Liber Ecclesiasticus, 4

1. Fili, eleemosynam pauperis ne defraudes et oculos tuos ne transvertas a paupere.

1. Listen to me your father, O children; and act accordingly, that you may be kept in safety.

2. Animam esurientem ne contristaveris et non exasperes pauperem in inopia sua.

2. For the Lord honored the father above the children, and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons.

3. Cor inopis ne afflixeris et non protrahas datum angustianti.

3. Whoever honors his father atones for sins,

4. Rogationem contribulati ne abicias et non avertas faciem tuam ab egeno.

4. and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.

5. Ab inope ne avertas oculos tuos propter iram et non des ei locum tibi retro maledicendi;

5. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard.

6. maledicentis enim tibi in amaritudine animae, exaudietur precatio illius: exaudiet autem eum, qui fecit illum.

6. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother;

7. Congregationi affabilem te facito et presbytero humilia animam tuam et magnato humilia caput tuum.

7. he will serve his parents as his masters.

8. Declina pauperi sine tristitia aurem tuam et redde debitum tuum et responde illi pacifica in mansuetudine.

8. Honor your father by word and deed, that a blessing from him may come upon you.

9. Libera eum, qui iniuriam patitur, de manu opprimentis eum et non acide feras in anima tua in iudicando.

9. For a father's blessing strengthens the houses of the children, but a mother's curse uproots their foundations.

10. Esto pupillis misericors ut pater et pro viro matri illorum;

10. Do not glorify yourself by dishonoring your father, for your father's dishonor is no glory to you.

11. et eris velut filius Altissimi oboediens, et miserebitur tui magis quam mater.

11. For a man's glory comes from honoring his father, and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother.

12. Sapientia filiis suis vitam inspiravit et suscipit inquirentes se.

12. O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives;

13. Qui illam diligit, diligit vitam; et, qui vigilaverint ad illam, complectentur placorem a Domino.

13. even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; in all your strength do not despise him.

14. Qui tenuerint illam, gloriam hereditabunt, et, quo introibit, benedicet Deus.

14. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you;

15. Qui serviunt ei, obsequentes erunt Sancto, et eos, qui diligunt illam, diligit Deus.

15. in the day of your affliction it will be remembered in your favor; as frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.

16. Qui audit illam, iudicabit gentes; et, qui intuetur illam, permanebit confidens.

16. Whoever forsakes his father is like a blasphemer, and whoever angers his mother is cursed by the Lord.

17. Si crediderit ei, hereditabit illam, et erunt in possessione generationes illius.

17. My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.

18. Quoniam in simulatione ambulat cum eo et in primis explorat eum,

18. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.

19. timorem et tremorem inducet super illum et probabit illum in tentatione doctrinae suae, donec ipse teneat eam in cogitationibus suis et credat animae illius.

19.

20. Et redibit recta ad illum et firmabit illum et laetificabit illum

20. For great is the might of the Lord; he is glorified by the humble.

21. et denudabit illi absconsa sua et thesaurizabit super illum scientiam et intellectum iustitiae.

21. Seek not what is too difficult for you, nor investigate what is beyond your power.

22. Si autem oberraverit, derelinquet eum et tradet eum in manus inimici sui.

22. Reflect upon what has been assigned to you, for you do not need what is hidden.

23. Fili, observa tempus et devita a malo

23. Do not meddle in what is beyond your tasks, for matters too great for human understanding have been shown you.

24. et pro anima tua ne confundaris;

24. For their hasty judgment has led many astray, and wrong opinion has caused their thoughts to slip.

25. est enim confusio adducens peccatum, et est confusio adducens gloriam et gratiam.

25.

26. Ne accipias faciem adversus animam tuam nec adversus animam tuam mendacium.

26. A stubborn mind will be afflicted at the end, and whoever loves danger will perish by it.

27. Ne reverearis proximum tuum in casu suo

27. A stubborn mind will be burdened by troubles, and the sinner will heap sin upon sin.

28. nec retineas verbum in tempore suo; non abscondas sapientiam tuam in decorem.

28. The affliction of the proud has no healing, for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him.

29. In verbo enim agnoscitur sapientia, et sensus in responsione linguae.

29. The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable, and an attentive ear is the wise man's desire.

30. Non contradicas verbo veritatis ullo modo et de ineruditione tua confundere.

30. Water extinguishes a blazing fire: so almsgiving atones for sin.

31. Non confundaris confiteri peccata tua et ne subicias te omni homini pro peccato.

31. Whoever requites favors gives thought to the future; at the moment of his falling he will find support.

32. Noli resistere contra faciem potentis nec coneris contra ictum fluvii.

32.

33. Usque ad mortem agonizare pro iustitia, et Deus expugnabit pro te inimicos tuos.

33.

34. Noli citatus esse in lingua tua et pavidus et remissus in operibus tuis.

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35. Noli esse sicut leo in domo tua evertens domesticos tuos et opprimens subiectos tibi.

35.

36. Non sit porrecta manus tua ad accipiendum et ad dandum collecta.

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