Ecclesiasticus 18

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Qui vivet in æternum creavit omnia simul. Deus solus justificabitur, et manet invictus rex in æternum.	1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.
2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius ?	2 Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?
3 quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus ?	3 Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?
4 virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit ? aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus ?	4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.
5 Non est minuere neque adjicere, nec est invenire magnalia Dei.	5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.
6 Cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet : et cum quieverit, aporiabitur.	6 What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?
7 Quid est homo ? et quæ est gratia illius ? et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius ?	7 The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:
8 Numerus dierum hominum, ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquæ maris deputati sunt : et sicut calculus arenæ, sic exigui anni in die ævi.	8 Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.
9 Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis, et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.	9 That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.
10 Vidit præsumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est : et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.	10 He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.
11 Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis, et ostendit eis viam æquitatis.	11 Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,
12 Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum : misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.	12 Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;
13 Qui misericordiam habet, docet et erudit quasi pastor gregem suum.	13 Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.
14 Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis, et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.	14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.
15 Fili, in bonis non des querelam, et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.	15 Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.
16 Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros ? sic et verbum melius quam datum.	16 Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.
17 Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum ? sed utraque cum homine justificato.	17 Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.
18 Stultus acriter improperabit : et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.	18 Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.
19 Ante judicium para justitiam tibi, et antequam loquaris, disce.	19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.
20 Ante languorem adhibe medicinam : et ante judicium interroga teipsum, et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem.	20 Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.
21 Ante languorem humilia te, et in tempore infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.	21 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.
22 Non impediaris orare semper, et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum.	22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.
23 Ante orationem præpara animam tuam, et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.	23 Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.
24 Memento iræ in die consummationis, et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.	24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.
25 Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ, et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.	25 Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.
26 A mane usque ad vesperam immutabitur tempus, et hæc omnia citata in oculis Dei.	26 Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.
27 Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet, et in diebus delictorum attendet ab inertia.	27 A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.
28 Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam, et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.	28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;
29 Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt, et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam, et impluerunt proverbia et judicia.	29 Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.
30 Post concupiscentias tuas non eas, et a voluntate tua avertere.	30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.
31 Si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentias ejus, faciat te in gaudium inimicis tuis.	31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.
32 Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis : assidua enim est commissio illorum.	32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;
33 Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex f?nore, et est tibi nihil in sacculo : eris enim invidus vitæ tuæ.	33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.