Ecclesiasticus 12

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Si benefeceris, scito cui feceris, et erit gratia in bonis tuis multa.	1 If you do good, know for whom you are doing it, and your kindness will have its effect.
2 Benefac justo, et invenies retributionem magnam : et si non ab ipso, certe a Domino.	2 Do good to the just man and reward will be yours, if not from him, from the LORD.
3 Non est enim ei bene qui assiduus est in malis, et eleemosynas non danti : quoniam et Altissimus odio habet peccatores, et misertus est p?nitentibus.	3 No good comes to him who gives comfort to the wicked, nor is it an act of mercy that he does.
4 Da misericordi, et ne suscipias peccatorem : et impiis et peccatoribus reddet vindictam, custodiens eos in diem vindictæ.	4 Give to the good man, refuse the sinner; refresh the downtrodden, give nothing to the proud man.
5 Da bono, et non receperis peccatorem.	5 No arms for combat should you give him, lest he use them against yourself;
6 Benefac humili, et non dederis impio : prohibe panes illi dari, ne in ipsis potentior te sit :	6 With twofold evil you will meet for every good deed you do for him.
7 nam duplicia mala invenies in omnibus bonis quæcumque feceris illi, quoniam et Altissimus odio habet peccatores, et impiis reddet vindictam.	7 The Most High himself hates sinners, and upon the wicked he takes vengeance.
8 Non agnoscetur in bonis amicus, et non abscondetur in malis inimicus.	8 In our prosperity we cannot know our friends; in adversity an enemy will not remain concealed.
9 In bonis viri, inimici illius in tristitia : et in malitia illius, amicus agnitus est.	9 When a man is successful even his enemy is friendly; in adversity even his friend disappears.
10 Non credas inimico tuo in æternum : sicut enim æramentum æruginat nequitia illius :	10 Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in bronze.
11 et si humiliatus vadat curvus, adjice animum tuum, et custodi te ab illo.	11 Even though he acts humbly and peaceably toward you, take care to be on your guard against him. Rub him as one polishes a brazen mirror, and you will find that there is still corrosion.
12 Non statuas illum penes te, nec sedeat ad dexteram tuam, ne forte conversus in locum tuum, inquirat cathedram tuam, et in novissimo agnosces verba mea, et in sermonibus meis stimuleris.	12 Let him not stand near you, lest he oust you and take your place. Let him not sit at your right hand, lest he then demand your seat, And in the end you appreciate my advice, when you groan with regret, as I warned you.
13 Quis miserebitur incantatori a serpente percusso, et omnibus qui appropiant bestiis ? et sic qui comitatur cum viro iniquo, et obvolutus est in peccatis ejus.	13 Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten, or anyone who goes near a wild beast?
14 Una hora tecum permanebit : si autem declinaveris, non supportabit.	14 So is it with the companion of the proud man, who is involved in his sins:
15 In labiis suis indulcat inimicus, et in corde suo insidiatur ut subvertat te in foveam.	15 While you stand firm, he makes no bold move; but if you slip, he cannot hold back.
16 In oculis suis lacrimatur inimicus, et si invenerit tempus, non satiabitur sanguine.	16 With his lips an enemy speaks sweetly, but in his heart he schemes to plunge you into the abyss. Though your enemy has tears in his eyes, if given the chance, he will never have enough of your blood.
17 Et si incurrerint tibi mala, invenies eum illic priorem.	17 If evil comes upon you, you will find him at hand; feigning to help, he will trip you up,
18 In oculis suis lacrimatur inimicus, et quasi adjuvans suffodiet plantas tuas.	18 Then he will nod his head and clap his hands and hiss repeatedly, and show his true face.
19 Caput suum movebit, et plaudet manu, et multa susurrans commutabit vultum suum.