Liber Ecclesiasticus, 30

1. De filiis. Qui diligit filium suum, assi duat illi flagella, ut laetetur in novissimo suo.

1. He that shows mercy will lend to his neighbor, and he that strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.

2. Qui docet filium suum, fructum habebit in illo et in medio domesticorum in illo gloriabitur.

2. Lend to your neighbor in the time of his need; and in turn, repay your neighbor promptly.

3. Qui docet filium suum, in zelum mittet inimicum et in medio amicorum gloriabitur in illo.

3. Confirm your word and keep faith with him, and on every occasion you will find what you need.

4. Mortuus est pater eius et quasi non est mortuus: similem enim reliquit sibi post se.

4. Many persons regard a loan as a windfall, and cause trouble to those who help them.

5. In vita sua vidit et laetatus est in illo, in obitu suo non est contristatus. Nec confusus est coram inimicis:

5. A man will kiss another's hands until he gets a loan, and will lower his voice in speaking of his neighbor's money; but at the time for repayment he will delay, and will pay in words of unconcern, and will find fault with the time.

6. reliquit enim defensorem domus contra inimicos et amicis reddentem gratiam.

6. If the lender exert pressure, he will hardly get back half, and will regard that as a windfall. If he does not, the borrower has robbed him of his money, and he has needlessly made him his enemy; he will repay him with curses and reproaches, and instead of glory will repay him with dishonor.

7. Qui blanditur filio, colligabit vulnera eius, et super omnem vocem turbabuntur viscera sua.

7. Because of such wickedness, therefore, many have refused to lend; they have been afraid of being defrauded needlessly.

8. Equus indomitus evadit durus, et filius remissus evadet praeceps.

8. Nevertheless, be patient with a man in humble circumstances, and do not make him wait for your alms.

9. Lacta filium, et paventem te faciet; lude cum eo, et contristabit te.

9. Help a poor man for the commandment's sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty.

10. Non corrideas illi, ne doleas, et in novissimo obstupescent dentes tui.

10. Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend, and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost.

11. Non des illi potestatem in iuventute et ne despicias errata illius.

11. Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold.

12. Curva cervicem eius in iuventute et tunde latera eius, dum infans est, ne forte induret et non credat tibi, et erit tibi ab illo dolor animae.

12. Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from all affliction;

13. Doce filium tuum et operare in illo, ne in turpitudinem illius offendas.

13. more than a mighty shield and more than a heavy spear, it will fight on your behalf against your enemy.

14. Melior est pauper sanus et fortis viribus quam dives imbecillis et flagellatus in carne sua.

14. A good man will be surety for his neighbor, but a man who has lost his sense of shame will fail him.

15. Salus carnis melior est omni auro et argento, et spiritus validus quam census immensus.

15. Do not forget all the kindness of your surety, for he has given his life for you.

16. Non est census super censum salutis corporis, et non est oblectatio super cordis gaudium.

16. A sinner will overthrow the prosperity of his surety,

17. Melior est mors quam vita amara, et requies aeterna quam languor perseverans.

17. and one who does not feel grateful will abandon his rescuer.

18. Bona effusa in ore clauso quasi appositiones epularum circumpositae sepulcro.

18. Being surety has ruined many men who were prosperous, and has shaken them like a wave of the sea; it has driven men of power into exile, and they have wandered among foreign nations.

19. Quid proderit libatio idolo? Nec enim manducabit nec odorabitur:

19. The sinner who has fallen into suretyship and pursues gain will fall into lawsuits.

20. sic qui effugatur a Domino portans mercedes iniquitatis,

20. Assist your neighbor according to your ability, but take heed to yourself lest you fall.

21. videns oculis et ingemiscens sicut spado complectens virginem et suspirans.

21. The essentials for life are water and bread and clothing and a house to cover one's nakedness.

22. Tristitiam non des animae tuae et non affligas temetipsum in consilio tuo.

22. Better is the life of a poor man under the shelter of his roof than sumptuous food in another man's house.

23. Iucunditas cordis haec est vita hominis et thesaurus sine defectione sanctitatis, et exsultatio viri est longaevitas.

23. Be content with little or much.

24. Indulge animae tuae et consolare cor tuum et tristitiam longe repelle a te.

24. It is a miserable life to go from house to house, and where you are a stranger you may not open your mouth;

25. Multos enim occidit tristitia, et non est utilitas in illa;

25. you will play the host and provide drink without being thanked, and besides this you will hear bitter words:

26. zelus et iracundia minuunt dies, et ante tempus senectam adducet cogitatus.

26. "Come here, stranger, prepare the table, and if you have anything at hand, let me have it to eat."

27. Splendidum cor et bonum in epulis est; epulae enim illius diligenter fiunt.

27. "Give place, stranger, to an honored person; my brother has come to stay with me; I need my house."

28.

28. These things are hard to bear for a man who has feeling: scolding about lodging and the reproach of the moneylender.