Ecclesiasticus, 8

1. Strive not with a mighty man' lest thou fall into his hands.

1. Do not argue with a powerful man lest you fall into his hands.

2. Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.

2. Do not quarrel with a rich man lest he throw his weight into the scale against you.

3. Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

3. Do not argue with a talkative person; do not heap up wood on his fire.

4. Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.

4. Do not joke with an ignorant man for fear your ancestors will be insulted.

5. Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.

5. Do not offend the man who repents of his sins, remember that we are all deserving punishment.

6. Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.

6. Do not despise a man in his old age, because we ourselves will grow old.

7. Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.

7. Do not rejoice at the death of any man, remember that we shall all die.

8. Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.

8. Do not neglect the teaching of the wise, apply yourself well to their precepts. Through them you will learn how to live and how to serve the great.

9. Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.

9. Do not set aside the teachings of the elders for they also learnt it from their fathers; they will open up your understanding and enable you to reply at the right moment.

10. Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.

10. Do nothing to arouse the sinner for fear of being burned by the flames of his fire.

11. Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words

11. Do not annoy the angry man for fear that he will twist your words to his own advantage.

12. Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.

12. Do not lend to those more powerful than yourself; if you have lent anything, consider it as lost.

13. Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.

13. Do not stand surety beyond your means; if you have done so, be ready to pay.

14. Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.

14. Do not go to law with a judge because, due to his position, judgment will be given in his favor.

15. Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.

15. Do not travel with an adventurer lest he impose himself on you and, as he does whatever he pleases, you both perish through his folly.

16. Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.

16. Do not quarrel with a bad-tempered person nor get involved with him in a lonely place; blood counts for little in his eyes and, when he sees you defenseless, he will attack you.

17. Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.

17. Do not take counsel with a fool because he will not be able to remain silent about what you have said.

18. Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.

18. Do nothing which should be secret before a stranger because you do not know how he will react.

19. Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.

19. Do not reveal your secrets to any man, he will not be grateful to you for doing so.