Ecclesiasticus, 21

1. Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you.

1. Sine moj, ako si griješio, nemoj više; a za prijašnje grijehe moli oproštenje.

2. Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you.

2. Bježi od grijeha kao od zmije, jer ako se primakneš, ujest æe te. Kao u lava zubi su njegovi: ljudima život oduzimaju.

3. Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.

3. Svako je bezakonje kao dvosjekli maè koji nanosi rane neizljeèive.

4. All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.

4. Okrutnost i nasilje pustoše dvorce, a tako se ruše i kuæe oholica.

5. Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated.

5. Molitva iz usta siromaha ide pravo u uši Božje i presuda æe brzo stiæi.

6. Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly.

6. Tko mrzi ukor ide stopama grešnièkim, a tko se boji Gospoda obratit æe se u srcu svojem.

7. Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.

7. Jezièavac se poznaje nadaleko, ali uman èovjek predviða njegov pad.

8. He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him.

8. Tko sebi gradi kuæu tuðim blagom, kao da skuplja kamenje za vlastiti grob.

9. Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.

9. Zbor je bezakonièki kao hrpa kuèina: završit æe u ognju plamenom.

10. The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.

10. Put je grešnièki dobro poploèen, ali se zavšava u ponoru Podzemlja.

11. The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.

11. Tko èuva Zakon, gospodar je svojim strastima, i savršenstvo straha Gospodnjeg mudrost je.

12. Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.

12. Ne stjeèe pouku tko nije nadaren, ali gdjekad nadarenost umnaža gorèinu èovjekovu.

13. The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.

13. Spoznaja mudraèeva prelijeva se kao poplava, a savjet mu je kao vrelo živo.

14. One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.

14. Srce je bezumnikovo kao vrè razbijen koji ne drži nikakve spoznaje.

15. Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.

15. Kad uman èovjek èuje mudru rijeè, pohvali je i drugu doda; a èuje li je bezumnik, ruga joj se i baca je iza svojih leða.

16. The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.

16. Pripovijedanje je bezumnikovo kao teret na putu, a milina je slušati razborita èovjeka.

17. The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.

17. Rijeè se razumna èovjeka traži u zboru i o rijeèima se njegovim razmišlja u srcu.

18. A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back.

18. Kao kuæa u ruševinama, takva je mudrost luðaka, i znanje je nerazumnog kao besmislica.

19. The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found.

19. Stega je bezumniku kao negve na nogama i kao okovi na njegovoj desnici.

20. The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts.

20. Luðak se smije punim grlom, a uman se èovjek tiho osmjehne.

21. Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words.

21. Stega je razumnu èovjeku kao ures zlatni i kao narukvica njegovoj desnici.

22. Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.

22. Bezumnikova noga žuri se u kuæu, a iskusan èovjek stidljivo prilazi.

23. A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.

23. Bezumnik kroz vrata viri u kuæu, a odgojen èovjek èeka vani.

24. Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.

24. Znak je lošeg odgoja prisluškivati na vratima, i razborit se èovjek toga srami.

25. The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful.

25. Usne brbljavaca ponavljaju tuðe rijeèi, a rijeèi mudrih pomno su odmjerene.

26. A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside.

26. Luðacima je srce u ustima, a mudracima su usta u srcu.

27. It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.

27. Kad bezbožnik proklinje neprijatelja, onda proklinje samog sebe.

28. The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.

28. Klevetnik kalja samog sebe i mrzak je u susjedstvu.

29. The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts.

29.

30. Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.

30.

31. Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored.

31.