1  All wisdom is from the Lord God, and has always been with him, and is before all time.

1  All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.

2  Who has numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of the rain, and the days of the world? Who has measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?

2  Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

3  Who has examined the wisdom of God, which precedes all things?

3  Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

4  Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence is before all time.

5  The Word of God on high is the source of wisdom, whose steps are eternal commandments.

6  To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed, and who has recognized her astuteness?

7  To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? And who has understood the multiplicity of her steps?

7  Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?

8  The most high omnipotent Creator is One, and he is the mighty King, and he is exceedingly to be feared, sitting upon his throne, and he is the sovereign God.

8  There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

9  He created wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and he saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.

10  And he poured her over all his works, and over all flesh, to the extent of his favor, and he has offered her to those who love him.

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 honor, and rejoicing, and a crown of exultation.

12  The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give joy and gladness and length of days.

13  It will be well, in the very end, for him who fears the Lord, and on the day that he passes away, he will be blessed.

13  Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.

14  The love of God is honorable wisdom.

15  And those to whom she will appear for their consideration love her because of what they see and know of her great works.

16  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, and walks with elect women, and is known by the just and the faithful.

Sir1:14  To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

17  The fear of the Lord is the sanctity of knowledge.

Sir1:15  She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

18  Sanctity will guard and justify the heart, and will bestow happiness and joy.

19  It will be well with him who fears the Lord, and at the consummation of his days, he will be blessed.

20  To fear God is the fullness of wisdom, and it is a fullness from its fruits.

21  She will fill her entire house from her offspring, and storehouses from her treasures.

Sir1:17  She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

22  The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, the completion of peace, and the fruit of salvation.

Sir1:18  The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.

23  And the fear of the Lord has seen and numbered wisdom; but both are gifts of God.

24  Wisdom will distribute knowledge and an understanding of prudence; and she lifts up the glory of those who hold to her.

Sir1:19  Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

25  The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and its branches are long-lived.

26  In the treasures of wisdom is understanding and the sanctity of knowledge. But to sinners, wisdom is an abomination.

27  The fear of the Lord expels sin.

Sir1:21  The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

28  For he who is without fear is not able to be justified. For the disposition of his spirit is his undoing.

Sir1:22  A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

29  Those who are patient will suffer for a brief time, and afterwards, happiness will return.

Sir1:23  A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

30  A noble mind will hide his words for a brief time, and then the lips of many will declare his understanding.

Sir1:24  He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

31  Among the treasures of wisdom is the outward sign of discipline.

Sir1:25  The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

32  But to those who sin, the worship of God is an abomination.

33  Son, if you desire wisdom, observe justice, and then God will offer her to you.

Sir1:26  If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

34  For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline.

35  And what pleases him is faith and meekness. And so shall he complete his treasures.

36  You should not be incredulous to the fear of the Lord. And you should not draw close to him with a duplicitous heart.

Sir1:28  Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

37  You should not be a hypocrite in the sight of men. And you should not scandalize with your lips.

Sir1:29  Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

38  Attend to these things, otherwise you may fall and bring dishonor to your soul.

Sir1:30  Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.

39  And then God may uncover your secrets, and he may cast you down forcefully in the midst of the congregation.

40  For you drew near to the Lord wickedly, and your heart was filled with deceit and falseness.

2:1  Son, when you apply yourself to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare your soul for temptation.

1  My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.

2:2  Humble your heart, and persevere. Incline your ear, and accept words of understanding. And you should not hurry away in the time of distress.

2  Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.

2:3  Endure steadfastly for God. Join yourself to God, and persevere, so that your life may increase in the very end.

3  Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.

2:4  Accept everything that will happened to you, and persevere in your sorrow, and have patience in your humiliation.

4  Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.

2:5  For gold and silver are tested in fire, yet truly, acceptable men are tested in the furnace of humiliation.

5  For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.

2:6  Believe God, and he will restore you to health. And straighten your way, and hope in him. Observe his fear, and grow old in it.

6  Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him.

2:7  You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy. And do not turn away from him, lest you fall.

7  Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall.

2:8  You who fear the Lord, believe in him. And your reward will not be taken away.

8  Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail.

2:9  You who fear the Lord, hope in him. And mercy will approach you, to your delight.

9  Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.

2:10  You who fear the Lord, love him. And your hearts will be illuminated.

2:11  My sons, consider the nations of men, and know that not one of them hoped in the Lord and was confounded.

Sir2:10  Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?

2:12  For who has remained in his commandment and been abandoned? Or who has called upon him, and yet he despised him?

2:13  For God is upright and merciful, and he will forgive sins in the day of tribulation. And he is the Protector to all those who seek him in truth.

Sir2:11  For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.

2:14  Woe to the duplicitous heart, and to the wicked lips, and to the hands that do evil, and to the sinner who walks the earth by two ways!

Sir2:12  Woe be to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goeth two ways!

2:15  Woe to the dissolute in heart, who do not trust God! For, as a result, they will not be protected by him.

Sir2:13  Woe unto him that is fainthearted! for he believeth not; therefore shall he not be defended.

2:16  Woe to those who have lost endurance, and who have abandoned upright ways, and who have turned aside to depraved ways!

Sir2:14  Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what will ye do when the Lord shall visit you?

2:17  And what will they do when the Lord begins to examine them?

2:18  Those who fear the Lord will not be unbelieving toward his Word. And those who love him will keep to his way.

Sir2:15  They that fear the Lord will not disobey his Word; and they that love him will keep his ways.

2:19  Those who fear the Lord will seek the things that are well-pleasing to him. And those who love him will be filled with his law.

Sir2:16  They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well, pleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law.

2:20  Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and they will sanctify their souls in his sight.

Sir2:17  They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight,

2:21  Those who fear the Lord keep his commandments, and they will have patience even until his examination,

2:22  saying: “If we do not do penance, then we will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.”

Sir2:18  Saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his mercy.

2:23  For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him.

3:1  The sons of wisdom are the Church of the just: and their generation is obedience and love.

3:2  Sons, listen to the judgment of your father, and act accordingly, so that you may be saved.

Sir3:1  Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.

3:3  For God has honored the father in the sons, and, when seeking the judgment of the mother, he has confirmed it in the children.

Sir3:2  For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.

3:4  He who loves God will plead with him on behalf of sins, and will keep himself away from sin, and will be heeded in the prayers of his days.

Sir3:3  Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins

3:5  And, like one who stores up treasure, so also is he who honors his mother.

Sir3:4  And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.

3:6  He who honors his father will find happiness in his own children, and he will be heeded in the day of his prayer.

Sir3:5  Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.

3:7  He who honors his father will live a long life. And he who obeys his father will be a refreshment to his mother.

Sir3:6  He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.

3:8  He who fears the Lord honors his parents, and he will serve them as masters, for it is they who conceived him.

Sir3:7  He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.

3:9  In word and deed, and in all things, honor your father with patience,

Sir3:8  Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.

3:10  so that a blessing may come to you from him, and so that his blessing may remain to the very end.

3:11  The blessing of the father strengthens the houses of the sons; but the curse of the mother uproots even its foundation.

Sir3:9  For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.

3:12  Do not boast in the disgrace of your father; for his shame is not your glory.

Sir3:10  Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father’s dishonour is no glory unto thee.

3:13  For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a father without honor is a discredit to the son.

3:14  Son, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him in his life.

Sir3:12  My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.

3:15  And if his mind should fail, show kindness; and do not spurn him when you are in your strength. For almsgiving to the father will never be forgotten.

Sir3:13  And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.

3:16  For even in return for the sin of the mother, good will be repaid to you.

Sir3:14  For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.

3:17  And you will be built up in justice, and you will be remembered in the day of tribulation. And your sins will dissolve like ice in warm weather.

Sir3:15  In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.

3:18  What an evil form has he who forsakes his father! And whoever exasperates his mother is accursed by God.

Sir3:16  He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.

3:19  Son, perform your works in meekness, and you shall be loved beyond the glory of men.

Sir3:17  My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.

3:20  However great you may be, humble yourself in all things, and you will find grace in the presence of God.

Sir3:18  The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.

3:21  Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.

3:22  For only the power of God is great, and he is honored by the humble.

3:23  You should not seek the things that are too high for you, and you should not examine the things that are beyond your ability. But as for the things that God has entrusted to you, consider these always. But you should not be curious in too many of his works.

Sir3:21  Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.

3:24  For it is not necessary for you to see with your own eyes the things that are hidden.

Sir3:22  But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.

3:25  In unnecessary matters, do not choose to be an examiner of many different things, and you should not be curious about too many of his works.

Sir3:23  Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand.

3:26  For many things have been revealed to you, beyond the understanding of men.

Sir3:24  For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgement.

3:27  Yet uncertainty in these things has also undermined many persons and has detained their minds in vanity.

Sir3:25  Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not.

3:28  A hardened heart will have evil in the very end, and he who loves peril will perish in it.

Sir3:26  A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.

3:29  A heart advancing in two directions will not have success, and the depraved heart will be scandalized in this way.

3:30  A wicked heart will be burdened with sorrows, and a sinner will add further sins.

Sir3:27  An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.

3:31  The synagogue of the arrogant will not be healed. For the stalk of sinfulness will take root in them, and it will not be understood.

Sir3:28  In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.

3:32  The heart of the wise is understood by wisdom, and a good ear will listen to wisdom with all its desire.

Sir3:29  The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.

3:33  A wise and understanding heart will abstain from sins, and will have success in works of justice.

3:34  Water extinguishes a burning fire, and almsgiving withstands sins.

Sir3:30  Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.

3:35  And God is the watchman for him who repays a kindness. He remembers him afterwards, and in the time of his fall, he will find a firm support.

Sir3:31  And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.

4:1  Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man.

1  My son, defraud not the poor of his living, and make not the needy eyes to wait long.

4:2  You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need.

2  Make not an hungry soul sorrowful; neither provoke a man in his distress.

4:3  You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay an offer to someone in anguish.

3  Add not more trouble to an heart that is vexed; and defer not to give to him that is in need.

4:4  You should not make requests of one who is greatly troubled, and you should not avert your face from the indigent.

4  Reject not the supplication of the afflicted; neither turn away thy face from a poor man.

4:5  You should not avert your eyes from the needy out of anger. And you should not abandon those who seek help from you, so that they speak curses behind your back.

5  Turn not away thine eye from the needy, and give him none occasion to curse thee

4:6  For the pleadings of him who speaks curses of you, in the bitterness of his soul, will be heeded. For the One who made him will heed him.

6  For if he curse thee in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer shall be heard of him that made him.

4:7  Make yourself a friend to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul before an elder, and humble your head before the great.

7  Get thyself the love of the congregation, and bow thy head to a great man.

4:8  Turn your ear without sadness toward the poor, and repay your debt, and respond to him peacefully in meekness.

8  Let it not grieve thee to bow down thine ear to the poor, and give him a friendly answer with meekness.

4:9  Free him who suffers injury at the hand of the arrogant, and do not carry animosity in your soul.

9  Deliver him that suffereth wrong from the hand of the oppressor; and be not fainthearted when thou sittest in judgement.

4:10  In judging, be merciful to the orphan, like a father, and be merciful to their mother, like a husband.

10  Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of an husband unto their mother: so shalt thou be as the son of the most High, and he shall love thee more than thy mother doth.

4:11  And then you shall be like an obedient son of the Most High, and he will take pity on you more than a mother would.

4:12  Wisdom breathes life into her sons, and she lifts up those who are seeking her, and she will precede them in the way of justice.

Sir4:11  Wisdom exalteth her children, and layeth hold of them that seek her.

4:13  And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights.

Sir4:12  He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to her early shall be filled with joy.

4:14  Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless.

Sir4:13  He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and wheresoever she entereth, the Lord will bless.

4:15  Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom.

Sir4:14  They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One: and them that love her the Lord doth love.

4:16  He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure.

Sir4:15  Whoso giveth ear unto her shall judge the nations: and he that attendeth unto her shall dwell securely.

4:17  If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed.

Sir4:16  If a man commit himself unto her, he shall inherit her; and his generation shall hold her in possession.

4:18  For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning.

Sir4:17  For at the first she will walk with him by crooked ways, and bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her laws.

4:19  She will lead fear and dread and trials over him, and she will crucify him with the tribulation of her doctrine, until she has tested him in his thoughts and she can trust in his soul.

4:20  And then she will strengthen him, and lead him along a straight path, and rejoice in him.

Sir4:18  Then will she return the straight way unto him, and comfort him, and shew him her secrets.

4:21  And she will disclose her secrets to him, and she will store up treasure, of the knowledge and understanding of justice, in him.

4:22  But if he has wandered astray, she will leave him behind, and she will deliver him into the hands of his enemy.

Sir4:19  But if he go wrong, she will forsake him, and give him over to his own ruin.

4:23  Son, be continually observant, and keep away from evil.

