Liber Ecclesiasticus, 7

1. Noli facere mala, et mala non te apprehendent;

1. and do not become an enemy instead of a friend; for a bad name incurs shame and reproach: so fares the double-tongued sinner.

2. discede ab iniquitate, et deficiet abs te.

2. Do not exalt yourself through your soul's counsel, lest your soul be torn in pieces like a bull.

3. Fili, non semines in sulcis iniustitiae et non metes ea in septuplum.

3. You will devour your leaves and destroy your fruit, and will be left like a withered tree.

4. Noli quaerere a Domino ducatum neque a rege cathedram honoris.

4. An evil soul will destroy him who has it, and make him the laughingstock of his enemies.

5. Non te iustifices ante Deum, quoniam agnitor cordis ipse est; et penes regem noli velle videri sapiens.

5. A pleasant voice multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.

6. Noli quaerere fieri iudex, nisi valeas virtute irrumpere iniquitates; ne forte extimescas faciem potentis et ponas scandalum in aequitate tua.

6. Let those that are at peace with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand.

7. Non pecces in multitudinem civitatis nec te immittas in populum.

7. When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily.

8. Neque alliges duplicia peccata; nec enim in uno eris immunis.

8. For there is a friend who is such at his own convenience, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.

9. Noli esse pusillanimis in oratione tua;

9. And there is a friend who changes into an enemy, and will disclose a quarrel to your disgrace.

10. exorare et facere eleemosynam ne despicias.

10. And there is a friend who is a table companion, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.

11. Ne dicas: “In multitudine munerum meorum respiciet Deus et, offerente me Deo altissimo, munera mea suscipiet”.

11. In prosperity he will make himself your equal, and be bold with your servants;

12. Non irrideas hominem in amaritudine animae; est enim, qui humiliat et exaltat, circumspector Deus.

12. but if you are brought low he will turn against you, and will hide himself from your presence.

13. Noli arare mendacium adversus fratrem tuum neque in amicum similiter facias.

13. Keep yourself far from your enemies, and be on guard toward your friends.

14. Noli velle mentiri omne mendacium, assiduitas enim illius non est bona.

14. A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure.

15. Noli verbosus esse in multitudine presbyterorum et non iteres verbum in oratione tua.

15. There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence.

16. Non oderis laboriosa opera et rusticationem creatam ab Altissimo.

16. A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him.

17. Non te reputes in multitudine indisciplinatorum;

17. Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbor also.

18. memento irae, quoniam non tardabit.

18. My son, from your youth up choose instruction, and until you are old you will keep finding wisdom.

19. Humilia valde spiritum tuum, quoniam vindicta carnis impii ignis et vermis.

19. Come to her like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest. For in her service you will toil a little while, and soon you will eat of her produce.

20. Noli commutare amicum cum pecunia neque fratrem carissimum cum auro Ophir.

20. She seems very harsh to the uninstructed; a weakling will not remain with her.

21. Noli discedere a muliere sensata et bona, quam sortitus es in timore Domini; gratia enim verecundiae illius super aurum.

21. She will weigh him down like a heavy testing stone, and he will not be slow to cast her off.

22. Non laedas servum operantem in veritate neque mercennarium dantem animam suam.

22. For wisdom is like her name, and is not manifest to many.

23. Servus sensatus sit tibi dilectus quasi anima tua; non defraudes illum libertate neque inopem derelinquas illum.

23. Listen, my son, and accept my judgment; do not reject my counsel.

24. Pecora tibi sunt? Attende illis, et, si sunt utilia, perseverent apud te.

24. Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar.

25. Filii tibi sunt? Erudi illos et curva a pueritia cervicem illorum.

25. Put your shoulder under her and carry her, and do not fret under her bonds.

26. Filiae tibi sunt? Serva corpus illarum et non ostendas hilarem faciem tuam ad illas.

26. Come to her with all your soul, and keep her ways with all your might.

27. Trade filiam, et grande opus feceris, et homini sensato da illam.

27. Search out and seek, and she will become known to you; and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.

28. Mulier si est tibi secundum animam tuam, non proicias illam, sed odibili non credas teipsum. In toto corde tuo

28. For at last you will find the rest she gives, and she will be changed into joy for you.

29. honora patrem tuum et gemitus matris tuae ne obliviscaris.

29. Then her fetters will become for you a strong protection, and her collar a glorious robe.

30. Memento quoniam, nisi per illos, natus non fuisses; et quid retribues illis, quomodo et illi tibi?

30. Her yoke is a golden ornament, and her bonds are a cord of blue.

31. In tota anima tua time Dominum et sacerdotes illius sanctifica.

31. You will wear her like a glorious robe, and put her on like a crown of gladness.

32. In omni virtute tua dilige eum, qui te fecit, et ministros eius ne derelinquas.

32. If you are willing, my son, you will be taught, and if you apply yourself you will become clever.

33. Honora Deum ex tota anima tua et honorifica sacerdotes.

33. If you love to listen you will gain knowledge, and if you incline your ear you will become wise.

34. Da illis partem, sicut mandatum est tibi, primitiarum et purgationis et de neglegentia

34. Stand in the assembly of the elders. Who is wise? Cleave to him.

35. et armum in oblationem et sacrificium sanctificationis et primitias sanctorum.

35. Be ready to listen to every narrative, and do not let wise proverbs escape you.

36. Et pauperi porrige manum tuam, ut perficiatur propitiatio et benedictio tua.

36. If you see an intelligent man, visit him early; let your foot wear out his doorstep.

37. Gratia dati in conspectu omnis viventis, sed et mortuo non prohibeas gratiam.

37. Reflect on the statutes of the Lord, and meditate at all times on his commandments. It is he who will give insight to your mind, and your desire for wisdom will be granted.

38. Non desis plorantibus in consolatione et cum lugentibus luge.

38.

39. Non te pigeat visitare infirmum, ex his enim in dilectione firmaberis.

39.

40. In omnibus operibus tuis memorare novissima tua et in aeternum non peccabis.

40.