Eclesiástico, 35

1. Observar la ley es hacer muchas ofrendas, atender a los mandamientos es hacer sacrificios de comunión.

1. A man of no understanding has vain and false hopes, and dreams give wings to fools.

2. Devolver favor es hacer oblación de flor de harina, hacer limosna es ofrecer sacrificios de alabanza.

2. As one who catches at a shadow and pursues the wind, so is he who gives heed to dreams.

3. Apartarse del mal es complacer al Señor, sacrificio de expiación apartarse de la injusticia.

3. The vision of dreams is this against that, the likeness of a face confronting a face.

4. No te presentes ante el Señor con las manos vacías, pues todo esto es lo que prescribe el mandamiento.

4. From an unclean thing what will be made clean? And from something false what will be true?

5. La ofrenda del justo unge el altar, su buen olor sube ante el Altísimo.

5. Divinations and omens and dreams are folly, and like a woman in travail the mind has fancies.

6. El sacrificio del justo es aceptado, su memorial no se olvidará.

6. Unless they are sent from the Most High as a visitation, do not give your mind to them.

7. Con ojo generoso glorifica al Señor, y no escatimes las primicias de tus manos.

7. For dreams have deceived many, and those who put their hope in them have failed.

8. En todos tus dones pon tu rostro alegre, con contento consagra los diezmos.

8. Without such deceptions the law will be fulfilled, and wisdom is made perfect in truthful lips.

9. Da al Altísimo como él te ha dado a ti, con ojo generoso, con arreglo a tus medios.

9. An educated man knows many things, and one with much experience will speak with understanding.

10. Porque el Señor sabe pagar, y te devolverá siete veces más.

10. He that is inexperienced knows few things, but he that has traveled acquires much cleverness.

11. No trates de corromperle con presentes, porque no los acepta, no te apoyes en sacrificio injusto.

11. I have seen many things in my travels, and I understand more than I can express.

12. Porque el Señor es juez, y no cuenta para él la gloria de nadie.

12. I have often been in danger of death, but have escaped because of these experiences.

13. No hace acepción de personas contra el pobre, y la plegaria del agraviado escucha.

13. The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, for their hope is in him who saves them.

14. No desdeña la súplica del huérfano, ni a la viuda, cuando derrama su lamento.

14. He who fears the Lord will not be timid, nor play the coward, for he is his hope.

15. Las lágrimas de la viuda, ¿no bajan por su mejilla, y su clamor contra el que las provocó?

15. Blessed is the soul of the man who fears the Lord! To whom does he look? And who is his support?

16. Quien sirve de buena gana, es aceptado, su plegaria sube hasta las nubes.

16. The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him, a mighty protection and strong support, a shelter from the hot wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a defense against falling.

17. La oración del humilde las nubes atraviesa, hasta que no llega a su término no se consuela él.

17. He lifts up the soul and gives light to the eyes; he grants healing, life, and blessing.

18. Y no desiste hasta que vuelve los ojos el Altísimo, hace justicia a los justos y ejecuta el juicio.

18. If one sacrifices from what has been wrongfully obtained, the offering is blemished; the gifts of the lawless are not acceptable.

19. Y el Señor no se tardará, ni tendrá con éstos más paciencia,

19. The Most High is not pleased with the offerings of the ungodly; and he is not propitiated for sins by a multitude of sacrifices.

20. hasta no haber machacado los lomos de los sin entrañas, y haber tomado venganza de las naciones,

20. Like one who kills a son before his father's eyes is the man who offers a sacrifice from the property of the poor.

21. haber extirpado el tropel de los soberbios, y quebrado el cetro de los injustos,

21. The bread of the needy is the life of the poor; whoever deprives them of it is a man of blood.

22. hasta no haber pagado a cada cual según sus actos, las obras de los hombres según sus intenciones,

22. To take away a neighbor's living is to murder him; to deprive an employee of his wages is to shed blood.

23. haber hecho justicia a su pueblo, y haberles dado contento con su misericordia.

23. When one builds and another tears down, what do they gain but toil?

24. Grata es la misericordia en tiempo de tribulación, como nubes de lluvia en tiempo de sequía.

24. When one prays and another curses, to whose voice will the Lord listen?

25.

25. If a man washes after touching a dead body, and touches it again, what has he gained by his washing?

26.

26. So if a man fasts for his sins, and goes again and does the same things, who will listen to his prayer? And what has he gained by humbling himself?