Sirach 6
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
Clementine Vulgate, 1598
1Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.
1[Noli fieri pro amico inimicus proximo: improperium enim et contumeliam malus hæreditabit: et omnis peccator invidus et bilinguis.]
2Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,
2[Non te extollas in cogitatione animæ tuæ velut taurus, ne forte elidatur virtus tua per stultitiam:
3And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit: and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.
3et folia tua comedat, et fructus tuos perdat, et relinquaris velut lignum aridum in eremo.
4For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.
4Anima enim nequam disperdet qui se habet, et in gaudium inimicis dat illum, et deducet in sortem impiorum.]
5A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.
5[Verbum dulce multiplicat amicos et mitigat inimicos, et lingua eucharis in bono homine abundat.
6Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.
6Multi pacifici sint tibi: et consiliarius sit tibi unus de mille.
7If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.
7Si possides amicum, in tentatione posside eum, et ne facile credas ei.
8For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
8Est enim amicus secundum tempus suum, et non permanebit in die tribulationis.
9And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.
9Et est amicus qui convertitur ad inimicitiam, et est amicus qui odium et rixam et convitia denudabit.
10And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.
10Est autem amicus socius mensæ, et non permanebit in die necessitatis.
11A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.
11Amicus si permanserit fixus, erit tibi quasi coæqualis, et in domesticis tuis fiducialiter aget.
12If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.
12Si humiliaverit se contra te, et a facie tua absconderit se, unanimem habebis amicitiam bonam.
13Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.
13Ab inimicis tuis separare, et ab amicis tuis attende.
14A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.
14Amicus fidelis protectio fortis: qui autem invenit illum, invenit thesaurum.
15Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.
15Amico fideli nulla est comparatio, et non est digna ponderatio auri et argenti contra bonitatem fidei illius.
16A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.
16Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitæ et immortalitatis: et qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.
17He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.
17Qui timet Deum æque habebit amicitiam bonam, quoniam secundum illum erit amicus illius.]
18My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.
18[Fili, a juventute tua excipe doctrinam, et usque ad canos invenies sapientiam.
19Come to her as one that plougheth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits:
19Quasi is qui arat et seminat accede ad eam, et sustine bonos fructus illius.
20For in working about her thou shalt labour a little, and shalt quickly eat of her fruits.
20In opere enim ipsius exiguum laborabis, et cito edes de generationibus illius.
21How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her.
21Quam aspera est nimium sapientia indoctis hominibus ! et non permanebit in illa excors.
22She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.
22Quasi lapidis virtus probatio erit in illis: et non demorabuntur projicere illam.
23For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.
23Sapientia enim doctrinæ secundum nomen est ejus, et non est multis manifestata: quibus autem cognita est, permanet usque ad conspectum Dei.
24Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice.
24Audi, fili, et accipe consilium intellectus, et ne abjicias consilium meum.
25Put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chains:
25Injice pedem tuum in compedes illius, et in torques illius collum tuum.
26Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands.
26Subjice humerum tuum, et porta illam, et ne acedieris vinculis ejus.
27Come to her with all thy mind, and keep her ways with all thy power.
27In omni animo tuo accede ad illam, et in omni virtute tua conserva vias ejus.
28Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:
28Investiga illam, et manifestabitur tibi: et continens factus, ne derelinquas eam:
29For in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her, and she shall be turned to thy joy.
29in novissimis enim invenies requiem in ea, et convertetur tibi in oblectationem.
30Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:
30Et erunt tibi compedes ejus in protectionem fortitudinis et bases virtutis, et torques illius in stolam gloriæ:
31For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding.
31decor enim vitæ est in illa, et vincula illius alligatura salutaris.
32Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, and thee shalt set her upon thee as a crown of joy.
32Stolam gloriæ indues eam, et coronam gratulationis superpones tibi.
33My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.
33Fili, si attenderis mihi, disces: et si accommodaveris animum tuum, sapiens eris.
34If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.
34Si inclinaveris aurem tuam, excipies doctrinam: et si dilexeris audire, sapiens eris.
35Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.
35In multitudine presbyterorum prudentium sta, et sapientiæ illorum ex corde conjungere, ut omnem narrationem Dei possis audire, et proverbia laudis non effugiant a te.
36And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.
36Et si videris sensatum, evigila ad eum, et gradus ostiorum illius exterat pes tuus.
37Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given thee.
37Cogitatum tuum habe in præceptis Dei, et in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto: et ipse dabit tibi cor, et concupiscentia sapientiæ dabitur tibi.]
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