Sir4:20  Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and be not ashamed when it concerneth thy soul.

4:24  For the sake of your soul, you should not be ashamed to speak the truth.

4:25  For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace.

4:26  You should not accept a face contrary to your own face, nor should you accept a lie contrary to your own soul.

Sir4:22  Accept no person against thy soul, and let not the reverence of any man cause thee to fall.

4:27  You should not enjoy the fall of your neighbor.

4:28  Neither should you withhold words at an opportunity for salvation. You should not conceal your wisdom in her beauty.

Sir4:23  And refrain not to speak, when there is occasion to do good, and hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.

4:29  For wisdom is discerned within speech. And understanding and knowledge and doctrine are discerned in the words of those who understand and by their steadfastness in the works of justice.

Sir4:24  For by speech wisdom shall be known: and learning by the word of the tongue.

4:30  You should not contradict a word of truth in any way. Otherwise, by a falsehood born of ignorance, you will be confounded.

Sir4:25  In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed of the error of thine ignorance.

4:31  You should not be ashamed to confess your sins, but do not subject yourself to any man because of sin.

Sir4:26  Be not ashamed to confess thy sins; and force not the course of the river.

4:32  Do not choose to stand against the face of the powerful, for you should not strive against the current of the river.

Sir4:27  Make not thyself an underling to a foolish man; neither accept the person of the mighty.

4:33  Suffer for justice, on behalf of your soul, and struggle, even unto death, on behalf of justice, and God will fight against your enemies on your behalf.

Sir4:28  Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord shall fight for thee.

4:34  Do not choose to be quick with your words, nor unproductive or neglectful in your works.

Sir4:29  Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds slack and remiss.

4:35  Do not choose to be like a lion in your house, distressing those of your household, and oppressing those who are subject to you.

Sir4:30  Be not as a lion in thy house, nor frantick among thy servants.

4:36  Do not let your hand be open when receiving, but closed when giving.

Sir4:31  Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldest repay.

5:1  Do not choose to seek iniquitous possessions, and you should not say: “I have all I need in life.” For it will be of no benefit to you in the time of retribution and darkness.

1  Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my life.

5:2  You should not pursue, in your strength, the desires of your heart.

2  Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways of thy heart

5:3  And you should not say: “How powerful am I?” or, “Who will cast me down because of my deeds?” For God will vindicate with vengeance.

3  And say not, Who shall control me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.

5:4  You should not say, “I sinned, and what grief has befallen me?” For the Most High is a patient recompensor.

4  Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let thee go.

5:5  Do not be willing to be without fear concerning a forgiven sin, and you should not add sin upon sin.

5  Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin

5:6  And you should not say: “The compassion of the Lord is great; he will take pity on the multitude of my sins.”

6  And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners.

5:7  For both mercy and wrath go forth quickly from him, and his wrath sets its gaze upon sinners.

5:8  You should not delay being converted to the Lord, and you should not set it aside from day to day.

Sir5:7  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.

5:9  For his wrath will approach suddenly, and in the time of vindication, he will destroy you.

5:10  Do not choose to be anxious for unjust wealth. For these things will not benefit you in the day of darkness and retribution.

Sir5:8  Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.

5:11  You should not winnow in every wind, and you should not go forth into every path. For so is every sinner proven by his duplicitous tongue.

Sir5:9  Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.

5:12  Be steadfast in the way of the Lord and in the truth of your understanding and knowledge, and let words of peace and justice overtake you.

Sir5:10  Be stedfast in thy understanding; and let thy word be the same.

5:13  Be meek when listening to a word, so that you may understand. And offer a true response in wisdom.

Sir5:11  Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere; and with patience give answer.

5:14  If you understand, then answer your neighbor. But if you do not, then let your hand be over your mouth, so that you are not caught by an inept word, and then confounded.

Sir5:12  If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

5:15  Honor and glory are in the words of those who understand, yet truly, the tongue of the imprudent man is his undoing.

Sir5:13  Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.

5:16  You should not be called a whisperer, and you should not be caught by your own tongue, and then confounded.

Sir5:14  Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue: for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.

5:17  For confusion and remorse is upon a thief, and a wicked mark is upon the double-tongued; but for the whisperer, there is hatred and animosity and disgrace.

5:18  Justify the small and the great similarly.

Sir5:15  Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a small.

6:1  Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued.

1  Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.

6:2  You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be cast down through foolishness,

2  Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.

6:3  which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert.

3  Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.

6:4  For a wicked soul will destroy the one who has it. For it gladly provides enemies to him, and it will lead him to the fate of the impious.

4  A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

6:5  A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man.

5  Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

6:6  Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor.

6  Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.

6:7  If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily.

7  If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.

6:8  For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation.

8  For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

6:9  And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults.

9  And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.

6:10  And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need.

10  Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

6:11  A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household.

11  But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.

6:12  If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship.

12  If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.

6:13  Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends.

13  Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

6:14  A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure.

6:15  Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity.

15  Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

6:16  A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one.

6:17  He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him.

17  Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

6:18  Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs.

18  My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.

6:19  Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits.

19  Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.

6:20  For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce.

20  She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.

6:21  How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her.

21  She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.

6:22  She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay.

22  For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.

6:23  For the wisdom of doctrine is in accord with her name, and she is not manifest to many. But she continues with those by whom she is recognized, even in the sight of God.

23  Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,

6:24  Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice.

24  And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.

6:25  Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains.

25  Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.

6:26  Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings.

26  Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.

6:27  Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength.

27  Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

6:28  Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her.

28  For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.

6:29  For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight.

29  Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.

6:30  Then her fetters will be a strong protection and a firm foundation for you, and her chains will be a robe of glory.

30  For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.

6:31  For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage.

31  Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.

6:32  You will be clothed with her as with a robe of glory, and you will set her upon your head like a crown of rejoicing.

32  My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

6:33  Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise.

33  If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,

6:34  If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise.

34  Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.

6:35  Stand among the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself to their wisdom from the heart, so that you may be able to hear every discourse about God, and so that the proverbs of praise may not flee from you.

35  Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.

6:36  And if you see a man of understanding, stand watch for him, and let your feet wear down the steps of his doors.

36  And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.

6:37  Set your thoughts on the precepts of God, and be entirely constant in his commandments. And he himself will give a heart to you, and the desire of wisdom will be given to you.

37  Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.

7:1  Do not choose to do evil, and evil will not take hold of you.

1  Do no evil, so shall no harm come unto thee.

7:2  Withdraw from the iniquitous, and evil will withdraw from you.

2  Depart from the unjust, and iniquity shall turn away from thee.

7:3  Son, do not sow evil in the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap them sevenfold.

3  My son, sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness, and thou shalt not reap them sevenfold.

7:4  Do not seek a role of leadership from the Lord, and do not seek a seat of honor from the king.

4  Seek not of the Lord preeminence, neither of the king the seat of honour.

7:5  You should not justify yourself before God, for he is the Knower of hearts. And by no means should you wish to seem wise before the king.

5  justify not thyself before the Lord; and boast not of thy wisdom before the king.

7:6  Do not seek to become a judge, unless you have sufficient strength to shatter iniquities. Otherwise, you might fear the face of the powerful, and so establish a scandal within your integrity.

6  Seek not to be judge, being not able to take away iniquity; lest at any time thou fear the person of the mighty, an stumblingblock in the way of thy uprightness.

7:7  You should not sin against the multitude of a city, nor should you cast yourself against the people.

7  Offend not against the multitude of a city, and then thou shalt not cast thyself down among the people.

7:8  And you should not bind two sins together. For even in one sin, you will not go unpunished.

8  Bind not one sin upon another; for in one thou shalt not be unpunished.

7:9  Do not be cowardly in your soul.

9  Say not, God will look upon the multitude of my oblations, and when I offer to the most high God, he will accept it.

7:10  You should not be unwilling to beg, nor to give alms.

10  Be not fainthearted when thou makest thy prayer, and neglect not to give alms.

7:11  You should not say: “God will look with favor on the multitude of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the most high God, he will accept my gift.”

7:12  You should not ridicule a man in bitterness of soul. For there is One who humbles and who exalts: the all-seeing God.

Sir7:11  Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one which humbleth and exalteth.

7:13  Do not love a lie against your brother, nor should you act the same toward your friend.

Sir7:12  Devise not a lie against thy brother; neither do the like to thy friend.

7:14  Do not be willing to devise a lie of any kind. For the practice of lying is not good.

Sir7:13  Use not to make any manner of lie: for the custom thereof is not good.

7:15  Do not choose to be verbose among a multitude of elders, and you should not repeat the words of your prayers.

Sir7:14  Use not many words in a multitude of elders, and make not much babbling when thou prayest.

7:16  You should not hate laborious works, nor the rustic life created by the Most High.

Sir7:15  Hate not laborious work, neither husbandry, which the most High hath ordained.

7:17  You should not consider yourself to be among the multitude of the undisciplined.

Sir7:16  Number not thyself among the multitude of sinners, but remember that wrath will not tarry long.

7:18  Remember wrath. For it will not be delayed.

Sir7:17  Humble thyself greatly: for the vengeance of the ungodly is fire and worms.

7:19  Humble your spirit greatly. For the retribution against the flesh of the impious is with fire and worms.

7:20  Do not betray your friend for the sake of money, and you should not spurn your dearest brother for the sake of gold.

Sir7:18  Change not a friend for any good by no means; neither a faithful brother for the gold of Ophir.

7:21  Do not choose to depart from a good and understanding wife, whom you have been allotted in the fear of the Lord. For the grace of her modesty is above gold.

Sir7:19  Forego not a wise and good woman: for her grace is above gold.

7:22  You should not harm the servant whose works are honest, nor the hired hand who entrusts his life to you.

Sir7:20  Whereas thy servant worketh truly, entreat him not evil. nor the hireling that bestoweth himself wholly for thee.

7:23  Let an understanding servant be loved by you like your own soul. You should not cheat him out of freedom, nor abandon him to destitution.

Sir7:21  Let thy soul love a good servant, and defraud him not of liberty.

7:24  Are cattle yours? Tend to them. And if they are useful, let them remain with you.

Sir7:22  Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them: and if they be for thy profit, keep them with thee.

7:25  Are sons yours? Instruct them, and bow them down from their childhood.

Sir7:23  Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow down their neck from their youth.

7:26  Are daughters yours? Watch over their bodies. And you should not display a light-hearted attitude toward them.

Sir7:24  Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body, and shew not thyself cheerful toward them.

7:27  Give your daughter in marriage, and give her to an understanding man, and you will be doing a great work.

Sir7:25  Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou have performed a weighty matter: but give her to a man of understanding.

7:28  If a wife in accord with your soul is yours, you should not reject her. But do not entrust yourself to her who is hateful.

Sir7:26  Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not thyself over to a light woman.

7:29  With your whole heart, honor your father. And you should not forget the complaints of your mother.

Sir7:27  Honour thy father with thy whole heart, and forget not the sorrows of thy mother.

7:30  Remember that you would not have been born except through them. And so, give back to them as they also have done for you.

Sir7:28  Remember that thou wast begotten of them; and how canst thou recompense them the things that they have done for thee?

7:31  With all your soul, fear the Lord, and consider his priests to be holy.

Sir7:29  Fear the Lord with all thy soul, and reverence his priests.

7:32  With all your strength, love him who made you, and you should not abandon his ministers.

Sir7:30  Love him that made thee with all thy strength, and forsake not his ministers.

7:33  Honor God from your whole soul, and confer honor on the priests, and continue to purify yourself with your strength.

Sir7:31  Fear the Lord, and honour the priest; and give him his portion, as it is commanded thee; the firstfruits, and the trespass offering, and the gift of the shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the firstfruits of the holy things.

7:34  Give them their portion, just as it has been commanded of you, from the first-fruits and from the purifications. And for your ignorant offenses, purify yourself with a smaller offering.

7:35  You should offer to the Lord the gift of your strength, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first-fruits of what is holy.

7:36  And reach out your hand to the poor, so that your atonement and your blessing may be perfected.

Sir7:32  And stretch thine hand unto the poor, that thy blessing may be perfected.

7:37  A gift has grace in the sight of all the living, but you should not prohibit grace for the dead.

Sir7:33  A gift hath grace in the sight of every man living; and for the dead detain it not.

7:38  You should not fail to console those who are weeping, nor to walk with those who are mourning.

Sir7:34  Fail not to be with them that weep, and mourn with them that mourn.

7:39  Do not let yourself be slow to visit the sick. For in this way, you will be confirmed in love.

Sir7:35  Be not slow to visit the sick: fir that shall make thee to be beloved.

7:40  In all your works, remember your very end, and so you will not sin, unto eternity.

Sir7:36  Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt never do amiss.

8:1  You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands.

1  Strive not with a mighty man’ lest thou fall into his hands.

8:2  You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you.

2  Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.

8:3  For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings.

