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/Sir/ - Sirach

<< Wisdom Baruch >>The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus
The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus
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25In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.

2Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.

3If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?

4O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!

5O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.

6Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.

7There be nine things which I have judged in mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy:

8Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself:

9Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:

10O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.

11But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?

12The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.

13Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:

14And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

15There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

16I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.

17The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.

18Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.

19All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.

20As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.

21Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.

22A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.

23A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.

24Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.

25Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

26If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

26Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for the number of his days shall be double.

2A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.

3A good wife is a good portion, which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.

4Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.

5There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.

6But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.

7An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

8A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

9The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

10If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.

11Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.

12She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.

13The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.

14A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.

15A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.

16As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.

17As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

18As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.

19My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.

20When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.

21So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.

22An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.

23A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.

24A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.

25A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.

26A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.

27A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.

28There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.

29A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.

27Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23When 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.

24I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

28He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10As 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.

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

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

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

14A 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.

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

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

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

18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.

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

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

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

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

23Such 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.

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

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

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

29He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.

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

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

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

5Till 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.

6If 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18Suretiship 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.

19A 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.


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