Wisdom of Sirach 8

1 ΜΗ διαμάχου μετὰ ἀνθρώπου δυνάστου, μήποτε ἐμπέσῃς εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ.

1 Strive not with a mighty man' lest you fall into his hands.

2 μὴ ἔριζε μετὰ ἀνθρώπου πλουσίου, μήποτε ἀντιστήσῃ σου τὴν ὁλκήν· πολλοὺς γὰρ ἀπώλεσε τὸ χρυσίον καὶ καρδίας βασιλέων ἐξέκλινε.

2 Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh you: for gold has destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.

3 μὴ διαμάχου μετὰ ἀνθρώπου γλωσσώδους καὶ μὴ ἐπιστοιβάσῃς ἐπὶ τὸ πῦρ αὐτοῦ ξύλα.

3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

4 μὴ πρόσπαιζε ἀπαιδεύτῳ, ἵνα μὴ ἀτιμάζωνται οἱ πρόγονοί σου.

4 Jest not with a rude man, lest your ancestors be disgraced.

5 μὴ ὀνείδιζε ἄνθρωπον ἀποστρέφοντα ἀπὸ ἁμαρτίας· μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες ἐσμὲν ἐν ἐπιτιμίοις.

5 Reproach not a man that turns from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.

6 μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς ἄνθρωπον ἐν γήρᾳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν γηράσκουσι.

6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.

7 μὴ ἐπίχαιρε ἐπὶ νεκρῷ, μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες τελευτῶμεν.

7 Rejoice not over your greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.

8 μὴ παρίδῃς διήγημα σοφῶν, καὶ ἐν ταῖς παροιμίαις αὐτῶν ἀναστρέφου· ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ παιδείαν καὶ λειτουργῆσαι μεγιστᾶσι.

8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs: for of them you shall learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.

9 μὴ ἀστόχει διηγήματος γερόντων, καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἔμαθον παρὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν· ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσει σύνεσιν καὶ ἐν καιρῷ χρείας δοῦναι ἀπόκρισιν.

9 Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learnt of their fathers, and of them you shall learn understanding, and to give answer as need requires.

10 μὴ ἔκκαιε ἄνθρακας ἁμαρτωλοῦ, μὴ ἐμπυρισθῇς ἐν πυρὶ φλογὸς αὐτοῦ.

10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest you be burnt with the flame of his fire.

11 μὴ ἐξαναστῇς ἀπὸ προσώπου ὑβριστοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἐγκαθίσῃ ὡς ἔνεδρον τῷ στόματί σου.

11 Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap you in your words

12 μὴ δανείσῃς ἀνθρώπῳ ἰσχυροτέρῳ σου· καὶ ἐὰν δανείσῃς, ὡς ἀπολωλεκὼς γίνου.

12 Lend not to him that is mightier than yourself; for if you lend him, count it but lost.

13 μὴ ἐγγυήσῃ ὑπὲρ δύναμίν σου· καὶ ἐὰν ἐγγυήσῃ, ὡς ἀποτίσων φρόντιζε.

13 Be not surety above your power: for if you be surety, take care to pay it.

14 μὴ δικάζου μετὰ κριτοῦ, κατὰ γὰρ τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ κρινοῦσιν αὐτῷ.

14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.

15 μετὰ τολμηροῦ μὴ πορεύου ἐν ὁδῷ, ἵνα μὴ βαρύνηται κατὰ σοῦ· αὐτὸς γὰρ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιήσει, καὶ τῇ ἀφροσύνῃ αὐτοῦ συναπολῇ.

15 Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous to you: for he will do according to his own will, and you shall perish with him through his folly.

16 μετὰ θυμώδους μὴ ποιήσῃς μάχην καὶ μὴ διαπορεύου μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὴν ἔρημον· ὅτι ὡς οὐδὲν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ αἷμα, καὶ ὅπου οὐκ ἔστι βοήθεια, καταβαλεῖ σε.

16 Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow you.

17 μετὰ μωροῦ μὴ συμβουλεύου, οὐ γὰρ δυνήσεται λόγον στέξαι.

17 Consult not with a fool; for he can’t keep counsel.

18 ἐνώπιον ἀλλοτρίου μὴ ποιήσῃς κρυπτόν, οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται.

18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for you know not what he will bring forth.

19 παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ μὴ ἔκφαινε σὴν καρδίαν, καὶ μὴ ἀναφερέτω σοι χάριν.

19 Open not your heart to every man, lest he requite you with a shrewd turn.