8:4  You should not quarrel with a man who is full of words, for you should not cast wood upon his fire.

Sir8:3  Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

8:5  You should not confide in an ignorant man, lest he speak evil about your family.

Sir8:4  Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.

8:6  You should not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him with it. Remember that we are all subject to correction.

Sir8:5  Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.

8:7  You should not spurn a man in his old age. For we are all subject to growing old.

Sir8:6  Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.

8:8  Do not be willing to rejoice at the death of your enemy, knowing that we all die, and that we do not want others rejoice over us.

Sir8:7  Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.

8:9  You should not despise the discourse of those who are old and wise; instead, ponder their proverbs.

Sir8:8  Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.

8:10  For from them, you will learn wisdom and intelligent doctrine, so as to serve great men without blame.

8:11  Do not allow the discourse of your elders to pass you by. For they have learned from their fathers.

Sir8:9  Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.

8:12  And from them, you will learn understanding, and you will learn what response to give in a time of necessity.

8:13  You should not kindle the coals of sinners by arguing with them. For you might be scorched by the flame from the fire of their sins.

Sir8:10  Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.

8:14  You should not stand against the face of a contemptuous person, otherwise he may sit down as if waiting in ambush against your words.

Sir8:11  Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words

8:15  You should not lend to a man who is stronger than you. But if you do lend, consider it lost.

Sir8:12  Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.

8:16  You should not promise beyond your ability. But if you do promise, consider how to fulfill it.

Sir8:13  Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.

8:17  You should not judge against a judge. For he judges according to what is just.

Sir8:14  Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.

8:18  You should not go forth on the way with an audacious man, lest perhaps he may burden you with his evils. For he goes forth according to his own will, and you will perish with him in his folly.

Sir8:15  Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.

8:19  You should not start a conflict with an angry man, and you should not go into the desert with an audacious man. For shedding blood is nothing to him, and in a place where there is no help for you, he will overthrow you.

Sir8:16  Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.

8:20  You should not hold counsel with the foolish. For they are not able to love anything except what pleases them.

Sir8:17  Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.

8:21  You should not take counsel in the sight of an outsider. For you do not know what he will do next.

Sir8:18  Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.

8:22  You should not reveal your heart to every man, lest perhaps he may offer a false kindness to you, and then speak reproachfully about you.

Sir8:19  Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.

9:1  You should not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest she reveal, because of you, the malice of a wicked lesson.

1  Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not an evil lesson against thyself.

9:2  You should not give authority over your soul to a woman, lest she obtain your strength, and then you would be confounded.

2  Give not thy soul unto a woman to set her foot upon thy substance.

9:3  You should not look with favor on a woman with many desires, lest perhaps you may fall into her traps.

3  Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares.

9:4  You should not be continually in need of entertainment, nor should you be persuaded by it, lest perhaps you may perish by its effectiveness.

4  Use not much the company of a woman that is a singer, lest thou be taken with her attempts.

9:5  You should not stare at a virgin, lest perhaps you may be scandalized by her beauty.

5  Gaze not on a maid, that thou fall not by those things that are precious in her.

9:6  You should not give your soul, in any way, to fornicators, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance.

6  Give not thy soul unto harlots, that thou lose not thine inheritance.

9:7  Do not choose to look around in the streets of the city, nor should you wander along its thoroughfares.

7  Look not round about thee in the streets of the city, neither wander thou in the solitary place thereof.

9:8  Avert your face from an ornate woman, for you should not gaze upon strange beauty.

8  Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and look not upon another’s beauty; for many have been deceived by the beauty of a woman; for herewith love is kindled as a fire.

9:9  Many have perished because of the beauty of a woman; and by this, desire is kindled like a fire.

9:10  Every woman who is a fornicator will be trampled down, like the filth in the street.

9:11  Many, by admiring the beauty of the wife of another, have become reprobate. For familiarity with her flares up like a fire.

9:12  You should not sit down at all with another man’s wife, nor recline with her on a couch.

Sir9:9  Sit not at all with another man’s wife, nor sit down with her in thine arms, and spend not thy money with her at the wine; lest thine heart incline unto her, and so through thy desire thou fall into destruction.

9:13  And you should not argue with her over wine, lest perhaps your heart may turn toward her, and by your emotion, you would be toppled into perdition.

9:14  You should not abandon a old friend. For a new one will not be similar to him.

Sir9:10  Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure.

9:15  A new friend is like new wine. It will grow old, and then you will enjoy drinking it.

9:16  You should not envy the glory and wealth of a sinner. For you do not know what may be his undoing in the future.

Sir9:11  Envy not the glory of a sinner: for thou knowest not what shall be his end.

9:17  The injury of the unjust should not please you, knowing that, until they are in hell, the impious will not please.

Sir9:12  Delight not in the thing that the ungodly have pleasure in; but remember they shall not go unpunished unto their grave.

9:18  Keep yourself far from a man having the power to kill, and then you will not have the fear of death suspended over you.

Sir9:13  Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill; so shalt thou not doubt the fear of death: and if thou come unto him, make no fault, lest he take away thy life presently: remember that thou goest in the midst of snares, and that thou walkest upon the battlements of the city.

9:19  But if you do approach him, do nothing to offend, lest perhaps he may take away your life.

9:20  Know that this is a communion with death. For you would be entering the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of the grieving.

9:21  According to your ability, be cautious of your neighbor, and treat him as the wise and prudent would.

Sir9:14  As near as thou canst, guess at thy neighbour, and consult with the wise.

9:22  Let just men be your companions, and let your glory be in the fear of God.

Sir9:15  Let thy talk be with the wise, and all thy communication in the law of the most High.

9:23  And let the thought of God be in your mind, and let all your discourse be on the precepts of the Most High.

Sir9:16  And let just men eat and drink with thee; and let thy glorying be in the fear of the Lord.

9:24  Works will be praised for the hands of the artists, and a leader of the people will be praised for the wisdom of his words, yet truly, the word of the elders will be praised for its understanding.

Sir9:17  For the hand of the artificer the work shall be commended: and the wise ruler of the people for his speech.

9:25  A man full of words is a dread to his city, but one who speaks rashly will be hated for his word.

Sir9:18  A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city; and he that is rash in his talk shall be hated.

10:1  A wise judge will judge his people, and the leadership of an understanding man will be steadfast.

10:2  As the judge of the people is, so also are his assistants. And whatever kind of man the ruler of a city is, of such a kind also are those who live in it.

10:3  A foolish king will be the ruin of his people. For cities will be inhabited through the understanding of those with power.

3  An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited.

10:4  Power over the earth is in the hand of God, and, in due time, he will raise up a helpful leader over the earth.

4  The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable.

10:5  The prosperity of a man is in the hand of God, and he will place his honor above the face of the scribe.

5  In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.

10:6  You should forget all injury done to you by your neighbor, and you should do nothing among the works of injury.

6  Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices.

10:7  Arrogance is hateful in the sight of God and of men. And all iniquity among the nations is abominable.

7  Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity.

10:8  A kingdom is transferred from one people to another because of injustices, and injuries, and contempt, and every kind of deceit.

8  Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.

10:9  But nothing is more wicked than a greedy man. Why should that which is earth and ashes be arrogant?

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.

10:10  There is nothing more iniquitous than to love money. For such a one has sold even his own soul. For in his life, he casts aside his innermost being.

10:11  All power is of short life. A prolonged sickness is of grave concern to a physician.

10:12  A physician causes a sickness to be shortened. So also, a king is here today, and tomorrow he will die.

Sir10:10  The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to day a king to morrow shall die.

10:13  For when a man dies, he will inherit serpents, and wild beasts, and worms.

10:14  The beginning of the arrogance of man is apostasy from God.

Sir10:12  The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.

10:15  For his heart has withdrawn from the One who made him. For arrogance is the beginning of all sin. Whoever holds to it, will be filled with evil words, and it will overthrow him in the end.

Sir10:13  For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly.

10:16  Because of this, the Lord has dishonored the gatherings of the evil, and he has destroyed them, even unto the end.

10:17  God has destroyed the seats of arrogant leaders, and he has caused the meek to be seated in their place.

Sir10:14  The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead.

10:18  The roots of arrogant nations, God has dried up, and the humble among these nations, he has planted.

Sir10:15  The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place.

10:19  The Lord has overthrown the lands of the Gentiles, and he has utterly destroyed them, even to their foundation.

Sir10:16  The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.

10:20  He has dried up some of them, and he has utterly destroyed them, and he has caused their memory to depart from the earth.

Sir10:17  He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and hath made their memorial to cease from the earth.

10:21  God has abolished the memory of the arrogant, and he has left behind only the memory of those who are humble in mind.

Sir10:18  Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman.

10:22  Arrogance was not created for men, nor was an angry temperament created for the gender of women.

Sir10:19  They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.

10:23  Those who fear God among the offspring of men will be honored. But those among the offspring who ignore the commandments of the Lord will be dishonored.

Sir10:20  Among brethren he that is chief is honourably; so are they that fear the Lord in his eyes.

10:24  In the midst of his brothers, a ruler has honor. And those who fear the Lord will have honor in his eyes.

Sir10:21  The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride is the losing thereof.

10:25  The fear of God is the glory of the wealthy, and of the honorable, and of the poor.

Sir10:22  Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the Lord.

10:26  Do not choose to despise a just man who is poor, and do not choose to magnify a sinful man who is rich.

Sir10:23  It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.

10:27  The great man, and the judge, and the powerful have honor. But no one is greater than he who fears God.

Sir10:24  Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that feareth the Lord.

10:28  Those who are free will serve an understanding servant. And a prudent and disciplined man will not murmur at correction. But an ignorant man will not be honored.

Sir10:25  Unto the servant that is wise shall they that are free do service: and he that hath knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed.

10:29  Do not choose to extol yourself in doing your work, and do not be unproductive during the time of distress.

Sir10:26  Be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast not thyself in the time of thy distress.

10:30  He who works, and so abounds in all things, is better than he who boasts, and so lacks bread.

Sir10:27  Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread.

10:31  Son, preserve your soul in meekness, and give it honor according to its merit.

Sir10:28  My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof.

10:32  Who will justify one who sins in his soul? And who will honor one who dishonors his soul?

Sir10:29  Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own life?

10:33  The poor man is glorified by his discipline and fear. And there is a man who is honored because of his substance.

Sir10:30  The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches.

10:34  But if someone is glorified in poverty, how much more in substance? And whoever is glorified in substance, let him fear poverty.

Sir10:31  He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?

11:1  The wisdom of one who is humble will exalt his head, and will cause him to sit down in the midst of great men.

1  Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and maketh him to sit among great men.

11:2  You should not praise a man for his beauty, and you should not despise a man for his appearances.

2  Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward appearance.

11:3  The bee is small among flying things, but its fruit holds the summit of sweetness.

11:4  You should not glory in clothing at any time, and you should not let yourself be extolled in the day of your honor. For the works of the Most High alone are wondrous; and glorious and hidden and unseen are his works.

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.

11:5  Many tyrants have sat upon a throne, and one whom no one would admire has worn a diadem.

5  Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown.

11:6  Many powerful men have been powerfully cast down, and the illustrious have been handed over into the hands of others.

6  Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men’s hands.

11:7  Before you inquire, you should not place blame on anyone; and when you have inquired, reprove justly.

7  Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke.

11:8  Before you listen, you should not respond a word; and you should not interrupt in the middle of a discourse.

8  Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk.

11:9  You should not contend in a matter which does not concern you, and you should not sit in judgment together with sinners.

9  Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgement with sinners.

11:10  Son, you should not be involved in many matters. And if you become rich, you will not be free from transgression. For if you pursue, you will not apprehend; and if you run ahead, you will not escape.

10  My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing.

11:11  There is an impious man who labors and hurries and grieves, but all the more will he be without abundance.

11  There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind.

11:12  There is a debilitated man in need of recovery, who is lacking in strength and abundant in poverty.

12  Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate,

11:13  Yet the eye of God has looked with favor upon him for his benefit, and he has lifted him up from his humiliation, and he has exalted his head. And many have wondered at him, and they have honored God.

13  And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw from him is peace over all the

11:14  Good things and misfortune, life and death, poverty and wealth, are from God.

14  Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord.

11:15  Wisdom, and discipline, and knowledge of the law are with God. Love and the ways of good things are with him.

15  Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from him.

11:16  Error and darkness have been created by sinners. And those who exult in evil, grow old in evil.

11:17  The gift of God remains with the just man, and his advancement will have success unto eternity.

17  The gift of the Lord remaineth with the ungodly, and his favour bringeth prosperity for ever.

11:18  There is one who is enriched by spending sparingly, and this is the extent of his reward.

18  There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this his the portion of his reward

11:19  About this, he says: “I have found rest for myself, and now I alone will eat from my goods.”

19  Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die.

11:20  But he does not know how much time will pass before death approaches, and then he must leave everything behind to others and die.

