Ecclesiasticus 33

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Timenti Dominum non occurrent mala : sed in tentatione Deus illum conservabit, et liberabit a malis. Sapiens non odit mandata et justitias,	1 No evil can harm the man who fears the LORD; through trials, again and again he is safe.
2 et non illidetur quasi in procella navis.	2 He who hates the law is without wisdom, and is tossed about like a boat in a storm.
3 Homo sensatus credit legi Dei, et lex illi fidelis.	3 The prudent man trusts in the word of the LORD, and the law is dependable for him as a divine oracle.
4 Qui interrogationem manifestat parabit verbum, et sic deprecatus exaudietur : et conservabit disciplinam, et tunc respondebit.	4 Prepare your words and you will be listened to; draw upon your training, and then give your answer.
5 Præcordia fatui quasi rota carri, et quasi axis versatilis cogitatus illius.	5 Like the wheel of a cart is the mind of a fool; his thoughts revolve in circles.
6 Equus emissarius, sic et amicus subsannator : sub omni supra sedente hinnit.	6 A fickle friend is like the stallion that neighs, no matter who the rider.
7 Quare dies diem superat, et iterum lux lucem, et annus annum a sole ?	7 Why is one day more important than another, when it is the sun that lights up every day?
8 A Domini scientia separati sunt, facto sole, et præceptum custodiente.	8 It is due to the LORD'S wisdom that they differ; it is through him the seasons and feasts come and go.
9 Et immutavit tempora, et dies festos ipsorum, et in illis dies festos celebraverunt ad horam.	9 Some he dignifies and sanctifies, and others he lists as ordinary days.
10 Ex ipsis exaltavit et magnificavit Deus, et ex ipsis posuit in numerum dierum : et omnes homines de solo et ex terra unde creatus est Adam.	10 So too, all men are of clay, for from earth man was formed;
11 In multitudine disciplinæ Dominus separavit eos, et immutavit vias eorum.	11 Yet with his great knowledge the LORD makes men unlike; in different paths he has them walk.
12 Ex ipsis benedixit et exaltavit, et ex ipsis sanctificavit, et ad se applicavit, et ex ipsis maledixit, et humiliavit, et convertit illos a separatione ipsorum.	12 Some he blesses and makes great, some he sanctifies and draws to himself. Others he curses and brings low, and expels them from their place.
13 Quasi lutum figuli in manu ipsius, plasmare illud et disponere.	13 Like clay in the hands of a potter, to be molded according to his pleasure, So are men in the hands of their Creator, to be assigned by him their function.
14 Omnes viæ ejus secundum dispositionem ejus : sic homo in manu illius qui se fecit, et reddet illi secundum judicium suum.	14 As evil contrasts with good, and death with life, so are sinners in contrast with the just;
15 Contra malum bonum est, et contra mortem vita : sic et contra virum justum peccator, et sic intuere in omnia opera Altissimi, duo et duo, et unum contra unum.	15 See now all the works of the Most High: they come in pairs, the one the opposite of the other.
16 Et ego novissimus evigilavi, et quasi qui colligit acinos post vindemiatores.	16 Now I am the last to keep vigil, like a gleaner after the vintage;
17 In benedictione Dei et ipse speravi, et quasi qui vindemiat replevi torcular.	17 Since by the LORD'S blessing I have made progress till like a vintager I have filled my wine press,
18 Respicite quoniam non mihi soli laboravi, sed omnibus exquirentibus disciplinam.	18 I would inform you that not for myself only have I toiled, but for every seeker after wisdom.
19 Audite me, magnates et omnes populi : et rectores ecclesiæ, auribus percipite.	19 Listen to me, O leaders of the multitude; O rulers of the assembly, give ear!
20 Filio et mulieri, fratri et amico, non des potestatem super te in vita tua : et non dederis alii possessionem tuam, ne forte p?niteat te, et depreceris pro illis.	20 Let neither son nor wife, neither brother nor friend, have power over you as long as you live.
21 Dum adhuc superes et aspiras, non immutabit te omnis caro.	21 While breath of life is still in you, let no man have dominion over you. Give not to another your wealth, lest then you have to plead with him;
22 Melius est enim ut filii tui te rogent, quam te respicere in manus filiorum tuorum.	22 Far better that your children plead with you than that you should look to their generosity.
23 In omnibus operibus tuis præcellens esto.	23 Keep control over all your affairs; let no one tarnish your glory.
24 Ne dederis maculam in gloria tua. In die consummationis dierum vitæ tuæ, et in tempore exitus tui, distribue hæreditatem tuam.	24 When your few days reach their limit, at the time of death distribute your inheritance.
25 Cibaria, et virga, et onus asino : panis, et disciplina, et opus servo.	25 Fodder and whip and loads for an ass; the yoke and harness and the rod of his master.
26 Operatur in disciplina, et quærit requiescere : laxa manus illi, et quærit libertatem.	26 Make a slave work and he will look for his rest; let his hands be idle and he will seek to be free.
27 Jugum et lorum curvant collum durum, et servum inclinant operationes assiduæ.	27 Food, correction and work for a slave; and for a wicked slave, punishment in the stocks.
28 Servo malevolo tortura et compedes : mitte illum in operationem, ne vacet :	28 Force him to work that he be not idle, for idleness is an apt teacher of mischief.
29 multam enim malitiam docuit otiositas.	29 Put him to work, for that is what befits him; if he becomes unruly, load him with chains.
30 In opera constitue eum : sic enim condecet illum. Quod si non obaudierit, curva illum compedibus, et non amplifices super omnem carnem : verum sine judicio nihil facias grave.	30 But never lord it over any human being, and do nothing unjust.
31 Si est tibi servus fidelis, sit tibi quasi anima tua : quasi fratrem sic eum tracta, quoniam in sanguine animæ comparasti illum.	31 If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself, for you have acquired him with your life's blood;
32 Si læseris eum injuste, in fugam convertetur :	32 If you have but one slave, deal with him as a brother, for you need him as you need your life:
33 et si extollens discesserit, quem quæras et in qua via quæras illum nescis.	33 If you mistreat him and he runs away, in what direction will you look for him?