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.

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.

3  Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

13  The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.

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.

15  Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.

16  The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.

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.

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.

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.

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  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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

30  Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.

Sir21:27  When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.

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.