1  Because of need, many have sinned. And whoever seeks to be enriched, averts his eye.

1  Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.

2  Like a post fixed in the middle of adjoining stones, so also will sin become wedged between selling and buying.

2  As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

3  Sin will be crushed with the one who sins.

4  If you do not hold yourself steadfastly to the fear of the Lord, your house will be quickly overthrown.

Sir27:3  Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

5  Just as the dust remains when one shakes a sieve, so will the doubt of a man remain in his thoughts.

Sir27:4  As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.

6  The furnace tests the potter’s vessels, and the trial of the tribulation tests just men.

Sir27:5  The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

7  As the pruning of a tree reveals its fruit, so does a word reveal the thoughts in the heart of a man.

Sir27:6  The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.

8  You should not praise a man before he speaks; for such is the testing of men.

Sir27:7  Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.

9  If you pursue justice, you will obtain it. And you will be clothed with justice, as with a long robe of honor. And you will live with justice. And justice will protect you continually. And on the day of reckoning, you will find a strong foundation.

Sir27:8  If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.

10  Birds flock to their own kind. And truth will return to those who practice it.

Sir27:9  The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.

11  The lion lies in wait for its prey continually. So also do sins lie in wait for those who work iniquity.

Sir27:10  As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.

12  A holy man persists in wisdom like the sun. But a senseless man changes like the moon.

Sir27:11  The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.

13  In the midst of the senseless, retain a word for the proper time. But be continually in the midst those who are thoughtful.

Sir27:12  If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.

14  The discussions of sinners are hateful, and their laughter is a delight in sin.

Sir27:13  The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.

15  The speech that swears many oaths will cause the hair of the head to stand upright; and its irreverence will cause the ears to be blocked.

Sir27:14  The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.

16  The shedding of blood is in the quarrels of the arrogant; and their evil talk is grievous to hear.

Sir27:15  The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.

17  Whoever discloses the secret of a friend breaks faith; and he will not find a friend for his soul.

Sir27:16  Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.

18  Love your neighbor, and be united with him faithfully.

Sir27:17  Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.

19  But if you disclose his secrets, you should not continue to follow after him.

20  For like a man who destroys his friend, so also is he who destroys the friendship of his neighbor.

Sir27:18  For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbour.

21  And like someone releasing a bird from his hand, so have you abandoned your neighbor, and you will not obtain him again.

Sir27:19  As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again

22  You should no longer seek him, for he is now far away; he has fled like a roe-deer from a snare. For his soul has been wounded.

Sir27:20  Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.

23  You will no longer be able to bind his wound. For there may be a reconciliation from cursing.

Sir27:21  As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.

24  But to disclose the secrets of a friend is the hopeless act of an unhappy soul.

25  One who winks with the eye fabricates iniquity, and no one will cast him aside.

Sir27:22  He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.

26  In the sight of your eyes, he will sweeten his mouth, and he will admire your talk. But at the very end, he will pervert his mouth, and he will offer a scandal from your own words.

Sir27:23  When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.

27  I have hated many things, but I have not done as he has done, and the Lord will hate him.

28  Whoever throws a stone straight up will find that it falls on his own head. And a deceitful wound will return to wound the deceitful.

Sir27:25  Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.

29  And whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever positions a stone against his neighbor will stumble over it. And whoever lays a trap for another will perish by it.

Sir27:26  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.

30  Whoever sets in motion a wicked plan will find that it rolls back over him, and he will not know from which direction it will arrive.

Sir27:27  He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.

31  Mockery and derision are of the arrogant, and vengeance will lie in wait for them, like a lion.

Sir27:28  Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.

32  Whoever enjoys the fall of the just will perish in a snare, and grief will consume them before they die.

Sir27:29  They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.

33  Anger and fury are both abominable, and the sinful man will be held by them.

Sir27:30  Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.

28:1  Whoever wishes for vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely be attentive to his sins.

1  He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

28:2  Forgive your neighbor, if he has harmed you, and then your sins will be forgiven you when you pray.

2  Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.

28:3  A man holds on to anger against another man, and does he then seek a remedy from God?

3  One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?

28:4  He has no mercy on a man like himself, and does he then entreat for his own sins?

4  He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?

28:5  He who is but flesh holds on to anger, and does he then request forgiveness from God? Who can obtain pardon for his sins in this way?

5  If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?

28:6  Remember your very end, and let animosities cease.

28:7  For corruption and death are suspended over his commandments.

28:8  Remember the fear of God, and do not be angry with your neighbor.

Sir28:6  Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.

28:9  Remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the ignorant offenses of your neighbor.

Sir28:7  Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.

28:10  Refrain from strife, and you will diminish your sins.

Sir28:8  Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,

28:11  For a ill-tempered man enflames conflict, and a sinful man troubles his friends, and he casts hostility into the midst of those who have peace.

Sir28:9  A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.

28:12  For the fire burns according to the wood of the forest. And the anger of a man burns according to the strength of the man. And according to his resources, he will exalt his anger.

Sir28:10  As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a man’s strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.

28:13  A hasty contention kindles a fire. And a hasty quarrel sheds blood. And an accusatory tongue brings death.

