1  He shows mercy who lends to his neighbor, for he keeps the commandments by strengthening him.

1  He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.

2  Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and receive it again from your neighbor in his time.

2  Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.

3  Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time.

3  Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee.

4  Many have treated a loan like found money, and they offered trouble to those who helped them.

4  Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.

5  Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and they humble their voice in promises.

5  Till he hath received, he will kiss a man’s hand; and for his neighbour’s money he will speak submissly: but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time.

6  But at the time of repayment, they will ask for more time, and they will speak annoying and complaining words, and they will make excuses for the time.

7  Then, if he is able to repay, he will turn away. He will pay barely one half, and he will consider it as if he had found it.

Sir29:6  If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count as if he had found it: if not, he hath deprived him of his money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with cursings and railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace.

8  But if not, then he will defraud him of his money, and he will have him as an enemy without cause.

9  And he will repay him with accusations and curses, and he will repay him with contempt, instead of with honor and kindness.

10  Many have refused to lend, not because of wickedness, but because they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.

Sir29:7  Many therefore have refused to lend for other men’s ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.

11  Yet truly, be more steadfast toward the humble, and you should not delay in acts of mercy toward them.

Sir29:8  Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew him mercy.

12  Assist the poor because of the commandment. And you should not send him away empty because of his dire need.

Sir29:9  Help the poor for the commandment’s sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.

13  Lose your money to your brother and your friend. For you should not hide it under a stone to be lost.

Sir29:10  Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.

14  Let your treasure be in the precepts of the Most High, and it will benefit you more than gold.

Sir29:11  Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.

15  Store your alms in the hearts of the poor, and it will obtain help for you against all evil.

Sir29:12  Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall deliver thee from all affliction.

16  Better than the shield or the lance of a powerful man,

17  it will fight for you against your enemy.

Sir29:13  It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.

18  A good man offers credit for the sake of his neighbor. But one who abandons him to himself will perish in shame.

Sir29:14  An honest man is surety for his neighbour: but he that is impudent will forsake him.

19  You should not forget the kindness of your benefactor. For he has offered his life on your behalf.

Sir29:15  Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his life for thee.

20  The sinner and the unclean flee from such promises.

21  A sinner attributes to himself the goods of his loan. And an ungrateful mind will abandon the one who has freed him.

Sir29:16  A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety

22  A man offers credit to his neighbor. But when he will have lost respect, he will abandon him.

Sir29:17  And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him in danger that delivered him.

23  A wicked promise has destroyed many who had good intentions, and has tossed them like a wave on the ocean.

Sir29:18  Suretiship hath undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men hath it driven from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.

24  It has caused powerful men to travel around, and they have wandered amid foreign nations.

25  A sinner transgressing the commandment of the Lord will fall into a wicked promise. And he who undertakes many things will fall into judgment.

Sir29:19  A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertaketh and followeth other men’s business for gain shall fall into suits.

26  Help your neighbor to recover according to your ability, but attend to yourself, lest you also fall.

Sir29:20  Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.

27  The primary need in a man’s life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to protect modesty.

Sir29:21  The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.

28  A pauper’s food under a roof of boards is better than a splendid feast on a sojourn away from home.

Sir29:22  Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man’s house.

29  Let yourself be pleased with little instead of much, and you will not hear the reproach of being away from home.

Sir29:23  Be it little or much, hold thee contented, that thou hear not the reproach of thy house.

30  It is a wicked life to go from house to house as a guest. For wherever he is a guest, he will not act confidently, nor open his mouth.

Sir29:24  For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth.

31  He will entertain, and feed, and give drink to the ungrateful, and beyond this, he will listen to bitter words

Sir29:25  Thou shalt entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover thou shalt hear bitter words

32  “Go, my guest, and set the table, and let others eat from what you have in your hand.”

Sir29:26  Come, thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that thou hast ready.

33  “Depart from the honored face of my friends. For it has become necessary for my house to host my brother instead.”

Sir29:27  Give place, thou stranger, to an honourable man; my brother cometh to be lodged, and I have need of mine house.

