What the Bible Says: Understanding the Definition of “Syr”

Scripture

¹ All wisdom comes from the Lord
and is with him forever.
² Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
³ Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
Surely you know!
⁴ Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
⁵ The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.
⁶ To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed?
Or who has known her wise counsels?
⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
⁸ There is a spirit that is disciplined and will not be led astray, but will gain knowledge through thoughts of wisdom.
⁹ They will praise his holy name, as they declare the grandeur of his works.
¹⁰ She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.
¹¹ The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
¹² The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
¹³ The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
¹⁴ To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; she is created with the faithful in the womb.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.
¹⁶ To fear the Lord is fullness of wisdom; she satisfies men with her fruits.
¹⁷ The fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction,
and faith and meekness are his delight.
¹⁸ The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish.
¹⁹ To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; it is a great delight to those who understand.
²⁰ The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.
²¹ The fear of the Lord drives away sins, and where it is present, it turns away wrath.
²² The knowledge of wisdom is like a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
²³ A patient man will endure until the right moment comes; but his joy will break out in the end.
²⁴ To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed?
Or who has known her wise counsels?
²⁵ The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.
²⁶ If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments,
and the Lord will give it to you.
²⁷ For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction,
and faith and meekness are his delight.
²⁸ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; wisdom is the root of understanding.
²⁹ The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
³⁰ Like a grain of sand, so are a few days of our life; so are the days of all flesh like a drop of water.

Sirach 1:1-30

Sirach 2:1-18: ¹ My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for trials.
² My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for trials.
³ Cleave to him and do not depart,
that you may be honored at the end of your life.
⁴ What sorrow comes to the one who fears the Lord without reason, and the one who is afraid of Him for no reason at all!
⁵ For gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
⁶ For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.
⁷ You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and turn not aside, lest you fall.
⁸ Keep your faith steadfast, and do not be afraid; for God is the one who holds you fast.
⁹ You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and turn not aside, lest you fall.
¹⁰ Look at the generations of old and see: who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame?
¹¹ For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.
¹² Woe to fearful hearts and to slack hands, and to the sinner who walks a double path!
¹³ Woe to fearful hearts and to slack hands, and to the sinner who walks a double path!
¹⁴ Woe to you, faint of heart! For you have no faith; therefore you will not be protected.
¹⁵ Those who fear the Lord will not disobey his words, and those who love him will keep his ways.
¹⁶ Those who fear the Lord will seek his approval, and those who love him will be filled with the law.
¹⁷ Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts
and humble themselves before him.
¹⁸ For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.

Sirach 3:1-31: ¹ Children, listen to me, your father; do what I say, and you will be safe.
² For the Lord honored the father above the children
and confirmed the right of the mother over her sons.
³ Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
⁴ Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
⁵ Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
⁶ Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
⁷ “Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.”
⁸ Honor your father and mother both in word and deed,
so that a blessing may come upon you from them.
⁹ For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children, but the curse of a mother uproots the foundations.
¹⁰ Glory not in the dishonor of your father,
for your father’s dishonor is no glory to you.
¹¹ For the Lord’s power is great, and he is honored by the humble.
¹² The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
¹³ The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
¹⁴ For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you.
¹⁵ Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children, and when they pray they will be heard.
¹⁶ Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
¹⁷ My son, go on with your business in humility; so you will be loved by those acceptable to God.
¹⁸ The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
¹⁹ Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
²⁰ In whatever you do, remember your end, and you will never sin.
²¹ The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
²² The father’s blessing gives support to the houses of children,
but the mother’s curse uproots their foundations.
²³ For the root of wisdom is fear of the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.
²⁴ For many are deceived by their own vain opinions; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.
²⁵ The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
²⁶ A stubborn heart will fare badly in the end; he who loves danger will perish by it.
²⁷ A stubborn heart will fare badly in the end; and whoever loves danger will perish by it.
²⁸ The heart of a man changes his countenance, either for good or for evil, and a cheerful heart makes a cheerful countenance.
²⁹ The mind of a man plans his way,
but the Lord directs his steps.
³⁰ As water extinguishes a blazing fire,
so almsgiving atones for sin.
³¹ The rich man toils to amass wealth, and when he rests, he fills himself with his dainties.

Sirach 4:1-31: ¹ My child, do not cheat the poor of their living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting.
² Make not thyself an underling to a foolish man; neither accept the person of the mighty.
³ Do not add to your sins; say, “I have enough of my transgressions,” and do not add to them.
⁴ Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
⁵ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river.
⁶ Do not reject an old friend; for the new one cannot equal him.
⁷ “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.”
⁸ Do not shun the discourse of the wise, but busy yourself with their proverbs;
⁹ Some do not reach perfection except through many faults, and while they are young, they make many mistakes.
¹⁰ Be like a father to orphans,
and take the place of a husband to widows;
then God will call you his child,
and he will be merciful to you,
and deliver you from the pit.
¹¹ Wisdom teaches her children and gives help to those who seek her.
¹² He who loves her loves life,
and those who seek her early will be filled with joy.
¹³ Do not add to your troubles by putting off the day of your death, and do not neglect the portion of your estate that has been decreed for you.
¹⁴ Do not forsake an old friend, for the new is not comparable to him.
¹⁵ Do not speak against the truth, but be ashamed of your ignorance.
¹⁶ If a man commits himself to the Lord, the Lord will be with him in his works.
¹⁷ For at the first she will walk with him on tortuous paths; she will bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul and test him with her ordinances.
¹⁸ The fruit of good labors is renowned, and the root of understanding does not fail.
¹⁹ The one who keeps the law makes many offerings; one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being.
²⁰ Those who fear the Lord will not disobey his words, and those who love him will keep his ways.
²¹ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²² Accept no person’s word against your own, and do not be swayed by a current of opinions.
²³ For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
²⁴ For by speech wisdom is multiplied, and the one who is prudent is the one who is wise.
²⁵ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²⁶ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
²⁸ Do not add to your troubles by putting off the day of your death, and do not neglect the portion of your inheritance.
²⁹ Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow in due time, and do not wait until death to be justified.
³⁰ Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
³¹ Do not put on a heavy yoke on your neck, but be like one who is disciplined.

Sirach 5:1-15: ¹ Do not set your heart on your wealth, nor say, “I have enough.”
² Do not be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth.
³ And do not say, “Who will have dominion over me?” for the Lord will surely punish you.
⁴ Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord is slow to anger.
⁵ Your boasting do not lead to an empty pride, lest you be humiliated by your own works.
⁶ Do not say, “I will conceal my sins, and no one will know about them,”
⁷ Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.
⁸ Do not be hasty in a word, and do not be slack in your deeds.
⁹ Do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.
¹⁰ Do not be like a lion in your house, or suspicious of your servants.
¹¹ Be quick to hear, and be deliberate in answering.
¹² Be quick to listen, and be deliberate in answering.
¹³ Do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.
¹⁴ Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with your tongue, for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double-tongued.
¹⁵ Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

Sirach 6:1-37: ¹ Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,
² A friend is faithful to the one who finds him, but no one can compare to the Lord who created him.
³ If you are willing, my son, you can be disciplined,
and if you apply yourself you will become clever.
⁴ A friend is faithful to the end, and a brother is born for adversity.
⁵ A pleasant voice multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
⁶ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
⁷ If you would get a friend, prove him first
and be not hasty to credit him.
⁸ For some companions are friends for their own advantage, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
⁹ There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
¹⁰ For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.
¹¹ Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
¹² To the humble he reveals his secrets, for the protection of those who walk with him.
¹³ A gracious woman gets honor,
and violent men get riches.
¹⁴ A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
¹⁵ Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one has found a treasure.
¹⁶ A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
¹⁷ Whoever fears the Lord will direct his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbor also.
¹⁸ My child, from your youth choose discipline,
and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.
¹⁹ Come to her like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest.
²⁰ Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
and do not distress yourself deliberately.
²¹ Can you set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; a vigilant seal upon my lips?
²² Show yourself friendly in a time of distress, and let not your insensitivity lead you to fall.
²³ For wisdom is like her name; she is not readily perceived by many.
²⁴ And put your feet into her fetters
and your neck into her collar.
²⁵ Pleasant speech multiplies friends,
and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
²⁶ For even if she does not go, she will be as though she had gone, when she is taken from you.
²⁷ Can you set a guard over your mouth, O Lord; watch over the door of my lips!
²⁸ And do not believe every word.
²⁹ A wise man will be silent until it is the right time to speak,
but a babbler will speak without thinking.
³⁰ For there is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence.
³¹ Do not put yourself at the head of the table
lest you be humiliated;
consider in your heart the things that have been said to you,
³² My son, if you have sinned, do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your past sins.
³³ A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
³⁴ Stand in the company of the elders; stay close to whoever is wise.
³⁵ Be willing to listen to every godly discourse, and let no wise proverbs escape you.
³⁶ And if you see a man of understanding, get to know him; let your feet wear the paths of his house.
³⁷ Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.

Sirach 7:1-36: ¹ Do no evil, and evil will never overtake you.
² Depart from the unjust, and iniquity shall turn away from thee.
³ Cleave to the one who fears the Lord, and do not stand in awe of the ungodly.
⁴ Seek not to be judge, being not able to take away iniquity, lest at any time thou fear the person of the mighty, and lay a stumblingblock in the way of thy uprightness.
⁵ Do not do evil, and evil will not overtake you.
⁶ Seek not to be judge, being not able to take away iniquity, lest at any time thou fear the person of the mighty, and lay a stumblingblock in the way of thy uprightness.
⁷ Do not do to others what you would not like done to yourself.
⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
⁹ Do not invite death by the error of your life,
or bring on destruction by the works of your hands;
¹⁰ Do not invite death by the error of your life,
or bring on destruction by the works of your hands;
¹¹ Do not say, “It was the Lord’s doing that I fell away,” for he does not do what he hates.
¹² Discipline yourself and be on your guard against evil, and do not be ashamed to confess your sins.
¹³ Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
¹⁴ Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders, and do not repeat yourself when you pray.
¹⁵ Do not hate hard labor or farm work, which was created by the Most High.
¹⁶ Do not commit sin twice; for even for one you will not go unpunished.
¹⁷ Do no evil, and evil will never overtake you.
¹⁸ Do not seek from the Lord high office
or the seat of honor from the king.
¹⁹ Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, and do not teach her an evil lesson against yourself.
²⁰ Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
and do not distress yourself deliberately.
²¹ Do not give your heart to a woman
to do with it as she pleases.
²² And keep a strict watch over an unruly wife, lest finding an opportunity she sets upon you like a thirsty traveler.
²³ Do you have children? Discipline them, and make them obedient from their youth.
²⁴ Do you have children? Discipline them,
and make them obedient from their youth.
²⁵ Do not reproach a man who is turning away from sin,
but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
²⁶ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²⁷ With all your heart honor your father,
and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.
²⁸ Do not test a good woman’s respect for her husband.
²⁹ Fear the Lord with all your soul, and revere his priests.
³⁰ With all your soul fear the Lord
and honor his priests.
³¹ Do not invite death by the error of your life,
or bring on destruction by the works of your hands;
³² So I will weigh you in the balance; and at your sins I will look.
³³ With all your soul fear the Lord
and honor his priests.
³⁴ Do not withhold a good deed from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
³⁵ Do not be inconsistent in your prayer, and do not neglect to give alms.
³⁶ And whatever you do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

Sirach 8:1-19: ¹ Do not contend with a mighty man, lest you fall into his hands.
² Do not contend with a mighty man, lest you fall into his hands.
³ Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, and do not teach her an evil lesson against yourself.
⁴ Do not seek to be judged with the powerful, and do not be partial to the rich in judgment.
⁵ Do not contend with a mighty man, lest you fall into his hands.
⁶ Do not contend with a mighty man, lest you fall into his hands.
⁷ Do not contend with a mighty man, lest you fall into his hands.
⁸ Do not be like a lion in your home, nor be a friend of a violent man.
⁹ Do not argue with a mighty man, lest you fall into his hands.
¹⁰ Do not contend with a mighty man, lest you fall into his hands.
¹¹ Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, and do not teach her an evil lesson against yourself.
¹² Do not befriend a man who is sharper than a serpent, and do not associate with a man who is more cunning than a fox.
¹³ Do not befriend a man who is given to anger, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
¹⁴ Do not befriend a man who is sharper than a serpent, and do not associate with a man who is more cunning than a fox.
¹⁵ Do not befriend a man who is given to anger, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
¹⁶ Do not befriend a man who is given to anger, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
¹⁷ Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, and do not teach her an evil lesson against yourself.
¹⁸ Do not befriend a man who is given to anger, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
¹⁹ Do not be a hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what you say.

