Sirach 8

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands.	1 Contend not with an influential man, lest you fall into his power.
2 Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee.	2 Quarrel not with a rich man, lest he pay out the price of your downfall; For gold has dazzled many, and perverts the character of princes.
3 For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.	3 Dispute not with a man of railing speech, heap no wood upon his fire.
4 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.	4 Be not too familiar with an unruly man, lest he speak ill of your forebears.
5 Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family.	5 Shame not a repentant sinner; remember, we all are guilty.
6 Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.	6 Insult no man when he is old, for some of us, too, will grow old.
7 Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old.	7 Rejoice not when a man dies; remember, we are all to die.
8 Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.	8 Spurn not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs; From them you will acquire the training to serve in the presence of princes.
9 Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.	9 Reject not the tradition of old men which they have learned from their fathers; From it you will obtain the knowledge how to answer in time of need.
10 For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.	10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest you be consumed in his flaming fire.
11 Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers:	11 Let not the impious man intimidate you; it will set him in ambush against you.
12 For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.	12 Lend not to one more powerful than yourself; and whatever you lend, count it as lost.
13 Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.	13 Go not surety beyond your means; think any pledge a debt you must pay.
14 Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.	14 Contend not at law with a judge, for he will settle it according to his whim.
15 Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost.	15 Travel not with a ruthless man, lest he weigh you down with calamity; For he will go his own way straight, and through his folly you will perish with him.
16 Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it.	16 Provoke no quarrel with a quick-tempered man, nor ride with him through the desert, For bloodshed is nothing to him; when there is no one to help you, he will destroy you.
17 Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just.	17 Take no counsel with a fool, for he can keep nothing to himself.
18 Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.	18 Before a stranger do nothing that should be kept secret, for you know not what it will engender.
19 Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.	19 Open your heart to no man, and banish not your happiness.
20 Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them.
21 Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
22 Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee.