Liber Ecclesiasticus, 23

1. Domine, pater et dominator vitae meae, ne derelinquas me in consilio eorum nec sinas me cadere in illis.

1. The indolent may be compared to a filthy stone, and every one hisses at his disgrace.

2. Quis superponet in cogitatu meo flagella et in corde meo doctrinam sapientiae, ut ignorationibus meis non parcant mihi, et non appareant delicta mea,

2. The indolent may be compared to the filth of dunghills; any one that picks it up will shake it off his hand.

3. et ne adincrescant ignorantiae meae, et multiplicentur delicta mea, et peccata mea abundent, et incidam in conspectu adversariorum meorum, et gaudeat super me inimicus meus?

3. It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son, and the birth of a daughter is a loss.

4. Domine, pater et Deus vitae meae, ne derelinquas me in cogitatu illorum.

4. A sensible daughter obtains her husband, but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father.

5. Extollentiam oculorum meorum ne dederis mihi et omne desiderium averte a me.

5. An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband, and will be despised by both.

6. Aufer a me ventris concupiscentias, et concubitus concupiscentiae ne apprehendant me, et animae irreverenti et infrunitae ne tradas me.

6. Like music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time, but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.

7. De doctrina oris. Doctrinam oris audite, filii; et, qui custodierit illam, non capietur labiis nec scandalizabitur in operibus nequissimis.

7. He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together, or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.

8. In labiis suis apprehendetur peccator, et maledicus et superbus scandalizabitur in illis.

8. He who tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man; and at the end he will say, "What is it?"

9. Iurationi non assuescas os tuum: multi enim casus in illa.

9.

10. Nominatio vero Dei non sit assidua in ore tuo, et nominibus sanctorum non admiscearis, quoniam non eris immunis ab eis.

10.

11. Sicut enim servus exquisitus assidue livore carere non poterit, sic omnis iurans et nominans in toto a peccato non purgabitur.

11. Weep for the dead, for he lacks the light; and weep for the fool, for he lacks intelligence; weep less bitterly for the dead, for he has attained rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.

12. Vir multum iurans implebitur iniquitate, et non discedet a domo illius plaga.

12. Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, but for a fool or an ungodly man it lasts all his life.

13. Et, si frustraverit, delictum illius super ipsum erit; et, si dissimulaverit, delinquet dupliciter.

13. Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man; guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off; avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his madness.

14. Et, si in vacuum iuraverit, non iustificabitur: replebitur enim malis domus illius.

14. What is heavier than lead? And what is its name except "Fool"?

15. Est et alia loquela morti comparanda: non inveniatur in hereditate Iacob.

15. Sand, salt, and a piece of iron are easier to bear than a stupid man.

16. Etenim a timoratis omnia haec sunt remota, et in delictis non volutabuntur.

16. A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building will not be torn loose by an earthquake; so the mind firmly fixed on a reasonable counsel will not be afraid in a crisis.

17. Indisciplinatae turpitudini non assuescat os tuum: est enim in illa verbum peccati.

17. A mind settled on an intelligent thought is like the stucco decoration on the wall of a colonnade.

18. Memento patris et matris tuae, in medio enim magnatorum consistis;

18. Fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind; so a timid heart with a fool's purpose will not stand firm against any fear.

19. ne forte obliviscaris tui in conspectu illorum et assiduitate tua infatuatus improperium patiaris et maluisses non nasci et diem nativitatis tuae maledicas.

19. A man who pricks an eye will make tears fall, and one who pricks the heart makes it show feeling.

20. Homo assuetus in verbis improperii in omnibus diebus suis non erudietur.

20. One who throws a stone at birds scares them away, and one who reviles a friend will break off the friendship.

21. Duo genera abundant in peccatis, et tertium adducit iram et perditionem:

21. Even if you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not despair, for a renewal of friendship is possible.

22. anima calida quasi ignis ardens non exstinguetur, donec consumatur;

22. If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry, for reconciliation is possible; but as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow -- in these cases any friend will flee.

23. et homo fornicarius in corpore carnis suae non desinet, donec incendat ignem.

23. Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty, that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity; stand by him in time of affliction, that you may share with him in his inheritance.

24. Homini fornicario omnis panis dulcis: non cessabit nisi in morte.

24. The vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire; so insults precede bloodshed.

25. Omnis homo, qui transgreditur super lectum suum contemnens in anima sua et dicens: “Quis me videt?

25. I will not be ashamed to protect a friend, and I will not hide from him;

26. Tenebrae circumdant me, et parietes cooperiunt me, et nemo circumspicit me; quem vereor? Delictorum meorum non memorabitur Altissimus”

26. but if some harm should happen to me because of him, whoever hears of it will beware of him.

27. et non intellegit quoniam omnia videt oculus illius, quoniam expellit a se timorem Dei huiusmodi hominis timor. Et oculi hominum sunt timor illius,

27. O that a guard were set over my mouth, and a seal of prudence upon my lips, that it may keep me from falling, so that my tongue may not destroy me!

28. et non cognovit quoniam oculi Domini multo plus lucidiores sunt super solem circumspicientes omnes vias hominum et profundum abyssi et hominum corda intuentes in absconditas partes.

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29. Domino enim Deo, antequam crearentur, omnia sunt agnita; sic et, postquam perfecta sunt, respicit omnia.

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30. Hic in plateis civitatis vindicabitur et quasi pullus equinus fugabitur et, ubi non speravit, apprehendetur;

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31. et erit dedecus omnibus, eo quod non intellexerit timorem Domini.

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32. Sic et mulier omnis relinquens virum suum et statuens hereditatem ex alieno matrimonio.

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33. Primo enim in lege Altissimi incredibilis fuit, secundo in virum suum deliquit, tertio in adulterio fornicata est et ex alio viro filios statuit sibi.

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34. Haec in ecclesiam adducetur et in filios eius respicietur;

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35. non tradent filii eius radices, et rami eius non dabunt fructum:

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36. derelinquet in maledictum memoriam suam, et dedecus illius non delebitur.

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37. Et agnoscent, qui derelicti sunt, quoniam nihil melius est quam timor Dei, et nihil dulcius quam attendere mandatis Domini.

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38. Gloria magna est sequi Dominum; longitudo enim dierum assumetur ab eo.

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