Sirach 8
Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel
Sirach chapter 8 is given here in full, verse by verse, in Sir Lancelot Brenton's classic English translation of the Septuagint (LXX), with the Greek text of the Septuagint set beneath each verse. The text follows the Septuagint tradition received throughout the Orthodox Church.
Patristic commentary for this chapter has not yet been attached. Related material may be found among the Church Fathers and the theology tables.
Sirach 8
1Strive not with a mighty man' lest you fall into his hands.Μὴ διαμάχου μετὰ ἀνθρώπου δυνάστου, μήποτε ἐμπέσῃς εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ.
2Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh you: for gold has destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.Μὴ ἔριζε μετὰ ἀνθρώπου πλουσίου, μήποτε ἀντιστήσῃ σου τὴν ὁλκήν· πολλους γὰρ ἀπώλεσε τὸ χρυσίον, καὶ καρδίας βασιλέων ἐξέκλινε.
3Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.Μὴ διαμάχου μετὰ ἀνθρώπου γλωσσώδους, καὶ μὴ ἐπιστοιβάσῃς ἐπὶ τὸ πῦρ αὐτοῦ ξύλα.
4Jest not with a rude man, lest your ancestors be disgraced.Μὴ πρόσπαιζε ἀπαιδεύτῳ, ἵνα μὴ ἀτιμάζωνται οἱ πρόγονοί σου.
5Reproach not a man that turns from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.Μὴ ὀνείδιζε ἄνθρωπον ἀποστρέφοντα ἀπὸ ἁμαρτίας, μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες ἐσμὲν ἐν ἐπιτιμίοις.
6Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.Μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς ἄνθρωπον ἐν γήρει αὐτοῦ, καὶ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν γηράσκουσι.
7Rejoice not over your greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.Μὴ ἐπίχαιρε ἐπὶ νεκρῷ, μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες τελευτῶμεν.
8Despise 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.Μὴ παρίδῃς διήγημα σοφῶν, καὶ ἐν ταῖς παροιμίαις αὐτῶν ἀναστρέφου, ὅτι παρʼ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ παιδείαν, καὶ λειτουργῆσαι μεγιστᾶσι.
9Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them you shall learn understanding, and to give answer as need requires.Μὴ ἀστόχει διηγήματος γερόντων, καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἔμαθον παρὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν· ὅτι παρʼ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ σύνεσιν, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ χρείας δοῦναι ἀπόκρισιν.
10Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest you be burnt with the flame of his fire.Μὴ ἔκκαιε ἄνθρακας ἁμαρτωλοῦ, μὴ ἐμπυρισθῇς ἐν πυρὶ φλογὸς αὐτοῦ.
11Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap you in your wordsΜὴ ἐξαναστῇς ἀπὸ προσώπου ὑβριστοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἐγκαθίσῃ ὡς ἔνεδρον τῷ στόματί σου.
12Lend not to him that is mightier than yourself; for if you lend him, count it but lost.Μὴ δανείσῃς ἀνθρώπῳ ἰσχυροτέρῳ σου, καὶ ἐὰν δανείσῃς, ὡς ἀπολωλεκὼς γίνου·
13Be not surety above your power: for if you be surety, take care to pay it.Μὴ ἐγγυήσῃ ὑπὲρ δυναμίν σου, καὶ ἐὰν ἐγγυήσῃ, ὡς ἀποτίσων φρόντιζε.
14Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honor.Μὴ δικάζου μετὰ κριτοῦ, κατὰ γὰρ τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ κρινοῦσιν αὐτῷ.
15Travel 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.Μετὰ τολμηροῦ μὴ πορεύου ἐν ὁδῷ, ἵνα μὴ βαρύνηται κατὰ σοῦ· αὐτὸς γὰρ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιήσει, καὶ τῇ ἀφροσύνῃ αὐτοῦ συναπολῇ.
16Strive 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.Μετὰ θυμώδους μὴ ποιήσῃς μάχην, καὶ μὴ διαπορεύου μετʼ αὐτοῦ τὴν ἔρημον, ὅτι ὡς οὐδὲν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ αἷμα, καὶ ὅπου οὐκ ἔστι βοήθεια, καταβαλεῖ σε.
17Consult not with a fool; for he can’t keep counsel.Μετὰ μωροῦ μὴ συμβουλεύου, οὐ γὰρ δυνήσεται λόγον στέξαι.
18Do no secret thing before a stranger; for you know not what he will bring forth.Ἐνώπιον ἀλλοτρίου μὴ ποιήσῃς κρυπτὸν, οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται.
19Open not your heart to every man, lest he requite you with a shrewd turn.Παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ μὴ ἔκφαινε σὴν καρδίαν, καὶ μὴ ἀναφερέτω σοι χάριν.
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