34  These things are grievous to a man having understanding: to take advantage of a household, and to reproach a lender.

30:1  He who loves his son will frequently chastise him, so that he may be happy in the very end, and not grope for the doors of his neighbors.

1  He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end.

30:2  He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household.

2  He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him, and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.

30:3  He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him.

3  He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy: and before his friends he shall rejoice of him.

30:4  When his father has died, it will be as if he were not dead. For he will have left behind someone who is like himself.

4  Though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.

30:5  In his life, he saw him and rejoiced in him. And at his passing, he was not sorrowful, nor was he confounded in the sight of his enemies.

5  While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died, he was not sorrowful.

30:6  For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness.

6  He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one that shall requite kindness to his friends.

30:7  For the sake of the souls of his sons, he will bind up his wounds, and at every voice, his gut will be stirred up.

7  He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; and his bowels will be troubled at every cry.

30:8  An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong.

8  An horse not broken becometh headstrong: and a child left to himself will be wilful.

30:9  Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful.

9  Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness.

30:10  You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth be clenched.

10  Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.

30:11  You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts.

11  Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies.

30:12  Bow down his neck in his youth, and slap his sides while he is a child, lest perhaps he may become stubborn, and then he will not trust you, and so he will bring sorrow to your soul.

30:13  Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior.

13  Chastise thy son, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee.

30:14  Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies.

14  Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.

30:15  A healthy soul with the sanctity of justice is better than all the gold and silver. And a sound body is better than immense revenues.

15  Health and good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.

30:16  There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart.

16  There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart. I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and filled my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.

30:17  Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness.

30:18  Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave.

18  Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave. Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.

30:19  What benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell.

19  What good doeth the offering unto an idol? for neither can it eat nor smell: so is he that is persecuted of the Lord. Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to another: lest it repent thee, and thou intreat for the same again.

30:20  So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity.

30:21  He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs.

Sir30:20  He seeth with his eyes and groaneth, as an eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth. As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.

30:22  You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel.

Sir30:21  Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel. For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.

30:23  The gladness of the heart is the life of a man, and it is a treasure of sanctity without defect. And the exultation of a man is length of life.

30:24  Take pity on your own soul by pleasing God, and show self-restraint. Gather your heart into his sanctity, and drive sadness far away from yourself.

Sir30:23  Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart, remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit therein. In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in thine honour.

30:25  For sadness has killed many, and there is no usefulness in it.

30:26  Envy and anger will diminish your days, and pensiveness will bring old age before its time.

Sir30:24  Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time. At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance. Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant.

30:27  A cheerful and good heart is like a feast. And its feasts are formed by diligence.

31:1  Watching for wealth consumes the flesh, and thinking about it takes away sleep.

Sir31:Sir34:1  Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.

31:2  Anticipation in thought distracts the mind, and a grievous infirmity makes the soul sober.

Sir31:Sir34:2  Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,

31:3  The rich man has labored in gathering wealth, and in his rest, he will be filled with his goods.

Sir31:Sir34:3  The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.

31:4  The poor man has labored in his lowly way, and in the end, he may still be in need.

Sir31:Sir34:4  The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.

31:5  Whoever loves gold will not be justified. And whoever pursues consumption will be consumed by it.

Sir31:Sir34:5  He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.

31:6  Many have been caused to fall because of gold, and it became their ruin by its beauty.

Sir31:Sir34:6  Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.

31:7  Gold is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice for it. Woe to those who pursue it eagerly, for all the imprudent will perish by it.

Sir31:Sir34:7  It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.

31:8  Blessed is the rich man who is found to be without blemish. And blessed is he who has not gone after gold, nor placed his hope in money or treasures.

Sir31:Sir34:8  Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.

31:9  Who is he? For we should praise him. For he has done wonderful things in his life.

Sir31:Sir34:9  Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.

31:10  He has been tested by it, and has become perfect; he will have eternal glory. He was able to transgress, but he has not transgressed. He was able to do evil, but he has not done evil.

Sir31:Sir34:10  Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?

