Eclesiástico, 32

1. ¿Te han nombrado presidente? No te engrías, sé entre los demás como uno de ellos; atiéndeles, y después te sientas.

1. Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one's flesh, and anxiety about it removes sleep.

2. Cuando hayas cumplido todo tu menester, tomo asiento, para que con ellos te alegres, y por tu acierto recibas la corona.

2. Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber, and a severe illness carries off sleep.

3. Habla, anciano, que te está bien, pero con discreción y sin estorbar la música.

3. The rich man toils as his wealth accumulates, and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.

4. Durante la audición, no derrames locuacidad, no te hagas el sabio a destiempo.

4. The poor man toils as his livelihood diminishes, and when he rests he becomes needy.

5. Sello de carbunclo en alhaja de oro, así es un concierto musical de un banquete.

5. He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it.

6. Sello de esmeralda en montura de oro, así es una melodía entre vino delicioso.

6. Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.

7. Habla, joven, si te es necesario, dos veces a lo sumo, si se te pregunta.

7. It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it, and every fool will be taken captive by it.

8. Resume tu discurso, di mucho en poco, sé como quien sabe y al mismo tiempo calla.

8. Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless, and who does not go after gold.

9. Entre grandes no te iguales a ellos, si otro habla, no te excedas en hablar.

9. Who is he? And we will call him blessed, for he has done wonderful things among his people.

10. Al trueno se adelanta el relámpago, así al modesto le antecede la gracia.

10. Who has been tested by it and been found perfect? Let it be for him a ground for boasting. Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress, and to do evil and did not do it?

11. Llegada la hora levántate, no te rezagues, ve corriendo a casa, no te hagas el remolón.

11. His prosperity will be established, and the assembly will relate his acts of charity.

12. Allí, diviértete y haz lo que te plazca, mas no peques con palabras insolentes.

12. Are you seated at the table of a great man? Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, "There is certainly much upon it!"

13. Y por todo esto bendice a tu Hacedor, que te colma de sus bienes.

13. Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing. What has been created more greedy than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.

14. El que teme al Señor acepta la instrucción, los que madrugan encuentran su favor.

14. Do not reach out your hand for everything you see, and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish.

15. El que busca la ley se llena de ella, al hipócrita le sirve de tropiezo.

15. Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful.

16. Los que temen al Señor son justificados, hacen brillar sus buenas acciones como luz.

16. Eat like a human being what is set before you, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated.

17. El pecador rehúye la reprensión, según su voluntad encuentra excusa.

17. Be the first to stop eating, for the sake of good manners, and do not be insatiable, lest you give offense.

18. El varón de consejo no descuida la reflexión, el extraño y el orgulloso no se encogen de miedo.

18. If you are seated among many persons, do not reach out your hand before they do.

19. Sin consejo no hagas nada, y no te arrepentirás de tus acciones.

19. How ample a little is for a well-disciplined man! He does not breathe heavily upon his bed.

20. Por caminos escabrosos no vayas, y no tropezarás en piedras.

20. Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton.

21. No te confies en camino inexplorado,

21. If you are overstuffed with food, get up in the middle of the meal, and you will have relief.

22. y de tus hijos guárdate.

22. Listen to me, my son, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your work be industrious, and no sickness will overtake you.

23. En todos tus actos vela sobre ti, que esto es también guardar los mandamientos.

23. Men will praise the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.

24. El que tiene confianza en la ley atiende a los mandamientos, y el que pone su confianza en el Señor no sufre daño.

24. The city will complain of the one who is niggardly with food, and their testimony to his niggardliness is accurate.

25.

25. Do not aim to be valiant over wine, for wine has destroyed many.

26.

26. Fire and water prove the temper of steel, so wine tests hearts in the strife of the proud.

27.

27. Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.

28.

28. Wine drunk in season and temperately is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.

29.

29. Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, with provocation and stumbling.

30.

30. Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and adding wounds.

31.

31. Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not afflict him by making demands of him.