Ecclesiasticus 4

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Fili, eleemosynam pauperis ne defraudes, et oculos tuos ne transvertas a paupere.	1 Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man.
2 Animam esurientem ne despexeris, et non exasperes pauperem in inopia sua.	2 You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need.
3 Cor inopis ne afflixeris, et non protrahas datum angustianti.	3 You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay an offer to someone in anguish.
4 Rogationem contribulati ne abjicias, et non avertas faciem tuam ab egeno.	4 You should not make requests of one who is greatly troubled, and you should not avert your face from the indigent.
5 Ab inope ne avertas oculos tuos propter iram : et non relinquas quærentibus tibi retro maledicere.	5 You should not avert your eyes from the needy out of anger. And you should not abandon those who seek help from you, so that they speak curses behind your back.
6 Maledicentis enim tibi in amaritudine animæ, exaudietur deprecatio illius : exaudiet autem eum qui fecit illum.	6 For the pleadings of him who speaks curses of you, in the bitterness of his soul, will be heeded. For the One who made him will heed him.
7 Congregationi pauperum affabilem te facito : et presbytero humilia animam tuam, et magnato humilia caput tuum.	7 Make yourself a friend to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul before an elder, and humble your head before the great.
8 Declina pauperi sine tristitia aurem tuam, et redde debitum tuum, et responde illi pacifica in mansuetudine.	8 Turn your ear without sadness toward the poor, and repay your debt, and respond to him peacefully in meekness.
9 Libera eum qui injuriam patitur de manu superbi, et non acide feras in anima tua.	9 Free him who suffers injury at the hand of the arrogant, and do not carry animosity in your soul.
10 In judicando esto pupillis misericors ut pater, et pro viro matri illorum :	10 In judging, be merciful to the orphan, like a father, and be merciful to their mother, like a husband.
11 et eris tu velut filius Altissimi obediens, et miserebitur tui magis quam mater.	11 And then you shall be like an obedient son of the Most High, and he will take pity on you more than a mother would.
12 Sapientia filiis suis vitam inspirat : et suscipit inquirentes se, et præibit in via justitiæ.	12 Wisdom breathes life into her sons, and she lifts up those who are seeking her, and she will precede them in the way of justice.
13 Et qui illam diligit, diligit vitam, et qui vigilaverint ad illam complectentur placorem ejus.	13 And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights.
14 Qui tenuerint illam, vitam hæreditabunt : et quo introibit benedicet Deus.	14 Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless.
15 Qui serviunt ei obsequentes erunt sancto : et eos qui diligunt illam, diligit Deus.	15 Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom.
16 Qui audit illam judicabit gentes : et qui intuetur illam permanebit confidens.	16 He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure.
17 Si crediderit ei, hæreditabit illam, et erunt in confirmatione creaturæ illius :	17 If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed.
18 quoniam in tentatione ambulat cum eo, et in primis eligit eum.	18 For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning.
19 Timorem, et metum, et probationem inducet super illum : et cruciabit illum in tribulatione doctrinæ suæ, donec tentet eum in cogitationibus suis, et credat animæ illius.	19 She will lead fear and dread and trials over him, and she will crucify him with the tribulation of her doctrine, until she has tested him in his thoughts and she can trust in his soul.
20 Et firmabit illum, et iter adducet directum ad illum, et lætificabit illum :	20 And then she will strengthen him, and lead him along a straight path, and rejoice in him.
21 et denudabit absconsa sua illi, et thesaurizabit super illum scientiam et intellectum justitiæ.	21 And she will disclose her secrets to him, and she will store up treasure, of the knowledge and understanding of justice, in him.
22 Si autem oberraverit, derelinquet eum, et tradet eum in manus inimici sui.	22 But if he has wandered astray, she will leave him behind, and she will deliver him into the hands of his enemy.
23 Fili, conserva tempus, et devita a malo.	23 Son, be continually observant, and keep away from evil.
24 Pro anima tua ne confundaris dicere verum :	24 For the sake of your soul, you should not be ashamed to speak the truth.
25 est enim confusio adducens peccatum, et est confusio adducens gloriam et gratiam.	25 For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace.
26 Ne accipias faciem adversus faciem tuam, nec adversus animam tuam mendacium.	26 You should not accept a face contrary to your own face, nor should you accept a lie contrary to your own soul.
27 Ne reverearis proximum tuum in casu suo,	27 You should not enjoy the fall of your neighbor.
28 nec retineas verbum in tempore salutis. Non abscondas sapientiam tuam in decore suo :	28 Neither should you withhold words at an opportunity for salvation. You should not conceal your wisdom in her beauty.
29 in lingua enim sapientia dignoscitur : et sensus, et scientia, et doctrina in verbo sensati, et firmamentum in operibus justitiæ.	29 For wisdom is discerned within speech. And understanding and knowledge and doctrine are discerned in the words of those who understand and by their steadfastness in the works of justice.
30 Non contradicas verbo veritatis ullo modo, et de mendacio ineruditionis tuæ confundere.	30 You should not contradict a word of truth in any way. Otherwise, by a falsehood born of ignorance, you will be confounded.
31 Non confundaris confiteri peccata tua, et ne subjicias te omni homini pro peccato.	31 You should not be ashamed to confess your sins, but do not subject yourself to any man because of sin.
32 Noli resistere contra faciem potentis, nec coneris contra ictum fluvii.	32 Do not choose to stand against the face of the powerful, for you should not strive against the current of the river.
33 Pro justitia agonizare pro anima tua, et usque ad mortem certa pro justitia : et Deus expugnabit pro te inimicos tuos.	33 Suffer for justice, on behalf of your soul, and struggle, even unto death, on behalf of justice, and God will fight against your enemies on your behalf.
34 Noli citatus esse in lingua tua, et inutilis, et remissus in operibus tuis.	34 Do not choose to be quick with your words, nor unproductive or neglectful in your works.
35 Noli esse sicut leo in domo tua, evertens domesticos tuos, et opprimens subjectos tibi.	35 Do not choose to be like a lion in your house, distressing those of your household, and oppressing those who are subject to you.
36 Non sit porrecta manus tua ad accipiendum, et ad dandum collecta.	36 Do not let your hand be open when receiving, but closed when giving.