31:11  Therefore, his good things are established in the Lord, and the entire Church of the saints will proclaim his almsgiving.

Sir31:Sir34:11  His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.

31:12  Are you seated at a great table? You should not open your mouth over it first.

13  You should not speak in this way: “There are many things that are upon it.”

Sir31:Sir34:12  If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.

31:13  Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

14  What has been made more wicked than the eye? Therefore, when it sees, it will shed tears over the entire face.

31:14  You should not extend your hand first, for then, having been corrupted by envy, you would be ashamed.

15  You should not press forward at a feast.

Sir31:Sir34:14  Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.

31:15  Understand which things are your neighbor’s and not your own.

Sir31:Sir34:15  Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.

31:16  Make use of the things that are set before you, just as a frugal man would. Otherwise, if you eat much, you will be hated.

Sir31:Sir34:16  Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour not, lest thou be hated.

31:17  Cease eating first, for the sake of discipline. And do not eat to excess, lest you offend.

Sir31:Sir34:17  Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.

31:18  And if you sit in the midst of many, you should not extend your hand before they do, and you should not be the first to ask for a drink.

Sir31:Sir34:18  When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.

31:19  How sufficient is a little wine for a well-taught man! For in sleep, you will not labor because of it, and you will not feel pain.

Sir31:Sir34:19  A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.

31:20  Worry, and disease, and torment are with an intemperate man.

21  A healthy sleep is with a temperate man. He will sleep until morning, and his soul will be delighted with him.

Sir31:Sir34:20  Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.

31:21  And if you have been coaxed into eating too much, rise up, go outside, and vomit. And it will refresh you, and you will not bring sickness upon your body.

Sir31:Sir34:21  And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.

31:22  Listen to me, son, for you should not spurn me. And in the very end, you will discover my words.

Sir31:Sir34:22  My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.

31:23  In all your works, be prompt, and then no infirmity will befall you.

31:24  The lips of many will bless the splendid in bread. For the testimony of his truthfulness is faithful.

Sir31:Sir34:23  Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.

31:25  The city will murmur against the wicked in bread. For the testimony against his wickedness is true.

Sir31:Sir34:24  But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.

31:26  Do not choose to provoke those who love wine. For wine has destroyed many.

Sir31:Sir34:25  Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.

31:27  Fire tests the hardness of iron; similarly, drinking wine to inebriation will rebuke the hearts of the arrogant.

Sir31:Sir34:26  The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkenness.

31:28  Drinking wine in sobriety gives a contented life to men. If you drink it in moderation, you will be sober.

Sir31:Sir34:27  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.

31:29  What is life to him who is diminished by wine?

31:30  What can cheat him of his life? Death.

31:31  From the beginning, wine was created for cheerfulness, but not for inebriation.

31:32  Wine taken in moderation lifts up the mind and the heart.

Sir31:Sir34:28  Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind

31:33  Sober drinking is healthful to mind and body.

31:34  Wine taken in excess stirs up conflict and anger, and brings many to ruin.

Sir31:Sir34:29  But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.

31:35  Wine taken in excess is bitter to the soul.

31:36  The effects of inebriation are a stumbling block to the imprudent, diminishing strength and causing wounds.

Sir31:Sir34:30  Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.

31:37  You should not argue with your neighbor during a banquet of wine. And you should not spurn him in his cheerfulness.

Sir31:Sir34:31  Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him to drink.

31:38  You should not speak words of reproach to him. And you should not press him with repeated requests.

32:1  Have they appointed you as a leader? Do not be willing to be extolled. Be among them as one of them.

Sir32:Sir35:1  If thou be made the master of a feast, lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.

32:2  Have concern for them, and in this way sit down with them, and when you have explained all your concerns, sit back.

Sir32:Sir35:2  And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.

32:3  Then you may rejoice because of them, and you may receive a crown as an adornment of grace, and so obtain the dignity of the assembly.

32:4  Speak, you who are greater by birth. For it is fitting for you

Sir32:Sir35:3  Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgement; and hinder not musick.

32:5  to speak the first word with careful knowledge. But you should not hinder the music.