Sirach 9:1-18: ¹ Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, or you will teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.
² Give no woman power over you to trample upon your dignity.
³ Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares.
⁴ Do not look intently at a virgin, lest you stumble and incur penalties for her.
⁵ Do not look intently at a virgin, lest you stumble and incur penalties for her.
⁶ Do not seek from the Lord high office
or the seat of honor from the king.
⁷ Do not give yourself to a woman
and let her trample down your strength.
⁸ Turn away your eye from a shapely woman,
and do not look intently at beauty belonging to another;
many have been misled by a woman’s beauty,
and by it passion is kindled like a fire.
⁹ Give not thy soul unto a woman to set her foot upon thy substance.
¹⁰ Leave your neighbor to manage his own affairs, but be ready to help him when he needs you.
¹¹ Envy not the glory of a sinner, for you do not know what his end will be.
¹² Be on the alert and take heed, for you are walking about with your own downfall.
¹³ Keep away from your enemies,
and be on guard with your friends.
¹⁴ Do not take the wife of a soldier, or an unfaithful woman will ruin you.
¹⁵ Let your talk be with the wise, and let all your communication be in the law of the Most High.
¹⁶ Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom,
or you will teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.
¹⁷ A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
¹⁸ A man of sense is not known when he keeps silent; he who shuts his lips is sensible.

Sirach 10:1-31: ¹ A wise magistrate educates his people,
and the rule of an intelligent person is well ordered.
² Like the judge of the people, so are his officials; and like the ruler of the city, so are all its inhabitants.
³ An unwise king destroys his people, but a city is made fit to live in through the understanding of its rulers.
⁴ The government of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and over it he will raise up the right leader for the time.
⁵ In the hand of God is the prosperity of man, and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honor.
⁶ Pride is hateful before God and man,
and by both does one commit iniquity.
⁷ Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men, and injustice is outrageous to both.
⁸ Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches gotten by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.
⁹ Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels.
¹⁰ The physician cuts off a long disease; so a physician who is a sinner will be cut off.
¹¹ My child, treat yourself well, according to your means, and present worthy offerings to the Lord.
¹² The beginning of pride is when one departs from the Lord, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.
¹³ When one stops sinning, it is like finding a treasure, and God will show favor to the one who repents.
¹⁴ The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers
and enthrones the lowly in their place.
¹⁵ The Lord overturns the thrones of rulers
and enthrones the lowly in their place.
¹⁶ The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers
and enthrones the lowly in their place.
¹⁷ Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men, and injustice is outrageous to both.
¹⁸ Arrogance is the root of all sin; the one who is arrogant is an abomination to the Lord.
¹⁹ When a man has labored, and he has shown excellence in his work, and has been advanced in position before kings.
²⁰ The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will raise up over it one who is profitable.
²¹ Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men, and injustice is outrageous to both.
²² The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.
²³ It is not right to despise a poor man who has understanding, nor is it proper to honor a man who is sinful.
²⁴ Great men are the support of the people, but a ruler of understanding is the support of the government.
²⁵ It is the Lord who overthrows the thrones of rulers, and sets the unsteady in their place.
²⁶ The disposition of a liar is dishonorable, and his shame is ever with him.
²⁷ Better is the man who hides his folly than the man who hides his wisdom.
²⁸ Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men, and injustice is outrageous to both.
²⁹ A wise magistrate educates his people,
and the rule of an intelligent person is well ordered.
³⁰ Do not give a bad name to your neighbor; and do not bring reproach on a person for any cause.
³¹ The sun looks down on all things, and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.

Sirach 11:1-34: ¹ The wisdom of the poor lifts their heads high and sets them among the great.
² Do not praise a man for his good looks,
nor despise a man for his appearance.
³ The bee is small among flying creatures,
but what it produces is the best of sweet things.
⁴ Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in the day of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden.
⁵ Many in authority have been utterly ruined; one who is haughty will be humbled.
⁶ Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced,
and the honored delivered into the hands of the foolish.
⁷ When a rich man stumbles, he is supported by a friend, but when a poor man falls, he is pushed down by his friends.
⁸ For the blessing of the Lord is the reward of the godly, and quickly God causes his blessing to flourish.
⁹ Do not invite death by the error of your life,
or bring on destruction by the works of your hands;
¹⁰ My child, do not busy yourself with many matters;
if you multiply activities, you will not be held blameless.

¹¹ There is one who labors and takes pains and makes haste, and is so much the more behind.
¹² Praise not a man for his beauty, neither abhor a man for his outward appearance.
¹³ The gift of a foolish man will do you no good, for his eyes are many instead of one.
¹⁴ Prosperity and adversity, life and death,
poverty and wealth, come from the Lord.
¹⁵ Wisdom, understanding, knowledge of the law, and the good way are from the Lord.
¹⁶ A gracious wife delights her husband, and her skill is a gift from the Lord.
¹⁷ In the same way, the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
¹⁸ Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay
is the man who amasses wealth unjustly;
in the midst of his days it will leave him,
and at his end he will be a fool.
¹⁹ Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who amasses wealth unjustly; in the midst of his days it will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.
²⁰ For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and will be credited to you against your sins.
²¹ Do not marvel at the works of a sinner, but trust in the Lord and keep at your toil; for it is easy in the sight of the Lord to enrich a poor man quickly and suddenly.
²² One man is rich, yet has nothing; another is poor, yet has great wealth.
²³ The talk of the lips tends only to penury; but the prudent man uses knowledge aright.
²⁴ Many have been misled by their own minds, and their evil suspicions have caused their judgment to slip.
²⁵ In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction, and in the day of adversity there is no more remembrance of prosperity.
²⁶ The basic needs of human life are water, bread, and clothing, and also a house to assure privacy.
²⁷ The affliction of an hour makes a man forget pleasure, and in his end his deeds will be revealed.
²⁸ Judge none blessed before his death, for a man will be known in his children.
²⁹ Do not quarrel with a man without cause,
when he has done you no harm.
³⁰ The bee is small among flying creatures,
but what it produces is the best of sweet things.
³¹ He who touches pitch will be defiled, and he who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him.
³² Of what use is a carved idol after its maker has carved it, a cast image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols.
³³ The conversation of the godly is always wise, but the fool changes as the moon.
³⁴ Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches unjustly; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.

Sirach 12:1-18: ¹ If you do good, know to whom you do it, and there will be thanks for your good deeds.
² Do good to the godly man, and you will find a recompense, and if not from him, then from the Most High.
³ The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers
and enthrones the lowly in their place.
⁴ Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner.
⁵ Do good to the godly man, and you will find a recompense, and if not from him, then from the Most High.
⁶ For the Most High also hates sinners
and will inflict punishment on the ungodly.
⁷ Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner.
⁸ A friend cannot be known in prosperity, and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.
⁹ The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.
¹⁰ Never trust your enemy, for like as iron rusts, so is his wickedness.
¹¹ Do not be weary in a king’s presence or your position will be lost.
¹² Do good to the godly man, and you will find a recompense, and if not from him, then from the Most High.
¹³ Who will pity a snake charmer bitten by a serpent, or any who go near wild animals?
¹⁴ So one who does good deeds is preparing for himself the way to eternal life, and one who pursues evil will bring about his own destruction.
¹⁵ A friend will not be known in prosperity,
and an enemy will not be hidden in adversity.
¹⁶ An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips but in his heart he plans to throw you into a pit; an enemy may weep with his eyes but if he finds an opportunity, he will never have enough of your blood.
¹⁷ If adversity comes, do not be too quick to call it a calamity, for it may be that the Lord is testing you.
¹⁸ The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.

Sirach 13:1-26: ¹ He who touches pitch will be defiled, and he who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him.
² A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
³ The rich man has done wrong, and yet he adds more wealth; when the poor man is wronged, he loses even what he has.
⁴ The anger of the proud flares up against them.
⁵ If you touch pitch, you will be defiled; and if you associate with a proud man, you will become like him.
⁶ If he does good, he does it unwillingly, and at the last he will declare his wickedness.
⁷ One person builds up and another tears down; what has been built by one is torn down by another.
⁸ Beware lest you be led away with sorrowful error; do not let your soul sink into humiliation.
⁹ If you touch pitch, you will be defiled; and if you associate with a proud man, you will become like him.
¹⁰ Pride is hateful before God and man,
and by both does one commit iniquity.
¹¹ A rich man speaks, and his wealth is his strong city; and like a high wall in his imagination.
¹² The beginning of pride is when one departs from the Lord, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.
¹³ The conversation of the godly is always wise, but the fool changes as the moon.
¹⁴ The Lord will judge his people.
¹⁵ Every living creature loves its own kind,
and every person his neighbor.
¹⁶ All flesh consults with its like, and a man clings to his own kind.
¹⁷ What fellowship has a wolf with a lamb? So the sinner with the godly.
¹⁸ What fellowship has a wolf with a lamb? So the sinner with the godly.
¹⁹ A sinner is caught in his own trap, and he will be entangled in the cords of his sin.
²⁰ As the climbing of a sandy hill is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
²¹ A rich man toils to amass a fortune, and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.
²² When a rich man is shaken, he is supported by his friends, but when a poor man is down, he is pushed away even by his friends.
²³ When a rich man is shaken, he is supported by his friends,
but when a poor man is down, he is pushed away by his friends.
²⁴ Riches are good if they are accompanied by the fear of the Lord, and poverty is evil in the opinion of the ungodly.
²⁵ The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether for good or evil, and a cheerful heart makes a cheerful face.
²⁶ A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity,
and the finding of a precious jewel is a token of a good fortune.

Sirach 14:1-27: ¹ Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
² Blessed is he whose conscience has not condemned him,
and who has not given up hope in the Lord’s mercy.
³ Riches are not fitting for a fool, and what is a poor man’s knowledge in the sight of his betters?
⁴ Like a eunuch who has been wronged, there is within her a daughter who mourns; and like a barren woman she is grieved in soul, for her children are gone.
⁵ Like a eunuch who has been wronged in the matter of a virgin, so is he who does good and yet is wronged in return.
⁶ Like a eunuch who has been wronged, there is a person who keeps silent and is full of bitterness in his heart.
⁷ If you do good, know for whom you are doing it, and your kindness will have its effect.
⁸ The envious man has a wicked eye; he turns away his face and despises people.
⁹ The eye of the Lord is upon those who love him, a mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from scorching wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.
¹⁰ Like a eunuch who has been wronged, there is a person who in silence holds back his tongue, and is familiar with nothing.
¹¹ Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who amasses wealth unjustly; in the midst of his days it will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.
¹² Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shown to you.
¹³ Do not remember the sins of our fathers;
but think on your own sins and your fathers’ sins.
¹⁴ Do not take the attitude of a hired hand, who constantly looks for the end of his work,
¹⁵ Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.
¹⁶ A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
¹⁷ All flesh grows old as does a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!”
¹⁸ Like a eunuch who has been wronged, obtaining justice, or a man who refuses to marry a virgin, so is the man who does what is unjust with his tongue, and who does not repay a wrong done to him.
¹⁹ Every living creature loves its own kind,
and every person his neighbor.
²⁰ Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom
and who reasons intelligently.
²¹ Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, or you will teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.
²² Come to her like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest.
²³ In all your works be quick, no sickness will overtake you.
²⁴ Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner.
²⁵ A life of labor, and heavy toil, will make one sleep at night; and they will be pleased with what they eat.
²⁶ So also a sinful man’s way is full of thorns, but as for the path that is righteous, it is level and smooth.
²⁷ And if he does good, he does it unwillingly and becomes aware of it afterward.

