Ecclesiasticus 21

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Fili, peccasti, non adjicias iterum : sed et de pristinis deprecare, ut tibi dimittantur.	1 Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you.
2 Quasi a facie colubri fuge peccata : et si accesseris ad illa, suscipient te.	2 Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you.
3 Dentes leonis dentes ejus, interficientes animas hominum.	3 Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.
4 Quasi rhomphæa bis acuta omnis iniquitas : plagæ illius non est sanitas.	4 All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.
5 Objurgatio et injuriæ annullabunt substantiam, et domus quæ nimis locuples est annullabitur superbia : sic substantia superbi eradicabitur.	5 Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated.
6 Deprecatio pauperis ex ore usque ad aures ejus perveniet, et judicium festinato adveniet illi.	6 Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly.
7 Qui odit correptionem vestigium est peccatoris, et qui timet Deum convertetur ad cor suum.	7 Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.
8 Notus a longe potens lingua audaci, et sensatus scit labi se ab ipso.	8 He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him.
9 Qui ædificat domum suam impendiis alienis, quasi qui colligit lapides suos in hieme.	9 Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.
10 Stupa collecta synagoga peccantium, et consummatio illorum flamma ignis.	10 The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.
11 Via peccatorum complanata lapidibus : et in fine illorum inferi, et tenebræ, et p?næ.	11 The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.
12 Qui custodit justitiam, continebit sensum ejus.	12 Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.
13 Consummatio timoris Dei, sapientia et sensus.	13 The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.
14 Non erudietur qui non est sapiens in bono.	14 One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.
15 Est autem sapientia quæ abundat in malo, et non est sensus ubi est amaritudo.	15 Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.
16 Scientia sapientis tamquam inundatio abundabit, et consilium illius sicut fons vitæ permanet.	16 The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.
17 Cor fatui quasi vas confractum, et omnem sapientiam non tenebit.	17 The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.
18 Verbum sapiens quodcumque audierit scius, laudabit, et ad se adjiciet : audivit luxuriosus, et displicebit illi, et projiciet illud post dorsum suum.	18 A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back.
19 Narratio fatui quasi sarcina in via : nam in labiis sensati invenietur gratia.	19 The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found.
20 Os prudentis quæritur in ecclesia, et verba illius cogitabunt in cordibus suis.	20 The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts.
21 Tamquam domus exterminata, sic fatuo sapientia : et scientia insensati inenarrabilia verba.	21 Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words.
22 Compedes in pedibus, stulto doctrina : et quasi vincula manuum super manum dextram.	22 Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.
23 Fatuus in risu exaltat vocem suam : vir autem sapiens vix tacite ridebit.	23 A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.
24 Ornamentum aureum prudenti doctrina, et quasi brachiale in brachio dextro.	24 Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.
25 Pes fatui facilis in domum proximi : et homo peritus confundetur a persona potentis.	25 The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful.
26 Stultus a fenestra respiciet in domum : vir autem eruditus foris stabit.	26 A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside.
27 Stultitia hominis auscultare per ostium : et prudens gravabitur contumelia.	27 It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.
28 Labia imprudentium stulta narrabunt ; verba autem prudentium statera ponderabuntur.	28 The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.
29 In ore fatuorum cor illorum, et in corde sapientium os illorum.	29 The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts.
30 Dum maledicit impius diabolum, maledicit ipse animam suam.	30 Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.
31 Susurro coinquinabit animam suam, et in omnibus odietur, et qui cum eo manserit odiosus erit : tacitus et sensatus honorabitur.	31 Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored.