Liber Ecclesiasticus, 42
1. et ab iteratione sermonis auditus et a revelatione sermonis absconditi. Et eris vere sine confusione et invenies gratiam in conspectu omnium hominum. Ne pro his omnibus confundaris, ne accipias personam, ut delinquas:
1. O death, how bitter is the reminder of you to one who lives at peace among his possessions, to a man without distractions, who is prosperous in everything, and who still has the vigor to enjoy his food!
2. de lege Altissimi et testamento et de iudicio, iustificans impium,
2. O death, how welcome is your sentence to one who is in need and is failing in strength, very old and distracted over everything; to one who is contrary, and has lost his patience!
3. de ratione sociorum et viatorum et de datione hereditatis alienorum,
3. Do not fear the sentence of death; remember your former days and the end of life; this is the decree from the Lord for all flesh,
4. de aequalitate staterae et ponderum, de acquisitione multorum et paucorum,
4. and how can you reject the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether life is for ten or a hundred or a thousand years, there is no inquiry about it in Hades.
5. de pretio emptionis negotiatorum et de multa disciplina filiorum et servo pessimo latus sanguinare.
5. The children of sinners are abominable children, and they frequent the haunts of the ungodly.
6. Super mulierem nequam bonum est signum;
6. The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, and on their posterity will be a perpetual reproach.
7. ubi manus multae sunt, claude et, quodcumque trades, numera et appende: datum vero et acceptum omne describe.
7. Children will blame an ungodly father, for they suffer reproach because of him.
8. De disciplina insensati et fatui et de seniore, qui iudicatur de fornicatione; et eris eruditus in veritate et probatus in conspectu omnium vivorum.
8. Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
9. Filia patri est abscondita vigilia, et sollicitudo eius aufert somnum: in adulescentia sua, ne forte adulta efficiatur, viro nuptum locata, ne odibilis fiat;
9. When you are born, you are born to a curse; and when you die, a curse is your lot.
10. ne quando polluatur in virginitate sua et in paternis suis gravida inveniatur; ne forte viro desponsata transgrediatur aut, cum eo commorata, ne sterilis inveniatur.
10. Whatever is from the dust returns to dust; so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.
11. Super filiam immodestam confirma custodiam, ne quando faciat te in opprobrium venire inimicis, in detractionem in civitate et obiectionem plebis, et confundat te in multitudine populi.
11. The mourning of men is about their bodies, but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
12. Omni homini ne det speciem et in medio mulierum non commoretur;
12. Have regard for your name, since it will remain for you longer than a thousand great stores of gold.
13. de vestimentis enim procedit tinea, et a muliere iniquitas mulieris.
13. The days of a good life are numbered, but a good name endures for ever.
14. Melior est enim iniquitas viri quam mulier benefaciens, et mulier confundens in opprobrium.
14. My children, observe instruction and be at peace; hidden wisdom and unseen treasure, what advantage is there in either of them?
15. Memor ero igitur operum Domini et, quae vidi, annuntiabo: in sermonibus Domini opera eius, et factum est in voluntate sua iudicium.
15. Better is the man who hides his folly than the man who hides his wisdom.
16. Sol illuminans per omnia respexit, et gloria Domini plenum est opus eius.
16. Therefore show respect for my words: For it is good to retain every kind of shame, and not everything is confidently esteemed by every one.
17. Non valent sancti Domini enarrare omnia mirabilia eius. Confirmavit Dominus exercitus suos stabiliri coram gloria sua.
17. Be ashamed of immorality, before your father or mother; and of a lie, before a prince or a ruler;
18. Abyssum et cor hominum investigavit et in astutia eorum excogitavit.
18. of a transgression, before a judge or magistrate; and of iniquity, before a congregation or the people; of unjust dealing, before your partner or friend;
19. Cognovit enim Dominus omnem scientiam et inspexit in signum aevi annuntians, quae praeterierunt et quae superventura sunt, et revelans vestigia occultorum.
19. and of theft, in the place where you live. Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be ashamed of selfish behavior at meals, of surliness in receiving and giving,
20. Non praeterit illum omnis cogitatus, et non abscondit se ab eo ullus sermo.
20. and of silence, before those who greet you; of looking at a woman who is a harlot,
21. Magnalia sapientiae suae ordinavit, unicus est ante saeculum et usque in saeculum; neque augetur
21. and of rejecting the appeal of a kinsman; of taking away some one's portion or gift, and of gazing at another man's wife;
22. neque minuitur et non eget alicuius consilio.
22. of meddling with his maidservant -- and do not approach her bed; of abusive words, before friends -- and do not upbraid after making a gift;
23. Quam desiderabilia omnia opera eius, et tamquam scintilla spectatu!
23. of repeating and telling what you hear, and of revealing secrets. Then you will show proper shame, and will find favor with every man.
24. Omnia haec vivunt et manent in saeculum, et in omni necessitate omnia obaudiunt ei;
24.
25. omnia duplicia, unum contra unum, et non fecit quidquam deficiens.
25.
26. Alterum alterius confirmat bonum; et quis satiabitur videns gloriam eius?
26.
