Liber Ecclesiasticus, 8

1. Non litiges cum homine potente, ne forte incidas in manus illius.

1. Do no evil, and evil will never befall you.

2. Non contendas cum viro locuplete, ne forte contra te constituat pondus tuum:

2. Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.

3. multos enim perdidit aurum, et argentum etiam cor regum subvertit.

3. My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.

4. Non litiges cum homine linguato et non struas in ignem illius ligna.

4. Do not seek from the Lord the highest office, nor the seat of honor from the king.

5. Non communices homini indocto, ne contemnaris a principibus.

5. Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord, nor display your wisdom before the king.

6. Ne despicias hominem avertentem se a peccato neque improperes ei; memento quoniam omnes in correptione sumus.

6. Do not seek to become a judge, lest you be unable to remove iniquity, lest you be partial to a powerful man, and thus put a blot on your integrity.

7. Ne spernas hominem in sua senectute, etenim ex nobis senescunt.

7. Do not offend against the public, and do not disgrace yourself among the people.

8. Noli de mortuo inimico tuo gaudere; memento quoniam omnes morimur et in gaudium nolumus venire.

8. Do not commit a sin twice; even for one you will not go unpunished.

9. Ne despicias narrationem presbyterorum sapientium et in proverbiis eorum conversare;

9. Do not say, "He will consider the multitude of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the Most High God he will accept it."

10. ab ipsis enim disces sapientiam et doctrinam intellectus et servire magnatis sine querela.

10. Do not be fainthearted in your prayer, nor neglect to give alms.

11. Non te praetereat narratio seniorum: ipsi enim didicerunt a patribus suis;

11. Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul, for there is One who abases and exalts.

12. quoniam ab ipsis disces intellectum et in tempore necessitatis dare responsum.

12. Do not devise a lie against your brother, nor do the like to a friend.

13. Non incendas carbones peccatorum arguens eos et ne incendaris flamma ignis peccatorum illorum.

13. Refuse to utter any lie, for the habit of lying serves no good.

14. Ne contra faciem stes contumeliosi, ne sedeat quasi insidiator ori tuo.

14. Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders, nor repeat yourself in your prayer.

15. Noli fenerari homini fortiori te; quod si feneraveris, quasi perditum habe.

15. Do not hate toilsome labor, or farm work, which were created by the Most High.

16. Non spondeas super virtutem tuam; quod si spoponderis, quasi restituens cogita.

16. Do not count yourself among the crowd of sinners; remember that wrath does not delay.

17. Non litiges contra iudicem, quoniam secundum placitum suum iudicat.

17. Humble yourself greatly, for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.

18. Cum audace non eas in via, ne forte aggraves mala tua: ipse enim secundum voluntatem suam vadit, et simul cum stultitia illius peries.

18. Do not exchange a friend for money, or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.

19. Cum iracundo non facias rixam et cum ipso non eas in desertum, quoniam quasi nihil est ante illum sanguis, et, ubi non est adiutorium, elidet te.

19. Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife, for her charm is worth more than gold.

20. Cum fatuis consilium non habeas; non enim poterunt occultare secretum tuum.

20. Do not abuse a servant who performs his work faithfully, or a hired laborer who devotes himself to you.

21. Coram extraneo nihil facias cautum; nescis enim quid pariet.

21. Let your soul love an intelligent servant; do not withhold from him his freedom.

22. Non omni homini cor tuum manifestes, ne forte repellas a te bonum.

22. Do you have cattle? Look after them; if they are profitable to you, keep them.

23.

23. Do you have children? Discipline them, and make them obedient from their youth.

24.

24. Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity, and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.

25.

25. Give a daughter in marriage; you will have finished a great task. But give her to a man of understanding.

26.

26. If you have a wife who pleases you, do not cast her out; but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.

27.

27. With all your heart honor your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.

28.

28. Remember that through your parents you were born; and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you?

29.

29. With all your soul fear the Lord, and honor his priests.

30.

30. With all your might love your Maker, and do not forsake his ministers.

31.

31. Fear the Lord and honor the priest, and give him his portion, as is commanded you: the first fruits, the guilt offering, the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.

32.

32. Stretch forth your hand to the poor, so that your blessing may be complete.

33.

33. Give graciously to all the living, and withhold not kindness from the dead.

34.

34. Do not fail those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn.

35.

35. Do not shrink from visiting a sick man, because for such deeds you will be loved.

36.

36. In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin.