Liber Ecclesiasticus, 19
1. Operarius ebriosus non locupletabitur; et, qui spernit modica, paulatim decidet.
1. He who lives for ever created the whole universe;
2. Vinum et mulieres apostatare faciunt sensatos; et, qui se iungit fornicariis, peribit: putredo et vermes hereditabunt illum.
2. the Lord alone will be declared righteous.
3. Anima audax perdet dominum suum; et tolletur de numero anima eius, et extolletur in exemplum maius.
3.
4. Qui credit cito, levis corde est et minorabitur; et, qui delinquit in animam suam, quis innoxium faciet?
4. To none has he given power to proclaim his works; and who can search out his mighty deeds?
5. Qui gaudet iniquitate, denotabitur, et, qui odit correptionem, minuetur vita, et, qui odit loquacitatem, exstinguit malitiam. (6)
5. Who can measure his majestic power? And who can fully recount his mercies?
6.
6. It is not possible to diminish or increase them, nor is it possible to trace the wonders of the Lord.
7. Ne umquam iteres verbum nequam et durum et prorsus non minoraberis.
7. When a man has finished, he is just beginning, and when he stops, he will be at a loss.
8. De amico et inimico noli narrare et, si notum est tibi delictum, noli denudare:
8. What is man, and of what use is he? What is his good and what is his evil?
9. audiet enim te et cavebit te et quasi defendens peccatum odiet te.
9. The number of a man's days is great if he reaches a hundred years.
10. Audisti verbum adversus proximum tuum? Commoriatur in te fidens quoniam non te dirumpet.
10. Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand so are a few years in the day of eternity.
11. A facie verbi parturiet fatuus tamquam parturiens a facie infantis;
11. Therefore the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy upon them.
12. sagitta infixa femori carnis, sic verbum in corde stulti.
12. He sees and recognizes that their end will be evil; therefore he grants them forgiveness in abundance.
13. Corripe amicum, ne forte fecerit malum et ipse dicat: “Non feci”; aut, si fecerit, ne iterum addat facere.
13. The compassion of man is for his neighbor, but the compassion of the Lord is for all living beings. He rebukes and trains and teaches them, and turns them back, as a shepherd his flock.
14. Corripe proximum, ne forte dixerit et, si dixerit, ne forte iteret.
14. He has compassion on those who accept his discipline and who are eager for his judgments.
15. Corripe amicum, saepe enim fit criminatio,
15. My son, do not mix reproach with your good deeds, nor cause grief by your words when you present a gift.
16. et non omni verbo credas. Est qui labitur lingua sed non ex animo;
16. Does not the dew assuage the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift.
17. quis est enim qui non deliquerit in lingua sua? Corripe proximum, antequam commineris,
17. Indeed, does not a word surpass a good gift? Both are to be found in a gracious man.
18. et da locum legi Altissimi. Quia omnis sapientia timor Dei et in illa timere Deum, et in omni sapientia dispositio legis.
18. A fool is ungracious and abusive, and the gift of a grudging man makes the eyes dim.
19. Et non est sapientia nequitiae scientia, et non est consilium peccatorum prudentia.
19. Before you speak, learn, and before you fall ill, take care of your health.
20. Est astutia et ipsa exsecratio, et est insipiens, qui minuitur sapientia.
20. Before judgment, examine yourself, and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.
21. Melior est homo, qui minuitur sapientia et deficiens sensu in timore, quam qui abundat sensu et transgreditur legem Altissimi.
21. Before falling ill, humble yourself, and when you are on the point of sinning, turn back.
22. Est solertia certa et ipsa iniqua.
22. Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly, and do not wait until death to be released from it.
23. Et est qui pervertit gratiam, ut proferat iudicium; est qui videtur oppressus et fractus animo, et interiora eius plena sunt dolo.
23. Before making a vow, prepare yourself; and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord.
24. Et est qui se nimium submittit a multa humilitate; et est qui inclinat faciem suam et fingit se non audire: ubi ignoratus est, praeveniet te.
24. Think of his wrath on the day of death, and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.
25. Et, si ab imbecillitate virium vetetur peccare, si invenerit tempus malefaciendi, malefaciet.
25. In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger; in the days of wealth think of poverty and need.
26. Ex visu cognoscitur vir, et ab occursu faciei cognoscitur sensatus:
26. From morning to evening conditions change, and all things move swiftly before the Lord.
27. amictus corporis et risus dentium et gressus hominis enuntiant de illo.
27. A wise man is cautious in everything, and in days of sin he guards against wrongdoing.
28. Est correptio inopportuna, et est indicium, quod non probatur esse bonum; et est tacens, et ipse est prudens.
28. Every intelligent man knows wisdom, and he praises the one who finds her.
29.
29. Those who understand sayings become skilled themselves, and pour forth apt proverbs.
30.
30. Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites.
31.
31. If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire, it will make you the laughingstock of your enemies.
32.
32. Do not revel in great luxury, lest you become impoverished by its expense.
33.
33. Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money, when you have nothing in your purse.
