Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 5
We must not presume of our wealth or strength: nor of the mercy of God, to go on in sin: we must be steadfast in virtue and truth.
Noli attendere ad possessiones iniquas, et ne dixeris: Est mihi sufficiens vita: nihil enim proderit in tempore vindictæ et obductionis.
Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.
Ne sequaris in fortitudine tua concupiscentiam cordis tui,
Follow not in thy strength the desires of thy heart:
et ne dixeris: Quomodo potui? aut, Quis me subjiciet propter facta mea? Deus enim vindicans vindicabit.
And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for God will surely take revenge.
Ne dixeris: Peccavi: et quid mihi accidit triste? Altissimus enim est patiens redditor.
Say not: I have sinned, and what harm hath befallen me? for the most High is a patient rewarder.
De propitiatio peccato noli esse sine metu, neque adjicias peccatum super peccatum.
Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:
Et ne dicas: Miseratio Domini magna est, multitudinis peccatorum meorum miserebitur:
And say not: The mercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins.
misericordia enim et ira ab illo cito proximant, et in peccatores respicit ira illius.
For mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners.
Non tardes converti ad Dominum, et ne differas de die in diem:
Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.
subito enim veniet ira illius, et in tempore vindictæ disperdet te.
For his wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee.
Noli anxius esse in divitiis injustis: non enim proderunt tibi in die obductionis et vindictæ.
Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge.
Non ventiles te in omnem ventum, et non eas in omnem viam: sic enim omnis peccator probatur in duplici lingua.
Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue.
Esto firmus in via Domini, et in veritate sensus tui et scientia: et prosequatur te verbum pacis et justitiæ.
Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.
Esto mansuetus ad audiendum verbum, ut intelligas, et cum sapientia proferas responsum verum.
Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom.
Si est tibi intellectus, responde proximo: sin autem, sit manus tua super os tuum, ne capiaris in verbo indisciplinato, et confundaris.
If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded.
Honor et gloria in sermone sensati: lingua vero imprudentis subversio est ipsius.
Honour and glory is in the word of the wise, but the tongue of the fool is his ruin.
Non appelleris susurro, et lingua tua ne capiaris et confundaris:
Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded.
super furem enim est confusio et pœnitentia, et denotatio pessima super bilinguem: susurratori autem odium, et inimicitia, et contumelia.
For confusion and repentance is upon a thief, and an evil mark of disgrace upon the double tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and enmity, and reproach.
Justifica pusillum et magnum similiter.
Justify alike the small and the great.