Sirach 15:1-20: ¹ He who fears the Lord will do this, and he who holds to the law will obtain wisdom.
² And if you will, you can keep the commandments
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
³ With the bread of understanding you shall feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
⁴ There is a spirit that is subtle, but it makes itself known by its fruits.
⁵ In the law of the Lord is his delight,
and in his law meditates day and night.
⁶ If you will, you can keep the commandments
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
⁷ If you will, you can keep the commandments
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
⁸ There is a grievous thing that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt,
⁹ And their ways are known to him, and they are not hidden from his eyes.
¹⁰ To the faithful he will show himself faithful; and to those who have no faith, he will show himself unfaithful.
¹¹ Do not say, “It was the Lord’s doing that I fell away,” for he does not do what he hates.
¹² Before man are life and death, and whichever he chooses will be given to him.
¹³ The Lord hates all abominations; such as those who practice unrighteousness, and it is not love that they should be forgiven.
¹⁴ He created man from the beginning, and he left him in the hand of his counsel.
¹⁵ If you will, you can keep the commandments
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
¹⁶ He has commanded no one to be ungodly, and he has given no one permission to sin.
¹⁷ Before man are life and death, and whichever he chooses will be given to him.
¹⁸ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
¹⁹ A wise man will be silent until the right moment, but a boasting fool will ignore the proper time.
²⁰ He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

Sirach 16:1-30: ¹ Do not desire a multitude of useless children,
nor rejoice in ungodly sons.
² God bade the clouds go their way, and commanded the heavens to rain down manna.
³ Commit no sin against your neighbor, and take no injury by deeds of pride.
⁴ He has not given any man license to sin, and has not given any man permission to transgress.
⁵ The Lord has not granted to any man the power to declare his works, and who can search out his marvelous deeds?
⁶ In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled, and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
⁷ He did not give them power to withstand their foes, but a few were destroyed because they had no wisdom to keep them from sin.
⁸ He did not forgive the ancient giants who rebelled against him, he did not spare the neighbors of Lot whom he loathed for their pride.
⁹ Their ways are always known to him;
they will not be hidden from his eyes.
¹⁰ He did not leave to the nations of the land a place of refuge, but the land of Jacob he took as his portion.
¹¹ Do not be faithless to him who keeps you;
¹² As his ways are plain to the holy,
so they are stumbling blocks to the wicked.
¹³ The sinner will not escape with his plunder, and the patience of the godly will not be frustrated.
¹⁴ When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.
¹⁵ If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments,
and the Lord will give it to you.
¹⁶ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
¹⁷ Do not say, “I am hidden from the Lord,
and who from on high has me in mind?
¹⁸ Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that is therein, shall be moved when he shall visit.
¹⁹ When the Lord created his works from the beginning, and, in making them, determined their boundaries, He arranged his works in an eternal order, and their dominion for all generations.
²⁰ He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.
²¹ A man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
²² He will show no mercy on the day of reckoning, and he will not pardon your sins.
²³ He saw and took note of her; he rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension, and he exalted the honor of those who held her fast.
²⁴ He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.
²⁵ The Lord will cast down the thrones of rulers and seat the meek in their place.
²⁶ When you turn away your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
²⁷ Who will declare the works of his justice, or who will endure them?
²⁸ For all things are in his power, and he is not in need of any counselor or helper.
²⁹ When he created them, he determined their days and prescribed their limits.
³⁰ One who is patient calms a quarrel, and one who is kind softens an argument.

Sirach 17:1-32: ¹ The Lord created man out of earth, and turned him back to it again.
² He gave them knowledge and the law of life for a heritage.
³ He created them from the beginning, and he left them in the power of their own free choice.
⁴ And he gave them knowledge and the law of life for an inheritance.
⁵ They were rebellious in the wilderness; the pain of their provocation.
⁶ He gave them the power to rule over every living creature.
⁷ Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
⁸ He gave them the power to rule, and made them like the beasts of the field.
⁹ He gave them knowledge and the law of life for a heritage.
¹⁰ And he gave them an everlasting covenant, and made them know his commandments.
¹¹ Besides this he gave them knowledge and the law of life for an inheritance.
¹² He gave them the power to rule over every living creature.
¹³ Their ways are always before him; they are not hidden from his eyes.
¹⁴ He gave them dominion over the creatures.
¹⁵ He gave them knowledge and the law of life for a heritage.
¹⁶ Every living thing loves its own kind,
and every man loves his neighbor.
¹⁷ He appointed a ruler for every nation, but Israel is the Lord’s portion.
¹⁸ Whom, being his firstborn, he nourishes with discipline,
and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
¹⁹ And their ways are ever known to him; they are not hidden from his eyes.
²⁰ Their ways are always before him; they are not hidden from his eyes.
²¹ But to the penitent he provides an escape, and he hears their prayers.
²² The almsgiver is like a well of life, and he quenches every insatiable thirst.
²³ Afterward he will rise up and repay them, and render their recompense upon their heads.
²⁴ But to those who repent, he grants a return,
and he encourages those who are losing hope.
²⁵ Return to the Lord and forsake your sins; pray in his presence and lessen your offenses.
²⁶ Turn again to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, for he will lead you out of darkness into the light of health and hate abomination vehemently.
²⁷ Who will praise the Most High in Hades, instead of those who live and give him thanks?
²⁸ They were rebellious in the wilderness; the found no rest for their foot.
²⁹ Many are the wise words spoken in secret, but the heart of fools is in their mouth.
³⁰ Afterward he will rise up and repay them, and render their recompense upon their heads.
³¹ And the Lord will not delay, neither will he be patient with them, till he crushes the loins of the unmerciful and repays vengeance on the nations; till he takes away the multitude of the insolent and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous,
³² He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

Sirach 18:1-33: ¹ He who lives forever created the whole universe;
² He searches out the abyss and the human heart, and he understands their crafty devices.
³ Who will number the sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
⁴ Seek not what is too difficult for you,
nor investigate what is beyond your power.
⁵ The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and it will not rest until it reaches its goal; it will not desist until the Most High responds.
⁶ Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand, so are a few years among the days of eternity.
⁷ Do not associate with a simple babbler or you will not avoid involvement in sin.
⁸ What is man, and of what use is he? What is his good, and what is his evil?
⁹ The number of a man’s days is great if he reaches a hundred years.
¹⁰ Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand, so are a few years among the days of eternity.
¹¹ A man of quick understanding will be more successful than one who is sluggish in understanding, but the man of quick understanding will be more successful than the one who is lazy.
¹² He is the one who created human beings in the beginning, and he left them in the power of their own free choice.
¹³ The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
¹⁴ He has mercy on those who accept discipline, and those who are eager for his commandments.
¹⁵ My child, do not mix reproach with your good deeds, or spoil your gift by harsh words.
¹⁶ Before you speak, learn; and before you fall ill, take care of your health.
¹⁷ Then he pitied them and showed them favor;
he brought them back to the way of his righteousness.
¹⁸ He who lives forever created all things together.
¹⁹ Learn before you speak, and do not be hasty in uttering a word.
²⁰ Before you speak, learn; and before you fall ill, take care of your health.
²¹ Do not be eager to get angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
²² Let nothing hinder you from paying your vow in due time, and do not wait until death to be justified.
²³ Before you speak, learn; and before you fall ill, take care of your health.
²⁴ Think of the wrath that will be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.
²⁵ A man of understanding has wisdom as his guide, but the fool wanders aimlessly.
²⁶ A wise man will be silent until it is the right time to speak,
but a babbler will never know when that time is.
²⁷ A wise man is cautious in everything, and in days of sin he keeps watch over himself.
²⁸ My son, lead not a beggar’s life, for better to die than to beg.
²⁹ The existence of all things is in pairs, and he has made nothing unequal.
³⁰ Go not after your lusts, but refrain yourself from your appetites.
³¹ Therefore, go and seek wisdom with all your heart.
³² Rise early, and your hands be quick to do what you have to do.
³³ A man’s almsgiving is like a signet ring with the Lord, and he will keep a person’s kindness like the apple of his eye.

Sirach 19:1-30: ¹ A workman that is a drunkard will not become rich, and he who despises small things will fall little by little.
² One’s own folly leads to ruin,
yet the heart rages against the Lord.
³ He who acquires a wife gets his best possession, a helper fit for him and a pillar of support.
⁴ One who trusts others too quickly has a shallow mind,
and one who sins does wrong to oneself.
⁵ Whoever is hasty with his feet misses the way, and whoever is impetuous misses the mark.
⁶ Whoever acquires sense loves himself; he who keeps understanding will prosper.
⁷ All wisdom is from the Lord
and remains with him forever.
⁸ Whether it be friend or foe, do not report it, and unless it would be a sin for you, do not reveal it.
⁹ A person may be hindered by his own foolishness, and he may then blame it on the Lord.
¹⁰ It is not fitting to despise a man who is in adversity, but it is fitting to despise a man who is at ease.
¹¹ The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
¹² Like a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool,
and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
¹³ Admonish a friend, it may be he has not done it; and if he has done it, that he may do it no more.
¹⁴ Admonish your neighbor before you threaten him.
¹⁵ A man is known by his appearance, and a sensible man is known by his face when you meet him.
¹⁶ There is a man who is wise and is hated for doing good, and there is a man who is foolish but is praised for his good sense.
¹⁷ Admonish your neighbor before you threaten him.
¹⁸ One’s own folly leads to ruin, yet the heart rages against the Lord.
¹⁹ The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life, and those who do things that are well-pleasing to him will receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.
²⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance, and wisdom obtains his love.
²¹ A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
²² The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom,
nor is there counsel against the Lord.
²³ There is a rebuke that is not timely, and there is the person who is wise but keeps silent.
²⁴ He who has small understanding and fears God is better than one who has much wisdom and transgresses the law of the Most High.
²⁵ There is an exquisite abomination: he who falls away from a friend is like one who lets a bird escape.
²⁶ There is a wicked man who is grim-faced, but he conceals his malice within;
²⁷ Do not boast about your wealth, or your wise words, or your strength, or your children, or the favor of kings, or your skill in trading,
²⁸ A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
²⁹ A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
³⁰ A man’s attire and excessive laughter,
and gait, proclaim him as a fool.

Sirach 20:1-31: ¹ There is a rebuke that is not timely, and there is a man who is wise to keep silent.
² The anger of a king is like the growling of a lion,
whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
³ The bee is small among flying creatures,
but what it produces is the best of sweet things.
⁴ The anger of the king is like the growling of a lion,
whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
⁵ The buyer will speak sweetly until he has acquired the vineyard.
⁶ Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
⁷ A wise man is known by his words, and a sensible man is known when he speaks with understanding.
⁸ Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.
⁹ There is a sinner who has a downfall through pride, but he who has a lowly spirit will obtain honor.
¹⁰ There is a rebuke that is not timely, and there is the person who is wise but keeps silent.
¹¹ A child left to himself will be insolent, but with his mother will he be well disciplined.
¹² The beginning of a man’s pride is to depart from the Lord; his heart has forsaken his Maker.
¹³ The buyer will say, “I have no need of it,”
and with that excuse he will haggle over the price.
¹⁴ The gift of a fool will do you no good, for he will look for many times its worth.
¹⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
¹⁶ A fool will grumble when given a gift, and the ungrateful will keep on grumbling.
¹⁷ The sentence of the sinner is full of curses, and the report of the ungodly is full of reproach.
¹⁸ To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue; so the fall of the wicked will come speedily.
¹⁹ An unseasonable story is like music in mourning, but violence will lay it waste.
²⁰ If you curse your father or mother, your lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
²¹ There is a reproof that is not timely, and there is a man who keeps silent and is wise.
²² There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
²³ There is a rebuke that is not timely, and there is the person who is wise but keeps silent.
²⁴ A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
²⁵ A thief is better than a habitual liar, but both will inherit destruction.
²⁶ A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
²⁷ A wise man is silent until the right moment, but a boasting fool ignores the proper time.
²⁸ The gift of a fool will do you no good, for he will look for many times its worth.
²⁹ The way of the sinner is hard and rough, but the path of the righteous is level and smooth.
³⁰ Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is hoarded, what benefit is in them?
³¹ Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.