Sir32:Sir35:4  Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.

32:6  Where no one is listening, you should not pour out words. And do not choose to be extolled improperly for your wisdom.

Sir32:Sir35:5  A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.

32:7  A gemstone of garnet is set amid an ornament of gold, and a concert of music is set amid a banquet of wine.

Sir32:Sir35:6  As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.

32:8  Just as a signet of emerald is set amid a work of gold, so is a melody of music set amid delightful and moderate wine.

32:9  Listen silently, and for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

32:10  Young man, speak in your own case only reluctantly.

Sir32:Sir35:7  Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.

32:11  If you have been asked twice, let your response be concise.

Sir32:Sir35:8  Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.

32:12  In many matters, be as if you lack knowledge, and listen silently as well as intently.

32:13  In the midst of great men, you should not be presumptuous. And where the elders are present, you should not speak much.

Sir32:Sir35:9  If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.

32:14  Lightning goes before a hailstorm, and grace goes before modesty. And so, for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

Sir32:Sir35:10  Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.

32:15  And at the hour for rising, you should not be lax. Later, be the first to run ahead to your house, and there withdraw, and there take your pastime.

Sir32:Sir35:11  Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.

32:16  And act according to your intentions, but not in sin and not in arrogant speech.

Sir32:Sir35:12  There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.

32:17  And for all these things, bless the Lord, who made you, and who fills you to overflowing with all his good things.

Sir32:Sir35:13  And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.

32:18  Whoever fears the Lord will accept his doctrine. And whoever watches for him diligently will find a blessing.

Sir32:Sir35:14  Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.

32:19  Whoever seeks the law will be filled from the law. But whoever acts with treachery will be scandalized by treachery.

Sir32:Sir35:15  He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.

32:20  Those who fear the Lord will find just judgment, and they will kindle justice like a light.

Sir32:Sir35:16  They that fear the Lord shall find judgement, and shall kindle justice as a light.

32:21  A sinful man will shun correction, and he will find a rationalization in accord with his own will.

Sir32:Sir35:17  A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.

32:22  A man of counsel will not reject understanding. A strange and arrogant man will not be disturbed by fear.

Sir32:Sir35:18  A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.

32:23  Even so, after he has acted out of fear and without counsel, he will be rebuked by his own criticism.

32:24  Son, you should do nothing without counsel, and then you will not regret what you have done.

Sir32:Sir35:19  Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.

32:25  You should not go into the way of ruin, and you then will not stumble on stones. You should not commit yourself to a laborious way; otherwise, you may set up a scandal against your own soul.

20  Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.

21  Be not confident in a plain way.

32:26  And be cautious concerning your own sons. And be attentive to those of your own household.

Sir32:Sir35:22  And beware of thine own children.

32:27  In all of your works, trust your soul to faith. For this is the keeping of the commandments.

Sir32:Sir35:23  In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.

32:28  Whoever believes God attends to the commandments. And whoever trusts in him will not be diminished.

Sir32:Sir35:24  He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.

33:1  No evils will befall one who fears the Lord. Instead, God will preserve him during temptation and will free him from evils.

Sir33:Sir36:1  There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.

33:2  A wise man does not hate the commandments and the justices, and so he will not be thrown about violently, like a ship in a storm.

Sir33:Sir36:2  A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.

33:3  A man of understanding puts his faith in the law of God, and so the law is faithful to him.

33:4  Whoever would resolve a dispute will prepare a word, and so, having prayed, he will be heard. And he will observe discipline, and then he will respond.

Sir33:Sir36:4  Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.

33:5  The heart of a fool is like the wheel of a cart. And his thoughts are like a turning axel.

Sir33:Sir36:5  The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.

33:6  A friend who is a whisperer is like an untamed horse: he neighs under anyone who sits upon him.

Sir33:Sir36:6  A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.

33:7  Why does day follow after day, and light follow after light, and year follow after year, in accord with the sun?

Sir33:Sir36:7  Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?

33:8  By the knowledge of the Lord, they were arranged, after the sun was made, in keeping with his command.