11:21  Stand fast in your covenant, and become familiar with it, and grow old in the work of your commandments.

Sir11:20  Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work.

11:22  You should not spend time in the works of sinners. Instead, trust in God and remain in your own place.

Sir11:21  Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich.

11:23  For it is easy, in the eyes of God, to make a pauper suddenly rich.

11:24  The blessing of God hurries to reward the just man, and in a fleeting hour his advancement bears fruit.

Sir11:22  The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing flourish.

11:25  You should not say: “What do I need?” or, “What good will there be for me in this?”

Sir11:23  Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter?

11:26  You should not say: “I have enough for myself,” or, “What could be worse than this?”

Sir11:24  Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil shall I have hereafter?

11:27  In a day of good things, you should not be forgetful of misfortunes. And in a day of misfortunes, you should not be forgetful of good things.

Sir11:25  In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.

11:28  For it is easy, in the sight of God, on the day of one’s passing, to repay each one according to his ways.

Sir11:26  For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways.

11:29  The affliction of an hour causes one to forget great delights, and in the end of a man is the uncovering of his works.

11:30  You should not praise any man before death. For a man is known by his children.

Sir11:28  Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children.

11:31  You should not bring every man into your house. For many are the snares of the deceitful.

Sir11:29  Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath many trains.

11:32  For as a stomach with a bad smell vomits, and as a partridge is led into a cage, and like a deer led into a snare, so also is the heart of the arrogant. And it is like a bystander watching his neighbor fall.

Sir11:30  Like as a partridge taken and kept in a cage, so is the heart of the proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall

11:33  For it lies in ambush, and then turns good into evil, and it will place the blame on the elect.

Sir11:31  For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee.

11:34  From one spark, a great fire grows; and from one deceitful man, much blood flows. But a very sinful man lies in ambush for blood.

Sir11:32  Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man layeth wait for blood.

11:35  Pay close attention to yourself before a harmful man, for he fabricates evils. Otherwise, he may lead over you a whispered reproach unceasingly.

Sir11:33  Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness; lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot.

11:36  Receive a stranger to yourself, and he will overthrow you with a whirlwind, and he will alienate you from what is your very own.

Sir11:34  Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.

12:1  If you do good, know to whom you do it, and there will be many thanks for your good deeds.

1  When thou wilt do good know to whom thou doest it; so shalt thou be thanked for thy benefits.

12:2  Do good to the just, and you will find great recompense, and if not from him, certainly from the Lord.

12:3  For there is no good for someone who is always occupied in evil, or who does not give alms. For the Most High holds hatred for sinners, but he takes pity on the repentant.

3  There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor to him that giveth no alms.

12:4  Give to the merciful, and you should not assist the sinner. For the impious and the sinner will be repaid with the vengeance being held for them on the day of retribution.

4  Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.

12:5  Give to the good, but you should not receive from a sinner.

5  Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby: for else thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him.

12:6  Do good to the humble, but you should not give to the impious; withhold your bread, do not give it to him, otherwise he may overpower you with it.

6  For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.

12:7  For you will find twice the evil for all the good you will have done to him. For the Most High also holds hatred for sinners, and he will repay vengeance to the impious.

7  Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.

12:8  A friend will not be known in good times, and an enemy will not be hidden in adversity.

8  A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.

12:9  By the good fortune of a man, his enemies are grieved; and by his misfortune, a friend is revealed.

9  In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity even a friend will depart.

12:10  You should never trust your enemy. For his wickedness rusts like a brass pot.

10  Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness.

12:11  And if he humbles himself and goes about bowed down, increase your alertness and guard yourself from him.

11  Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away.

12:12  You should not sit down anywhere near him, nor should you allow him to sit at your right hand, lest perhaps he may turn toward your place, and seek your seat, and then, in the very end, you would understand my words and be stung by my sermon.

12  Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith.

12:13  Who will take pity on an enchanter struck by a serpent, or on someone who draws near to wild beasts? And so it is with one who keeps company with an iniquitous man and is involved in his sins.

13  Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come nigh wild beasts?

14  So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins, who will pity?

12:14  For one hour, he will abide with you. But if you begin to turn aside, he will not permit it.

Sir12:15  For a while he will abide with thee, but if thou begin to fall, he will not tarry.

12:15  An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips, but in his heart, he waits in ambush, so that he may throw you into a pit.

Sir12:16  An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he imagineth how to throw thee into a pit: he will weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.

12:16  An enemy has tears in his eyes. But if he finds an opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.

12:17  And if misfortunes happen upon you, you will find him there first.

12:18  An enemy has tears in his eyes, but while pretending to help you, he will dig under your feet.

Sir12:19  If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first; and though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he undermine thee.

12:19  He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his expression.

13:1  Whoever touches pitch will be contaminated by it. And whoever associates with the arrogant will be clothed by arrogance.

1  He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith; and he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall be like unto him.

13:2  Whoever associates with those more honorable than himself sets a burden on himself. And so, you should have no fellowship with someone who is wealthier than you.

2  Burden not thyself above thy power while thou livest; and have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself: for how agree the kettle and the earthen pot together? for if the one be smitten against the other, it shall be broken.

13:3  What will the cooking pot have in common with the earthen vessel? And when they collide with one another, one will be broken.

13:4  The rich man has suffered no injustice, and yet he fumes. But the poor man, though he has been wounded, will remain silent.

Sir13:3  The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he must intreat also.

13:5  If you are generous, he will take you up; and when you have nothing, he will cast you aside.

Sir13:4  If thou be for his profit, he will use thee: but if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.

13:6  If you possess, he will feast with you, and he will empty you, and he will not grieve over you.

Sir13:5  If thou have any thing, he will live with thee: yea, he will make thee bare, and will not be sorry for it.

13:7  If he has need of you, he will deceive you; and while smiling, he will give you hope. He will converse with you pleasantly, and he will say: “What is it that you need?”

Sir13:6  If he have need of thee, he will deceive thee, and smile upon thee, and put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and say, What wantest thou?

13:8  And he will impress you with his foods, until he has drained you two or three times, and in the very end, he will ridicule you. And afterward, when he sees you, he will abandon you, and he will shake his head at you.

Sir13:7  And he will shame thee by his meats, until he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh thee to scorn afterward, when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.

13:9  Humble yourself before God, and wait for his hands.

13:10  Be careful. Otherwise, having been seduced into foolishness, you will be humiliated.

Sir13:8  Beware that thou be not deceived and brought down in thy jollity.

13:11  Do not choose to be low in your wisdom, otherwise, having been brought low, you will be seduced into foolishness.

13:12  If you are invited by someone who is more powerful than you, you should decline. Otherwise, he will invite you all the more.

Sir13:9  If thou be invited of a mighty man, withdraw thyself, and so much the more will he invite thee.

13:13  You cannot be rude to him, lest you be pushed away. And you cannot stray far from him, lest you be forgotten.

Sir13:10  Press thou not upon him, lest thou be put back; stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten.

13:14  You cannot hold a discussion with him as with an equal. You should not trust his many words. For by much talking, he will probe you, and while smiling, he will question you about your secrets.

Sir13:11  Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy secrets

13:15  His cruel mind will store up your words; and he will not spare you from affliction, nor from prison.

Sir13:12  But cruelly he will lay up thy words, and will not spare to do thee hurt, and to put thee in prison.

13:16  Be cautious of yourself, and attend diligently to what you are hearing. For you are walking toward your own destruction.

Sir13:13  Observe, and take good heed, for thou walkest in peril of thy overthrowing: when thou hearest these things, awake in thy sleep.

13:17  Yet truly, while listening to these things, consider it as if it were a dream, and you will awaken.

13:18  Love God for your entire life, and call upon him for your salvation.

Sir13:14  Love the Lord all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.

13:19  Every animal loves its own kind; so also every man loves those closest to himself.

Sir13:15  Every beast loveth his like, and every man loveth his neighbour.

13:20  All flesh will join with whatever is similar to itself, and every man will associate with whomever is similar to himself.

Sir13:16  All flesh consorteth according to kind, and a man will cleave to his like.

13:21  If a wolf would at any time have fellowship with a lamb, so also would a sinner have fellowship with the just.

Sir13:17  What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb? so the sinner with the godly.

13:22  What fellowship does a holy man have with a dog? Or what portion do the wealthy have with the poor?

Sir13:18  What agreement is there between the hyena and a dog? and what peace between the rich and the poor?

13:23  In the desert, the wild donkey is the prey of the lion. So also are the poor the pasture of the rich.

Sir13:19  As the wild ass is the lion’s prey in the wilderness: so the rich eat up the poor.

13:24  And just as humility is an abomination to the arrogant, so also does the rich man abhor the poor man.

Sir13:20  As the proud hate humility: so doth the rich abhor the poor.

13:25  When a wealthy man has been shaken, he is strengthened by his friends. But when a lowly man has fallen, he is expelled even by those who know him well.

Sir13:21  A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends: but a poor man being down is thrust away by his friends.

13:26  When a rich man has been deceived, many will help him recover; he has spoken arrogantly, and yet they justify him.

Sir13:22  When a rich man is fallen, he hath many helpers: he speaketh things not to be spoken, and yet men justify him: the poor man slipped, and yet they rebuked him too; he spake wisely, and could have no place.

13:27  When a poor man has been deceived, in addition he is rebuked; he has spoken with understanding, and no place is given to him.

13:28  The rich man has spoken, and all remain silent, and they repeat his words, even to the clouds.

Sir13:23  When a rich man speaketh, every man holdeth his tongue, and, look, what he saith, they extol it to the clouds: but if the poor man speak, they say, What fellow is this? and if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.

13:29  The poor man has spoken, and they say: “Who is this?” And if he stumbles, they will overthrow him.

13:30  Substance is good for him who has no sin on his conscience. And poverty is called very wicked by the mouth of the impious.

Sir13:24  Riches are good unto him that hath no sin, and poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.

13:31  The heart of a man changes his face, either for better or for worse.

Sir13:25  The heart of a man changeth his countenance, whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.

13:32  You will find, with difficulty and much labor, the sign of a good heart and a good face.

Sir13:26  A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a wearisome labour of the mind.

14:1  Blessed is the man who has not slipped because of a word from his mouth, and who has not been stung by grief because of an offense.

1  Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of sins.

14:2  Happy is he who does not have sadness in his mind, and who has not fallen away from his hope.

2  Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the Lord.

14:3  Substance is senseless for a greedy and stingy man. And what would a spiteful man do with gold?

3  Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an envious man do with money?

14:4  Whoever acquires unjustly, according to his own mind, gathers for others. For another will spend his goods lavishly.

4  He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul gathereth for others, that shall spend his goods riotously.

14:5  Whoever is wicked to himself, to whom will he be good? For he will not take enjoyment in his own goods.

5  He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? he shall not take pleasure in his goods.

14:6  Whoever has ill will toward himself, nothing is more worthless than he is. But such is the reward of his wickedness.

6  There is none worse than he that envieth himself; and this is a recompence of his wickedness.

14:7  And if he does good, he does it ignorantly and unwillingly. And in the very end, he realizes his own malice.

7  And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and at the last he will declare his wickedness.

14:8  The eye of the spiteful man is wicked, and he averts his face and despises his own soul.

8  The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and despiseth men.

14:9  The eye of the greedy man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity. He will not be satisfied until he has consumed his own soul, withering it away.

9  A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul.

14:10  An evil eye is directed at evil things. And he will not be satisfied by bread; instead, he will be needy and grieving at his own table.

10  A wicked eye envieth his bread, and he is a niggard at his table.

14:11  Son, if you have anything, do good to yourself, and offer worthy oblations to God.

11  My son, according to thy ability do good to thyself, and give the Lord his due offering.

14:12  Remember that death has not been delayed, and that the covenant of the grave has been revealed to you. For the covenant of this world will pass away in death.

12  Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee.

14:13  Do good to your friend before you die. And according to your ability, extend your hand and give to the poor.

13  Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability stretch out thy hand and give to him.

14:14  Do not cheat yourself out of a good day, and do not let the smallest good gift pass you by.

14  Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good desire overpass thee.

14:15  Should you not leave it to others to divide your sorrows and labors by lot?

15  Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours to be divided by lot?

14:16  Give, and receive, and justify your soul.

16  Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave.

14:17  Before your passing, accomplish justice. For in death, there is no food to be found.

17  All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.

14:18  All flesh grows old like the grass, and like the foliage that springs forth from a green tree.

18  As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.

14:19  Some spring up, and others fall away. Such is the generation of flesh and blood. One is finished, and another is born.

19  Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal.

14:20  Every corruptible work will fail in the end. And its worker will go with it.

20  Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding.

14:21  But every excellent work will be justified. And whoever worked it will be honored by it.

21  He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have understanding in her secrets.

14:22  Blessed is the man who will abide in wisdom, and who will meditate on her righteousness, and who, in his mind, will consider the circumspection of God.

