Ecclesiasticus, 33

1. There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.

1. Evil will not go to meet the one who fears the Lord; if he is in danger he will be rescued.

2. A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.

2. The wise man never departs from the Law; he who only pretends to keep it is like a storm-tossed boat.

3. A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.

3. An intelligent man has faith in the Law, which for him is as trustworthy as an oracle.

4. Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.

4. If you want people to listen to you, prepare what you have to say; recall what you have learned before you give an answer.

5. The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.

5. A cart wheel! That is what the feelings of a fool are like. His mind resembles a turning axle.

6. A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.

6. A mocking friend is like a wild horse, neighing when anyone rides him.

7. Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?

7. Why is one day holier than another, when the light of the sun shines on every day of the year?

8. By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.

8. By the Lord's decision they were made different; he arranged the different seasons and feasts.

9. Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days.

9. Some of these he chose to make holy, others he made ordinary days.

10. And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:

10. All men come from clay just as Adam himself was formed.

11. In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse.

11. In the fullness of his wisdom the Lord made each one unique and diversified his conditions.

12. Some of them hath he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.

12. Some he made holy, keeping them near to himself. Others he cursed and humiliated, removing them from where they were.

13. As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best.

13. As clay in the hand of the potter to be molded as he pleases, so are all in the hands of the Creator to be dealt with as he sees fit.

14. Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.

14. Good is the opposite of evil, and life, of death, and the sinner is the opposite of the upright.

15. So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another.

15. Consider all the works of the Most High and you will see how they go in pairs, by opposites.

16. I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and tred my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.

16. As for me I have been the last to keep watch, like a gleaner following the grape-pickers.

17. Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.

17. By the blessing of the Lord I have taken the lead and like the grape-picker I have filled the winepress.

18. Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.

18. Note that not only for myself have I toiled, but for all who seek instruction.

19. Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to another: lest it repent thee, and thou intreat for the same again.

19. Hear me, rulers of the people, leaders of the assembly hear!

20. As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.

20. Neither to son, wife, brother nor friend give power over yourself during your life. Do not give your property to another in case you regret it and have to beg them to return it.

21. For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.

21. As long as you live and there is breath in you, do not give power over yourself to anyone.

22. In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in thine honour.

22. It is preferable for your children to be dependent on you, than that you be obliged to depend on them.

23. At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.

23. Be master of all that you do; let not others stain your reputation.

24. Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant. .

24. Wait until the end of your days, until death is near, to distribute your inheritance.

25. If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.

25. Fodder, stick and burdens are for the donkey; bread, correction and work are for the slave.

26. A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.

26. Put your slave to work and you will have peace. Let him take it easy and he will want to be free.

27. Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.

27. Yoke and harness will bow the neck. For a criminal slave there are torture and the stocks.

28. Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.

28. Send him to work or he will be idle, and idleness teaches much evil.

29. But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.

29. Give him work that is appropriate for him; if he does not obey, put his feet in chains.

30. If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.

30. But do not be over-demanding with anyone and do nothing without discernment.

31. If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?

31. You have a slave? Let him be like you; for you bought him through blood.

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32. You have a slave? Treat him like a brother. You need him as you need yourself.

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33. If you ill-treat him and he escapes, where will you go to look for him?