Eclesiástico, 19

1. Un obrero bebedor nunca se enriquecerá, el que desprecia las cosas pequeñas, poco a poco caerá.

1. He who lives for ever created the whole universe;

2. Vino y mujeres pervierten a los inteligentes, el que va a prostitutas es aún más temerario.

2. the Lord alone will be declared righteous.

3. De larvas y gusanos será herencia, el temerario perderá su vida.

3.

4. Quien se confía enseguida, ligero es de corazón, el que peca, a sí mismo se hace daño.

4. To none has he given power to proclaim his works; and who can search out his mighty deeds?

5. El que se regodea en el mal será condenado,

5. Who can measure his majestic power? And who can fully recount his mercies?

6. el que odia la verborrea escapará al mal.

6. It is not possible to diminish or increase them, nor is it possible to trace the wonders of the Lord.

7. No repitas nunca lo que se dice, y en nada sufrirás menoscabo.

7. When a man has finished, he is just beginning, and when he stops, he will be at a loss.

8. Ni a amigo ni a enemigo cuentes nada, a menos que sea pecado para ti, no le descubras.

8. What is man, and of what use is he? What is his good and what is his evil?

9. Porque te escucharía y se guardaría de ti, y en la ocasión propicia te detestaría.

9. The number of a man's days is great if he reaches a hundred years.

10. ¿Has oído algo? ¡Quede muerto en ti! ¡Animo, no reventarás!

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. Por una palabra oída ya está el necio en dolores, como por el hijo la mujer que da a luz.

11. Therefore the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy upon them.

12. Una flecha clavada en el muslo, tal es la palabra en las entrañas del necio.

12. He sees and recognizes that their end will be evil; therefore he grants them forgiveness in abundance.

13. Interoga a tu amigo: quizá no haya hecho nada, y si acaso lo ha hecho, para que no reincida.

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. Interroga a tu prójimo: quizá no ha dicho nada, y si acaso lo ha dicho, para que no repita.

14. He has compassion on those who accept his discipline and who are eager for his judgments.

15. Interroga a tu amigo: que hay calumnia a menudo, no creas todo lo que se dice.

15. My son, do not mix reproach with your good deeds, nor cause grief by your words when you present a gift.

16. A veces se resbala uno sin querer, y ¿quién no ha pecado con su lengua?

16. Does not the dew assuage the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift.

17. Interroga a tu prójimo antes de amenazarle, y obedece a la ley del Altísimo.

17. Indeed, does not a word surpass a good gift? Both are to be found in a gracious man.

18.

18. A fool is ungracious and abusive, and the gift of a grudging man makes the eyes dim.

19.

19. Before you speak, learn, and before you fall ill, take care of your health.

20. Toda sabiduría es temor del Señor, y en toda sabiduría se practica la ley.

20. Before judgment, examine yourself, and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.

21.

21. Before falling ill, humble yourself, and when you are on the point of sinning, turn back.

22. Mas no es sabiduría el conocimiento del mal, no está en el consejo de los pecadores la prudencia.

22. Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly, and do not wait until death to be released from it.

23. Hay un saberlo todo que es abominación, es estúpido el que carece de sabiduría.

23. Before making a vow, prepare yourself; and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord.

24. Más vale ser vacío de inteligencia y lleno de temor, que desbordar prudencia y traspasar la ley.

24. Think of his wrath on the day of death, and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.

25. Hay un saberlo todo que sirve a la injusticia, que para mantener el derecho usa de argucias.

25. In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger; in the days of wealth think of poverty and need.

26. Hay malhechor que anda encorvado por el tedio, mas su interior está lleno de dolo:

26. From morning to evening conditions change, and all things move swiftly before the Lord.

27. tapándose la cara, haciéndose el sordo, mientras no es reconocido te tomará la delantera.

27. A wise man is cautious in everything, and in days of sin he guards against wrongdoing.

28. Si por su escasa fuerza no se atreve a pecar, en cuanto encuentre ocasión, se dará a hacer el mal.

28. Every intelligent man knows wisdom, and he praises the one who finds her.

29. Por la mirada se reconoce al hombre, por el aspecto del rostro se reconoce al pensador.

29. Those who understand sayings become skilled themselves, and pour forth apt proverbs.

30. El atuendo del hombre, la risa de sus dientes, su caminar revelan lo que es.

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.