Sir28:11  An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.

28:14  If you blow on a spark, it will increase to a fire. But if you spit on it, it will be extinguished. Both of these proceed from the mouth.

Sir28:12  If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth.

28:15  The double-tongued whisperer is accursed. For he has disturbed many who had peace.

Sir28:13  Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.

28:16  A third tongue has stirred up many, and has scattered them from nation to nation.

28:17  It has destroyed the walled cities of the wealthy, and has undermined the houses of the great.

28:18  It has cut down the virtues of the peoples, and has broken strong nations.

Sir28:14  A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.

28:19  A third tongue has cast down virtuous women, and has deprived them of their labors.

Sir28:15  A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.

28:20  Whoever favors it will not have rest, nor will he have a friend in whom he may find peace.

Sir28:16  Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.

28:21  The wound of a whip causes a bruise, but the wound of the tongue will crush the bones.

Sir28:17  The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.

28:22  Many have fallen by the mouth of the sword, but not as many as have perished by their own tongue.

28:23  Blessed is he who is protected from a wicked tongue, who has not gone over to its wrath, and has not pulled its yoke, and has not been bound by its chains.

Sir28:19  Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands.

28:24  For its yoke is a yoke of iron. And its chains are chains of brass.

Sir28:20  For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.

28:25  Its death is a most wicked death. And hell is more useful than it is.

Sir28:21  The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.

28:26  Its continuance will not be permanent, but it will take hold of the ways of the unjust. And the just will not be burned by its flame.

Sir28:22  It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.

28:27  Those who abandon God will fall by it, and it will burn within them and not be quenched. And it will be sent upon them, like a lion, and it will wound them, like a leopard.

Sir28:23  Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.

28:28  Hedge your ears with thorns. Do not be willing to listen to a wicked tongue. And make doors and bars for your mouth.

Sir28:24  Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,

28:29  Melt down your gold and your silver. And make a scale for your words, and an upright bridle for your mouth.

Sir28:25  And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.

28:30  And be attentive, lest perhaps you may slip with your tongue, and fall in the sight of your enemies, who are lying in wait for you, and then your fall may be incurable unto death.

Sir28:26  Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.

29:1  He shows mercy who lends to his neighbor, for he keeps the commandments by strengthening him.

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

29:2  Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and receive it again from your neighbor in his time.

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

29:3  Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time.

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

29:4  Many have treated a loan like found money, and they offered trouble to those who helped them.

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

29:5  Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and they humble their voice in promises.

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

29:6  But at the time of repayment, they will ask for more time, and they will speak annoying and complaining words, and they will make excuses for the time.

29:7  Then, if he is able to repay, he will turn away. He will pay barely one half, and he will consider it as if he had found it.

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

29:8  But if not, then he will defraud him of his money, and he will have him as an enemy without cause.

29:9  And he will repay him with accusations and curses, and he will repay him with contempt, instead of with honor and kindness.

29:10  Many have refused to lend, not because of wickedness, but because they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.

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

29:11  Yet truly, be more steadfast toward the humble, and you should not delay in acts of mercy toward them.

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

29:12  Assist the poor because of the commandment. And you should not send him away empty because of his dire need.

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

29:13  Lose your money to your brother and your friend. For you should not hide it under a stone to be lost.

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

29:14  Let your treasure be in the precepts of the Most High, and it will benefit you more than gold.

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

29:15  Store your alms in the hearts of the poor, and it will obtain help for you against all evil.

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

29:16  Better than the shield or the lance of a powerful man,

29:17  it will fight for you against your enemy.

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

29:18  A good man offers credit for the sake of his neighbor. But one who abandons him to himself will perish in shame.

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

29:19  You should not forget the kindness of your benefactor. For he has offered his life on your behalf.

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

29:20  The sinner and the unclean flee from such promises.

29:21  A sinner attributes to himself the goods of his loan. And an ungrateful mind will abandon the one who has freed him.

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

29:22  A man offers credit to his neighbor. But when he will have lost respect, he will abandon him.

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

29:23  A wicked promise has destroyed many who had good intentions, and has tossed them like a wave on the ocean.

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

29:24  It has caused powerful men to travel around, and they have wandered amid foreign nations.

29:25  A sinner transgressing the commandment of the Lord will fall into a wicked promise. And he who undertakes many things will fall into judgment.

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

29:26  Help your neighbor to recover according to your ability, but attend to yourself, lest you also fall.

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

29:27  The primary need in a man’s life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to protect modesty.

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

29:28  A pauper’s food under a roof of boards is better than a splendid feast on a sojourn away from home.

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

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

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

29:30  It is a wicked life to go from house to house as a guest. For wherever he is a guest, he will not act confidently, nor open his mouth.

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

29:31  He will entertain, and feed, and give drink to the ungrateful, and beyond this, he will listen to bitter words

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

29:32  “Go, my guest, and set the table, and let others eat from what you have in your hand.”

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

29:33  “Depart from the honored face of my friends. For it has become necessary for my house to host my brother instead.”

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

29:34  These things are grievous to a man having understanding: to take advantage of a household, and to reproach a lender.