Sirach 21:1-28: ¹ My son, have you sinned? Do so no more, but ask forgiveness for your past sins.
² Flee from sin as from a serpent, for if you approach it, it will bite you; its teeth are lion’s teeth, and can destroy human lives.
³ To do righteousness is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
⁴ The inside of a fool is like a broken vessel, and he will not be able to hold any knowledge.
⁵ The prayer of the poor goes from their lips to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.
⁶ The devising of evil devices is a temptation to sin, and those who are involved in it will become a disgrace.
⁷ The sinner is overtaken by his lips; the reviler and the arrogant stumble in them.
⁸ The way of sinners is paved with stones, but at its end is the pit of Hades.
⁹ The heart of a man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
¹⁰ The way of sinners is paved with stones, but at its end is the pit of Hades.
¹¹ The way of sinners is paved with stones, but at its end is the pit of Hades.
¹² The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish.
¹³ The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
¹⁴ The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge.
¹⁵ If a skilful man hears a wise saying, he will praise it and add to it; but as soon as one of no understanding hears it, it displeases him, and he casts it behind his back.
¹⁶ The talking of a fool is like a burden on a journey, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise.
¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
¹⁸ A fool raises his voice when he laughs, but a clever person smiles quietly.
¹⁹ A foolish man’s foot is soon in his neighbor’s house, but a man of understanding is cautious in going.
²⁰ A fool’s anger is known at once,
but a prudent man covers shame.
²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
²² A foolish man’s foot is soon in his neighbor’s house, but a man of understanding is cautious.
²³ He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
²⁴ Flee from sin as from a serpent, for if you approach it, it will bite you; its teeth are lion’s teeth, and can destroy human lives.
²⁵ The lips of the sinner speak falsehood, and his ways are crooked.
²⁶ The mind of a fool is like a broken jar; it will hold no knowledge.
²⁷ When the ungodly curses Satan, he curses his own soul.
²⁸ A whisperer defiles his own soul
and is hated in his neighborhood.

Sirach 22:1-33: ¹ A slothful man is like a filthy stone, and everyone hisses at his disgrace.
² A fool raises his voice when he laughs, but a clever person smiles quietly.
³ An undisciplined child is a disgrace to its father; if it be a daughter, she brings him to poverty.
⁴ A stubborn wife is like a yoke of oxen that hinder the yoke-bearer.
⁵ She who is loud and wayward is always quarreling; in her presence, you will never find rest.
⁶ A tale out of season is like music in mourning, but the stripes and discipline of wisdom are never out of time.
⁷ A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; so the downfall of the wicked will come speedily.
⁸ Do not answer before you have listened, and do not interrupt when another is speaking.
⁹ A slothful man is like a filthy stone, and everyone hisses at his dishonor.
¹⁰ A stubborn man will fare badly in the end, and he who loves danger will perish in it.
¹¹ Weep for the dead, for he lacks light, and weep for the fool, for he lacks sense.
¹² A stubborn man will fare badly in the end, and he who loves danger will perish in it.
¹³ Talk is cheap, my child; so be bold and generous with your words.
¹⁴ The gift of a fool will do you no good, for he will have no sense for the value of it.
¹⁵ A stubborn wife is regarded as a bitch, but an understanding wife is a grace.
¹⁶ A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building is not loosened by an earthquake.
¹⁷ A stubborn wife is regarded as a bitch,
but an impudent wife is considered as a dog.
¹⁸ A man of sense is known by his speech, and a wise man is known by a pleasanter.
¹⁹ One who pricks the eye brings tears, and one who pricks the heart makes clear its feelings.
²⁰ Any iniquity is small in comparison to a wife’s iniquity.
²¹ A stubborn man will fare badly in the end, and he who loves danger will perish in it.
²² An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
²³ Be faithful to your neighbor in his poverty, that in his prosperity you may rejoice with him.
²⁴ A slothful man is like a filthy stone, and everyone hisses at his dishonor.
²⁵ A stubborn wife is regarded as a bitch, but an understanding wife is a grace.
²⁶ And if she does not go as you direct, separate her from yourself.
²⁷ Better is the man who hides his folly than the man who hides his wisdom.
²⁸ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not be hesitant to correct your mistakes.
²⁹ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not be hesitant to correct your mistakes.
³⁰ Do not be like a lion in your home, nor be a lion in your house.
³¹ If you open your mouth against it, you will be ashamed.
³² If you have no friend, you will be alone; but if you have a friend, you will be rich.
³³ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not be hesitant to correct your soul.

Sirach 23:1-27: ¹ O Lord, Father and Master of my life,
do not abandon me to their counsel,
and let me not fall because of them.
² Who will set a guard over my mouth,
and an effective seal upon my lips,
so that I may not fall because of them,
and my tongue may not destroy me?
³ Do not be eager in your heart to utter words before God,
for God is in heaven, and you are on earth;
therefore let your words be few.
⁴ O Lord, Father and Master of my life,
do not leave me to their counsel,
nor let me fall because of them.
⁵ Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
⁶ Let not the arrogance of the proud turn me aside, nor the light of the wicked terrify me.
⁷ So they will not be able to hide their sins or bury their wrongdoing.
⁸ The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he veils his face.
⁹ Do not accustom your mouth to oaths, nor habitually utter the name of the Holy One.
¹⁰ Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin.
¹¹ A man who keeps a vow is like a tree that bears fruit, and the one who fears the Lord will find shelter.
¹² There is a word that is clothed about with death: God grant that it be not found in the heritage of Jacob, for all such things shall be far from the godly, and they shall not wallow in sins.
¹³ Do not accustom your mouth to oaths, nor habitually utter the name of the Holy One.
¹⁴ Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
¹⁵ There are eyes that are full of scorn, and they never reach the point of shedding tears.
¹⁶ Two kinds of men multiply sins, and a third incurs wrath.
¹⁷ All food is sweet to a seducer, he will not leave off until he dies.
¹⁸ A man who breaks a marriage vow says to himself, “Who sees me? Darkness surrounds me, the walls hide me, and no one sees me. Why should I worry? The Most High will not remember my sins.”
¹⁹ Such a man is like a merchant who brings in a false balance; he loves overdoing, and he does not know that he is wrong.
²⁰ He who knows all things before they exist
²¹ For it is better to die without children than to have them who are godless.
²² Thus a man’s wickedness is revealed before he is aware of it,
and the disgrace of his sin is clearly seen.
²³ There are others who are kept from sinning because they have not yet sinned.
²⁴ Like a ship in a storm, when it is driven by the waves: so the thoughts of the foolish whirl about like a tempest.
²⁵ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
²⁶ A wayward wife is a deep pit; and a wayward woman is a narrow well.
²⁷ Thus all who dwell on the earth shall know,
all who dwell beneath the earth shall understand,
that nothing is better than the fear of the Lord,
nothing sweeter than to heed his commandments.

Sirach 24:1-34: ¹ Wisdom praises herself,
and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.
² In the assembly of the Most High I will take my rest,
³ I came out of the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist.
⁴ I dwelt in the highest heavens, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
⁵ I alone compassed the circuit of heaven
and walked in the depths of the abyss.
⁶ In the assembly of the Most High she will open her mouth,
and in the presence of his hosts she will glory:
⁷ Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose territory should I abide?
⁸ “Then the Creator of all things gave me a command, and my Creator chose the place for my tent.”
⁹ From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shall not cease to exist.
¹⁰ I bud forth delights like the vine; my blossoms become fruit fair and rich.
¹¹ I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven
and have penetrated the depths of the abyss.
¹² “I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope; being eternal, I am given to all my children who are named by him.”
¹³ “I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the mountains of Hermon.”
¹⁴ I bud forth delights like the vine; my blossoms become fruit fair and rich.
¹⁵ I spread out my branches like a terebinth, my branches so bright and so graceful.
¹⁶ “When I was young, before I wandered, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.”
¹⁷ I bud forth delights like the vine; my blossoms become fruit fair and rich.
¹⁸ I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope.
¹⁹ Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fill of my fruits.
²⁰ “I spread out my branches like a terebinth,
my branches so bright and so graceful.”
²¹ Those who eat of me will hunger for more, and those who drink of me will thirst for more.
²² He who obeys me will not be put to shame, and those who work with my help will not sin.”
²³ All these things are the book of the covenant of the Most High God, the law that Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the congregations of Jacob.
²⁴ I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope.
²⁵ So I took root in an honored people,
in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.
²⁶ I alone compassed the circuit of heaven
and walked in the depths of the abyss.
²⁷ I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope.
²⁸ I am the mother of fair love, and fear, and knowledge, and holy hope: I therefore, being eternal, am given to all my children which are named of him.
²⁹ Those who eat of me will hunger for more,
and those who drink of me will thirst for more.
³⁰ I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the mountains of Hermon.
³¹ I shall again make instruction shine forth like the dawn, and I will make it clear from far away.
³² “I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn,
and I will make it clear from far away.”
³³ “I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn, and I will make it clear from far away.”
³⁴ “Come to me, all you who desire me, and be filled with my fruits.”

Sirach 25:1-26: ¹ There are three things my heart fears; a fourth I am utterly terrified of:
² Three kinds of men my soul hates;
and I am greatly offended by their life:
³ If you have gathered nothing in your youth, how can you find anything in your old age?
⁴ O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory!
⁵ O wicked imagination, why do you deceive me still, to turn my joy into sorrow and to burn with love for my enemies?
⁶ Much wickedness results from a woman’s sin, and because of her, we all die.
⁷ There be nine things which I have judged in mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy.
⁸ Well-being and contentment are better than all that one could find in silver and gold.
⁹ And if she goes not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.
¹⁰ O how great is the one who finds wisdom,
but none is superior to the one who fears the Lord.
¹¹ I will yet pour out teaching like prophecy,
and leave it to all future generations.
¹² The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love; and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.
¹³ Give me any plague but the plague of the heart,
and any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman.
¹⁴ Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace.
¹⁵ A shameless wife shall be counted as a dog, but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.
¹⁶ I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
¹⁷ The wickedness of a wife makes a gloomy countenance, and a man will only escape a quarrel by the tongue of a wife.
¹⁸ I will again make reference to Sirach 25:18.
¹⁹ All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman.
²⁰ I would rather live with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife.
²¹ Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
²² A woman, if she maintains her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
²³ A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man, but a godly woman is given to the man who fears the Lord.
²⁴ From a woman sin had its beginning, and because of her we all die.
²⁵ Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
²⁶ If she does not go as you direct, separate her from yourself.

