. It will grow old, and then you will enjoy drinking it.	15 Frecuenta el trato de las personas inteligentes y conversa siempre sobre la Ley del Altísimo.
16 You should not envy the glory and wealth of a sinner. For you do not know what may be his undoing in the future.	16 Que los hombres justos sean tus comensales y que tu orgullo esté en el temor del Señor.
17 The injury of the unjust should not please you, knowing that, until they are in hell, the impious will not please.	17 Por la mano del artista, la obra es digna de elogio, y el jefe del pueblo se muestra sabio por sus palabras.
18 Keep yourself far from a man having the power to kill, and then you will not have the fear of death suspended over you.	18 El charlatán es el terror de su ciudad y el desmedido al hablar se hace odioso.
19 But if you do approach him, do nothing to offend, lest perhaps he may take away your life.
20 Know that this is a communion with death. For you would be entering the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of the grieving.
21 According to your ability, be cautious of your neighbor, and treat him as the wise and prudent would.
22 Let just men be your companions, and let your glory be in the fear of God.
23 And let the thought of God be in your mind, and let all your discourse be on the precepts of the Most High.
24 Works will be praised for the hands of the artists, and a leader of the people will be praised for the wisdom of his words, yet truly, the word of the elders will be praised for its understanding.
25 A man full of words is a dread to his city, but one who speaks rashly will be hated for his word.