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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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31
Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep.
2
Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep,
3
The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.
4
The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy.
5
He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.
6
Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.
7
It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.
8
Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.
9
Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.
10
Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?
11
His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.
12
If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon it, and say not, There is much meat on it.
13
Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weepeth upon every occasion.
14
Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish.
15
Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point.
16
Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated.
17
Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend.
18
When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all.
19
A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.
20
Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching, and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.
21
And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.
22
My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.
23
Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.
24
But against him that is a niggard of his meat the whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his niggardness shall not be doubted of.
25
Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.
26
The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.
27
Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad.
28
Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:
29
But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.
30
Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.
31
Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words, and press not upon him with urging him
to drink.
32
If thou be made the master
of a feast,
lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.
2
And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.
3
Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.
4
Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.
5
A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
6
As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.
7
Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
8
Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
9
If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.
10
Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.
11
Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.
12
There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.
13
And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.
14
Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
15
He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
16
They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
17
A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.
18
A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.
19
Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.
20
Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.
21
Be not confident in a plain way.
22
And beware of thine own children.
23
In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.
24
He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.
33
There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.
2
A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.
3
A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.
4
Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.
5
The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.
6
A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.
7
Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?
8
By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.
9
Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days.
10
And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:
11
In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse.
12
Some of them hath he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.
13
As the clay is in the potter’s hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best.
14
Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
15
So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another.
16
I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and tred my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.
17
Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.
18
Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.
19
Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to another: lest it repent thee, and thou intreat for the same again.
20
As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.
21
For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.
22
In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in thine honour.
23
At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.
24
Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant.
25
If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.
26
A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.
27
Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.
28
Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.
29
But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.
30
If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.
31
If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?
34
The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.
2
Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.
3
The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.
4
Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?
5
Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail.
6
If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.
7
For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.
8
The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
9
A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.
10
He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.
11
When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.
12
I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.
13
The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.
14
Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.
15
Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?
16
For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.
17
He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.
18
He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.
19
The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.
20
Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.
21
The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.
22
He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
23
When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?
24
When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?
25
He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?
26
So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?
35
He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough: he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace offering.
2
He that requiteth a goodturn offereth fine flour; and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise.
3
To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation.
4
Thou shalt not appear empty before the Lord.
5
For all these things
are to be done
because of the commandment.
6
The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat, and the sweet savour thereof is before the most High.
7
The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable. and the memorial thereof shall never be forgotten.
8
Give the Lord his honour with a good eye, and diminish not the firstfruits of thine hands.
9
In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tithes with gladness.
10
Give unto the most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye.
11
For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee seven times as much.
12
Do not think to corrupt with gifts; for such he will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons.
13
He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.
14
He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.
15
Do not the tears run down the widow’s cheeks? and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
16
He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds.
17
The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgment.
18
For the Lord will not be slack, neither will the Mighty be patient toward them, till he have smitten in sunder the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous;
19
Till he have rendered to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; till he have judged the cause of his people, and made them to rejoice in his mercy.
20
Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.
36
Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and behold us:
2
And send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after thee.
3
Lift up thy hand against the strange nations, and let them see thy power.
4
As thou wast sanctified in us before them: so be thou magnified among them before us.
5
And let them know thee, as we have known thee, that there is no God but only thou, O God.
6
Shew new signs, and make other strange wonders: glorify thy hand and thy right arm, that they may set forth thy wondrous works.
7
Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath: take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy.
8
Sake the time short, remember the covenant, and let them declare thy wonderful works.
9
Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire; and let them perish that oppress the people.
10
Smite in sunder the heads of the rulers of the heathen, that say, There is none other but we.
11
Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit thou them, as from the beginning.
12
O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named thy firstborn.
13
O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest.
14
Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory:
15
Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning, and raise up prophets that have been in thy name.
16
Reward them that wait for thee, and let thy prophets be found faithful.
17
O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art the Lord, the eternal God.
18
The belly devoureth all meats, yet is one meat better than another.
19
As the palate tasteth divers kinds of venison: so doth an heart of understanding false speeches.
20
A froward heart causeth heaviness: but a man of experience will recompense him.
21
A woman will receive every man, yet is one daughter better than another.
22
The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance, and a man loveth nothing better.
23
If there be kindness, meekness, and comfort, in her tongue, then is not her husband like other men.
24
He that getteth a wife beginneth a possession, a help like unto himself, and a pillar of rest.
25
Where no hedge is, there the possession is spoiled: and he that hath no wife will wander up and down mourning.
26
Who will trust a thief well appointed, that skippeth from city to city? so
who will believe
a man that hath no house, and lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him?
37
Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
2
Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
3
O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?
4
There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
5
There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
6
Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
7
Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.
8
Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
9
And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
10
Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
11
Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
12
But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
13
And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
14
For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
15
And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.
16
Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.
17
The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
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Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
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There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
20
There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
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For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
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Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
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A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
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A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
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The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
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A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
27
My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
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For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
29
Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
30
For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
31
By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.
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