Sirach 26:1-29: ¹ Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.
² A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the Lord;
³ A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the Lord;
⁴ Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful countenance.
⁵ There are three things my heart fears, and a fourth I loathe: slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, and a false accusation— all these are worse than death.
⁶ But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicates with all.
⁷ An evil wife is a yoke of oxen to her husband,
but a good wife is a crown to her husband.
⁸ A drunken wife arouses great anger; she cannot hide her shame.
⁹ The whorish woman and a married woman only differ in that one keeps a man for a time, and the other for a lifetime.
¹⁰ If she does not go as you direct, separate her from yourself.
¹¹ Watch over an impudent eye, and marvel not if she trespass against thee.
¹² Like a seal of an emerald in a setting of gold is a concert of music with pleasant wine.
¹³ A gracious wife delights her husband, and her skillful performance puts flesh on his bones.
¹⁴ A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.
¹⁵ A shameless woman constantly acts disgracefully, but a modest daughter will even be embarrassed before her husband.
¹⁶ “A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure.”
¹⁷ Like a eunuch lusting to violate a young woman
is one who does right under compulsion.
¹⁸ Like a eunuch lusting to violate a virgin
is one who does right under compulsion.
¹⁹ Like a sandal of a goldsmith is a word spoken at the right time.
²⁰ When you have gained a friend, do not trust him too quickly; for there is a friend who is such when it suits him, but he will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
²¹ A woman’s beauty lights up a man’s face, and there is nothing he desires more.
²² An evil wife is a yoke of oxen to those who live with her,
but the godly wife is like a crown to her husband.
²³ A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man, but a godly woman is given to the man who fears the Lord.
²⁴ A stubborn wife is regarded as a bitch, but an understanding wife is a grace to her husband.
²⁵ A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.
²⁶ A woman who honors her husband will seem wise to all, but if she dishonors him in her pride she will be known to all as ungodly.
²⁷ A loud-voiced wife is like a trumpet sound, she will not be ignored in the streets.
²⁸ There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.
²⁹ A silent wife is a gift of the Lord,
and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.

Sirach 27:1-30: ¹ Many have sinned for a small price, and they who seek to get rich will avert their eyes.
² When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains;
so a person’s flaws appear when he speaks.
³ A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
⁴ When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a person’s flaws appear when he speaks.
⁵ The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
⁶ The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree, so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man’s mind.
⁷ Praise no one before he speaks,
for it is then that people are tested.
⁸ If you blow on a spark, it will glow;
if you spit on it, it will be put out;
yet both come out of your mouth.
⁹ The birds will return to their nests, and so will those who practice injustice.
¹⁰ Do not be known in the city; for it is better that your neighbor know nothing of you.
¹¹ The conversation of the godly is always wise, but the fool changes as the moon.
¹² A friend is a friend at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
¹³ The conversation of the godly is always wise, but the fool changes as the moon.
¹⁴ The talk of the lips tends only to penury, but words of the wise bring wealth.
¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
¹⁶ A slanderer is a blowpipe, and a blowpipe is a deadly weapon.
¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.
¹⁸ A wind from the north brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
¹⁹ For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me;
²⁰ Fire and water will prove the testing of a man; and praise will be approved of him.
²¹ The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
²² The anger of a father is like a roaring lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
²³ When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a person’s flaws appear when he speaks.
²⁴ Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have fallen because of the tongue.
²⁵ When the water has quenched a fire, so is almsgiving better than a sacrifice.
²⁶ A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; so the downfall of the wicked will come speedily.
²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
²⁸ Mockery and abuse befall the arrogant, and vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.
²⁹ A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
³⁰ Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, yet a sinner holds on to them.

Sirach 28:1-26: ¹ The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance, for he keeps a strict account of their sins.
² Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
³ Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
⁴ In time of prosperity friends will be nowhere to be found,
but in time of adversity, they will stand by you.
⁵ The prayer of the poor person goes from their lips to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.
⁶ Remember the commandments, and do not bear malice to your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.
⁷ Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
⁸ Remember the commandments, and do not bear malice to your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.
⁹ A sinful man will not be reproved, but find an excuse according to his will.
¹⁰ As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
¹¹ Do not be quick in your tongue, and slack in your deeds.
¹² Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.
¹³ Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
¹⁴ Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
¹⁵ A backbiting tongue has no power to wound,
and a malicious word will do no lasting harm.
¹⁶ The blow of a whip raises a welt, but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.
¹⁷ What partnership has the wolf with the lamb? So the sinner with the godly.
¹⁸ Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,
but not so many as have fallen because of the tongue.
¹⁹ Remember the commandments, and do not bear malice to your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.
²⁰ Do not be inconsistent in your speech, or lazy and slack in your deeds.
²¹ The blowing of a furnace is in his heart, and his lips are like a burning fire.
²² A furious man cannot be justified, for the sway of his fury will be his undoing.
²³ In whatever you do, remember your end, and you will never sin.
²⁴ Look at the rainbow and praise him who made it; it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.
²⁵ A sinful man will not be reproved, but find an excuse according to his will.
²⁶ The heart of a man changes his countenance, either for good or for evil.

Sirach 29:1-28: ¹ He who is merciful will lend to his neighbor, and he who is strengthened by the fear of the Lord will keep his commandments.
² Give to the good, and do not help the sinner.
³ He who is merciful will lend to his neighbor, and he who is strengthened by the fear of the Lord will keep his commandments.
⁴ Give to the good, and do not help the sinner.
⁵ Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty-handed.
⁶ For the man who is gracious will be remembered; he will be a blessing to those who come after him.
⁷ Give to the good and do not help the sinner.
⁸ Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty-handed.
⁹ Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty-handed.
¹⁰ Lose your money for your brother and your friend, and let it not rust under a stone and be lost.
¹¹ Do not be ashamed to give, for in due time you will receive.
¹² Release your neighbor from the debt of his hand, and do not hold back the repayment of his pledge.
¹³ Do not be ashamed to give, for in due time you will receive.
¹⁴ Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty-handed.
¹⁵ Do not forsake the friend of your youth, and do not forget the covenant of your forefathers. For you made a covenant with him in the day of your youth, and you made a covenant with him in the day of your youth.
¹⁶ Give to the good, and do not spare; and when you give, do not be grieved, for it is a good thing to give.
¹⁷ Give to the good and do not withhold from them.
¹⁸ Give and take, and you will be rich;
hold fast to your wealth, and you will be poor.
¹⁹ A man’s good turn is like a sunbeam; it brings joy to the heart.
²⁰ Help the poor for the commandment’s sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
²¹ The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame.
²² Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage than delicate fare in another man’s house.
²³ In the time of abundance, rejoice, and in the time of need, consider; and in the time of wealth, be humble, and in the time of poverty, be patient.
²⁴ A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
²⁵ Keep your friend loyal, and when you have need, go to him.
²⁶ Give to the good and do not withhold from them.
²⁷ Give to the good, and do not spare; and when you give, do not grudge.
²⁸ He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbor; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.

Sirach 30:1-25: ¹ He who loves his son will whip him often,
so that he may be a joy to his father.
² A father’s blessing gives a family firm roots,
but a mother’s curse uproots the growing plant.
³ He who teaches his son will make his enemies envious, and will glory in him among his friends.
⁴ One who loves his son will whip him often,
so that he may rejoice at the way he turns out.
⁵ Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage than delicate fare in another man’s house.
⁶ Better is a poor man who is sound and strong
than a rich man who is afflicted in his body.
⁷ He who makes merry will be condemned, but he who hates boasting and arrogance will be honored.
⁸ Envy not the enjoyment of the ungodly, remember they will not go unpunished to their grave.
⁹ Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
¹⁰ Do not despise a little child’s father, and do not withhold your money from him.
¹¹ Give him no cause to curse you, for he has the power to destroy you.
¹² Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
¹³ He will not feel ashamed when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
¹⁴ Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is afflicted in his body.
¹⁵ Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.
¹⁶ He who loves his son will whip him often,
so that he may be a joy to him in the end.
¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
¹⁸ Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
¹⁹ Discipline your son and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
²⁰ He will not be comforted for a while, and afterward his kindness will be shown.
²¹ Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
and do not distress yourself deliberately.
²² A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
²³ Love your own soul and comfort your heart;
remove sorrow far from you,
for sorrow has destroyed many,
and no advantage ever comes from it.
²⁴ Envy and wrath shorten a man’s life, and care brings on premature old age.
²⁵ A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity,
and the finding of a precious jewel is a token of a good fortune.

Sirach 31:1-31: ¹ A wakeful person anticipates the happy dawn, but the insomniac anticipates the morning as a bitter day.
² Watch for a chance to do good, and do not be found idle.
³ The rich person toils to amass wealth, and when he rests, he fills himself with his dainties.
⁴ Are you seated at the table of the great? Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, “How much food there is here!”
⁵ He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it.
⁶ Do not invite death by the error of your life,
or bring on destruction by the works of your hands;
⁷ Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
and do not distress yourself deliberately.
⁸ Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless, and who does not go after gold.
⁹ The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether for good or evil, and a cheerful heart makes a cheerful face.
¹⁰ Who will justify the one who sins against his own soul? And who will honor the one who dishonors his own life?
¹¹ Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men happy.
¹² Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
¹³ A musical composition in a banquet of wine is as a seal of carbuncle set in gold.
¹⁴ A man is known by his appearance, and a sensible man is known by his face when you meet him.
¹⁵ Judge your neighbor’s feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful.
¹⁶ Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour not, lest thou be hated.
¹⁷ A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
¹⁸ Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.
¹⁹ A wise man is cautious in everything.
²⁰ Sound sleep comes from moderate eating; he rises early, and his wits are with him.
²¹ The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
²² A man is known by his appearance, and a sensible man is known by his face when you meet him.
²³ A man is known by his appearance, and a sensible man is known by his face when you meet him.
²⁴ When one is invited by a man of high rank, he should be discreet, and not be in a hurry to take his seat.
²⁵ The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
²⁶ The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
²⁷ Wine is very life to man if taken in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
²⁸ Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men happy.
²⁹ Be not prodigal with your wealth, nor stingy with your goods.
³⁰ Wine is very life to man if taken in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It was created to make men glad.
³¹ And if you have been forced to eat, rise up, go out, vomit, and you will have relief.

Sirach 32:1-24: ¹ If you are a leader, command with care and great attention, for you are under scrutiny.
² Do not be ashamed to inform the wise of the following truths, and do not hide your wisdom from those who need it.
³ Speak, you who are older, for it is your right, but speak with sound judgment, and do not interrupt the music.
⁴ He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.
⁵ Do nothing without counsel, and when you have once done, do not repent.
⁶ Do not ignore the discourse of the aged, for they themselves learned from their parents; because from them you will learn understanding and how to give an answer in time of need.
⁷ Speak, you who are older, for it is your right, but speak with sound judgment, and do not hinder the music.
⁸ Let your speech be wise, and don’t be in a hurry to interrupt in the middle of a conversation.
⁹ If you are invited by a master, be deferential,
and do not stand in the way of great people.
¹⁰ Do not be ashamed to inform the wise of the following truths, and do not hide your wisdom from those who need it.
¹¹ Do not reproach a man who is turning away from sin;
remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
¹² Do nothing without counsel, and when you have once done, do not repent.
¹³ Do every work with all your heart, for the fear of the Lord and steadfastness in his ways.
¹⁴ Whoever fears the Lord will accept his discipline, and those who rise early to seek him will find favor.
¹⁵ Whoever fears the Lord will accept his discipline, and those who rise early to seek him will find favor.
¹⁶ A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure.
¹⁷ A sinful man will not be reproved, but find an excuse according to his will.
¹⁸ A man of sense will be silent till the right moment, but a boasting fool ignores the proper time.
¹⁹ Do nothing without counsel, and when you have once done, do not repent.
²⁰ Do not ignore the discourse of the wise, but be conversant with their proverbs;
²¹ Do not be ashamed to speak when it is necessary, and do not hide your wisdom for the sake of appearing wise.
²² And be not ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²³ A wise man will be silent until it is the right time to speak,
but a boasting fool will ignore the proper time.
²⁴ He who speaks from a proud heart stirs up anger,
but he who is humble in spirit will quiet contention.

