Sirach 8
Commentary from 4 fathers
Strive not with a mighty man’ lest thou fall into his hands.
ΜΗ διαμάχου μετὰ ἀνθρώπου δυνάστου, μήποτε ἐμπέσῃς εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ.
Не свари́сѧ съ человѣ́комъ си́льнымъ, и҆ да не когда̀ впаде́ши въ рꙋ́цѣ є҆гѡ̀.
Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.
μὴ ἔριζε μετὰ ἀνθρώπου πλουσίου, μήποτε ἀντιστήσῃ σου τὴν ὁλκήν· πολλοὺς γὰρ ἀπώλεσε τὸ χρυσίον καὶ καρδίας βασιλέων ἐξέκλινε.
Не тѧжи́сѧ съ человѣ́комъ бога́тымъ, да не когда̀ ѡ҆тѧготи́тъ тѝ мѣ́рꙋ:
Strive 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.
мно́гихъ бо погꙋбѝ зла́то, и҆ сердца̀ ца̑рскаѧ преклонѝ.
Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.
μὴ πρόσπαιζε ἀπαιδεύτῳ, ἵνα μὴ ἀτιμάζωνται οἱ πρόγονοί σου.
Не свари́сѧ съ человѣ́комъ ѧ҆зы́чнымъ и҆ не наклада́й на ѻ҆́гнь є҆гѡ̀ дро́въ.
Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.
μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς ἄνθρωπον ἐν γήρᾳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν γηράσκουσι.
Не поносѝ человѣ́кꙋ ѡ҆браща́ющꙋсѧ ѿ грѣха̀: помѧнѝ, ꙗ҆́кѡ всѝ є҆смы̀ во є҆пїтїмїа́хъ.
Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.
μὴ ἐπίχαιρε ἐπὶ νεκρῷ, μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες τελευτῶμεν.
Не безче́сти человѣ́ка въ ста́рости є҆гѡ̀: и҆́бо и҆ ты̀ са́мъ состарѣ́ешисѧ {и҆ ѿ на́съ старѣ́ютсѧ}.
Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.
μὴ παρίδῃς διήγημα σοφῶν, καὶ ἐν ταῖς παροιμίαις αὐτῶν ἀναστρέφου· ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ παιδείαν καὶ λειτουργῆσαι μεγιστᾶσι.
Не ра́дꙋйсѧ ѡ҆ мертвецѣ̀ бы́вшемъ вражде́бнѣйшемъ тебѣ̀: помѧнѝ, ꙗ҆́кѡ всѝ ᲂу҆мира́емъ.
Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.
μὴ ἀστόχει διηγήματος γερόντων, καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἔμαθον παρὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν· ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσει σύνεσιν καὶ ἐν καιρῷ χρείας δοῦναι ἀπόκρισιν.
Не пре́зри по́вѣсти премꙋ́дрыхъ и҆ въ при́тчахъ и҆́хъ живѝ:
The apostle Peter recommends, "In your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you." It is good for a servant of God to learn from his masters with diligence and commitment what afterwards he must teach to others with prudence and for their benefit. Because if he does not and instead is lazy and indolent in applying himself, he will turn out to be useless in teaching others later.
ON ECCLESIASTICUS 2:13Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.
μὴ ἔκκαιε ἄνθρακας ἁμαρτωλοῦ, μὴ ἐμπυρισθῇς ἐν πυρὶ φλογὸς αὐτοῦ.
ꙗ҆́кѡ ѿ ни́хъ навы́кнеши наказа́нїю и҆ слꙋжи́ти вельмо́жамъ ᲂу҆до́бнѡ.
Saul chased David, who in fact carried out these words, "When they persecute you in this city, flee into another." He fled in order not to irritate his enemy with his presence and to become for him a reason to spill blood. In fact, David grasped the saying, "Do not incite the arm of a sinner," better than anyone. This is why he withdrew and moved away, although he was loved by all the people and had many who shared his pains and his sorrow and who would have been able to receive him and hide him in their homes. But, in order not to become a cause of danger to others, he fled into the desert and preferred to live in caves. It seems to me that the holy apostle also alludes to him when he says, "They wandered in deserts, in the mountains, in dens and in caves of the earth."
COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 2:56Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words
μὴ ἐξαναστῇς ἀπὸ προσώπου ὑβριστοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἐγκαθίσῃ ὡς ἔνεδρον τῷ στόματί σου.
Не ѿстꙋпа́й ѿ по́вѣсти ста́рцєвъ: и҆́бо ті́и навыко́ша ѿ ѻ҆тє́цъ свои́хъ:
Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.
μὴ δανείσῃς ἀνθρώπῳ ἰσχυροτέρῳ σου· καὶ ἐὰν δανείσῃς, ὡς ἀπολωλεκὼς γίνου.
ꙗ҆́кѡ ѿ ни́хъ навы́кнеши ра́зꙋмꙋ и҆ во вре́мѧ потре́бно да́ти ѿвѣ́тъ.
Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.
