Ecclesiasticus 11

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Sapientia humiliati exaltabit caput illius, et in medio magnatorum consedere illum faciet.	1 The poor man's wisdom lifts his head high and sets him among princes.
2 Non laudes virum in specie sua, neque spernas hominem in visu suo.	2 Praise not a man for his looks; despise not a man for his appearance.
3 Brevis in volatilibus est apis, et initium dulcoris habet fructus illius.	3 Least is the bee among winged things, but she reaps the choicest of all harvests.
4 In vestitu ne glorieris umquam, nec in die honoris tui extollaris : quoniam mirabilia opera Altissimi solius, et gloriosa, et absconsa, et invisa opera illius.	4 Mock not the worn cloak and jibe at no man's bitter day: For strange are the works of the LORD, hidden from men his deeds.
5 Multi tyranni sederunt in throno : et insuspicabilis portavit diadema.	5 The oppressed often rise to a throne, and some that none would consider wear a crown.
6 Multi potentes oppressi sunt valide, et gloriosi traditi sunt in manus alterorum.	6 The exalted often fall into utter disgrace; the honored are given into enemy hands.
7 Priusquam interroges, ne vituperes quemquam : et cum interrogaveris, corripe juste.	7 Before investigating, find no fault; examine first, then criticize.
8 Priusquam audias, ne respondeas verbum : et in medio sermonum ne adjicias loqui.	8 Before hearing, answer not, and interrupt no one in the middle of his speech.
9 De ea re quæ te non molestat, ne certeris : et in judicio peccantium ne consistas.	9 Dispute not about what is not your concern; in the strife of the arrogant take no part.
10 Fili, ne in multis sint actus tui : et si dives fueris, non eris immunis a delicto. Si enim secutus fueris, non apprehendes : et non effugies, si præcucurreris.	10 My son, why increase your cares, since he who is avid for wealth will not be blameless? Even if you run after it, you will never overtake it; however you seek it, you will not find it.
11 Est homo laborans et festinans, et dolens : impius, et tanto magis non abundabit.	11 One may toil and struggle and drive, and fall short all the more.
12 Est homo marcidus egens recuperatione, plus deficiens virtute, et abundans paupertate :	12 Another goes his way a weakling and a failure, with little strength and great misery-- Yet the eyes of the LORD look favorably upon him; he raises him free of the vile dust,
13 et oculus Dei respexit illum in bono, et erexit eum ab humilitate ipsius, et exaltavit caput ejus : et mirati sunt in illo multi, et honoraverunt Deum.	13 Lifts up his head and exalts him to the amazement of the many.
14 Bona et mala, vita et mors, paupertas et honestas, a Deo sunt :	14 Good and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from the LORD.
15 sapientia, et disciplina, et scientia legis, apud Deum : dilectio, et viæ bonorum, apud ipsum.	15 Wisdom and understanding and knowledge of affairs, love and virtuous paths are from the LORD.
16 Error et tenebræ peccatoribus concreata sunt : qui autem exsultant in malis consenescunt in malo.	16 Error and darkness were formed with sinners from their birth, and evil grows old with evildoers.
17 Datio Dei permanet justis, et profectus illius successus habebit in æternum.	17 The LORD'S gift remains with the just; his favor brings continued success.
18 Est qui locupletatur parce agendo, et hæc est pars mercedis illius.	18 A man may become rich through a miser's life, and this is his allotted reward:
19 In eo quod dicit : Inveni requiem mihi, et nunc manducabo de bonis meis solus :	19 When he says: "I have found rest, now I will feast on my possessions," He does not know how long it will be till he dies and leaves them to others.
20 et nescit quod tempus præteriet, et mors appropinquet, et relinquat omnia aliis, et morietur.	20 My son, hold fast to your duty, busy yourself with it, grow old while doing your task.
21 Sta in testamento tuo, et in illo colloquere, et in opere mandatorum tuorum veterasce.	21 Admire not how sinners live, but trust in the LORD and wait for his light; For it is easy with the LORD suddenly, in an instant, to make a poor man rich.
22 Ne manseris in operibus peccatorum : confide autem in Deo, et mane in loco tuo.	22 God's blessing is the lot of the just man, and in due time his hopes bear fruit.
23 Facile est enim in oculis Dei subito honestare pauperem.	23 Say not: "What do I need? What further pleasure can be mine?"
24 Benedictio Dei in mercedem justi festinat, et in hora veloci processus illius fructificat.	24 Say not: "I am independent. What harm can come to me now?"
25 Ne dicas : Quid est mihi opus ? et quæ erunt mihi ex hoc bona ?	25 The day of prosperity makes one forget adversity; the day of adversity makes one forget prosperity.
26 Ne dicas : Sufficiens mihi sum : et quid ex hoc pessimabor ?	26 For it is easy with the LORD on the day of death to repay man according to his deeds.
27 In die bonorum ne immemor sis malorum, et in die malorum ne immemor sis bonorum :	27 A moment's affliction brings forgetfulness of past delights; when a man dies, his life is revealed.
28 quoniam facile est coram Deo in die obitus retribuere unicuique secundum vias suas.	28 Call no man happy before his death, for by how he ends, a man is known.
29 Malitia horæ oblivionem facit luxuriæ magnæ, et in fine hominis denudatio operum illius.	29 Bring not every man into your house, for many are the snares of the crafty one;
30 Ante mortem ne laudes hominem quemquam : quoniam in filiis suis agnoscitur vir.	30 Though he seem like a bird confined in a cage, yet like a spy he will pick out the weak spots.
31 Non omnem hominem inducas in domum tuam : multæ enim sunt insidiæ dolosi.	31 The talebearer turns good into evil; with a spark he sets many coals afire.
32 Sicut enim eructant præcordia f?tentium, et sicut perdix inducitur in caveam, et ut caprea in laqueum : sic et cor superborum, et sicut prospector videns casum proximi sui.	32 The evil man lies in wait for blood, and plots against your choicest possessions.
33 Bona enim in mala convertens insidiatur, et in electis imponet maculam.	33 Avoid a wicked man, for he breeds only evil, lest you incur a lasting stain.
34 A scintilla una augetur ignis, et ab uno doloso augetur sanguis : homo vero peccator sanguini insidiatur.	34 Lodge a stranger with you, and he will subvert your course, and make a stranger of you to your own household.
35 Attende tibi a pestifero, fabricat enim mala, ne inducat super te subsannationem in perpetuum.
36 Admitte ad te alienigenam : et subvertet te in turbine, et abalienabit te a tuis propriis.