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.