22  Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways.

14:23  He considers her ways in his heart, and he finds understanding in her secrets. He goes after her like an investigator, and he is constant in her ways.

23  He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors.

14:24  He gazes through her windows, and he listens at her door.

24  He that doth lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her walls.

14:25  He rests next to her house, and, fastening a peg in her walls, he sets up his cottage by her hands. And so, good things will find rest in his cottage as time passes.

25  He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.

14:26  He will station his sons under her covering, and he will abide under her branches.

26  He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches.

14:27  He will be protected by her covering from the heat, and he will rest in her glory.

27  By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.

15:1  Whoever fears God will do good. And whoever holds to justice will obtain it.

1  He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that hath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her.

15:2  And like an honorable mother, she will meet him, and like a virgin bride, she will receive him.

2  And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married of a virgin.

15:3  She will feed him with the bread of life and understanding. And she give him to drink from the water of salvific wisdom. And she will be confirmed in him, and he will not waver.

3  With the bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink.

15:4  And she will hold to him, and he will not be confounded. And she will exalt him, along with those closest to him.

4  He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.

15:5  And in the midst of the Church, she will open his mouth, and she will fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and she will clothe him with a robe of glory.

5  She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.

15:6  She will store up in him a treasure of rejoicing and exultation, and she will cause him to inherit an everlasting name.

6  He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.

15:7  But foolish men will not take hold of her. And though understanding men will meet her, foolish men will not catch sight of her. For she is far from arrogance and deceit.

7  But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinners shall not see her.

15:8  Lying men will be wary of her. But men who speak the truth will be found with her, and they will have success, even when examined by God.

8  For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her.

15:9  Praise is not beautiful in the mouth of a sinner.

9  Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him of the Lord.

15:10  For wisdom was sent from God. And praise will stand before the wisdom of God, and praise will abound in the mouths of the faithful, and the sovereign Lord will give praise to wisdom.

10  For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.

15:11  You should not say: “It is because of God that wisdom is absent.” For you should not do what he detests.

11  Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.

15:12  You should not say: “He has led me astray.” For the impious are of no use to him.

12  Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man.

15:13  The Lord hates all abominable error, and those who fear him will not love such things.

13  The Lord hateth all abomination; and they that fear God love it not.

15:14  God established man from the beginning, and he left him in the hand of his own counsel.

15:15  He added his commandments and precepts.

15:16  If you choose to keep the commandments, and if, having chosen them, you fulfill them with perpetual fidelity, they will preserve you.

Sir15:15  If thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to perform acceptable faithfulness.

15:17  He has set water and fire before you. Extend your hand to whichever one you would choose.

Sir15:16  He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch forth thy hand unto whether thou wilt.

15:18  Before man is life and death, good and evil. Whichever one he chooses will be given to him.

15:19  For the wisdom of God is manifold. And he is strong in power, seeing all things without ceasing.

Sir15:18  For the wisdom of the Lord is great, and he is mighty in power, and beholdeth all things

15:20  The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, and he knows each one of the works of man.

Sir15:19  And his eyes are upon them that fear him, and he knoweth every work of man.

15:21  He has commanded no one to act impiously, and he has given no one permission to sin.

Sir15:20  He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath he given any man licence to sin.

15:22  For he does not desire a multitude of unfaithful and useless sons.

16:1  You should not rejoice in impious children, if they are successful; nor should you take delight in them, if the fear of God is not in them.

1  Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.

16:2  You should not approve of their life, nor should you look with favor on their labors.

2  Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.

16:3  For one child who fears God is better than one thousand impious children.

3  Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.

16:4  And it is better to die without children, than to leave behind impious children.

4  For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.

16:5  By means one person with understanding, a country will be inhabited. The tribe of the impious will become desolate.

5  Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.

16:6  Many such things my eyes have seen, and greater things than these my ear has heard.

6  In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.

16:7  In the synagogue of sinners, a fire will blaze forth; and amid an unbelieving people, wrath will flare up.

7  He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.

16:8  The giants of antiquity did not obtain pardon for their sins; they were destroyed by trusting in their own abilities.

8  Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.

16:9  And he did not spare the place of Lot’s sojourn, and he abhorred them because of the arrogance of their words.

9  He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins

16:10  He did not take pity on them, destroying an entire people, who even extolled themselves concerning their sins.

10  Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.

16:11  And this was so with six hundred thousand men, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts. And if even a single obstinate person had escaped unpunished, it would be a wonder.

11  And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.

16:12  For mercy and wrath are with him. He is powerful in forgiveness, and he pours forth wrath.

12  As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works

16:13  As is his mercy, so also is his correction; he judges a man according to his works.

13  The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.

16:14  The sinner, in his violations, will not escape; but the patience of the One who shows mercy will not be diminished.

14  Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.

16:15  Every mercy will make a place for each man, according to the merit of his works, and according to the understanding of his sojourn.

15  The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.

16:16  You should not say: “I am hidden from God,” or, “Who, from on high, will take note of me?”

16  His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.

16:17  or, “Among a great number of people, I will not be noticed. For what is my soul amid such an immense creation?”

17  Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?

16:18  Behold: the heavens, and the heaven of the heavens, the abyss, and the entire earth, and the things that are within these, will be shaken by his gaze,

18  Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.

16:19  together with mountains and hills, and the foundations of the earth. When God casts his gaze upon them, they will be struck with trembling.

19  The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.

16:20  And concerning all these things, the heart is without understanding; but every heart is understood by him.

20  No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?

16:21  And who will understand his ways, or the tempest, which no eye of man will see?

21  It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.

16:22  For many of his works are concealed. But who will announce the works of his justice? Or who will endure them? For the testament is far from some persons, and the examination of each thing is in its end.

22  Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.

16:23  Whoever diminishes the heart, thinks empty thoughts. For the imprudent and erring man thinks up foolishness.

23  He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.

16:24  Listen to me, son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in your heart.

24  My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.

16:25  And I will speak with equity about discipline, and I will strive to announce wisdom. So attend to my words in your heart, and I will speak with equity of spirit, about the virtues that God has set within his works from the beginning, and I will announce his knowledge in truth.

25  I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.

16:26  With the judgment of God, his works have been done from the beginning; and from their institution, he himself distinguished their parts and set their beginnings, in their kinds.

26  The works of the Lord are done in judgement from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.

16:27  He has beautified their works unto eternity. They have neither hungered, nor labored, and they have not ceased from their works.

27  He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.

16:28  Neither will any one of them cause anguish to his neighbor, forever.

28  None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.

16:29  You should not be incredulous at his word.

16:30  Afterward, God looked with favor upon the earth, and he filled it with his goodness.

Sir16:29  After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.

16:31  The soul of every living thing brought word from before his face, and their return again is to him.

Sir16:30  With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.

17:1  God created man from the earth, and he made him according to his own image.

1  The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.

17:2  And he returned him again to it, and he clothed him with virtue according to himself.

2  He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.

17:3  He gave him the number and time of his days, and he gave him authority over all the things that are upon the earth.

3  He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to his image,

17:4  He placed the fear of him over all flesh, and he had dominion over wild beasts and flying things.

4  And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.

5  They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.

17:5  He created from him a helper, similar to himself. He gave them counsel, and language, and sight, and hearing, and a heart, in order to think. And he filled them with the discipline of understanding.

Sir17:6  Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.

17:6  He created within them the knowledge of the spirit. He filled their heart with understanding, and he showed them both good and evil.

Sir17:7  Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.

17:7  He set his eye upon their hearts, to reveal to them the greatness of his works,

17:8  so that they might highly praise the name of sanctification, and give glory to his wonders, so that they might declare the greatness of his works.

Sir17:9  He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.

17:9  In addition, he gave them discipline and the law of life, as their inheritance.

Sir17:10  And the elect shall praise his holy name.

17:10  He established an eternal covenant with them, and he revealed to them his justice and judgments.

Sir17:11  Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.

17:11  And their eye saw the greatness of his honor, and their ears heard the honor of his voice, and he said to them: “Beware of all iniquity.”

Sir17:12  He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgements.

17:12  And he commanded each one concerning his neighbor.

Sir17:13  Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.

17:13  Their ways are always in his sight; they are not hidden from his eyes.

Sir17:14  And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning his neighbour.

17:14  Over each and every people, he has appointed a ruler.

Sir17:15  Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.

17:15  And Israel was made to be the manifest portion of God.

Sir17:16  Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.

17:16  And in the sight of God, all their works are like the sun. And his eyes, without ceasing, inspect their ways.

Sir17:17  For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord’s portion

17:17  The covenants are not hidden by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.

Sir17:18  Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.

17:18  The almsgiving of a man is like a seal upon him, which will guard the grace of a man like the pupil of an eye.

Sir17:19  Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

17:19  And afterward, it will rise up and repay them their reward, each one upon his head, and it will return to the hidden places of the earth.

Sir17:20  None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord

17:20  Now, to the repentant, he has given the way of justice, and he has strengthened those lacking in patience, and he has fastened them to a destiny of truth.

Sir17:21  But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.

17:21  Convert to the Lord, and relinquish your sins.

Sir17:22  The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.

17:22  Make supplication before the face of the Lord, and diminish your offenses.

Sir17:23  Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.

17:23  Return to the Lord, and turn away from your injustice, and have immense hatred for abomination.

Sir17:24  But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.

17:24  And acknowledge the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the circumstances set before you and in prayer to the most high God.

Sir17:25  Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.

17:25  Go to the side of the holy generation, to those who live in order to give praise to God.

Sir17:26  Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.

17:26  You should not linger in the error of the impious; confess before death. Confession perishes from the dead as if it were nothing.

Sir17:27  Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?

17:27  Confess while living; you should give thanks while you are still alive and healthy. And you should praise God and glory in his compassion.

Sir17:28  Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.

17:28  How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness, for those who convert to him!

Sir17:29  How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!

17:29  For not all things can be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and because they are pleased by the emptiness of malice.

Sir17:30  For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.

17:30  What is brighter than the sun? Yet this will fail. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood has invented? And this will be reproved.

17:31  He beholds the power of the heights of heaven. And all men are earth and ashes.

Sir17:32  He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.

18:2  Who is able to declare his works?

2  The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,

18:3  For who can examine his greatness?

3  Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.

18:4  And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?

4  To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?

18:5  There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.

5  Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?

18:6  When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.

6  As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.

18:7  What is man, and what is his grace? And what is his good, or what is his evil?

7  When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.

18:8  The number of the days of men are as many as one hundred years. Like a drop of water in the ocean, so they are considered to be. And like a grain of sand on the shore, so do these few years compare to the days of all time.

8  What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?

18:9  For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours forth his mercy upon them.

9  The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.

18:10  He has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.

10  As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.

18:11  Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.

11  Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.

18:12  The compassion of man is toward those closest to him. But the mercy of God is upon all flesh.

12  He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.

18:13  He is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.

13  The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.

18:14  He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.

14  He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgements.

18:15  Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.

15  My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.

18:16  Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good word better than a gift.

16  Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.

18:17  Behold, is a word not greater than a gift? But both are with a justified man.

18:18  The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.

18  A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.

18:19  Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.

19  Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.

18:20  Before you become sick, obtain medicine. And before you judge, examine yourself. And then you will find forgiveness in the sight of God.

20  Before judgement examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.

18:21  Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.

21  Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.

18:22  Let nothing impede you from praying always. And then you will not dread to be justified, even unto death. For the reward of God dwells in eternity.

22  Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.

18:23  Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts God.

23  Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.

18:24  Remember the wrath that will be on the day of consummation, and remember the time of retribution, when he will turn away his face.

24  Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.

18:25  Remember poverty in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a day of riches.

25  When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.

18:26  From morning until evening, the time will be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.

26  From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.

18:27  A wise man will be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.

27  A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.

18:28  Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.

28  Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.

18:29  Those who show understanding with words also have acted wisely themselves, and they have understood truth and justice, and they have fulfilled proverbs and judgments.

29  They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.

18:30  You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.

30  Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.

18:31  If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.

31  If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.

18:32  Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.

32  Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expense thereof.

18:33  You should not be reduced by the contention of borrowing, even if there is nothing in your purse. For you would be contending against your own life.

33  Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.

19:1  An inebriated worker will not be wealthy. And whoever despises littleness will fall a little at a time.

1  A labouring man that A is given to drunkenness shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little.

19:2  Wine and women cause wise men to fall away, and then they will complain against those who understand.

19:3  And whoever joins himself to fornicators will become wicked. Decay and worms will inherit him, and he will be denounced as the greater example, and his soul will be deducted from the number.

3  Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.

19:4  Whoever is quick to believe has a trivial heart and will be diminished. And whoever offends against his own soul will have even less.

4  He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.

19:5  Whoever rejoices in iniquity will be condemned. And whoever hates correction will have less in life. But whoever hates excessive talk extinguishes evil.

5  Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.

