Sir 14:25 He that lodgeth near her house, and fastening a pin in her walls shall set up his tent high unto her, where good things shall rest in his lodging for ever. Sir 14:26 He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches: Sir 14:27 He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory. Sir 15:1 He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her, Sir 15:2 And she will meet him as an honourable mother, and will receive him as a wife married of a virgin. Sir 15:3 With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved. Sir 15:4 And she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbours. Sir 15:5 And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. Sir 15:6 She shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
Sir 15:7 But foolish men shall not obtain her, and wise men shall meet her, foolish men shall not see her: for she is far from pride and deceit. Sir 15:8 Lying men shall be mindful of her: but men that speak truth shall be found with her, and shall advance, even till they come to the sight of God. Sir 15:9 Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner: Sir 15:10 For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it. Sir 15:11 Say not: It is through God, that she is not with me: for do not thou the things that he hateth. Sir 15:12 Say not: He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of wicked men. Sir 15:13 The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it. Sir 15:14 God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel. Sir 15:15 He added his commandments and precepts. Sir 15:16 If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee. Sir 15:17 He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt.
Sir 15:18 Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him: Sir 15:19 For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing. Sir 15:20 The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth al the work of man. Sir 15:21 He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin; Sir 15:22 For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children. Sir 16:1 Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them. Sir 16:2 Trust not to their life, and respect not their labours. Sir 16:3 For better is one that feareth God, than a thousand ungodly children. Sir 16:4 And it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children. Sir 16:5 By one that is wise a country shall be inhabited, the tribe of the ungodly shall become desolate. Sir 16:6 Many such things hath my eyes seen, and greater things than these my ear hath heard. Sir 16:7 In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall flame out.
Sir 16:8 The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sins, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength: Sir 16:9 And he spared not the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for the pride of their word. Sir 16:10 He had not pity on them, destroying the whole nation that extolled themselves in their sins. Sir 16:11 So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished: Sir 16:12 For mercy and wrath are with him. He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out indignation: Sir 16:13 According as his mercy is, so his correction judgeth a man according to his works. Sir 16:14 The sinner shall not escape in his rapines, and the patience of him that sheweth mercy shall not be put off. Sir 16:15 All mercy shall make a place for every man according to the merit of his works, and according to the wisdom of his sojournment. Sir 16:16 Say not: I shall be hidden from God, and who shall remember me from on high? Sir 16:17 In such a multitude I shall not be known: for what is my soul in such an immense creation?
Sir 16:18 Behold the heaven, and the heavens of heavens, the deep, and all the earth, and the things that are in them, shall be moved in his sight, Sir 16:19 The mountains also, and the hills, and the foundations of the earth: when God shall look upon them, they shall be shaken with trembling. Sir 16:20 And in all these things the heart is senseless: and every heart is understood by him. Sir 16:21 And his ways who shall understand, and the storm, which no eye of man shall see? Sir 16:22 For many of his works are hidden, but the works of his justice who shall declare? or who shall endure? for the testament is far from some, and the examination of all is in the end. Sir 16:23 He that wanteth understanding thinketh vain things, and the foolish, and erring man, thinketh foolish things. Sir 16:24 Hearken to me, my son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in thy heart. Sir 16:25 And I will shew forth good doctrine in equity, and will seek to declare wisdom: and attend to my words in thy heart, whilst with equity of spirit I tell thee the virtues that God hath put upon his works from the beginning, and I shew forth in truth his knowledge.
Sir 16:26 The works of God are done in judgment from the beginning, and from the making of them he distinguished their parts, and their beginnings in their generations. Sir 16:27 He beautified their works for ever, they have neither hungered, nor laboured, and they have not ceased from their works. Sir 16:28 Nor shall any of them straiten his neighbour at any time. Sir 16:29 Be not thou incredulous to his word. Sir 16:30 After this God looked upon the earth, and filled it with his goods. Sir 16:31 The soul of every living thing hath shewn forth before the face thereof, and into it they return again. Sir 17:1 God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image. Sir 17:2 And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself. Sir 17:3 He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth. Sir 17:4 He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls. Sir 17:5 He created of him a helpmate like to himself, he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.
Sir 17:6 He created in them the science of the spirit, he fired their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil. Sir 17:7 He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works: Sir 17:8 That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous act that they might declare the glorious things of his works. Sir 17:9 Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance. Sir 17:10 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments. Sir 17:11 And their eye saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity. Sir 17:12 And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour. Sir 17:13 Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes. Sir 17:14 Over every nation he set a ruler. Sir 17:15 And Israel was made the manifest portion of God. Sir 17:16 And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways. Sir 17:17 Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.