μὴ ἐγγυήσῃ ὑπὲρ δύναμίν σου· καὶ ἐὰν ἐγγυήσῃ, ὡς ἀποτίσων φρόντιζε.
Не возгнѣща́й ᲂу҆́глїѧ грѣ́шникꙋ, да не сгори́ши ѻ҆гне́мъ пла́мене є҆гѡ̀.
Consider, dearly beloved, those who vouch for someone concerning money, how they have to submit themselves to a greater risk than the one who is responsible for and receives the money. Indeed, if the person who has received the loan shows himself benevolent, he pays back what he owes to the person who has given the guarantee; but if he turns out to be bad, he prepares a much larger disaster for the person who has vouched for him. For this reason a wise man warned, "If you give surety, be concerned as one who must pay." Now then, if those who vouch for someone concerning money render themselves responsible for everything, how much more do those who vouch for someone relating to spiritual things and on the theme of virtue must demonstrate great vigilance, exhorting, advising, correcting and revealing paternal affection. And they should understand that what is happening should not be taken lightly but that their own reputation is at stake. There will be mutual benefit if through their personal admonition they lead them someone onto the road of virtue, while a grave condemnation will be incumbent on them if they neglect to do so. For this reason, it is customary to call these people spiritual parents, so that they may learn what affection they must demonstrate for them with their own deeds in the teaching of spiritual things. If it is good to push those to embrace virtue with whom we have no relationship, how much more must we carry out this command regarding someone whom we receive whom we call a spiritual son or daughter.
BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTIONS 2:15-16Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.
μὴ δικάζου μετὰ κριτοῦ, κατὰ γὰρ τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ κρινοῦσιν αὐτῷ.
Не воста́ни на лицѐ досади́телево, да не присѣди́тъ ꙗ҆́кѡ навѣ́тникъ ᲂу҆стѡ́мъ твои̑мъ.
Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt 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.
Взаи́мъ не да́й человѣ́кꙋ крѣ́пльшꙋ тебє̀, и҆ а҆́ще да́си, бꙋ́ди ꙗ҆́коже погꙋби́вый.
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 thee.
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.
Не порꙋча́йсѧ вы́ше си́лы твоеѧ̀: и҆ а҆́ще порꙋчи́шисѧ, ꙗ҆́кѡ воздаѧ́й пецы́сѧ.
Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.
μετὰ μωροῦ μὴ συμβουλεύου, οὐ γὰρ δυνήσεται λόγον στέξαι.
Не свари́сѧ со сꙋдїе́ю: по разсꙋжде́нїю бо є҆гѡ̀ бꙋ́дꙋтъ сꙋди́ти є҆мꙋ̀.
Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
ἐνώπιον ἀλλοτρίου μὴ ποιήσῃς κρυπτόν, οὐ γὰρ γινώσκεις τί τέξεται.
Съ де́рзымъ не ходѝ на пꙋ́ть, ꙗ҆́кѡ да не ѡ҆тѧготи́тсѧ на тѧ̀: то́й бо сотвори́тъ по во́ли свое́й, и҆ съ бꙋ́йствомъ є҆гѡ̀ поги́бнеши.
Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.
παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ μὴ ἔκφαινε σὴν καρδίαν, καὶ μὴ ἀναφερέτω σοι χάριν.
Съ ꙗ҆́ростивымъ не свари́сѧ и҆ не и҆дѝ съ ни́мъ сквозѣ̀ пꙋсты́ню: пред̾ ѻ҆чи́ма бо є҆гѡ̀ кро́вь ꙗ҆́кѡ ничто́же є҆́сть, и҆ и҆дѣ́же нѣ́сть по́мощи, та́мѡ низложи́тъ тѧ̀.
Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
μὴ ὀνείδιζε ἄνθρωπον ἀποστρέφοντα ἀπὸ ἁμαρτίας· μνήσθητι ὅτι πάντες ἐσμὲν ἐν ἐπιτιμίοις.
Не и҆гра́й съ ненака́заннымъ, да не прїи́мꙋтъ безче́стїѧ прароди́телїе твоѝ.
There is a person full of faith who comes forward in the assembly and accuses himself, making everyone aware of some sin he has committed. And yet, those who themselves have no fear of God's future judgment, on hearing his words, instead of suffering with him who suffers, instead of burning with him who is offended, instead of falling with him who is fallen, say, Get away from me and don't come near me because I am pure! Then they begin to curse this person whom they previously admired and withdraw their friendship from this person who did not want to conceal his crime. Conveniently they say of those who make the confession, "My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my kin stand afar off." It is not the case, however, that he ought to be afraid of the behavior of others when, after having committed a sin, he desires to save himself, nor should he fear the reproaches of those who do not think about their own sins or recall the words of the divine Scriptures: "Do not insult a person converted from sin, remember that we all deserve punishment." Do not worry about such things. Instead, worry about your soul, and pray to God that he may hear you and raise you after you fall so that you will be able to say also that which follows: "I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin."
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS, PSALM 37, HOMILY 2:1