Sirach 33:1-31: ¹ No evil will befall him who fears the Lord, but in trials such a one will be rescued again and again.
² A wise man hates not the law, but he that is a hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.
³ A man of small means who fears God is better than a rich man who transgresses the law.
⁴ Prepare what to say, and so you will be heard; bind up instruction, and then make answer.
⁵ The heart of a man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
⁶ A senseless man will not be disciplined with words,
and a man of understanding will not respond to them.
⁷ Why is one day more important than another, when the same sun lights up every day of the year?
⁸ By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished,
and he appointed the different seasons and festivals.
⁹ Some of them he has blessed and exalted, and some of them he has sanctified and set near himself, but some of them he has cursed and brought low, and turned them out of their place.
¹⁰ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
¹¹ In all your works be quick, no illness will overtake you.
¹² Some of them he has blessed and exalted, and some of them he has sanctified and set near himself, but some of them he has cursed and brought low, and turned them out of their place.
¹³ As the clay is in the potter’s hand to fashion it in all ways he willeth.
¹⁴ Good is set against evil, and life against death; so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
¹⁵ So it is with a man who fasts for his sins, and goes again and does the same; who will hear his prayer, and what has he gained by humbling himself?
¹⁶ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
¹⁷ Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?
¹⁸ A man of sense will not despise a sensible person, and the honor of elders will be granted to wise men.
¹⁹ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
²⁰ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
²¹ A father’s blessing gives his children support,
but a mother’s curse drives them far away.
²² A wise teacher will instruct his people, and the fruits of his understanding will endure.
²³ When you are among the congregation of the Mighty,
bow your head.
²⁴ When you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.
²⁵ If you have a son, be gentle with him, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.
²⁶ A yoke and a collar do not help a stubborn servant; and with a surly slave, an evil master.
²⁷ Send him to labor that he be not idle, for idleness teaches much evil.
²⁸ Set bounds for your mouth and yoke for your neck.
²⁹ Some things are easier for one than for another, but to each according to his way.
³⁰ If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth.
³¹ If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth.

Sirach 34:1-26: ¹ The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false, and dreams lift up fools.
² He who fears the Lord will not be afraid or alarmed, for he is his hope.
³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
⁴ What is created more unjust than a graven image, for its maker will trust in his creation— to make dumb idols?
⁵ One who keeps the law makes many offerings; one who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
⁶ If they are humiliated in the days of their weakness, they will be remembered in the days of their strength; for all things are vanity to the humiliated.
⁷ So also a man who fasts for his sins, but then goes and does the same things again, who will listen to his prayer, and what has he gained by humbling himself?
⁸ The law of the Most High is not like the laws of other nations; it does not keep one from repenting, nor does it allow forgiveness to be forgotten.
⁹ A man who breaks a vow is like a ship that forsakes its course.
¹⁰ The bread of the needy is their life; whoever withholds it is a murderer.
¹¹ The bread of the needy is their life; whoever withholds it is a murderer.
¹² Before you pray, prepare yourself,
and do not be like one who tempts the Lord.
¹³ The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, for their hope is in him who saves them.
¹⁴ The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him, a mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from scorching wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.
¹⁵ Blessed is the soul of the one who fears the Lord, and who keeps his commandments.
¹⁶ So the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
¹⁷ He who fears the Lord will not be timid,
nor play the coward,
for he is his hope.
¹⁸ He who sacrifices from what is taken from the poor is like one who sacrifices a son before his father.
¹⁹ The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him,
a mighty shield and strong support,
a shelter from scorching wind and a shade from noonday sun,
a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.
²⁰ The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him,
a mighty shield and strong support,
a shelter from scorching wind and a shade from noonday sun,
a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.
²¹ The bread of the needy is their life; whoever withholds it is a man of blood.
²² The almsgiver is like a well of living water, and like a flowing river is the person who shows mercy.
²³ When one keeps the law, it leads to life, and whoever obeys the commandments experiences no harm.
²⁴ So is it with a man who fasts for his sins and goes again and does the same; who will hear his prayer, and what has he gained by humbling himself?
²⁵ So the Lord will not be lacking in anything, and he who fears the Lord will be satisfied with his lot.
²⁶ A man who fasts for his sins, and does the same sins again, who will hear his prayer, and what has he gained by humbling himself?

Sirach 35:1-26: ¹ He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
² He gives to the merciful, and he adds to the gifts of the generous.
³ To refrain from evil pleases the Lord,
and to avoid injustice is an atonement.
⁴ He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
⁵ He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
⁶ For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.
⁷ Do not offer a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice, for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.
⁸ The sacrifice of a righteous person is acceptable, and the memory of it will not be forgotten.
⁹ The offering of a righteous man pleases the Most High, and it will not be forgotten.
¹⁰ Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
and as generously as you can afford.
¹¹ Do not be slow to visit the sick, for by such things you will be tested.
¹² Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice, for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.
¹³ He will not show partiality to the poor or defer to the great, but he will judge with equity.
¹⁴ He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.
¹⁵ Do not offer a bribe, for it blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.
¹⁶ He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.
¹⁷ He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.
¹⁸ For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.
¹⁹ “Do not offer a bribe, for it blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.”
²⁰ He is not partial to the poor
but listens to the prayer of one who is afflicted.
²¹ to do justice is joy to a man, and it is a disgrace to show partiality.
²² He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
²³ One who keeps the law makes many offerings; one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being.
²⁴ He who requites a good turn offers fine flour, and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
²⁵ To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
²⁶ He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.

Sirach 36:1-31: ¹ Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us,
² “Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and show us the light of your mercies,”
³ Cheer the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
⁴ As you have been pleased to make the sun shine and the moon to give light, so have you gladdened us with the light of your face.
⁵ Gather all the tribes of Jacob, and give them their inheritance, as at the beginning.
⁶ And have mercy on the people who are called by your name, and on Israel, whom you have named your firstborn.
⁷ Raise up the sign for the tribes, and bring them together, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the ends of the earth.
⁸ Gather all the tribes of Jacob, and give them their inheritance, as at the beginning.
⁹ “Let the nations know that you are called by your name, and that you are the God of Israel.”
¹⁰ Gather all the tribes of Jacob, and give them their inheritance, as at the beginning.
¹¹ Gather all the tribes of Jacob, and give them their inheritance, as at the beginning.
¹² O Lord, have mercy on the people who are called by your name, and on Israel, whom you have named your firstborn.
¹³ Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and look upon us, and send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after thee.
¹⁴ “Have mercy upon us, O Lord, the God of all, and look upon us,”
¹⁵ Give testimony to those who have done you good, and keep in mind what a friend has done for you.
¹⁶ May all your enemies be scattered;
may all who hate you flee before you.
¹⁷ O Lord, hear the prayer of your servants, according to the blessing of Aaron for your people, and all who are on the earth will know that you are the Lord, the God of the ages.
¹⁸ The heart of the intelligent will ponder a parable,
and an attentive ear is the wise man’s desire.
¹⁹ As fire consumes the forest and as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
²⁰ As the sun when it rises in the heavens, so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.
²¹ “A broken heart and a contrite spirit, O God, you will not despise.”
²² The light of your eyes will shine like the morning sun; your youth will be renewed like the eagles.
²³ Show favor, O Lord, to your people; turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and give thanks to your name.
²⁴ He who takes vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, and will surely be punished for his sins.
²⁵ O Lord, save us by your hand, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.
²⁶ O Lord, have mercy on the people who are called by your name, and on Israel, whom you have named your firstborn.
²⁷ Look on the rainbow and praise him who made it; it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.
²⁸ As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills the whole world.
²⁹ Send your fear upon the nations who have not sought after you, that they may know that there is no God besides you, and that they may show forth your wonders.
³⁰ A man’s life is in the hand of the Lord, and he will give him the things that are good for him.
³¹ The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will proclaim their praise.

Sirach 37:1-31: ¹ Every friend says, “I too am a friend”; but some friends are friends only in name.
² A wise man is cautious in everything, and in the days of sin he keeps watch over his ways.
³ And beware of your neighbor, and put no trust in any of his ways; for every neighborhood is full of deceit.
⁴ There is a cleverness that is detestable, and a fool is more so than a drunken man.
⁵ Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own.
⁶ For some are a friend when it suits them, but do not stand by you in time of trouble.
⁷ Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own.
⁸ For every friend says, “I too am a friend”; but some friends are friends only in name.
⁹ For all living things become old like a garment,
for the decree from of old is, “You must surely die!”
¹⁰ Consult not with one who suspects you; And hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.
¹¹ Do not be slow to visit a sick man, for by such deeds you will gain the love of him.
¹² But be continually with a godly man, whom you know to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose mind is like your own mind, and who will grieve with you if you fail.
¹³ Let reason be the beginning of every work, and let counsel go before every action.
¹⁴ For a man’s mind is sometimes wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in a high tower.
¹⁵ Every beast loves its like, and every man his neighbor.
¹⁶ Let reason be the beginning of every work, and let counsel go before every action.
¹⁷ The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,
and an attentive ear is the wise man’s joy.
¹⁸ Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own.
¹⁹ There is a companion who rejoices in the success of a friend, but in time of trouble will be against him.
²⁰ A father’s blessing gives a person the strength of an ox, and a mother’s blessing is better than a house full of treasures.
²¹ The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether for good or evil, and a cheerful countenance reveals a good heart.
²² A wise man is cautious in everything.
²³ A friend is faithful to the end, and a brother is born for adversity.
²⁴ A wise man is cautious in everything, and in the days of sin he keeps watch over his ways.
²⁵ The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether for good or evil, and a cheerful heart makes a cheerful face.
²⁶ A wise man’s knowledge is like a river that overflows, and his counsel is like a pure spring of water.
²⁷ My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
²⁸ There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them.
²⁹ Be not impulsive in time of calamity; calm yourself and do not be hasty to act.
³⁰ For excess food is not what befits a man, and any gluttony will be the downfall of the eater.
³¹ So also a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend; but a counsel of the soul is like death in the heart.

Sirach 38:1-34: ¹ Honor the physician with the honor due him, according to your need of him, for the Lord created him.
² for the Lord created him; and he returned him to the power of the earth.
³ When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest, and be comforted for him when his spirit is departed.
⁴ The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible person will not despise them.
⁵ The Lord has created medicines out of the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them.
⁶ By his knowledge the Lord has distinguished them,
and he has appointed the different seasons and feasts.
⁷ With such doth he heal a man, and taketh away his pain; and of such doth the apothecary make a confection; and of his works there is no end; and from him is peace over all the earth.
⁸ To physicians also, because the Lord created them,
for their gift of healing comes from the Most High,
and they are rewarded by the king.
⁹ My son, in your sickness do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.
¹⁰ Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness.
¹¹ My son, in your sickness do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.
¹² Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; let him not leave you, for there is need of him.
¹³ The man who sins before his Maker, let him fall into the hands of the physician.
¹⁴ For they too were created by the Most High; and what can a man do to deserve them?
¹⁵ He who sins before his Maker, let him fall into the hands of the physician.
¹⁶ My son, let tears fall down over the dead, and begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself; and then cover his body according to the custom, and neglect not his burial.
¹⁷ Be kind to a father whose children have forsaken him,
and do not despise a mother when she is old.
¹⁸ For of the Most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king.
¹⁹ In his works the doctor glories, and the apothecary prepares his medicines.
²⁰ Do not disregard the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs;
²¹ Remember that his fate will be like yours; tomorrow he will die.
²² Remember my judgment, for thine also shall be so; yesterday for me, and today for thee.
²³ When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest, and be comforted for him when his spirit is departed.
²⁴ The wisdom of a scribe comes by his time of leisure, and he who is less in action will receive wisdom.
²⁵ When you have been successful, let your neighbor share in the glory, but when you are brought low, do not be afraid of him.
²⁶ The skill of the physician lifts up his head, and in the presence of great men he is admired.
²⁷ When he kneads the dough, he will give it to his servants to eat.
²⁸ The smith also sitting by the anvil, and considering the iron work, the vapor of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace.
²⁹ So they will not be concerned about any disgrace.
³⁰ So do not despise the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs; for from them you will acquire discipline and the power to serve princes.
³¹ All these rely on their hands,
and each is skillful in his own work.
³² Without these, a city cannot be inhabited, and wherever they exist, they will not go hungry.
³³ From the woman came the beginning of sin,
and because of her we all die.
³⁴ But they will maintain the fabric of the world, and their concern is for the exercise of their skill.