Sir 17:18 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye: Sir 17:19 And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth. Sir 17:20 But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth. Sir 17:21 Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins: Sir 17:22 Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less. Sir 17:23 Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination. Sir 17:24 And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God. Sir 17:25 Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God. Sir 17:26 Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing. Sir 17:27 Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.
Sir 17:28 How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him! Sir 17:29 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil. Sir 17:30 What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved. Sir 17:31 He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes. Sir 18:1 He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever. Sir 18:2 Who is able to declare his works? Sir 18:3 For who shall search out his glorious acts? Sir 18:4 And who shall show forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy? Sir 18:5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God. Sir 18:6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss. Sir 18:7 What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
Sir 18:8 The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years, as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity. Sir 18:9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. Sir 18:10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil. Sir 18:11 Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice. Sir 18:12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh. Sir 18:13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his flock. Sir 18:14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments. Sir 18:15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word. Sir 18:16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift. Sir 18:17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man. Sir 18:18 A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
Sir 18:19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak. Sir 18:20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God. Sir 18:21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation. Sir 18:22 Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever. Sir 18:23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God. Sir 18:24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face. Sir 18:25 Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches. Sir 18:26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God. Sir 18:27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth. Sir 18:28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
Sir 18:29 They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments. Sir 18:30 Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will. Sir 18:31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies. Sir 18:32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual. Sir 18:33 Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life. Sir 19:1 A workman that is a drunkard shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things, shall fall by little and little. Sir 19:2 Wine and women make wise men fall off, and shall rebuke the prudent: Sir 19:3 And he that joineth himself to harlots, will be wicked. Rottenness and worms shall inherit him, and he shall be lifted up for a greater example, and his soul shall be taken away out of the number. Sir 19:4 He that is hasty to give credit, is light of heart, and shall be lessened: and he that sinneth against his own soul, shall be despised.
Sir 19:5 He that rejoiceth in iniquity, shall be censured, and he that hateth chastisement, shall have less life: and he that hateth babbling, extinguisheth evil. Sir 19:6 He that sinneth against his own soul, shall repent: and he that is delighted with wickedness, shall be condemned. Sir 19:7 Rehearse not again a wicked and harsh word, and thou shalt not fare the worse. Sir 19:8 Tell not thy mind to friend or foe: and if there be a sin with thee, disclose it not. Sir 19:9 For he will hearken to thee, and will watch thee, and as it were defending thy sin he will hate thee, and so will he be with thee always. Sir 19:10 Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbour? let it die within thee, trusting that it will not burst thee. Sir 19:11 At the hearing of a word the fool is in travail, as a woman groaning in the bringing forth a child. Sir 19:12 As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh: so is a word in the heart of a fool. Sir 19:13 Reprove a friend, lest he may not have understood, and say: I did it not: or if he did it, that he may do it no more. Sir 19:14 Reprove thy neighbour, for it may be he hath not said it: and if he hath said it, that he may not say it again. Sir 19:15 Admonish thy friend: for there is often a fault committed.
Sir 19:16 And believe not every word. There is one, that slippeth with the tongue, but not from his heart. Sir 19:17 For who is there that hath not offended with his tongue? Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him. Sir 19:18 And give place to the fear of the most High: for the fear of God is all wisdom, and therein is to fear God, and the disposition of the law is in all wisdom. Sir 19:19 But the learning of wickedness is not wisdom: and the device of sinners is not prudence. Sir 19:20 There is a subtle wickedness, and the same is detestable: and there is a man that is foolish, wanting in wisdom. Sir 19:21 Better is a man that hath less wisdom, and wanteth understanding, with the fear of God, than he that aboundeth in understanding, and transgresseth the law of the most High. Sir 19:22 There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust. Sir 19:23 And there is one that uttereth an exact word telling the truth. There is one that humbleth himself wickedly, and his interior is full of deceit: Sir 19:24 And there is one that submitteth himself exceedingly with a great lowliness: and there is one that casteth down his countenance, and maketh as if he did not see that which is unknown: Sir 19:25 And if he be hindered from sinning for want of power, if he shall find opportunity to do evil, he will do it. Sir 19:26 A man is known by his look, and a wise man, when thou meetest him, is known by his countenance. Sir 19:27 The attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of the man, shew what he is. Sir 19:28 There is a lying rebuke in the anger of an injurious man: and there is a judgment that is not allowed to be good: and there is one that holdeth his peace, he is wise. Sir 20:1 How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer. Sir 20:2 The lust of an eunuch shall deflour a young maiden: Sir 20:3 So is he that by violence executeth of the unwise. Sir 20:4 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin. Sir 20:5 There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech. Sir 20:6 There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time. Sir 20:7 A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
Sir 20:8 He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated. Sir 20:9 There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss. Sir 20:10 There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double. Sir 20:11 There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate. Sir 20:12 There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold. Sir 20:13 A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out. Sir 20:14 The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold. Sir 20:15 He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire. Sir 20:16 To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful. Sir 20:17 A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds. Sir 20:18 For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!
