Biblia Platense (Straubinger) · Catholic Public Domain Version
Eclesiástico 8
1No te pongas a pleitear con un hombre poderoso, no sea que caigas en sus manos. You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands.2No contiendas con un hombre rico, no sea que te mueva una querella. You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you.3Porque a muchos ha corrompido el oro y la plata, que hasta el corazón de los reyes influye y lo pervierte. For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings.4No porfíes con hombre parlador, y no echarás leña en su fuego. You should not quarrel with a man who is full of words, for you should not cast wood upon his fire.5No tengas trato con hombre mal educado, a fin de que no diga mal de tu linaje. You should not confide in an ignorant man, lest he speak evil about your family.6No mires con desprecio al hombre que se arrepiente del pecado, y no se lo eches encara. Acuérdate que todos somos dignos de reprensión. You should not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him with it. Remember that we are all subject to correction.7No pierdas el respeto al hombre en su vejez; pues que de nosotros se hacen los viejos. You should not spurn a man in his old age. For we are all subject to growing old.8No te huelgues en la muerte de tu enemigo, sabiendo que todos morimos, y no queremos ser objeto de gozo. Do not be willing to rejoice at the death of your enemy, knowing that we all die, and that we do not want others to rejoice over us.9No menosprecies lo que contaren los ancianos sabios; antes bien, hazte familiares sus máximas; You should not despise the discourse of those who are old and wise; instead, ponder their proverbs.10porque de ellos aprenderás sabiduría y documentos de prudencia, y el modo de servir a los príncipes sin queja. For from them, you will learn wisdom and intelligent doctrine, so as to serve great men without blame.11No dejes de oír lo que cuentan los ancianos, porque ellos lo aprendieron de sus padres. Do not allow the discourse of your elders to pass you by. For they have learned from their fathers.12Pues aprenderás de los mismos, discreción y el saber dar una respuesta cuando fuere menester. And from them, you will learn understanding, and you will learn what response to give in a time of necessity.13No enciendas los carbones de los pecadores, con hacerles reconvenciones; de otra suerte serás abrasado con la llama del fuego de sus pecados. You should not kindle the coals of sinners by arguing with them. For you might be scorched by the flame from the fire of their sins.14No te pongas de frente a persona de mala lengua, a fin de que no esté en acecho para sorprenderte en alguna palabra. You should not stand against the face of a contemptuous person, otherwise he may sit down as if waiting in ambush against your words.15No prestes al que puede más que tú; si algo le prestaste, haz cuenta que lo has perdido. You should not lend to a man who is stronger than you. But if you do lend, consider it lost.16No hagas fianza sobre tus fuerzas; y si la has hecho, piensa cómo pagarla. You should not promise beyond your ability. But if you do promise, consider how to fulfill it.17No litigues contra el juez; porque él juzga según lo que cree justo. You should not judge against a judge. For he judges according to what is just.18En viaje no te acompañes con un temerario; no sea que cargue sus desastres sobre ti; porque él va siguiendo su voluntad, y su locura te perderá a ti, juntamente con él. You should not go forth on the way with an audacious man, lest perhaps he may burden you with his evils. For he goes forth according to his own will, and you will perish with him in his folly.19Con el colérico no trabes riña; ni camines por lugar solitario con el atrevido; porque para él la sangre no importa nada, y cuando no haya quien te socorra, te hará pedazos. You should not start a conflict with an angry man, and you should not go into the desert with an audacious man. For shedding blood is nothing to him, and in a place where there is no help for you, he will overthrow you.20No te aconsejes con tontos; porque estos no pueden amar sino aquello que a ellos les place. You should not hold counsel with the foolish. For they are not able to love anything except what pleases them.21No consultes en presencia de un extraño; porque no sabes lo que él maquina dentro de sí. You should not take counsel in the sight of an outsider. For you do not know what he will do next.22Ni descubras tu corazón a cualquier hombre; no sea que te muestre una falsa amistad, y te afrente. You should not reveal your heart to every man, lest perhaps he may offer a false kindness to you, and then speak reproachfully about you.