33:9  And so, the seasons changed, with their feast days. And according to them, they celebrated the feast days, in their hour.

Sir33:Sir36:9  Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days.

33:10  Some of them, God exalted and magnified. And some of them, he set amid the ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and from the earth, from which Adam was created.

Sir33:Sir36:10  And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth

33:11  With a mulititude of disciplines, the Lord has distinguished them and diversified their ways.

Sir33:Sir36:11  In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse. Though I was the last to wake up, yet I received their inheritance as from the beginning.

33:12  Some of them, he has blessed and exalted. And some of them he has sanctified and placed close to himself. And some of them, he has cursed and brought low, and he has turned them from their station.

Sir33:Sir36:12  Some of them hath he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places. O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named thy firstborn.

33:13  Just as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so as to form and to shape it,

Sir33:Sir36:13  As the clay is in the potter’s hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best. O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest.

33:14  so are all his ways in accord with his dispensation, and so is man in the hand of the One who made him. And he will repay him according to his judgment.

33:15  Good is against evil, and life is against death; so also is a sinner against a just man. And so should you consider all the works of the Most High: two and two, and one against another.

Sir36  Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly. Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory:

undefined  So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another. Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning, and raise up prophets that have been in thy name.

33:16  And I awakened at the very end, and I was like one who gathers grapes after the grape-gatherers.

Sir33:Sir36:16  Reward them that wait for thee, and let thy prophets be found faithful.

33:17  I, too, have hoped in the blessing of God. And I have filled the winepress like one who gathers grapes.

Sir36  O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art the Lord, the eternal God.

undefined  The belly devoureth all meats, yet is one meat better than another.

33:18  Consider how I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who are seeking discipline.

Sir33:Sir36:19  As the palate tasteth divers kinds of venison: so doth an heart of understanding false speeches.

33:19  Listen to me, you great ones, with all the peoples. And incline your ears, you rulers of the Church.

Sir33:Sir36:20  A froward heart causeth heaviness: but a man of experience will recompense him.

33:20  You should not give authority over yourself to a son or wife, to a brother or friend, in your life. And you should not give your estate to another, lest perhaps you may regret it, and then you would be begging for the same.

Sir33:Sir36:21  A woman will receive every man, yet is one daughter better than another.

33:21  While you are still living and breathing, let no one among all flesh change you.

Sir33:Sir36:22  The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance, and a man loveth nothing better.

33:22  For it is better if your children petition you, than if you look toward the hands of your children.

Sir33:Sir36:23  If there be kindness, meekness, and comfort, in her tongue, then is not her husband like other men.

33:23  In all your works, be pre-eminent.

Sir33:Sir36:24  He that getteth a wife beginneth a possession, a help like unto himself, and a pillar of rest.

33:24  You should not allow a blemish upon your glory. On the day of the consummation of the days of your life, at the time of your passing, distribute your inheritance.

Sir33:Sir36:25  Where no hedge is, there the possession is spoiled: and he that hath no wife will wander up and down mourning.

33:25  Fodder and a rod and a burden are for a donkey; bread and discipline and work are for a servant.

Sir33:Sir36:26  Who will trust a thief well appointed, that skippeth from city to city? so who will believe a man that hath no house, and lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him?

33:26  He works under discipline, and he seeks rest. Allow his hands to be idle, and he seeks liberty.

Sir33:Sir30:25  If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.

33:27  The yoke and the strap bend a stiff neck, and continual labors bend a servant.

Sir33:Sir30:26  A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.

33:28  Torture and chains are for a malevolent servant; send him to work, so that he may not be idle.

Sir33:Sir30:27  Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.

33:29  For idleness has taught much evil.

Sir33:Sir30:28  Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.

33:30  Appoint him to a task. For this is fitting for him. And if he will not be obedient, bend him with chains. But you should do no more than any flesh can bear. Truly, you should do nothing grievous without judgment.

Sir33:Sir36:29  But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.

33:31  If you have a faithful servant, let him be to you like your own soul. Treat him like a brother. For you have obtained him by the blood of your soul.

Sir33:Sir36:30  If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.

