Ecclesiasticus 6

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Noli fieri pro amico inimicus proximo : improperium enim et contumeliam malus hæreditabit : et omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis.	1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; A bad name and disgrace will you acquire: "That for the evil man with double tongue!"
2 Non te extollas in cogitatione animæ tuæ velut taurus, ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam :	2 Fall not into the grip of desire, lest, like fire, it consume your strength;
3 et folia tua comedat, et fructus tuos perdat, et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.	3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree,
4 Anima enim nequam disperdet qui se habet, et in gaudium inimicis dat illum, et deducet in sortem impiorum.	4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies.
5 Verbum dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos, et lingua eucharis in bono homine abundat.	5 A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
6 Multi pacifici sint tibi : et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.	6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.
7 Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum, et ne facile credas ei.	7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him
8 Est enim amicus secundum tempus suum, et non permanebit in die tribulationis.	8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.
9 Et est amicus qui convertitur ad inimicitiam, et est amicus qui odium et rixam et convitia denudabit.	9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
10 Est autem amicus socius mensæ, et non permanebit in die necessitatis.	10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
11 Amicus si permanserit fixus, erit tibi quasi coæqualis, et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.	11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants;
12 Si humiliaverit se contra te, et a facie tua absconderit se, unanimem habebis amicitiam bonam.	12 But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you.
13 Ab inimicis tuis separare, et ab amicis tuis attende.	13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends.
14 Amicus fidelis protectio fortis : qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.	14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
15 Amico fideli nulla est comparatio, et non est digna ponderatio auri et argenti contra bonitatem fidei illius.	15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.
16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitæ et immortalitatis : et qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.	16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
17 Qui timet Deum æque habebit amicitiam bonam, quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.	17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.
18 Fili, a juventute tua excipe doctrinam, et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.	18 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.
19 Quasi is qui arat et seminat accede ad eam, et sustine bonos fructus illius.	19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops.
20 In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis, et cito edes de generationibus illius.	20 For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.
21 Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus ! et non permanebit in illa excors.	21 How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her.
22 Quasi lapidis virtus probatio erit in illis : et non demorabuntur projicere illam.	22 She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside.
23 Sapientia enim doctrinæ secundum nomen est ejus, et non est multis manifestata : quibus autem cognita est, permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.	23 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.
24 Audi, fili, et accipe consilium intellectus, et ne abjicias consilium meum.	24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel.
25 Injice pedem tuum in compedes illius, et in torques illius collum tuum.	25 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.
26 Subjice humerum tuum, et porta illam, et ne acedieris vinculis ejus.	26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds.
27 In omni animo tuo accede ad illam, et in omni virtute tua conserva vias ejus.	27 With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways.
28 Investiga illam, et manifestabitur tibi : et continens factus, ne derelinquas eam :	28 Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go;
29 in novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea, et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.	29 Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy.
30 Et erunt tibi compedes ejus in protectionem fortitudinis et bases virtutis, et torques illius in stolam gloriæ :	30 Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord.
31 decor enim vitæ est in illa, et vincula illius alligatura salutaris.	31 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown.
32 Stolam gloriæ indues eam, et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.	32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.
33 Fili, si attenderis mihi, disces : et si accommodaveris animum tuum, sapiens eris.	33 If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.
34 Si inclinaveris aurem tuam, excipies doctrinam : et si dilexeris audire, sapiens eris.	34 Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.
35 In multitudine presbyterorum prudentium sta, et sapientiæ illorum ex corde conjungere, ut omnem narrationem Dei possis audire, et proverbia laudis non effugiant a te.	35 Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.
36 Et si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum, et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.	36 If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!
37 Cogitatum tuum habe in præceptis Dei, et in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto : et ipse dabit tibi cor, et concupiscentia sapientiæ dabitur tibi.	37 Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.