Sirach 14 Clementine Vulgate
1 [Beatus vir qui non est lapsus verbo ex ore suo, et non est stimulatus in tristitia delicti.
1 Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins.
2 Felix qui non habuit animi sui tristitiam, et non excidit a spe sua.
2 Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, and who has not given up hope.
3 Viro cupido et tenaci sine ratione est substantia: et homini livido ad quid aurum?
3 Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money?
4 Qui acervat ex animo suo injuste, aliis congregat, et in bonis illius alius luxuriabitur.
4 He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods.
5 Qui sibi nequam est, cui alii bonus erit? et non jucundabitur in bonis suis.
5 If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions.
6 Qui sibi invidet, nihil est illo nequius: et hæc redditio est malitiæ illius.
6 There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness.
7 Et si bene fecerit, ignoranter et non volens facit: et in novissimo manifestat malitiam suam.
7 Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness.
8 Nequam est oculus lividi: et avertens faciem suam, et despiciens animam suam.
8 A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls.
9 Insatiabilis oculus cupidi in parte iniquitatis: non satiabitur donec consumat arefaciens animam suam.
9 A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul.
10 Oculus malus ad mala, et non saturabitur pane, sed indigens et in tristitia erit super mensam suam.
10 A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.
11 Fili, si habes, benefac tecum, et Deo dignas oblationes offer.
11 My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.
12 Memor esto quoniam mors non tardat, et testamentum inferorum, quia demonstratum est tibi: testamentum enim hujus mundi morte morietur.
12 Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you.
13 Ante mortem benefac amico tuo, et secundum vires tuas exporrigens da pauperi.
13 Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them.
14 Non defrauderis a die bono, et particula boni doni non te prætereat.
14 Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by.
15 Nonne aliis relinques dolores et labores tuos in divisione sortis?
15 Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot?
16 Da et accipe, et justifica animam tuam.
16 Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades.
17 Ante obitum tuum operare justitiam, quoniam non est apud inferos invenire cibum.
17 All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!”
18 Omnis caro sicut fœnum veterascet, et sicut folium fructificans in arbore viridi.
18 Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, some it sheds, and some grow, so also are the generations of flesh and blood: one comes to an end and another is born.
19 Alia generantur, et alia dejiciuntur: sic generatio carnis et sanguinis, alia finitur, et alia nascitur.
19 Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it.
20 Omne opus corruptibile in fine deficiet, et qui illud operatur ibit cum illo.
20 Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding.
21 Et omne opus electum justificabitur, et qui operatur illud honorabitur in illo.]
21 He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets.
22 [Beatus vir qui in sapientia morabitur, et qui in justitia sua meditabitur, et in sensu cogitabit circumspectionem Dei:
22 Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths.
23 qui excogitat vias illius in corde suo, et in absconditis suis intelligens, vadens post illam quasi investigator, et in viis illius consistens:
23 He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors.
24 qui respicit per fenestras illius, et in januis illius audiens:
24 He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls.
25 qui requiescit juxta domum illius, et in parietibus illius figens palum, statuet casulam suam ad manus illius, et requiescent in casula illius bona per ævum.
25 He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are.
26 Statuet filios suos sub tegmine illius, et sub ramis ejus morabitur.
26 He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches.
27 Protegetur sub tegmine illius a fervore, et in gloria ejus requiescet.]
27 By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory.