Ecclesiasticus 14

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Beatus vir qui non est lapsus verbo ex ore suo, et non est stimulatus in tristitia delicti.	1 Happy the man whose mouth brings him no grief, who is not stung by remorse for sin.
2 Felix qui non habuit animi sui tristitiam, et non excidit a spe sua.	2 Happy the man whose conscience does not reproach him, who has not lost hope.
3 Viro cupido et tenaci sine ratione est substantia : et homini livido ad quid aurum ?	3 Wealth ill becomes the mean man; and to the miser, of what use is gold?
4 Qui acervat ex animo suo injuste, aliis congregat, et in bonis illius alius luxuriabitur.	4 What he denies himself he collects for others, and in his possessions a stranger will revel.
5 Qui sibi nequam est, cui alii bonus erit ? et non jucundabitur in bonis suis.	5 To whom will he be generous who is stingy with himself and does not enjoy what is his own?
6 Qui sibi invidet, nihil est illo nequius : et hæc redditio est malitiæ illius.	6 None is more stingy than he who is stingy with himself; he punishes his own miserliness.
7 Et si bene fecerit, ignoranter et non volens facit : et in novissimo manifestat malitiam suam.	7 If ever he is generous, it is by mistake; and in the end he displays his greed.
8 Nequam est oculus lividi : et avertens faciem suam, et despiciens animam suam.	8 In the miser's opinion his share is too small;
9 Insatiabilis oculus cupidi in parte iniquitatis : non satiabitur donec consumat arefaciens animam suam.	9 he refuses his neighbor and brings ruin on himself.
10 Oculus malus ad mala, et non saturabitur pane, sed indigens et in tristitia erit super mensam suam.	10 The miser's eye is rapacious for bread, but on his own table he sets it stale.
11 Fili, si habes, benefac tecum, et Deo dignas oblationes offer.	11 My son, use freely whatever you have and enjoy it as best you can;
12 Memor esto quoniam mors non tardat, et testamentum inferorum, quia demonstratum est tibi : testamentum enim hujus mundi morte morietur.	12 Remember that death does not tarry, nor have you been told the grave's appointed time.
13 Ante mortem benefac amico tuo, et secundum vires tuas exporrigens da pauperi.	13 Before you die, be good to your friend, and give him a share in what you possess.
14 Non defrauderis a die bono, et particula boni doni non te prætereat.	14 Deprive not yourself of present good things, let no choice portion escape you.
15 Nonne aliis relinques dolores et labores tuos in divisione sortis ?	15 Will you not leave your riches to others, and your earnings to be divided by lot?
16 Da et accipe, et justifica animam tuam.	16 Give, take, and treat yourself well, for in the nether world there are no joys to seek.
17 Ante obitum tuum operare justitiam, quoniam non est apud inferos invenire cibum.	17 All flesh grows old, like a garment; the age-old law is: All must die.
18 Omnis caro sicut f?num veterascet, et sicut folium fructificans in arbore viridi.	18 As with the leaves that grow on a vigorous tree: one falls off and another sprouts-- So with the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and another is born.
19 Alia generantur, et alia dejiciuntur : sic generatio carnis et sanguinis, alia finitur, et alia nascitur.	19 All man's works will perish in decay, and his handiwork will follow after him.
20 Omne opus corruptibile in fine deficiet, et qui illud operatur ibit cum illo.	20 Happy the man who meditates on wisdom, and reflects on knowledge;
21 Et omne opus electum justificabitur, et qui operatur illud honorabitur in illo.	21 Who ponders her ways in his heart, and understands her paths;
22 Beatus vir qui in sapientia morabitur, et qui in justitia sua meditabitur, et in sensu cogitabit circumspectionem Dei :	22 Who pursues her like a scout, and lies in wait at her entry way;
23 qui excogitat vias illius in corde suo, et in absconditis suis intelligens, vadens post illam quasi investigator, et in viis illius consistens :	23 Who peeps through her windows, and listens at her doors;
24 qui respicit per fenestras illius, et in januis illius audiens :	24 Who encamps near her house, and fastens his tent pegs next to her walls;
25 qui requiescit juxta domum illius, et in parietibus illius figens palum, statuet casulam suam ad manus illius, et requiescent in casula illius bona per ævum.	25 Who pitches his tent beside her, and lives as her welcome neighbor;
26 Statuet filios suos sub tegmine illius, et sub ramis ejus morabitur.	26 Who builds his nest in her leafage, and lodges in her branches;
27 Protegetur sub tegmine illius a fervore, et in gloria ejus requiescet.	27 Who takes shelter with her from the heat, and dwells in her home.