Sir 20:19 For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had. Sir 20:20 The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily. Sir 20:21 A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise. Sir 20:22 A parable coming out of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season. Sir 20:23 There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked. Sir 20:24 There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself. Sir 20:25 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing. Sir 20:26 A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline. Sir 20:27 A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction. Sir 20:28 The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.
Sir 20:29 A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones. Sir 20:30 He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity. Sir 20:31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct. Sir 20:32 O Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both? Sir 20:33 Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom. Sir 21:1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee. Sir 21:2 Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee. Sir 21:3 The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men. Sir 21:4 All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof. Sir 21:5 Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out. Sir 21:6 The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.
Sir 21:7 He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart. Sir 21:8 He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him. Sir 21:9 He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter. Sir 21:10 The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire. Sir 21:11 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains. Sir 21:12 He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof. Sir 21:13 The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding. Sir 21:14 He that is not wise in good, will not be taught. Sir 21:15 But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness. Sir 21:16 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life. Sir 21:17 The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold.
Sir 21:18 A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back. Sir 21:19 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found. Sir 21:20 The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts. Sir 21:21 As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense. Sir 21:22 Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand. Sir 21:23 A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself. Sir 21:24 Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm. Sir 21:25 The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty. Sir 21:26 A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without. Sir 21:27 It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
Sir 21:28 The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things: but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance. Sir 21:29 The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart. Sir 21:30 While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul. Sir 21:31 The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured. Sir 22:1 The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace. Sir 22:2 The sluggard is pelted with the dung of oxen: and every one that toucheth him will shake his hands. Sir 22:3 A son ill taught is the confusion of the father: and a foolish daughter shall be to his loss. Sir 22:4 A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father. Sir 22:5 She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both. Sir 22:6 A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time. Sir 22:7 He that teacheth a fool, is like one that glueth a potsherd together.
Sir 22:8 He that telleth a word to him that heareth not, is like one that waketh a man out of a deep sleep. Sir 22:9 He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this? Sir 22:10 Weep for the dead, for his light hath failed: and weep for the fool, for his understanding faileth. Sir 22:11 Weep but a little for the dead, for he is at rest. Sir 22:12 For the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death. Sir 22:13 The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life. Sir 22:14 Talk not much with a fool and go not with him that hath no sense. Sir 22:15 Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sin. Sir 22:16 Turn away from him, and thou shalt find rest, and shalt not be wearied out with his folly. Sir 22:17 What is heavier than lead? and what other name hath he but fool? Sir 22:18 Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked. Sir 22:19 A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel.
Sir 22:20 The thought of him that is wise at all times, shall not be depraved by fear. Sir 22:21 As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind: Sir 22:22 So also a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool shall not resist against the violence of fear. Sir 22:23 As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God. Sir 22:24 He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment. Sir 22:25 He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship. Sir 22:26 Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend, Sir 22:27 If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away. Sir 22:28 Keep fidelity with a friend in his poverty, that in his prosperity also thou mayst rejoice.
Sir 22:29 In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that thou mayst also be heir with him in his inheritance. Sir 22:30 As the vapour of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goeth up before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats, before blood. Sir 22:31 I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear it. Sir 22:32 But every one that shall hear it, will beware of him. Sir 22:33 Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not? Sir 23:1 O Lord, father, and sovereign ruler of my life, leave me not to their counsel: nor suffer me to fall by them. Sir 23:2 Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and that their sins may not appear: Sir 23:3 Lest my ignorances increase, and my offences be multiplied, and my sins abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me? Sir 23:4 O Lord, father, and God of my life, leave me not to their devices. Sir 23:5 Give me not haughtiness of my eyes, and turn away from me all coveting. Sir 23:6 Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind.