Sirach 39:1-35: ¹ He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients and is concerned with prophecies;
² He will give his heart to seek the law of the Lord and is diligent in prayer.
³ Many are the hidden things greater than these,
for we have seen but a few of his works.
⁴ He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients
and is concerned with prophecies.
⁵ The word of the Lord is great and powerful; he is honored by those who keep it.
⁶ If he gives them his mind, and if he gathers them to himself, his ways are past finding out.
⁷ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
⁸ There are those who have no sense and yet trust in their own cleverness,
⁹ Many are the hidden things greater than these,
for we have seen but a few of his works.
¹⁰ Be like a wise astrologer who sees with the eyes of the Lord and is guided in all he does by his insight.
¹¹ Many are the ways of the wicked, but the one who does what is right walks in safety.
¹² His ways are plain to the holy,
but the wicked are ensnared by their abominations.
¹³ Listen to me, my son, and acquire knowledge,
and pay close attention to my words.
¹⁴ And give thanks to him in his works with a song, and in his deeds with praise.
¹⁵ And as for me, I will sing of your majesty above all living beings.
¹⁶ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
¹⁷ And none may say, “What is this? Why is that?” for at the appointed time all such questions will be answered.
¹⁸ At his word the waters stood in a heap, and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.
¹⁹ The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hidden from his eyes.
²⁰ When he glorified the Lord, the Most High, and when he showed his strength, he put a stop to the enemy and averted his anger.
²¹ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
²² In all his works the Most High has ordained them, and in his mighty power he has established forever.
²³ All this is the book of the covenant of the Most High God, the law that Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the congregations of Jacob.
²⁴ Be steadfast in your understanding and let your word be consistent.
²⁵ In all that he does, the Lord has made them prosper, and in his hands are the good and the evil.
²⁶ The principal things for the whole use of man’s life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
²⁷ All these things are for good to the godly, so to the sinners they are turned into evil.
²⁸ There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them.
²⁹ Fire and hail and famine and pestilence,
all these were created for vengeance;
³⁰ When you glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as you can, for even yet will he far exceed.
³¹ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
³² Therefore from the beginning I have been resolved, and have meditated, and thought on these things, and left them in writing:
³³ All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
³⁴ So now with the eyes of the Lord I say:
I will not keep silent before him,
but I will speak out in the assembly of his people,
and I will declare what I have heard.
³⁵ So now with the eyes of the Lord I say:
I will not keep silent before him,
but I will speak out in my complaint to God.

Sirach 40:1-30: ¹ Great anxiety has come to man, and heavy yoke lies upon the children of Adam, from the day they come out of their mother’s womb to the day they return to the mother of all.
² Like a ship that sails through the heaving waves,
when it has passed, no trace can be found,
no track of its keel in the waves.
³ The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
⁴ Yet for all this, the people did not turn back to the Lord of hosts.
⁵ The signs of a hypocrite are many, and he is a master of deceit.
⁶ A little or a lot, what does it matter? Wealth is a snare for those who fear the Lord, and it will not make them stumble.
⁷ All living beings become old like a garment,
for the decree from of old is, “You must die!”
⁸ What is heavier than lead, and what is its name but “Fool”?
⁹ Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
¹⁰ Like a dream one who awakes, so, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
¹¹ All things are wearisome;
man is not able to utter it.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
¹² All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will last forever.
¹³ The goods of the unjust shall dry up like a river, and shall vanish with a noise like thunder in rain.
¹⁴ The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.
¹⁵ Gold and silver make a man’s feet stand firm, but good counsel is esteemed more than them.
¹⁶ A man’s prosperity may be his downfall, and a poor man’s adversity may be his prosperity.
¹⁷ The first man did not know wisdom fully, neither will the last one fathom her.
¹⁸ Like a eunuch who has been wronged in the matter of a virgin, so is the person who does right under compulsion.
¹⁹ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
²⁰ All his works are done in pairs, one the opposite of the other.
²¹ A father’s blessing gives a person long life; his mother’s curse cuts life short.
²² A father’s blessing gives a person long life; his mother’s curse cuts life short.
²³ A friend and companion never meet amiss,
but are ever a support to each other.
²⁴ My child, be not too severe toward the poor, and do not magnify your own faults.
²⁵ Gold and silver make a man’s heart melt,
but a wise man is able to resist.
²⁶ The sinner will not escape with his plunder, and the patience of the godly will not be frustrated.
²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish.
²⁸ My son, lead not a beggar’s life, for better to die than to beg.
²⁹ When all is said and done, the end of a person is better than its beginning.
³⁰ Like a ship that sails through the billowy water,
and when it has passed no trace can be found,
no track of its keel in the waves;

Sirach 41:1-24: ¹ O death, how bitter is the remembrance of you to a man who lives at rest in his possessions,

² Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than chronic sickness.
³ Fear not the sentence of death; remember those who have gone before you and those who will come after.
⁴ Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than chronic sickness.
⁵ The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
⁶ The inheritance of sinners’ children will perish, and the posterity of the ungodly will be utterly cut off.
⁷ The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
⁸ Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High!
⁹ The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
¹⁰ The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
¹¹ Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than chronic sickness.
¹² Have no shame in your father’s life, and do not be ashamed when he is old.
¹³ The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, and the posterity of the ungodly will be utterly cut off.
¹⁴ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not be ashamed to be a friend of a sinner.
¹⁵ Fear not the sentence of death; remember those who have gone before you and have been made like them.
¹⁶ The mourning of men is about their bodies, but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
¹⁷ The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
¹⁸ The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish.
¹⁹ The memory of the wicked will rot.
²⁰ O how great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to those who turn to him!
²¹ Fear not the sentence of death; remember those who have gone before you and have been in the same situation.
²² The memory of the wicked will rot.
²³ A friend and a companion never meet amiss, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
²⁴ The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.

Sirach 42:1-25: ¹ So is the one who is harsh to himself; he will have no mercy.
² Be not bold in your speech, nor sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
³ And of the things of his works there is no end, and from him health spreads over all the earth.
⁴ Like a signet ring in a swine’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
⁵ She will be known among the people, and remembered in the assembly of the elders.
⁶ The Lord has not granted to the sons of men the power to declare the things that are hidden.
⁷ Deliver all things in number and weight,
and put all in writing who is given what.
⁸ Be not ashamed to instruct the unwise and foolish, and the extreme aged that contendeth with those that are young:
⁹ The father’s blessing gives support to the houses of children,
but the mother’s curse uproots their foundations.
¹⁰ In her virginity, lest she should be defiled and gotten with child in her father’s house, and having a husband, lest she should misbehave herself, and when she is married, lest she should be barren.
¹¹ Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and the assembly of the people, and put you to shame before the great multitude.
¹² Behold not every body’s beauty, and sit not in the midst of women.
¹³ The Most High does not approve of the offerings of the ungodly, nor is he propitiated for sins by a multitude of sacrifices.
¹⁴ Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace.
¹⁵ I will now call to mind the works of the Lord,
and will declare what I have seen.
By the words of the Lord his works are done,
and by his word all things are created.
¹⁶ The sun looks down on everything with its light, and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.
¹⁷ The Lord has not empowered even his holy ones to recount all his marvelous works, which the Lord the Almighty has established, so that the universe may stand firm in his glory.
¹⁸ He searches out the deep and the heart, and he understands their secrets, for the Most High knows all that may be known.
¹⁹ He declares the things that are past, and the things that are to come, and reveals the traces of hidden things.
²⁰ Do not ridicule a person who is old, for some of us are also growing old.
²¹ Do not be ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged who quarrel with those who are young.
²² All things are in pairs, each the opposite of the other, but nothing the Lord made is incomplete.
²³ All these things are for good to the godly, so to the sinners they are turned into evil.
²⁴ All things are in pairs, each the opposite of the other, but nothing the Lord made is incomplete.
²⁵ Turn to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

Sirach 43:1-33: ¹ The pride of the higher realms is the clear vault of the sky, as glorious to behold as the sight of the heavens.
² When the sun rises, they steal away
and lie down in their dens.
³ By his command he sends the driving snow
and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.
⁴ A mighty tempest cannot shake a mountain; such is the righteous one’s trust.
⁵ Great is the Lord who made it, and at his command it hastens to obey him.
⁶ He made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
⁷ From the moon comes the sign for festal days,
a light that wanes when it completes its course.
⁸ The sun and moon and stars are bright,
and when sent to do their service, they are obedient.
⁹ And the beauty of the heavens is the glory of God.
¹⁰ By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.
¹¹ Look at the rainbow and praise him who made it; it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.
¹² It is he who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
¹³ By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.
¹⁴ Beyond these, the rainbow shines, brighter than the sun; its beauty lights up the sky.
¹⁵ The rainbow also, it appears in the clouds as a light of glory in the skies.
¹⁶ When the mountains and the hills are shaken
And the foundations of the earth tremble.
¹⁷ How beautiful is the moon as it rises, a glowing beacon in the heavens, arrayed in the glory of the stars.
¹⁸ By his plan he stilled the deep and planted islands in it.
¹⁹ The rainbow also, it appears in the clouds as a sign of the Most High’s glory.
²⁰ When the sun rises, they steal away
and lie down in their dens.
²¹ By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.
²² The sun, when it appears, making proclamation as it goes forth, is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High.
²³ By his plan he stilled the deep and planted islands in it.
²⁴ When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
²⁵ When he drenches the mountains with rain
and makes all the grass of the field grow.
²⁶ By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.
²⁷ We could say more but could never say enough; let the final word be: “He is the all.”
²⁸ And when the Lord created the world, his works were beautiful before him.
²⁹ A sign for all people is the day when light dawns and the sun rises.
³⁰ When you glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as you can, for even yet will he far exceed.
³¹ And I have seen how the seasons change, and how the sun and moon rise and set in their courses.
³² He glows like a flaming fire when he appears; the mountains melt before him.
³³ I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

Sirach 44:1-23: ¹ Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations.
² Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also for their sake.
³ Praise of the Ancestors – Leaders of the people in their generations by the Lord’s covenant, and their renown of great men through the ages.
⁴ Leaders of the people by their counsels,
and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people,
wise and eloquent are their instructions.
⁵ Some of them have left a name so that others declare their praise.
⁶ By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished,
and he apportioned their ways.
⁷ All these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
⁸ There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and were men renowned for their power,
giving counsel by their understanding,
and proclaiming prophecies;
⁹ And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them.
¹⁰ But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten.
¹¹ And all these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
¹² And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them.
¹³ Their offspring will continue forever, and their glory will never be blotted out.
¹⁴ All these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
¹⁵ And some of them have left a name so that others declare their praise.
¹⁶ Enoch pleased the Lord and was taken up; he was an example of repentance to all generations.
¹⁷ Some of them have left behind a name,
so that others declare their praise.
¹⁸ Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and no one has been found like him in glory.
¹⁹ Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations, and no one has been found like him in glory.
²⁰ Beloved of the Lord and men, whose memory is in blessing.
²¹ Therefore the Lord assured him with an oath that the nations would be blessed through his offspring; that he would make them as numerous as the dust of the earth, and exalt their offspring like the stars, and give them an inheritance from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
²² With Isaac, he established for him the same assurance
for the sake of Abraham his father.
²³ All these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.

