Ecclesiasticus 18

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Qui vivet in æternum creavit omnia simul. Deus solus justificabitur, et manet invictus rex in æternum.	1 The One who dwells in eternity created all things together. God alone will be justified, and he remains an invincible King for eternity.
2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius ?	2 Who is able to declare his works?
3 quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus ?	3 For who can examine his greatness?
4 virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit ? aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus ?	4 And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?
5 Non est minuere neque adjicere, nec est invenire magnalia Dei.	5 There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.
6 Cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet : et cum quieverit, aporiabitur.	6 When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.
7 Quid est homo ? et quæ est gratia illius ? et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius ?	7 What is man, and what is his grace? And what is his good, or what is his evil?
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 The number of the days of men are as many as one hundred years. Like a drop of water in the ocean, so they are considered to be. And like a grain of sand on the shore, so do these few years compare to the days of all time.
9 Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis, et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.	9 For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours forth his mercy upon them.
10 Vidit præsumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est : et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.	10 He has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.
11 Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis, et ostendit eis viam æquitatis.	11 Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.
12 Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum : misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.	12 The compassion of man is toward those closest to him. But the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13 Qui misericordiam habet, docet et erudit quasi pastor gregem suum.	13 He is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.
14 Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis, et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.	14 He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.
15 Fili, in bonis non des querelam, et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.	15 Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.
16 Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros ? sic et verbum melius quam datum.	16 Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good word better than a gift.
17 Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum ? sed utraque cum homine justificato.	17 Behold, is a word not greater than a gift? But both are with a justified man.
18 Stultus acriter improperabit : et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.	18 The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.
19 Ante judicium para justitiam tibi, et antequam loquaris, disce.	19 Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.
20 Ante languorem adhibe medicinam : et ante judicium interroga teipsum, et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem.	20 Before you become sick, obtain medicine. And before you judge, examine yourself. And then you will find forgiveness in the sight of God.
21 Ante languorem humilia te, et in tempore infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.	21 Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.
22 Non impediaris orare semper, et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum.	22 Let nothing impede you from praying always. And then you will not dread to be justified, even unto death. For the reward of God dwells in eternity.
23 Ante orationem præpara animam tuam, et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.	23 Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts God.
24 Memento iræ in die consummationis, et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.	24 Remember the wrath that will be on the day of consummation, and remember the time of retribution, when he will turn away his face.
25 Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ, et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.	25 Remember poverty in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a day of riches.
26 A mane usque ad vesperam immutabitur tempus, et hæc omnia citata in oculis Dei.	26 From morning until evening, the time will be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
27 Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet, et in diebus delictorum attendet ab inertia.	27 A wise man will be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.
28 Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam, et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.	28 Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.
29 Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt, et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam, et impluerunt proverbia et judicia.	29 Those who show understanding with words also have acted wisely themselves, and they have understood truth and justice, and they have fulfilled proverbs and judgments.
30 Post concupiscentias tuas non eas, et a voluntate tua avertere.	30 You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.
31 Si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentias ejus, faciat te in gaudium inimicis tuis.	31 If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.
32 Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis : assidua enim est commissio illorum.	32 Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.
33 Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex f?nore, et est tibi nihil in sacculo : eris enim invidus vitæ tuæ.	33 You should not be reduced by the contention of borrowing, even if there is nothing in your purse. For you would be contending against your own life.