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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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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.
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Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.
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The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.
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He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
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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.
18
Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
19
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.
21
For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
22
Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
23
A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
24
A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
25
The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
26
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.
28
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.
38
Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him.
2
For of the most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king.
3
The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration.
4
The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them.
5
Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the virtue thereof might be known?
6
And he hath given men skill, that he might be honoured in his marvellous works.
7
With such doth he heal
men,
and taketh away their pains.
8
Of such doth the apothecary make a confection; and of his works there is no end; and from him is peace over all the earth,
9
My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole.
10
Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness.
11
Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; and make a fat offering, as not being.
12
Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.
13
There is a time when in their hands there is good success.
14
For they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would prosper that, which they give for ease and remedy to prolong life.
15
He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into the hand of the physician.
16
My son, let tears fall down over the dead, and begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself; and then cover his body according to the custom, and neglect not his burial.
17
Weep bitterly, and make great moan, and use lamentation, as he is worthy, and that a day or two, lest thou be evil spoken of: and then comfort thyself for thy heaviness.
18
For of heaviness cometh death, and the heaviness of the heart breaketh strength.
19
In affliction also sorrow remaineth: and the life of the poor is the curse of the heart.
20
Take no heaviness to heart: drive it away, and member the last end.
21
Forget it not, for there is no turning again: thou shalt not do him good, but hurt thyself.
22
Remember my judgment: for thine also shall be so; yesterday for me, and to day for thee.
23
When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest; and be comforted for him, when his Spirit is departed from him.
24
The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure: and he that hath little business shall become wise.
25
How can he get wisdom that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and whose talk is of bullocks?
26
He giveth his mind to make furrows; and is diligent to give the kine fodder.
27
So every carpenter and workmaster, that laboureth night and day: and they that cut and grave seals, and are diligent to make great variety, and give themselves to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work:
28
The smith also sitting by the anvil, and considering the iron work, the vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace: the noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; he setteth his mind to finish his work, and watcheth to polish it perfectly:
29
So doth the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet, who is alway carefully set at his work, and maketh all his work by number;
30
He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his strength before his feet; he applieth himself to lead it over; and he is diligent to make clean the furnace:
31
All these trust to their hands: and every one is wise in his work.
32
Without these cannot a city be inhabited: and they shall not dwell where they will, nor go up and down:
33
They shall not be sought for in publick counsel, nor sit high in the congregation: they shall not sit on the judges’ seat, nor understand the sentence of judgment: they cannot declare justice and judgment; and they shall not be found where parables are spoken.
34
But they will maintain the state of the world, and
all
their desire is in the work of their craft.
39
But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies.
2
He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtil parables are, he will be there also.
3
He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be conversant in dark parables.
4
He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men.
5
He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.
6
When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer.
7
He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.
8
He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
9
Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to generation.
10
Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the congregation shall declare his praise.
11
If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if he live, he shall increase it.
12
Yet have I more to say, which I have thought upon; for I am filled as the moon at the full.
13
Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field:
14
And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and flourish as a lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of praise, bless the Lord in all his works.
15
Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with the songs of your lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say after this manner:
16
All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season.
17
And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters.
18
At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him; and none can hinder, when he will save.
19
The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.
20
He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing wonderful before him.
21
A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for he hath made all things for their uses.
22
His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a flood.
23
As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen inherit his wrath.
24
As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks unto the wicked.
25
For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil things for sinners.
26
The principal things for the whole use of man’s life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
27
All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners they are turned into evil.
28
There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them.
29
Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance;
30
Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword punishing the wicked to destruction.
31
They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not transgress his word.
32
Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing.
33
All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season.
34
So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved.
35
And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.
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