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.

2  Wine and women cause wise men to fall away, and then they will complain against those who understand.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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  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.

20  There is a wickedness, and in it there is abomination. And there is a foolish man who has been diminished in wisdom.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.