19:6  Whoever sins against his own soul will be punished. And whoever rejoices in malice will be condemned.

6  He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.

19:7  You should not repeat a wicked and harsh word, and then you will not be diminished.

7  Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.

19:8  Do not reveal your mind to friend or foe. And if there is a sin within you, do not disclose it.

8  Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men’s lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.

19:9  For he will listen to you and watch you, and while pretending to defend your sin, he will despise you, and so he will be whenever he is with you.

9  For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.

19:10  Have you heard a word against your neighbor? Let it die within you, trusting that it will not burst forth from you.

10  If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.

19:11  Before the face of a word, a foolish man labors, like a woman groaning as she gives birth to a child.

11  A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.

19:12  Like an arrow fixed in the flesh of the thigh, so is a word in the heart of a foolish man.

12  As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a word within a fool’s belly.

19:13  Correct a friend, though perhaps there was a misunderstanding, and he may say, “I did not do it.” Or, if he did do it, correct him, so that he may not do it again.

13  Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.

19:14  Correct your neighbor, for perhaps he did not say it. But if he did say it, correct him, so that he may not say it again.

14  Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.

19:15  Correct your friend. For often a fault has been committed.

15  Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.

19:16  And do not believe every word. There is one who slips with his word, but not with his heart.

16  There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?

17  Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.

19:17  For who is there who has not offended with his words? Correct your neighbor before you reprimand him.

17  The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted of him, and wisdom obtaineth his love.

18  The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.

19:18  And make a place for the fear of the Most High. For all wisdom is fear of God, and it is wise to fear God, and in all wisdom is the orderly disposition of the law.

18  The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.

19  If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.

19:19  But the discipline of wickedness is not wisdom. And there is no prudence in the thoughts of sinners.

Sir19:20  The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.

19:20  There is a wickedness, and in it there is abomination. And there is a foolish man who has been diminished in wisdom.

19:21  Better is a man who has been diminished in wisdom because his mind is failing, but with the fear of God, than he who abounds in intelligence, but with transgression against the law of the Most High.

Sir19:22  He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.

19:22  There is a certain cleverness, and it is unjust.

Sir19:23  There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgement appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgement.

19:23  And there is one who utters a careful word, explaining away the truth. There is one who humbles himself wickedly, for his interior is filled with deceit.

Sir19:24  There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,

19:24  And there is one who lowers himself excessively with a great debasement. And there is one who inclines his face downward, and pretends as if he did not see what has not been made known.

Sir19:25  Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.

19:25  And if he is prevented from sinning by a lack of ability, and then finds an opportunity for evildoing, he will do evil.

Sir19:26  And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.

19:26  A man is recognized by his appearances. But when you meet an understanding man, he is recognized by his face.

Sir19:27  A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.

19:27  The clothing of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the walk of a man, give a report about him.

Sir19:28  A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.

19:28  There is a lying correction in the anger of a contemptuous man. And there is a judgment which does not prove to be good. But there is one who is silent, and the same is prudent.

20:2  The lust of an eunuch will deflower a young maiden;

2  It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.

20:3  similar is he who by violence gives an iniquitous judgment.

3  As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgement with violence.

20:4  How good it is, when you are corrected, to show contrition! For in this way, you will escape deliberate sin.

Sir20:3  How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.

20:5  There is one who, by remaining silent, is found to be wise. And there is another who is hateful and who provokes by speaking out.

5  There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.

20:6  There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time.

6  Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.

20:7  A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times.

7  A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.

20:8  Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated.

8  He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.

20:9  There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment.

9  There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.

20:10  There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double.

20:11  There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness.

11  There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.

20:12  There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold.

12  There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.

20:13  Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away.

13  A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.

20:14  A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold.

14  The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.

20:15  He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame.

15  He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.

20:16  There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful.

20:17  A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds.

Sir20:16  The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.

20:18  For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him!

Sir20:17+18  How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.

20:19  For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess.

20:20  The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly.

Sir20:19  To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

20:21  A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined.

Sir20:20  An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.

20:22  A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time.

Sir20:21  A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.

20:23  There is one who is prevented from sinning by poverty, and in his rest, he will be vexed.

Sir20:22  There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.

20:24  There is one who will lose his own soul because of pretense, and he will lose it by an example of imprudence. For by seeking the approval of another, he will destroy himself.

Sir20:23  There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.

20:25  There is one who, for the sake of what other’s think, makes a promise to a friend, and so he gains him as an enemy for no reason.

Sir20:24  There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.

20:26  A lie is a wicked disgrace to a man, and yet lies will be continually in the mouths of those without discipline.

Sir20:25  A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.

20:27  A thief is better than a man who constantly lies. But both of them will inherit perdition.

20:28  The habits of lying men are without honor. And their shame is with them without ceasing.

Sir20:27  The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.

20:29  A wise man will benefit himself by his own words, and a prudent man will please the powerful.

Sir20:28  A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.

20:30  Whoever works his land will raise high a stockpile of grain. And whoever works justice will himself be raised high. Yet truly, whoever pleases the powerful will escape unfair treatment.

Sir20:29  He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.

20:31  Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and silence their mouths, turning them aside from their task of correction.

20:32  Wisdom hidden, and treasure unseen: of what use is either of these?

Sir20:31  Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?

20:33  He who hides his foolishness is better than a man who conceals his wisdom.

32  Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.

33  Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.

21:1  Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you.

1  My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.

21:2  Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you.

2  Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.

21:3  Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.

21:4  All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.

Sir21:3  All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.

21:5  Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated.

Sir21:4  To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.

21:6  Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly.

Sir21:5  A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgement cometh speedily.

21:7  Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.

Sir21:6  He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.

21:8  He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him.

Sir21:7  An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.

21:9  Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.

Sir21:8  He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.

21:10  The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.

Sir21:9  The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.

21:11  The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.

Sir21:10  The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.

21:12  Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.

Sir21:11  He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

21:13  The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.

21:14  One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.

12  He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.

13  The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.

21:15  Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.

21:16  The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.

21:17  The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.

Sir21:14  The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.

21:18  A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back.

Sir21:15  If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.

21:19  The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found.

Sir21:16  The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.

21:20  The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts.

Sir21:17  They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.

21:21  Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words.

Sir21:18  As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.

21:22  Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.

Sir21:19  Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.

21:23  A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.

Sir21:20  A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.

21:24  Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.

Sir21:21  Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.

21:25  The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful.

Sir21:22  A foolish man’s foot is soon in his neighbour’s house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.

21:26  A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside.

Sir21:23  A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.

21:27  It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.

Sir21:24  It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.

21:28  The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.

Sir21:25  The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.

21:29  The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts.

Sir21:26  The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.

21:30  Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.

Sir21:27  When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.

21:31  Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored.

Sir21:28  A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.

22:1  The lazy man is pelted with a dirty stone, and all will speak about his rejection.

1  A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.

22:2  The lazy man is pelted with the dung of oxen, and all who touch him will brush off their hands.

2  A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.

22:3  An undisciplined son is the shame of his father, but an undisciplined daughter will be to his degradation.

3  An evilnurtured man is the dishonour of his father that begat him: and a foolish daughter is born to his loss.

22:4  A prudent daughter brings an inheritance to her husband. But she who causes shame will be a disgrace to him who conceived her.

4  A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father’s heaviness.

22:5  She who is bold shames her father and her husband, and she will not be less offensive to the impious. For she will be held in dishonor by both.

5  She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.

22:6  An untimely explanation is like music in a time of mourning. But the sharp correction and doctrine of wisdom are ever timely.

6  A tale out of season is as musick in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.

22:7  Whoever teaches the foolish is like someone who glues together a broken pot.

7  Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from a sound sleep.

22:8  Whoever explains a word to one who is not listening is like someone who suddenly awakens a sleeping person from a deep sleep.

22:9  Whoever explains wisdom to the senseless is like one speaking to a sleeping person. And at the end of the explanation, he says: “Who is this?”

Sir22:8  He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?

22:10  If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents.

10  But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.

22:11  Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failed.

Sir22:11  Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light: and weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than death.

22:12  Weep only a little over the dead, for he is at rest.

22:13  But the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.

22:14  The mourning for the dead is seven days; but for the foolish and the impious, it is all the days of their life.

Sir22:12  Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.

22:15  You should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senseless.

Sir22:13  Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.

22:16  Keep yourself from him, so that you may not have problems, and so that you will not be polluted by his sin.

22:17  Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishness.

22:18  What is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolish?

22:19  Sand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impious.

22:20  A bundle of wood strapped together in the foundation of a building will not be loosened. And similar is the heart that has been strengthened by thoughtful counsel.

Sir22:16  As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time.

22:21  The thoughts of one who is understanding will not be corrupted by fear in any situation.

Sir22:17  A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plaistering on the wall of a gallery.

22:22  Just as chaff in a high place, or a wall made of mortar without stones set within, will not continue against the face of the wind,

Sir22:18  Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.

22:23  so also a timid heart, and the thoughts of the senseless, will not withstand the forcefulness of fear.

22:24  Despite a cowardly heart, the thoughts of the foolish will not fear any situation; yet neither will one who continues always in the precepts of God.

22:25  He who jabs an eye produces tears. And he who jabs the heart produces understanding.

Sir22:19  He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge.

22:26  He who throws a stone at birds will drive them away. So also, he who accuses his friend dissolves the friendship.

Sir22:20  Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away: and he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship.

22:27  But if you have drawn a sword against a friend, you should not despair; for there may be a way back.

Sir22:21  Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning to favour.

22:28  If you have opened a harsh mouth against a friend, you should not fear; for there may be a reconciliation. However, if there are accusations, or abuse, or arrogance, or the revealing of secrets, or a wound from deceitfulness, in all these cases, a friend will flee away.

Sir22:22  If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for for these things every friend will depart.

22:29  Hold to faithfulness with a friend in his poverty, so that you may also rejoice in his prosperity.

Sir22:23  Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty, that thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: abide stedfast unto him in the time of his trouble, that thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be contemned: nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.

22:30  In the time of his tribulation, remain faithful to him, so that you may also be an heir with him in his inheritance.

22:31  Just as the steam from an oven, or the smoke from a fire, rises up before a flame, so also do curses and insults and threats rise up before bloodshed.

Sir22:24  As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire; so reviling before blood.

22:32  I shall not be ashamed to greet a friend, nor shall I hide myself from his face. And if misfortunes befall me because of him, I will endure.

Sir22:25  I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.

22:33  Anyone who hears of this will be wary around him.

Sir22:26  And if any evil happen unto me by him, every one that heareth it will beware of him.

22:34  Who will provide a keeper for my mouth, and a reliable seal over my lips, so that I may not fall because of them, and so that my tongue does not destroy me?

Sir22:27  Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?

23:1  Lord, Father and Ruler of my life: may you not abandon me to their counsel, nor permit me to fall by them.

1  O Lord, Father and Governor of all my whole life, leave me not to their counsels, and let me not fall by them.

23:2  They would impose scourges over my thoughts and over the discipline of wisdom in my heart. And they would not spare me from their ignorances, nor would they allow their own offenses to become apparent.

2  Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over mine heart? that they spare me not for mine ignorances, and it pass not by my sins

23:3  And they intend that my ignorances would increase, and my offenses be multiplied, and my sins abound. And so I would fall in the sight of my adversaries, and be rejoiced over by my enemy.

3  Lest mine ignorances increase, and my sins abound to my destruction, and I fall before mine adversaries, and mine enemy rejoice over me, whose hope is far from thy mercy.

23:4  Lord, Father and God of my life: may you not abandon me to their plans.

4  O Lord, Father and God of my life, give me not a proud look, but turn away from thy servants always a haughty mind.

23:5  Do not leave me with the haughtiness of my eyes. And avert all desire from me.

5  Turn away from me vain hopes and concupiscence, and thou shalt hold him up that is desirous always to serve thee.

23:6  Take the desire of the body from me, and do not allow sexual desire to take hold of me, and do not permit an irreverent and senseless mind within me.

6  Let not the greediness of the belly nor lust of the flesh take hold of me; and give not over me thy servant into an impudent mind.

23:7  O sons: listen to the doctrine of my mouth. For those who observe it will not perish by the lips, nor be scandalized into wicked works.

7  Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth: he that keepeth it shall never be taken in his lips.

23:8  A sinner is held by his own emptiness. And the arrogant and those who speak evil will be scandalized by these things.

8  The sinner shall be left in his foolishness: both the evil speaker and the proud shall fall thereby.

23:9  Do not allow your mouth to become accustomed to swearing oaths. For in this, there are many pitfalls.

9  Accustom not thy mouth to swearing; neither use thyself to the naming of the Holy One.

23:10  Truly, do not allow the naming of God to be continually in your mouth, and do not treat as if common the names of the holy ones. For you will not escape punishment by them.

23:11  Just as a servant, continually interrogated, will not be without a bruise, so everyone who swears oaths and takes God’s name will not be entirely free from sin.