33:32  If you harm him unjustly, he will turn away and flee.

Sir33:Sir36:31  If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?

33:33  And then, when he lifts himself up and departs, you will not know whom to ask, or in what way to seek him.

34:1  The hopes of a senseless man are empty and false; and dreams extol the imprudent.

Sir34:Sir31:1  The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.

34:2  Like one who chases a shadow and pursues the wind, so also is one who pays attention to lying visions.

Sir34:Sir31:2  Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.

34:3  In the vision of dreams, one thing represents another, as when a mask is before the face of a man.

Sir34:Sir31:3  The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.

34:4  What can be cleansed by the unclean? And what truth can be spoken from a lie?

Sir34:Sir31:4  Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?

34:5  Erroneous divinations and false signs and the dreams of evildoers are emptiness.

Sir34:Sir31:5  Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail.

34:6  For your heart suffers from imagination, like a woman suffering in childbirth. Unless it is a visitation sent from the Most High, you should not set your heart upon it.

Sir34:Sir31:6  If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.

34:7  For dreams have caused many to go astray, and those who have hoped in them have fallen away.

Sir34:Sir31:7  For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.

34:8  The word of the law will be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom will be made plain in the mouths of the faithful.

Sir34:Sir31:8  The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.

34:9  He who has not been tested, what does he know? A man with much experience will consider many things. And whoever has learned much will explain with understanding.

Sir34:Sir31:9  A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.

34:10  He who has no experience knows little. And he who has done many things has made many mistakes.

Sir34:Sir31:10  He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.

34:11  He who has not been tested, what kind of things can he know? He who has been deceived will be more cunning.

34:12  I have seen much by wandering, and the customs of many things.

Sir34:Sir31:11  When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.

34:13  At times, I have even been in danger of death because of these things, but I was freed by the grace of God.

Sir34:Sir31:12  I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.

34:14  The spirit of those who fear God is sought, and they will be blessed by his providence.

Sir34:Sir31:13  The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.

34:15  For their hope is in him who saves them, and the eyes of God are on those who love him.

34:16  Those who fear the Lord will tremble at nothing, and they will not be terrified. For he is their hope.

Sir34:Sir31:14  Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.

34:17  The soul of him who fears the Lord is blessed.

Sir34:Sir31:15  Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?

34:18  To whom should he look, and who is his strength?

34:19  The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him. He is a powerful Protector, a Firmament of virtue, a Shelter from the heat, and a Covering from the midday sun,

Sir34:Sir31:16  For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.

34:20  a Guardian from offenses, and a Helper from falling, who exalts the soul and illuminates the eyes, and who gives health and life and blessing.

Sir34:Sir31:17  He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.

34:21  An immolation from iniquity is a stained oblation, and the derisions of the unjust are not well pleasing.

Sir34:Sir31:18  He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.

34:22  The Lord is only for those who persevere for him in the way of truth and justice.

34:23  The Most High does not approve of the gifts of the iniquitous. Neither does he have respect for the oblations of the unjust; neither will he forgive their sins because of the multitude of their sacrifices.

Sir34:Sir31:19  The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.

34:24  Whoever offers a sacrifice from the substance of the poor is like one who sacrifices the son in the sight of his father.

Sir34:Sir31:20  Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.

34:25  The bread of the indigent is the life of the poor. Whoever cheats them out of it is a man of blood.

Sir34:Sir31:21  The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.

34:26  Whoever takes away the bread of sweat is like one who kills his neighbor.

Sir34:Sir31:22  He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.

34:27  He who sheds blood, and he who cheats the hired hand out of his wages, are brothers.

34:28  When one builds and another destroys, what benefit do they have from their labor?

Sir34:Sir31:23  When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?

34:29  When one prays and another curses, whose voice will God heed?

34:30  He who washes himself after touching the dead, and then touches him again, what was the benefit of his washing?

Sir34:Sir31:25  He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?

34:31  Similarly, a man who fasts for his sins, and then does the same again, what was the benefit of his humbling himself? Who will heed his prayer?

Sir34:Sir31:26  So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?