Liber Ecclesiasticus, 38

1. Honora medicum propter necessitatem; etenim illum creavit Altissimus.

1. Every friend will say, "I too am a friend"; but some friends are friends only in name.

2. A Deo est enim illi sapientia, et a rege accipiet donationem.

2. Is it not a grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?

3. Disciplina medici exaltabit caput illius, et in conspectu magnatorum collaudabitur.

3. O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?

4. Altissimus creavit de terra medicamenta, et vir prudens non abhorrebit illa.

4. Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.

5. Nonne a ligno indulcata est aqua amara,

5. Some companions help a friend for their stomach's sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.

6. ut agnoscerent homines virtutem illius? Et dedit hominibus scientiam Altissimus, ut honoraretur in mirabilibus suis.

6. Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.

7. In his curans mitigabit dolorem, et unguentarius faciet pigmenta suavitatis, ut non consumantur opera eius:

7. Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.

8. et salus super faciem terrae.

8. Be wary of a counselor, and learn first what is his interest -- for he will take thought for himself -- lest he cast the lot against you

9. Fili, in tua infirmitate ne despicias teipsum, sed ora Dominum, et ipse curabit te.

9. and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.

10. Averte a delicto et dirige manus et ab omni peccato munda cor tuum;

10. Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.

11. da suavitatem et memoriam similaginis et impingua oblationem pro opibus tuis. Et da locum medico,

11. Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about barter or with a buyer about selling, with a grudging man about gratitude or with a merciless man about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a man hired for a year about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task -- pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.

12. etenim illum Dominus creavit; et non discedat a te, quia opera eius sunt necessaria.

12. But stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul is in accord with your soul, and who will sorrow with you if you fail.

13. Est enim tempus, quando per manus illorum est solacium.

13. And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.

14. Ipsi vero Dominum deprecabuntur, ut dirigat ad rectam cognitionem et prosperet curationem.

14. For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.

15. Qui delinquit in conspectu eius, qui fecit eum, incidet in manus medici.

15. And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.

16. Fili, in mortuum produc lacrimas et, quasi dira passus, incipe lamentationem et secundum iudicium contege corpus illius et non despicias sepulturam illius.

16. Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.

17. Amare fer fletum et perfice lamentum

17. As a clue to changes of heart

18. et fac luctum secundum meritum eius, uno die vel duobus propter detractionem, et consolare propter tristitiam.

18. four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.

19. A tristitia enim festinat mors, et tristitia cordis flectit virtutem.

19. A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.

20. In abductione permanet tristitia, et vita inopis maledictio cordis.

20. A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,

21. Ne dederis in tristitia cor tuum, sed repelle eam a te et memento novissimorum.

21. for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.

22. Ne ultra memineris: neque enim est conversio; et huic nihil proderis et teipsum pessimabis.

22. A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.

23. Memor esto iudicii eius, sic enim erit et tuum: mihi heri, et tibi hodie.

23. A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.

24. In requie mortui requiescere fac memoriam eius et consolare in illo in exitu spiritus sui.

24. A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.

25. Sapientia scribae in opportunitate vacationis; et, qui minoratur operatione, ipse sapientia replebitur. Qua sapientia replebitur,

25. The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.

26. qui tenet aratrum et qui gloriatur in iaculo stimuli? Boves agitat et conversatur in operibus eorum, et enarratio eius in filiis taurorum.

26. He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.

27. Cor suum dabit ad versandos sulcos, et vigilia eius in sagina vaccarum.

27. My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.

28. Sic omnis faber et architectus, qui noctem tamquam diem transigit, qui sculpit signacula sculptilia, et assiduitas eius variare picturam; cor suum dabit in similitudinem picturae, et vigilia sua perficere opus.

28. For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.

29. Sic faber ferrarius sedens iuxta incudem et considerans opus ferri; vapor ignis uret carnes eius, et in calore fornacis concertatur.

29. Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;

30. Vox mallei exsurdat aurem eius, et contra similitudinem vasis oculus eius.

30. for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.

31. Cor suum dabit in consummationem operum et vigilia sua ornare in perfectionem.

31. Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.

32. Sic figulus sedens ad opus suum, convertens pedibus suis rotam, qui in sollicitudine positus est semper propter opus suum, et in numero est omnis operatio eius;

32.

33. in brachio suo formabit lutum et ante canos suos curvabit virtutem suam:

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34. cor suum dabit, ut consummet linitionem, et vigilia sua mundare fornacem.

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35. Omnes hi in manibus suis speraverunt, et unusquisque in arte sua sapiens est.

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36. Sine his omnibus non aedificabitur civitas,

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37. et non inhabitabunt nec inambulabunt. Verumtamen in consilium populi non requirentur et in ecclesiam non transilient;

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38. super sellam iudicis non sedebunt et decretum iudicii non intellegent neque palam facient disciplinam et iudicium et in parabolis non invenientur;

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39. sed creaturam laboris confirmabunt, et sollicitudo illorum in operatione artis.

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