Sir23:10  For as a servant that is continually beaten shall not be without a blue mark: so he that sweareth and nameth God continually shall not be faultless.

23:12  A man who swears many oaths will be filled with iniquity, and scourges will not depart from his house.

Sir23:11  A man that useth much swearing shall be filled with iniquity, and the plague shall never depart from his house: if he shall offend, his sin shall be upon him: and if he acknowledge not his sin, he maketh a double offence: and if he swear in vain, he shall not be innocent, but his house shall be full of calamities.

23:13  And if he fails to fulfill it, his offense will be over him, and if he pretends he fulfilled it, he offends doubly.

23:14  And if he swears an oath insincerely, he will not be justified. For his house will be filled with retribution for him.

23:15  There is yet another kind of talk which faces death; let it not be found in the inheritance of Jacob.

Sir23:12  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 their sins.

23:16  For all these things will be taken away from the merciful, and they shall not wallow in offenses.

23:17  Do not allow your mouth to become accustomed to undisciplined speech. For in this, there is the sin of words.

Sir23:13  Use not thy mouth to intemperate swearing, for therein is the word of sin.

23:18  When you sit in the midst of great men, remember your father and mother.

Sir23:14  Remember thy father and thy mother, when thou sittest among great men. Be not forgetful before them, and so thou by thy custom become a fool, and wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse they day of thy nativity.

23:19  Otherwise, God may forget you, when you are in their sight, and then you would be repeatedly ridiculed and would suffer disgrace, and you might wish that you had never been born, and you might curse the day of your nativity.

23:20  The man who is accustomed to disgraceful words will not accept instruction, all the days of his life.

Sir23:15  The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words will never be reformed all the days of his life.

23:21  Two kinds of persons abound in sins, and a third adds wrath and perdition.

Sir23:16  Two sorts of men multiply sin, and the third will bring wrath: a hot mind is as a burning fire, it will never be quenched till it be consumed: a fornicator in the body of his flesh will never cease till he hath kindled a fire.

23:22  A desirous soul is like a burning fire, it will not be quenched, until it devours something.

23:23  And a man who is wicked in the desires of his flesh will not desist until he has kindled a fire.

23:24  To a man of fornication, all bread is sweet; he will not tire of transgression, to the very end.

Sir23:17  All bread is sweet to a whoremonger, he will not leave off till he die.

23:25  Every man who transgresses his own bed has contempt for his own soul. And so he says: “Who can see me?

Sir23:18  A man that breaketh wedlock, saying thus in his heart, Who seeth me? I am compassed about with darkness, the walls cover me, and no body seeth me; what need I to fear? the most High will not remember my sins

23:26  Darkness surrounds me, and the walls enclose me, and no one catches sight of me. Whom should I fear? The Most High will not remember my offenses.”

Sir23:19  Such a man only feareth the eyes of men, and knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men, and considering the most secret parts.

23:27  And he does not understand that God’s eye sees all things. For fear within a man such as this drives away from him both the fear of God and the eyes of those men who fear God.

23:28  And he does not acknowledge that the eyes of the Lord are much brighter than the sun, keeping watch over all the ways of men, even to the depths of the abyss, and gazing into the hearts of men, even to the most hidden parts.

23:29  For all things, before they were created, were known to the Lord God. And even after their completion, he beholds all things.

Sir23:20  He knew all things ere ever they were created; so also after they were perfected he looked upon them all.

23:30  This man will be punished in the streets of the city, and he will be chased like a young horse. And in a place that he does not suspect, he will be captured.

Sir23:21  This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and where he suspecteth not he shall be taken.

23:31  And because he did not understand the fear of the Lord, he will be in disgrace before all men,

23:32  as will be every woman, too, who abandons her husband and establishes an inheritance by marriage to another man.

Sir23:22  Thus shall it go also with the wife that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another.

23:33  For first, she was unbelieving of the law of the Most High. Second, she offended against her husband. Third, she fornicated by adultery, and so established her children by another man.

Sir23:23  For first, she hath disobeyed the law of the most High; and secondly, she hath trespassed against her own husband; and thirdly, she hath played the whore in adultery, and brought children by another man.

23:34  This woman will be led into the assembly, and she will be stared at by her children.

Sir23:24  She shall be brought out into the congregation, and inquisition shall be made of her children.

23:35  Her children will not take root, and her branches will not produce fruit.

Sir23:25  Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit.

23:36  She will leave behind her memory as a curse, and her infamy will not be wiped away.

Sir23:26  She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her reproach shall not be blotted out.

23:37  And those who are left behind will acknowledge that there is nothing better than the fear of God, and that there is nothing sweeter than to have respect for the commandments of the Lord.

Sir23:27  And they that remain shall know that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord, and that there is nothing sweeter than to take heed unto the commandments of the Lord.

23:38  It is a great glory to follow the Lord. For length of days will be received from him.

Sir23:28  It is great glory to follow the Lord, and to be received of him is long life.

24:1  Wisdom will praise her own mind, and she will be honored by God, and she will be glorified in the midst of her people.

1  Wisdom shall praise herself, and shall glory in the midst of her people.

24:2  And she will open her mouth in the churches of the Most High, and she will be glorified in the sight of his virtue.

2  In the congregation of the most High shall she open her mouth, and triumph before his power.

24:3  And in the midst of her own people, she will be exalted. And she will be admired by the holy assembly.

3  I came out of the mouth of the most High, and covered the earth as a cloud.

24:4  And she will have praise within the multitude of the elect. And she will be blessed among the blessed. And she will say

24:5  “I went forth from the mouth of the Most High, as the first-born before all creatures.

24:6  I caused an unfailing light to arise in the heavens. And I covered all the earth like a cloud.

24:7  I lived in the highest places, and my throne is in the pillar of a cloud.

Sir24:4  I dwelt in high places, and my throne is in a cloudy pillar.

24:8  I alone have encompassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated to the depths of the abyss, and have walked upon the waves of the sea,

Sir24:5  I alone compassed the circuit of heaven, and walked in the bottom of the deep.

24:9  and have stood upon the whole earth. And among every people,

Sir24:6  In the waves of the sea and in all the earth, and in every people and nation, I got a possession.

24:10  and in every nation, I have held primacy.

Sir24:7  With all these I sought rest: and in whose inheritance shall I abide?

24:11  And by virtue, I have tread upon the hearts of all, the great and the lowly. And I have sought my rest in all of them. And I will continue, as the inheritance of the Lord.

24:12  Then the Creator of all things instructed and spoke with me. And the One who created me rested in my tabernacle.

Sir24:8  So the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and he that made me caused my tabernacle to rest, and said, Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thine inheritance in Israel.

24:13  And he said to me: ‘Let your dwelling place be with Jacob, and let your inheritance be in Israel, for you shall take root among my elect.’

24:14  From the beginning, and before the world, I was created. And even unto the future world, I will not cease to exist. For I have ministered before him in the holy habitation.

9  He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail.

10  In the holy tabernacle I served before him; and so was I established in Sion.

24:15  And in this way, I was established in Zion. And likewise, in the holy city, I found rest. And my authority was in Jerusalem.

Sir24:11  Likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and in Jerusalem was my power.

24:16  And I took root among an honorable people, within the portion of my God, within his inheritance. And so my abode is in the full assembly of the saints.

Sir24:12  And I took root in an honourable people, even in the portion of the Lord’s inheritance.

24:17  I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon and like a cypress on Mount Zion.

24:18  I was exalted like a palm tree in Kadesh and like a rose bush in Jericho.

Sir24:14  I was exalted like a palm tree in En-gaddi, and as a rose plant in Jericho, as a fair olive tree in a pleasant field, and grew up as a plane tree by the water.

24:19  I was exalted like a beautiful olive tree in the plains, and like a sycamore tree beside the waters along a wide road.

24:20  I gave off an aromatic fragrance like cinnamon or balsam. I produced a sweet odor like the best myrrh.

Sir24:15  I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aspalathus, and I yielded a pleasant odour like the best myrrh, as galbanum, and onyx, and sweet storax, and as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.

24:21  And I perfumed my dwelling place with sweet gum, and aromatic resin, and flower petals, and aloe, as well as the finest cedar from Lebanon. And my fragrance is like undiluted balsam.

24:22  I have extended my branches like a terebinth tree, and my branches are of honor and grace.

Sir24:16  As the turpentine tree I stretched out my branches, and my branches are the branches of honour and grace.

24:23  Like the vine, I have born the fruit of a sweet fragrance. And my flowers are the fruit of honor and integrity.

Sir24:17  As the vine brought I forth pleasant savour, and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.

24:24  I am the mother of the beauty of love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.

Sir24:18  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.

24:25  All grace of the way and of the truth is in me. All hope of life and of virtue is in me.

24:26  Journey toward me, all you who desire me, and be filled by my harvest.

Sir24:19  Come unto me, all ye that be desirous of me, and fill yourselves with my fruits.

24:27  For my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance is better than honey and the honeycomb.

24:28  My memory is for the generations of all ages.

Sir24:20  For my memorial is sweeter than honey, and mine inheritance than the honeycomb.

24:29  Whoever consumes me will hunger still. And whoever drinks me will thirst still.

Sir24:21  They that eat me shall yet be hungry, and they that drink me shall yet be thirsty.

24:30  Whoever listens to me will not be confounded. And whoever acts in me will not sin.

Sir24:22  He that obeyeth me shall never be confounded, and they that work by me shall not do amiss.

24:31  Whoever elucidates me will have eternal life.”

24:32  All this is a book of life, and a covenant of the Most High, and an acknowledgement of truth.

Sir24:23  All these things are the book of the covenant of the most high God, even the law which Moses commanded for an heritage unto the congregations of Jacob.

24:33  Moses commanded the law by the precepts of justice, and an inheritance to the house of Jacob, and the promises to Israel.

Sir24:24  Faint not to be strong in the Lord; that he may confirm you, cleave unto him: for the Lord Almighty is God alone, and beside him there is no other Saviour.

24:34  God appointed David as his servant, in order to raise up from him a most mighty King, who would sit upon the throne of honor forever.

24:35  It is he who fulfills wisdom, like the Phison river and the Tigris river in the first days.

Sir24:25  He filleth all things with his wisdom, as Phison and as Tigris in the time of the new fruits.

24:36  It is he who fulfills understanding, like the river Euphrates. It is he who multiplies understanding, like the river Jordan in the time of the harvest.

Sir24:26  He maketh the understanding to abound like Euphrates, and as Jordan in the time of the harvest.

24:37  He sends forth discipline like the light, and he stands forth like the river Gehon in the time of the vintage.

Sir24:27  He maketh the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light, and as Geon in the time of vintage.

24:38  He first had perfect knowledge of her, for a weaker one would not search for her.

Sir24:28  The first man knew her not perfectly: no more shall the last find her out.

24:39  For her thoughts abound like the sea, and her counsels abound like the great abyss.

Sir24:29  For her thoughts are more than the sea, and her counsels profounder than the great deep.

24:40  “I, wisdom, have poured forth rivers.

24:41  I am like a brook leading to a river of immense waters. I am like a channel flowing from a river. And I went forth from Paradise like an aqueduct.

Sir24:30  I also came out as a brook from a river, and as a conduit into a garden.

24:42  I said: I will irrigate my garden of plantings, and I will thoroughly water the fruits of my field.

Sir24:31  I said, I will water my best garden, and will water abundantly my garden bed: and, lo, my brook became a river, and my river became a sea.

24:43  And behold, my brook became overflowing, and my river drew near to the sea.

24:44  For I illuminate doctrine to all, like the first light. And I will announce doctrine, even to those who are far away.

Sir24:32  I will yet make doctrine to shine as the morning, and will send forth her light afar off.

24:45  I will reach to all the lower parts of the earth, and I will gaze upon all who sleep, and I will illuminate all who hope in the Lord.

24:46  Even now, I pour forth doctrine like prophecy. And even now, I bequeath doctrine to those who seek wisdom. And I will not cease from their progeny, even unto the holy time.

Sir24:33  I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and leave it to all ages for ever.

24:47  See how I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who are seeking truth!”

Sir24:34  Behold that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all them that seek wisdom.

25:1  My spirit is pleased with three things; these are approved in the sight of God and men

1  In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.

25:2  the harmony of brothers, and the love of neighbors, and a husband and wife agreeing well together.

25:3  My soul hates three kinds of things; and I am greatly distressed over their souls

Sir25:2  Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.

25:4  an arrogant pauper, a wealthy liar, a foolish and senseless elder.

25:5  The things that you have not obtained in your youth, how will you find them in your old age?

Sir25:3  If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?

25:6  How beautiful it is for a grey head to have judgment, and for elders to know counsel!

Sir25:4  O how comely a thing is judgement for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!

25:7  How beautiful it is for those who are aged to have wisdom, and for those who are honored to have understanding and counsel!

