Sirach · Revised Version with Apocrypha
Sirach 8 Revised Version with Apocrypha
1 Contend not with a mighty man, Lest haply thou fall into his hands.
1 Don’t contend with a mighty man, lest perhaps you fall into his hands.
2 Strive not with a rich man, lest haply he overweigh thee: For gold hath destroyed many, And turned aside the hearts of kings.
2 Don’t strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpower you; for gold has destroyed many, and turned away the hearts of kings.
3 Contend not with a man that is full of tongue, And heap not wood upon his fire.
3 Don’t argue with a loudmouthed man. Don’t heap wood upon his fire.
4 Jest not with a rude man, Lest thine ancestors be dishonoured.
4 Don’t make fun of a rude man, lest your ancestors be dishonored.
5 Reproach not a man when he turneth from sin: Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
5 Don’t reproach a man when he turns from sin. Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
6 Dishonour not a man in his old age; For some of us also are waxing old.
6 Don’t dishonor a man in his old age, for some of us are also growing old.
7 Rejoice not over one that is dead: Remember that we die all.
7 Don’t rejoice over anyone’s death. Remember that we all die.
8 Neglect not the discourse of the wise, And be conversant with their proverbs; For of them thou shalt learn instruction, And how to minister to great men.
8 Don’t neglect the discourse of the wise. Be conversant with their proverbs; for from them you will learn discipline and how to serve great men.
9 Miss not the discourse of the aged; For they also learned of their fathers: Because from them thou shalt learn understanding, And to give answer in time of need.
9 Don’t miss the discourse of the aged, for they also learned from their parents, because from them you will learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.
10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, Lest thou be burned with the flame of his fire.
10 Don’t kindle the coals of a sinner, lest you be burned with the flame of his fire.
11 Rise not up from the presence of an insolent man, Lest he lie in wait as an ambush for thy mouth.
11 Don’t rise up from the presence of an insolent man, lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth.
12 Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself; And if thou lend, be as one that hath lost.
12 Don’t lend to a man who is stronger than you; and if you lend, count it as a loss.
13 Be not surety above thy power: And if thou be surety, take thought as one that will have to pay.
13 Don’t be surety beyond your means. If you give surety, think as one who will have to pay.
14 Go not to law with a judge; For according to his honour will they give judgement for him.
14 Don’t go to law with a judge; for according to his honor they will give judgment for him.
15 Go not in the way with a rash man, Lest he be aggrieved with thee; For he will do according to his own will, And thou shalt perish with his folly.
15 Don’t travel with a reckless man, lest he be burdensome to you; for he will do as he pleases, and you will perish with his folly.
16 Fight not with a wrathful man, And travel not with him through the desert: For blood is as nothing in his sight; And where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.
16 Don’t fight with a wrathful man. Don’t travel with him through the desert, for blood is as nothing in his sight. Where there is no help, he will overthrow you.
17 Take not counsel with a fool; For he will not be able to conceal the matter.
17 Don’t consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret.
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; For thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger, for you don’t know what it will cause.
19 Open not thine heart to every man; And let him not return thee a favour.
19 Don’t open your heart to every man. Don’t let him return you a favor.