Sirach 45:1-26: ¹ From his descendants the Lord brought forth a righteous man, who found favor in the sight of all flesh, Moses.
² He made him like his glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
³ He made him like his glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
⁴ He exalted him before the people and gave him a commandment, and he made him a leader over his people.
⁵ He made him like the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
⁶ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
⁷ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
⁸ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
⁹ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
¹⁰ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
¹¹ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
¹² He made him like the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
¹³ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
¹⁴ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
¹⁵ He made him like the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
¹⁶ He made him like the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
¹⁷ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
¹⁸ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
¹⁹ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
²⁰ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
²¹ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
²² He exalted Aaron, a holy man like his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
²³ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like no other; he appointed him to be the priest of his people.
²⁴ In his faithfulness he was found a prophet, and by his words he was known as a faithful seer.
²⁵ He gave him the covenant of the priesthood and made him a leader of his people, to bind the testimony and to teach Jacob his ordinances.
²⁶ He exalted Aaron, a holy man like no other; he appointed him to be the priest of his people.

Sirach 46:1-20: ¹ Jesus the son of Sirach, the man of wisdom, was honored in his generation, and was found righteous in his days.
² How glorious he was when he appeared from the tent of the testimony, and when he came down on the mount of Sinai!
³ He was zealous for the law of the Most High, and in the days of his life he established the worship of God.
⁴ He did great things in his days, such as never were done before in Israel.
⁵ He was a great prophet, whose words were heard in the land of Egypt.
⁶ He did great things in his days, and was renowned in his time.
⁷ He was zealous for the law of the Most High, and in the days of his life he established the worship of God.
⁸ So the Lord gave him a command, and he was a prophet to the people.
⁹ The Lord gave him strength in his mighty deeds, and he honored him with his words.
¹⁰ He was a great prophet, whose words were heard in the land of Egypt.
¹¹ And he was as a lion’s whelp, and he roared like a lion.
¹² He did not take away his mercy from him; he gave him a covenant of peace and made him a leader, that he might be a shepherd of his people.
¹³ He was zealous for the law of God and took action against those who transgressed it.
¹⁴ He was zealous for the law of God and took action against those who transgressed it.
¹⁵ He was zealous for the law of God and took action against those who transgressed it.
¹⁶ He did not take away his mercy from him; he gave him a covenant of peace and made him a leader, that he might be a shepherd of his people.
¹⁷ He was a man of great faith, and he was a prophet of the Lord.
¹⁸ He was as a lion’s whelp, and as a lion that roareth, and did not turn back from any.
¹⁹ The Lord gave him strength in his mighty battles, and he was the leader of his people in the days of his trials.
²⁰ He was a man of great strength, and he was a warrior, and he was a man of great wisdom.

Sirach 47:1-25: ¹ And after him rose up Nathan to prophesy in the days of David.
² As is the name of a man, so is his praise; and it is not to be spoken of in the same way as the name of a man.
³ He made the sun to shine upon the earth, and he filled it with the abundance of his goodness.
⁴ In his days he did good to the people, and established the worship of God.
⁵ In his days he did not tremble at any man, and no man was able to withstand his words.
⁶ He exalted the kings and their thrones, and he made their crowns to shine.
⁷ And he was beloved by his Maker, and he was honored in the midst of his brethren.
⁸ And in his days he did not turn back from sin, and he did not bring the people back to the Lord.
⁹ His memory was as sweet as honey, and he was a man of great wisdom.
¹⁰ But the Lord did not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.
¹¹ And the Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever.
¹² So he praised the Lord with his whole heart, and he loved his Maker.
¹³ Solomon reigned in a time of peace, and God gave him rest on every side, that he might build a house to his name and prepare a sanctuary forever.
¹⁴ He made the people see and hear the glory of his majesty, and he was exalted in the sight of all.
¹⁵ He made the sun to shine upon the earth, and he filled it with the abundance of his goodness.
¹⁶ He made the sun to shine upon the earth, and he filled it with the abundance of his goodness.
¹⁷ He made the people see and hear the glory of his majesty, and he was exalted in the sight of the nations.
¹⁸ He gathered a great army and ruled over the people, and he was renowned for his wisdom and strength.
¹⁹ He made the people see and hear, and he gave them a heart to understand.
²⁰ He made the people know his power, and he gave them a sign of his glory.
²¹ He made the nations tremble at his word; he showed them his glory.
²² But the Lord will never leave them, and he will not forsake his people.
²³ But the Lord will never leave them, nor forsake them, and he will not let them be put to shame.
²⁴ But the Lord will never leave them, and their memory will not perish.
²⁵ But the Lord will never leave them, and he will not forsake his people.

Sirach 48:1-25: ¹ Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch.
² In their anger they made a covenant with one another to come together and destroy him.
³ In his time, he spoke out against wickedness, and he was chosen as a prophet of the Most High.
⁴ how glorious you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have?
⁵ how glorious you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have?
⁶ And to this day the heart of Elijah burns with zeal for the law.
⁷ And you raised up a prophet, Elijah, in your faithfulness, to be a herald of future deliverance.
⁸ Thus he brought down the zeal of the king to anger him, and he made him drunk with the bowl of his wrath.
⁹ You were taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire.
¹⁰ You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of parents to their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
¹¹ May he give you the blessing of Abraham, and may he make you worthy to possess the promised land.
¹² And in his days the sunken cisterns will be filled with healing; they will drop their water into the garden of delight,
¹³ And in his days, the sun and the moon stood still,
and at his command they hastened together.
¹⁴ that you might know that it is he who has delivered you from the land of the Egyptians.
¹⁵ Therefore he delivered them into the hand of the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them.
¹⁶ Hezekiah fortified his city and brought in water to it; he dug a tunnel with a bronze rod.
¹⁷ Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord, and he held firmly to the ways of his ancestor David, as his father Uzziah had directed him.
¹⁸ No one but Enoch has been created to equal him in glory.
¹⁹ And in his days crops grew plentifully, for the Most High gave the rain that made them grow.
²⁰ The dead shall arise from their graves, and those in the tombs shall be raised up and those in the earth shall rejoice.
²¹ And Elijah appeared, zealous for the law, as it is written in the book of the covenant of the law, anointing kings and prophets and to inflict vengeance on the enemy.
²² And in the days of Elisha, the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
²³ In his days, the sun went backward,
and the righteous were able to walk in the ways of the Lord.
²⁴ Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord, and he held firmly to the ways of his ancestor David, as his father Uzziah had commanded him.
²⁵ So by the spirit of might he saw the last things and comforted those who mourned in Zion.

Sirach 49:1-16: ¹ But of the tribe of Benjamin, the leader was Jonathan, son of Gershom, son of Manasseh; for he was a man of great strength and valor.
² As for the sons of Jacob, they were not consumed, for they were the seed of the righteous.
³ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant, and his name is like a sweet fragrance.
⁴ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet as honey in all the mouth of the people.
⁵ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet as honey in all the mouth of the people.
⁶ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant, and his name is like a sweet fragrance.
⁷ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet as honey in all the mouth of the people.
⁸ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant, and his name is like a sweet fragrance.
⁹ But of the twelve prophets, let the memorial be blessed, and let their bones flourish out of their place.
¹⁰ But above all, let us give thanks to the Lord our God, who has given us wisdom and understanding.
¹¹ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant, and his name is like a sweet fragrance.
¹² But of the twelve prophets, let the memory of the twelve be blessed.
¹³ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant.
¹⁴ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant, and his name is like a sweet fragrance.
¹⁵ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant.
¹⁶ And the memory of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet and fragrant, and his name is like a sweet fragrance.

Sirach 50:1-29: ¹ The leader of his brothers and the pride of his people was Simon the high priest of the Lord, and in his life he repaired the house and in his time fortified the temple.
² And like the flower of roses in the days of new fruits,
like lilies at the waterspring,
like a sprig of frankincense in summer,
like fire and incense in the censer,
³ When he put on the robe of honor and was clothed with the perfection of glory, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
⁴ Before the sun, the moon, and the stars, the light of day, and the powers of heaven, were created, he displayed his glory.
⁵ And he put on a robe of honor and clothed himself with the perfection of glory; everlasting praises were upon his lips; his authority will continue forever and ever.
⁶ And all the people together gave praise with their voices, and the trumpets were sounded by those who were skillful in playing them, and the sweet melody of the songs increased.
⁷ And all the sons of Aaron in their splendor, with the offerings of the Lord in their hands, before the whole congregation of Israel,
⁸ When he put on his glorious robe and clothed himself with superb splendor, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
⁹ And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athanasius had been restored.
¹⁰ And as a seal upon your right hand, a signet ring upon your right hand, so I was a seal upon your heart, and on your arm.
¹¹ And all the people together hastened and fell to the ground on their faces to worship their Lord God Most High, the Almighty, the one who gives help to those who are in need and puts down the proud and raises the lowly.
¹² And the people of the Lord saw his glory and the splendor that he wore upon his head.
¹³ And all the people together hurried and fell to the ground on their faces to worship their Lord God Most High, the Almighty God, the Creator of all.
¹⁴ His offering was a sweet-smelling sacrifice, a memorial of crushed incense, in accordance with the ordinance of the Lord.
¹⁵ And the people of the Lord saw his glory and his cloud resting on the temple, and they stood with their hands stretched out in prayer.
¹⁶ And all the people together hastened and fell to the ground on their faces to worship their Lord God Most High, the Almighty God.
¹⁷ And all the people together quickly fell to the ground on their faces to worship their Lord, the Almighty, God Most High.
¹⁸ May he give you wisdom in your heart to judge his people in righteousness, so that their prosperity may not vanish, and that their glory may endure throughout their generations.
¹⁹ When he put on his glorious robe and clothed himself with superb splendor, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
²⁰ May he give you wisdom in your heart to judge his people in righteousness, so that their prosperity may not vanish, and that their glory may endure throughout their generations.
²¹ May he give you wisdom in your heart to judge his people in righteousness, so that their prosperity may not vanish, and that their glory may endure throughout their generations.
²² And now bless the God of all, who in every way does great things; who exalts our days from birth, and deals with us according to his mercy.
²³ And all the people together hastened and fell to the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, who had prospered them.
²⁴ And every man bowed down to him, each in his own place, and they were scattered throughout the land of Israel.
²⁵ May his compassion be upon us in the sight of those who have captured us,
²⁶ When he put on the robe of honor and was clothed with the perfection of glory, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
²⁷ And when he put on his glorious robe and clothed himself with superb splendor, and when he went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
²⁸ And when the people saw this, they fell to the ground and worshiped their Lord.
²⁹ And when the people saw it, they said, “What a marvel is this that the Lord has done for us today!”

Sirach 51:1-30: ¹ I will give thanks to you, O Lord, O King,
and will praise you, O God my Savior;
I give thanks to your name.
² When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
³ I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.
⁴ Draw near to me, you who are uneducated, and lodge in the house of instruction.
⁵ For I made a covenant with my eyes, and I will not gaze at a virgin.
⁶ Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
⁷ I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.
⁸ I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.
⁹ I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.
¹⁰ I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.
¹¹ I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for you have been my protector and helper, and have delivered me from destruction, and have preserved me in time of trouble.
¹² When I was young and innocent,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
¹³ While I was still young, before I went on my travels, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
¹⁴ I prayed for understanding, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
¹⁵ I directed my soul to seek her, and in purity I found her.
¹⁶ When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
¹⁷ I opened my mouth and said, “Acquire wisdom for yourselves without money.
¹⁸ I opened my mouth and said, “Acquire wisdom for yourselves without money.
¹⁹ And I prayed to the Lord, and I said, “O Lord my God, do not forsake me; do not leave me alone in my distress.”
²⁰ I directed my soul to seek her, and in purity I found her.
²¹ While I was still young, before I went on my travels, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
²² When I was young and innocent,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
²³ Draw near to me, you who are uneducated, and lodge in the house of instruction.
²⁴ I raised my soul to the Lord, and I said: “O Lord, you are my God;
²⁵ I opened my mouth and said, “Buy her for yourselves for a price.”
²⁶ Put your neck under her yoke,
and let your souls receive instruction;
it is to be found close by.
²⁷ Look at the rainbow and praise him who made it; it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.
²⁸ Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
²⁹ Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and do not be ashamed of his praise.
³⁰ Do not put confidence in dishonest gains, for they are of no value on the day of wrath.