Sir25:5  O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.

25:8  Great experience is the crown of the aged, and the fear of God is their glory.

Sir25:6  Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.

25:9  I have magnified nine things, overlooked by the heart; and a tenth, I will declare to men with my tongue

Sir25:7  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

25:10  a man who finds joy in his children, and one who lives to see the undoing of his enemies.

25:11  Blessed is he who lives with a wise wife, and he who has not slipped with his tongue, and he who has not served those unworthy of himself.

Sir25:8  Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself

25:12  Blessed is he who finds a true friend, and he who describes justice to an attentive ear.

Sir25:9  Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear

25:13  How great is he who finds wisdom and knowledge! But there is no one above him who fears the Lord.

Sir25:10  O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.

25:14  The fear of God has set itself above all things.

Sir25:11  But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?

25:15  Blessed is the man to whom it has been given to have the fear of God. He who holds to it, to whom can he be compared?

25:16  The fear of God is the beginning of his love; and the beginning of faith has been joined closely to the same.

Sir25:12  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.

25:17  The sadness of the heart is every wound. And the wickedness of a wife is every malice.

25:18  And a man will choose any wound, but the wound of the heart,

25:19  and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a wife,

Sir25:13  Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman

25:20  and any obstacle, but the obstacle of those who hate him,

25:21  and any vindication, but the vindication of his enemies.

Sir25:14  And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

25:22  There is no head worse than the head of a serpent,

Sir25:15  There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

25:23  and there is no anger above the anger of a wife. It would be more agreeable to abide with a lion or a dragon, than to live with a wicked wife.

Sir25:16  I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.

25:24  A wicked wife changes her face. And she darkens her countenance like a bear. And she displays it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbors,

Sir25:17  The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.

25:25  her husband groans, and hearing of this, he sighs a little.

Sir25:18  Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.

25:26  All malice is brief compared to the malice of a wife. Let the fate of sinners fall upon her!

Sir25:19  All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.

25:27  As climbing over sand is to the feet of the aged, so is a talkative wife to a quiet man.

Sir25:20  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.

25:28  You should not favor a woman’s beauty, and you should not desire a wife for her beauty.

Sir25:21  Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.

25:29  The anger and disrespect and shame from a wife can be great.

25:30  The wife, if she has primacy, is set against her husband.

Sir25:22  A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.

25:31  A wicked wife debases the heart, and saddens the face, and wounds the heart.

Sir25:23  A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.

25:32  A wife who does not make her husband happy enfeebles the hands and weakens the knees.

25:33  The beginning of sin came from a woman; and through her, we all die.

Sir25:24  Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.

25:34  You should not provide an exit to your water, not even a little; nor should you give permission for a wicked wife to exceed the limit.

Sir25:25  Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

25:35  If she will not walk at your hand, she will confound you in the sight of your enemies.

Sir25:26  If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

25:36  Tear her away from your body, lest she abuse you continually.

26:1  Blessed is the husband of a good wife. For the number of his years is doubled.

26:2  A good wife delights her husband, and she will fill up the years of his life with peace.

2  A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.

26:3  A good wife is a good portion. She will be given the portion of those who fear God, like a man who has done good deeds.

26:4  But, rich or poor, with a good heart, his countenance will be cheerful at all times.

4  Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.

26:5  Of three things, my heart has been afraid, and at a fourth, my face has shown dread

5  There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.

26:6  an accusation made by a city, and the gathering of a mob,

6  But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.

26:7  and a deceitful false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.

7  An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

26:8  A jealous wife is a grief and a mourning to the heart.

8  A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

26:9  In a jealous wife, there is a scourge of the tongue, which communicates with everyone.

9  The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

26:10  Like a yoke of oxen being provoked, so also is a wicked wife. He who has hold of her is like one who has taken hold of a scorpion.

10  If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.

26:11  An inebriated wife is a great wrath. And her disgrace and indecency will not be covered.

11  Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.

26:12  The fornication of a wife will become known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.

12  She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.

26:13  So that her daughter will not also turn away, keep a strict watch; otherwise, having found an opportunity, she may enjoy herself.

13  The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.

26:14  Be wary of the irreverence of her eyes, and you should not wonder if she might disregard you.

14  A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.

26:15  Like a thirsty traveler, she will open her mouth to the fountain, and she will drink from every water nearby, and she will sit down beside every fencepost, and she will open her quiver to every arrow, until she becomes weary.

15  A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.

26:16  The grace of an attentive wife will delight her husband, and will fatten his bones.

16  As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.

26:17  Her discipline is a gift from God.

17  As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

26:18  Such is an understanding and quiet wife. For there is no substitution for a well-instructed soul.

18  As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.

26:19  A holy and contrite wife is grace upon grace.

19  My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.

26:20  And no amount of money is equal to the value of a soul with self-restraint.

20  When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.

26:21  Like the sun rising over the world in the high places of God, so the beauty of a good wife is the adornment of her house.

21  So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.

26:22  Like a lamp shining atop a holy lampstand, so is the beauty of a face in the mature stage of life.

22  An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.

26:23  Like golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet of a mature wife upon the soles of her feet.

23  A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.

26:24  Like everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so are the commandments of God in the heart of a holy wife.

24  A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.

26:25  By two things, my heart is greatly saddened, and at a third, anger overwhelms me

25  A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.

26:26  a man of war failing because of dire need, and an understanding man treated with contempt,

26  A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.

26:27  and anyone who crosses over from justice to sin. God has prepared such a one for the spear.

27  A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.

26:28  Two kinds of things have seemed difficult and dangerous to me: a merchant will not be easily freed from his negligence, and a shopkeeper will not be justified by the sins of his lips.

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 merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.

27:2  Like a post fixed in the middle of adjoining stones, so also will sin become wedged between selling and buying.

2  As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

27:3  Sin will be crushed with the one who sins.

27:4  If you do not hold yourself steadfastly to the fear of the Lord, your house will be quickly overthrown.

Sir27:3  Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

27:5  Just as the dust remains when one shakes a sieve, so will the doubt of a man remain in his thoughts.

Sir27:4  As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.

27:6  The furnace tests the potter’s vessels, and the trial of the tribulation tests just men.

Sir27:5  The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

27:7  As the pruning of a tree reveals its fruit, so does a word reveal the thoughts in the heart of a man.

Sir27:6  The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.

27:8  You should not praise a man before he speaks; for such is the testing of men.

Sir27:7  Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.

27:9  If you pursue justice, you will obtain it. And you will be clothed with justice, as with a long robe of honor. And you will live with justice. And justice will protect you continually. And on the day of reckoning, you will find a strong foundation.

Sir27:8  If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.

27:10  Birds flock to their own kind. And truth will return to those who practice it.

Sir27:9  The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.

27:11  The lion lies in wait for its prey continually. So also do sins lie in wait for those who work iniquity.

Sir27:10  As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.

27:12  A holy man persists in wisdom like the sun. But a senseless man changes like the moon.

Sir27:11  The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.

27:13  In the midst of the senseless, retain a word for the proper time. But be continually in the midst those who are thoughtful.

Sir27:12  If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.

27:14  The discussions of sinners are hateful, and their laughter is a delight in sin.

Sir27:13  The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.

27:15  The speech that swears many oaths will cause the hair of the head to stand upright; and its irreverence will cause the ears to be blocked.

Sir27:14  The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.

27:16  The shedding of blood is in the quarrels of the arrogant; and their evil talk is grievous to hear.

Sir27:15  The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.

27:17  Whoever discloses the secret of a friend breaks faith; and he will not find a friend for his soul.

Sir27:16  Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.

27:18  Love your neighbor, and be united with him faithfully.

Sir27:17  Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.

27:19  But if you disclose his secrets, you should not continue to follow after him.

27:20  For like a man who destroys his friend, so also is he who destroys the friendship of his neighbor.

Sir27:18  For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbour.

27:21  And like someone releasing a bird from his hand, so have you abandoned your neighbor, and you will not obtain him again.

Sir27:19  As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again

27:22  You should no longer seek him, for he is now far away; he has fled like a roe-deer from a snare. For his soul has been wounded.

Sir27:20  Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.

27:23  You will no longer be able to bind his wound. For there may be a reconciliation from cursing.

Sir27:21  As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.

27:24  But to disclose the secrets of a friend is the hopeless act of an unhappy soul.

27:25  One who winks with the eye fabricates iniquity, and no one will cast him aside.

Sir27:22  He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.

27:26  In the sight of your eyes, he will sweeten his mouth, and he will admire your talk. But at the very end, he will pervert his mouth, and he will offer a scandal from your own words.

Sir27:23  When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.

27:27  I have hated many things, but I have not done as he has done, and the Lord will hate him.

27:28  Whoever throws a stone straight up will find that it falls on his own head. And a deceitful wound will return to wound the deceitful.

Sir27:25  Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.

27:29  And whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever positions a stone against his neighbor will stumble over it. And whoever lays a trap for another will perish by it.

Sir27:26  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.

27:30  Whoever sets in motion a wicked plan will find that it rolls back over him, and he will not know from which direction it will arrive.

Sir27:27  He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.

27:31  Mockery and derision are of the arrogant, and vengeance will lie in wait for them, like a lion.

Sir27:28  Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.

27:32  Whoever enjoys the fall of the just will perish in a snare, and grief will consume them before they die.

Sir27:29  They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.

27:33  Anger and fury are both abominable, and the sinful man will be held by them.

Sir27:30  Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.

28:1  Whoever wishes for vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely be attentive to his sins.

1  He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

28:2  Forgive your neighbor, if he has harmed you, and then your sins will be forgiven you when you pray.

2  Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.

28:3  A man holds on to anger against another man, and does he then seek a remedy from God?

3  One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?

28:4  He has no mercy on a man like himself, and does he then entreat for his own sins?

4  He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?

28:5  He who is but flesh holds on to anger, and does he then request forgiveness from God? Who can obtain pardon for his sins in this way?

5  If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?

28:6  Remember your very end, and let animosities cease.

28:7  For corruption and death are suspended over his commandments.

28:8  Remember the fear of God, and do not be angry with your neighbor.

Sir28:6  Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.

28:9  Remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the ignorant offenses of your neighbor.

Sir28:7  Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.

28:10  Refrain from strife, and you will diminish your sins.

Sir28:8  Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,

28:11  For a ill-tempered man enflames conflict, and a sinful man troubles his friends, and he casts hostility into the midst of those who have peace.

Sir28:9  A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.

28:12  For the fire burns according to the wood of the forest. And the anger of a man burns according to the strength of the man. And according to his resources, he will exalt his anger.

Sir28:10  As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a man’s strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.

28:13  A hasty contention kindles a fire. And a hasty quarrel sheds blood. And an accusatory tongue brings death.

Sir28:11  An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.

28:14  If you blow on a spark, it will increase to a fire. But if you spit on it, it will be extinguished. Both of these proceed from the mouth.

Sir28:12  If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth.

28:15  The double-tongued whisperer is accursed. For he has disturbed many who had peace.

Sir28:13  Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.

28:16  A third tongue has stirred up many, and has scattered them from nation to nation.

28:17  It has destroyed the walled cities of the wealthy, and has undermined the houses of the great.

28:18  It has cut down the virtues of the peoples, and has broken strong nations.

Sir28:14  A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.

28:19  A third tongue has cast down virtuous women, and has deprived them of their labors.

Sir28:15  A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.

28:20  Whoever favors it will not have rest, nor will he have a friend in whom he may find peace.

Sir28:16  Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.

28:21  The wound of a whip causes a bruise, but the wound of the tongue will crush the bones.

Sir28:17  The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.

28:22  Many have fallen by the mouth of the sword, but not as many as have perished by their own tongue.

28:23  Blessed is he who is protected from a wicked tongue, who has not gone over to its wrath, and has not pulled its yoke, and has not been bound by its chains.

Sir28:19  Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands.

28:24  For its yoke is a yoke of iron. And its chains are chains of brass.

Sir28:20  For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.

28:25  Its death is a most wicked death. And hell is more useful than it is.

Sir28:21  The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.

28:26  Its continuance will not be permanent, but it will take hold of the ways of the unjust. And the just will not be burned by its flame.

Sir28:22  It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.

28:27  Those who abandon God will fall by it, and it will burn within them and not be quenched. And it will be sent upon them, like a lion, and it will wound them, like a leopard.

Sir28:23  Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.

28:28  Hedge your ears with thorns. Do not be willing to listen to a wicked tongue. And make doors and bars for your mouth.

Sir28:24  Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,

28:29  Melt down your gold and your silver. And make a scale for your words, and an upright bridle for your mouth.

Sir28:25  And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.

28:30  And be attentive, lest perhaps you may slip with your tongue, and fall in the sight of your enemies, who are lying in wait for you, and then your fall may be incurable unto death.

Sir28:26  Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.

29:1  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.

29:2  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.

29:3  Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time.