Do not contend with a powerful man, lest you fall into his hands.
The Koine Bible
The Scriptures in Greek with direct English translation.
Rahlfs Septuagint
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 8
Greek text followed verse by verse by a direct English translation.
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ἔριζε μετὰ ἀνθρώπου πλουσίου μήποτε ἀντιστήσῃ σου τὴν ὁλκήν πολλοὺς γὰρ ἀπώλεσεν τὸ χρυσίον καὶ καρδίας βασιλέων ἐξέκλινεν
Do not quarrel with a rich man, lest he stand against your weight; for gold has destroyed many, and has turned aside the hearts of kings.
Do not contend with a man of many words, and do not heap up wood upon his fire.
Do not jest with an undisciplined man, lest your ancestors be dishonored.
Do not reproach a man turning away from sin; remember that we all are in rebukes.
Do not dishonor a man in his old age, for even from us they grow old.
Do not rejoice over a dead man; remember that we all die.
παρίδῃς διήγημα σοφῶν καὶ ἐν ταῖς παροιμίαις αὐτῶν ἀναστρέφου ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ παιδείαν καὶ λειτουργῆσαι μεγιστᾶσιν
Do not overlook the discourse of the wise, and converse among their proverbs, for from them you will learn instruction and to serve among rulers.
ἀστόχει διηγήματος γερόντων καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἔμαθον παρὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῶν μαθήσῃ σύνεσιν καὶ ἐν καιρῷ χρείας δοῦναι ἀπόκρισιν
Do not miss the discourse of elders, for they also learned from their fathers, because from them you will learn understanding, and in a time of need to give an answer
Do not kindle coals of a sinner, lest you be burned in the fire of his flame.
Do not rise up from the face of an insolent man, lest he sit down as an ambush for your mouth.
Do not lend to a man stronger than you, and if you lend, be as one who has lost it.
Do not give security beyond your ability, and even if you do give security, take care as one who will pay back.
Do not contend with a judge, for according to his reputation they judge for him.
τολμηροῦ μὴ πορεύου ἐν ὁδῷ ἵνα μὴ βαρύνηται κατὰ σοῦ αὐτὸς γὰρ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιήσει καὶ τῇ ἀφροσύνῃ αὐτοῦ συναπολῇ
Do not go on a way with a bold man, lest he become burdensome against you; for he himself will do according to his own will, and by his folly you will perish together
θυμώδους μὴ ποιήσῃς μάχην καὶ μὴ διαπορεύου μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὴν ἔρημον ὅτι ὡς οὐδὲν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ αἷμα καὶ ὅπου οὐκ ἔστιν βοήθεια καταβαλεῖ σε
With a wrathful man do not make a fight, and do not travel with him through the wilderness, for blood is as nothing in his eyes, and where there is no help he will throw you down.
Do not take counsel with a fool, for he will not be able to bear a word.
Before a stranger do not make secret, for you do not know what it will bring forth.
Do not disclose your heart to every person, and let them not bring you favor.