Ecclesiasticus 5

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Noli attendere ad possessiones iniquas, et ne dixeris : Est mihi sufficiens vita : nihil enim proderit in tempore vindictæ et obductionis.	1 Do not choose to seek iniquitous possessions, and you should not say: “I have all I need in life.” For it will be of no benefit to you in the time of retribution and darkness.
2 Ne sequaris in fortitudine tua concupiscentiam cordis tui,	2 You should not pursue, in your strength, the desires of your heart.
3 et ne dixeris : Quomodo potui ? aut, Quis me subjiciet propter facta mea ? Deus enim vindicans vindicabit.	3 And you should not say: “How powerful am I?” or, “Who will cast me down because of my deeds?” For God will vindicate with vengeance.
4 Ne dixeris : Peccavi : et quid mihi accidit triste ? Altissimus enim est patiens redditor.	4 You should not say, “I sinned, and what grief has befallen me?” For the Most High is a patient recompensor.
5 De propitiatio peccato noli esse sine metu, neque adjicias peccatum super peccatum.	5 Do not be willing to be without fear concerning a forgiven sin, and you should not add sin upon sin.
6 Et ne dicas : Miseratio Domini magna est, multitudinis peccatorum meorum miserebitur :	6 And you should not say: “The compassion of the Lord is great; he will take pity on the multitude of my sins.”
7 misericordia enim et ira ab illo cito proximant, et in peccatores respicit ira illius.	7 For both mercy and wrath go forth quickly from him, and his wrath sets its gaze upon sinners.
8 Non tardes converti ad Dominum, et ne differas de die in diem :	8 You should not delay being converted to the Lord, and you should not set it aside from day to day.
9 subito enim veniet ira illius, et in tempore vindictæ disperdet te.	9 For his wrath will approach suddenly, and in the time of vindication, he will destroy you.
10 Noli anxius esse in divitiis injustis : non enim proderunt tibi in die obductionis et vindictæ.	10 Do not choose to be anxious for unjust wealth. For these things will not benefit you in the day of darkness and retribution.
11 Non ventiles te in omnem ventum, et non eas in omnem viam : sic enim omnis peccator probatur in duplici lingua.	11 You should not winnow in every wind, and you should not go forth into every path. For so is every sinner proven by his duplicitous tongue.
12 Esto firmus in via Domini, et in veritate sensus tui et scientia : et prosequatur te verbum pacis et justitiæ.	12 Be steadfast in the way of the Lord and in the truth of your understanding and knowledge, and let words of peace and justice overtake you.
13 Esto mansuetus ad audiendum verbum, ut intelligas, et cum sapientia proferas responsum verum.	13 Be meek when listening to a word, so that you may understand. And offer a true response in wisdom.
14 Si est tibi intellectus, responde proximo : sin autem, sit manus tua super os tuum, ne capiaris in verbo indisciplinato, et confundaris.	14 If you understand, then answer your neighbor. But if you do not, then let your hand be over your mouth, so that you are not caught by an inept word, and then confounded.
15 Honor et gloria in sermone sensati : lingua vero imprudentis subversio est ipsius.	15 Honor and glory are in the words of those who understand, yet truly, the tongue of the imprudent man is his undoing.
16 Non appelleris susurro, et lingua tua ne capiaris et confundaris :	16 You should not be called a whisperer, and you should not be caught by your own tongue, and then confounded.
17 super furem enim est confusio et p?nitentia, et denotatio pessima super bilinguem : susurratori autem odium, et inimicitia, et contumelia.	17 For confusion and remorse is upon a thief, and a wicked mark is upon the double-tongued; but for the whisperer, there is hatred and animosity and disgrace.
18 Justifica pusillum et magnum similiter.	18 Justify the small and the great similarly.