Sirach 9

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	JERUSALEM
1 You should not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest she reveal, because of you, the malice of a wicked lesson.	1 Ne sois pas jaloux de ton épouse bien-aimée et ne lui donne pas l'idée de te faire du mal.
2 You should not give authority over your soul to a woman, lest she obtain your strength, and then you would be confounded.	2 Ne te livre pas entre les mains d'une femme, de peur qu'elle ne prenne de l'ascendant sur toi.
3 You should not look with favor on a woman with many desires, lest perhaps you may fall into her traps.	3 Ne va pas au-devant d'une prostituée: tu pourrais tomber dans ses pièges.
4 You should not be continually in need of entertainment, nor should you be persuaded by it, lest perhaps you may perish by its effectiveness.	4 Ne fréquente pas une chanteuse: tu te ferais prendre à ses artifices.
5 You should not stare at a virgin, lest perhaps you may be scandalized by her beauty.	5 N'arrête pas ton regard sur une jeune fille, de crainte d'être puni avec elle.
6 You should not give your soul, in any way, to fornicators, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance.	6 Ne te livre pas aux mains des prostituées: tu y perdrais ton patrimoine.
7 Do not choose to look around in the streets of the city, nor should you wander along its thoroughfares.	7 Ne promène pas ton regard dans les rues de la ville et ne rôde pas dans les coins déserts.
8 Avert your face from an ornate woman, for you should not gaze upon strange beauty.	8 Détourne ton regard d'une jolie femme et ne l'arrête pas sur une beauté étrangère. Beaucoupont été égarés par la beauté d'une femme et l'amour s'y enflamme comme un feu.
9 Many have perished because of the beauty of a woman; and by this, desire is kindled like a fire.	9 Près d'une femme mariée garde-toi bien de t'asseoir et de t'attabler pour des beuveries, decrainte que ton coeur ne succombe à ses charmes et que dans ta passion tu ne glisses à ta perte.
10 Every woman who is a fornicator will be trampled down, like the filth in the street.	10 N'abandonne pas un vieil ami, le nouveau venu ne le vaudra pas. Vin nouveau, aminouveau, laisse-le vieillir, tu le boiras avec délices.
11 Many, by admiring the beauty of the wife of another, have become reprobate. For familiarity with her flares up like a fire.	11 N'envie pas le succès du pécheur, tu ne sais comment cela finira.
12 You should not sit down at all with another man’s wife, nor recline with her on a couch.	12 Ne te félicite pas de la réussite des impies, souviens-toi qu'ici-bas ils ne resteront pasimpunis.
13 And you should not argue with her over wine, lest perhaps your heart may turn toward her, and by your emotion, you would be toppled into perdition.	13 Tiens-toi éloigné de l'homme qui est capable de tuer et tu n'auras aucune crainte de la mort.Si tu l'approches surveille-le bien, il pourrait t'ôter la vie. Sache bien que tu es entouré de pièges et que tumarches sur les remparts.
14 You should not abandon a old friend. For a new one will not be similar to him.	14 Autant que tu le peux fréquente ton prochain et prends conseil des sages.
15 A new friend is like new wine. It will grow old, and then you will enjoy drinking it.	15 Pour ta conversation recherche les hommes intelligents et que tous tes entretiens portent surla loi du Très-Haut.
16 You should not envy the glory and wealth of a sinner. For you do not know what may be his undoing in the future.	16 Que les justes soient tes commensaux et que ta fierté soit dans la crainte du Seigneur.
17 The injury of the unjust should not please you, knowing that, until they are in hell, the impious will not please.	17 Un ouvrage fait de main d'ouvrier mérite louange, mais le chef du peuple, lui, doit êtrehabile dans le discours.
18 Keep yourself far from a man having the power to kill, and then you will not have the fear of death suspended over you.	18 Le beau parleur est redouté dans la ville et le bavard est détesté.
19 But if you do approach him, do nothing to offend, lest perhaps he may take away your life.
20 Know that this is a communion with death. For you would be entering the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of the grieving.
21 According to your ability, be cautious of your neighbor, and treat him as the wise and prudent would.
22 Let just men be your companions, and let your glory be in the fear of God.
23 And let the thought of God be in your mind, and let all your discourse be on the precepts of the Most High.
24 Works will be praised for the hands of the artists, and a leader of the people will be praised for the wisdom of his words, yet truly, the word of the elders will be praised for its understanding.
25 A man full of words is a dread to his city, but one who speaks rashly will be hated for his word.