7 | Ecclesiasticus | ||
1 | Do no evil, and evil will never befall you. | Miscellaneous advice. Sir.7.1-17 | |
2 | Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you. | ||
3 | My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap a sevenfold crop. | ||
4 | Do not seek from the Lord the highest office, nor the seat of honour from the king. | ||
5 | Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord, nor display your wisdom before the king. | ||
6 | Do not seek to become a judge, lest you be unable to remove iniquity, lest you be partial to a powerful man, and thus put a blot on your integrity. | ||
7 | Do not offend against the public, and do not disgrace yourself among the people. | ||
8 | Do not commit a sin twice; even for one you will not go unpunished. | ||
9 | Do not say, "He will consider the multitude of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the Most High God he will accept it." | ||
10 | Do not be fainthearted in your prayer, nor neglect to give alms. | ||
11 | Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul, for there is One who abases and exalts. | ||
12 | Do not devise a lie against your brother, nor do the like to a friend. | ||
13 | Refuse to utter any lie, for the habit of lying serves no good. | ||
14 | Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders, nor repeat yourself in your prayer. | ||
15 | Do not hate toilsome labour, or farm work, which were created by the Most High. | ||
16 | Do not count yourself among the crowd of sinners; remember that wrath does not delay. | ||
17 | Humble yourself greatly, for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms. | ||
18 | Do not exchange a friend for money, or a real brother for the gold of Ophir. | Relations with others. Sir.7.18-36 | |
19 | Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife, for her charm is worth more than gold. | ||
20 | Do not abuse a servant who performs his work faithfully, or a hired labourer who devotes himself to you. | ||
21 | Let your soul love an intelligent servant; do not withhold from him his freedom. | ||
22 | Do you have cattle? Look after them; if they are profitable to you, keep them. | ||
23 | Do you have children? Discipline them, and make them obedient from their youth. | ||
24 | Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity, and do not show yourself too indulgent with them. | ||
25 | Give a daughter in marriage; you will have finished a great task. But give her to a man of understanding. | ||
26 | If you have a wife who pleases you, do not cast her out; but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest. | ||
27 | With all your heart honour your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. | ||
28 | Remember that through your parents you were born; and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you? | ||
29 | With all your soul fear the Lord, and honour his priests. | ||
30 | With all your might love your Maker, and do not forsake his ministers. | ||
31 | Fear the Lord and honour the priest, and give him his portion, as is commanded you: the first fruits, the guilt offering, the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things. | ||
32 | Stretch forth your hand to the poor, so that your blessing may be complete. | ||
33 | Give graciously to all the living, and withhold not kindness from the dead. | ||
34 | Do not fail those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn. | ||
35 | Do not shrink from visiting a sick man, because for such deeds you will be loved. | ||
36 | In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin. | ||
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