Liber Ecclesiasticus, 6

1. noli fieri pro amico inimicus proximo inproperium enim et contumeliam malus hereditabit et omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis

1. Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.

2. non te extollas in cogitatione animæ tuæ velut taurus ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam

2. Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,

3. et folia tua comedet et fructus tuos perdet et relinqueris velut lignum aridum in heremo

3. And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit: and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.

4. anima enim nequa disperdet qui se habet et in gaudium inimici dat illum et deducit in sortem impiorum

4. For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.

5. verbum dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos et lingua eucharis in bono homine abundat

5. A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.

6. multi pacifici sint tibi et consiliarii tibi sint unus de mille

6. Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.

7. si possides amicum in temptatione posside eum et non facile credas illi

7. If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.

8. est enim amicus secundum tempus suum et non permanebit in die tribulationis

8. For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

9. et est amicus qui egreditur ad inimicitiam et est amicus qui odium et rixam et convicia denudabit

9. And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.

10. est autem amicus socius mensæ et non permanet in die necessitatis

10. And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.

11. amicus si permanserit fixus erit tibi quasi coæqualis et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget

11. A friend ii he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.

12. si humiliaverit se contra te et a facie tua abscondet se unianimem habebis amicitiam bonam

12. If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.

13. ab inimicis tuis separare et ab amicis tuis adtende

13. Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

14. amicus fidelis protectio fortis qui autem invenit illum invenit thesaurum

14. A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.

15. amico fideli nulla est conparatio et non est digna ponderatio auri et argenti contra bonitatem fidei illius

15. Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.

16. amicus fidelis medicamentum vitæ et inmortalitatis et qui metuunt Dominum inveniunt illum

16. A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.

17. qui timet Deum æque habebit amicitiam bonam quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius

17. He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.

18. fili a juventute tua excipe doctrinam et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam

18. My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.

19. quasi is qui arat et seminat accede ad illam et sustine bonos fructus illius

19. Come to her as one that plougheth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits:

20. in opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis et cito edes de generationibus illius

20. For in working about her thou shalt labour a little, and shalt quickly eat of her fruits.

21. quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus et non permanet in illa excors

21. How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her.

22. quasi lapidis virtus probatio erit in illis et non demorabuntur proicere illum

22. She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.

23. sapientia enim doctrinæ secundum nomen est ejus et non multis est manifesta quibus autem agnita est permanet usque ad conspectum Dei

23. For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.

24. audi fili et accipe consilium intellectus et ne abicias consilium meum

24. Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice.

25. inice pedem tuum in conpedes illius et in torques ejus tuum collum

25. Put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chains:

26. subice umerum tuum et porta illam et ne acedieris vinculis ejus

26. Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands.

27. in omni animo tuo accede ad illam et in omni virtute tua serva vias ejus

27. Come to her with all thy mind, and keep her ways with all thy power.

28. investiga illam et manifestabitur tibi et continens factus ne derelinqueris eam

28. Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:

29. in novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea et convertetur tibi in oblectationem

29. For in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her, and she shall be turned to thy joy.

30. et erunt tibi conpedes in protectionem fortitudinis et bases virtutis et torques illius in stolam gloriæ

30. Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:

31. decor enim vitæ est in illa et vincula illius netura salutaris

31. For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding.

32. stolam gloriæ indues eam et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi

32. Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, and thee shalt set her upon thee as a crown of joy.

33. fili si adtenderis mihi disces et si adcommodaveris animam tuam sapiens eris

33. My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.

34. et si inclinaveris aurem tuam excipies doctrinam et si dilexeris audire sapiens eris

34. If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.

35. in multitudine presbyterorum prudentium sta et sapientiæ illorum ex corde coniungere ut omnem narrationem Dei possis audire et proverbia laudis non effugiant te

35. Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.

36. et si videris sensatum evigila ad illum et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus

36. And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.

37. cogitatum habe in præceptis Dei et in mandatis illius maxime adsiduus esto et ipse dabit cor tibi et concupiscentia sapientiæ dabitur tibi

37. Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given thee.