Sir 23:7 Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth, and he that will keep it shall not perish by his lips, nor be brought to fall into most wicked works. Sir 23:8 A sinner is caught in his own vanity, and the proud and the evil speakers shall fall thereby. Sir 23:9 Let not thy mouth be accustomed to swearing: for in it there are many falls. Sir 23:10 And let not the naming of God be usual in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of saints, for thou shalt not escape free from them. Sir 23:11 For as a slave daily put to the question, is never without a blue mark: so every one that sweareth, and nameth, shall not be wholly pure from sin. Sir 23:12 A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house. Sir 23:13 And if he make it void, his sin shall be upon him, and if he dissemble it, he offendeth double: Sir 23:14 And if he swear in vain, he shall not be justified: for his house shall be filled with his punishment. Sir 23:15 There is also another speech opposite to death, let it not be found in the inheritance of Jacob. Sir 23:16 For from the merciful all these things shall be taken away, and they shall not wallow in sins.
Sir 23:17 Let not thy mouth be accustomed to indiscreet speech: for therein is the word of sin. Sir 23:18 Remember thy father and thy mother, for thou sittest in the midst of great men: Sir 23:19 Lest God forget thee in their sight, and thou, by thy daily custom be infatuated and suffer reproach: and wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse the day of thy nativity. Sir 23:20 The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words, will never be corrected all the days of his life. Sir 23:21 Two sorts of men multiply sins, and the third bringeth wrath and destruction. Sir 23:22 A hot soul is a burning fire, it will never be quenched, till it devour some thing. Sir 23:23 And a man that is wicked in the mouth of his flesh, will not leave off till he hath kindled a fire. Sir 23:24 To a man that is a fornicator all bread is sweet, he will not be weary of sinning unto the end. Sir 23:25 Every man that passeth beyond his own bed, despising his own soul, and saying: Who seeth me? Sir 23:26 Darkness compasseth me about, and the walls cover me, and no man seeth me: whom do I fear? the most High will not remember my sins. Sir 23:27 And he understandeth not that his eye seeth all things, for such a man's fear driveth him from the fear of God, and the eyes of men fearing him: Sir 23:28 And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are far brighter than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men, and the bottom of the deep, and looking into the hearts of men, into the most hidden parts. Sir 23:29 For all things were known to the Lord God, before they were created: so also after they were perfected he beholdeth all things. Sir 23:30 This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and he shall be chased as a colt: and where he suspected not, he shall be taken. Sir 23:31 And he shall be in disgrace with all men, because he understood not the fear of the Lord. Sir 23:32 So every woman also that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another: Sir 23:33 For first she hath been unfaithful to the law of the most High: and secondly, she hath offended against her husband: thirdly, she hath fornicated in adultery, and hath gotten her children of another man. Sir 23:34 This woman shall be brought into the assembly, and inquisition shall be made of her children. Sir 23:35 Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit. Sir 23:36 She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her infamy shall not be blotted out.
Sir 23:37 And they that remain shall know, that there is nothing better than the fear of God: and that there is nothing sweeter than to have regard to the commandments of the Lord. Sir 23:38 It is great glory to follow the Lord: for length of days shall be received from him. Sir 24:1 Wisdom shall praise her own self, and shall be honoured in God, and shall glory in the midst of her people, Sir 24:2 And shall open her mouth in the churches of the most High, and shall glorify herself in the sight of his power, Sir 24:3 And in the midst of her own people she shall be exalted, and shall be admired in the holy assembly. Sir 24:4 And in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise, and among the blessed she shall be blessed, saying: Sir 24:5 I came out of the mouth of the most High, the firstborn before all creatures: Sir 24:6 I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth, and as a cloud I covered all the earth: Sir 24:7 I dwelt in the highest places, and my throne is in a pillar of a cloud. Sir 24:8 I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated into the bottom of the deep, and have walked in the waves of the sea, Sir 24:9 And have stood in all the earth: and in every people, Sir 24:10 And in every nation I have had the chief rule: Sir 24:11 And by my power I have trodden under my feet the hearts of all the high and low: and in all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Sir 24:12 Then the creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle, Sir 24:13 And he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect. Sir 24:14 From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. Sir 24:15 And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. Sir 24:16 And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. Sir 24:17 I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on mount Sion. Sir 24:18 I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho: Sir 24:19 As a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted.
Sir 24:20 I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh: Sir 24:21 And I perfumed my dwelling as storax, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odour is as the purest balm. Sir 24:22 I have stretched out my branches as the turpentine tree, and my branches are of honour and grace. Sir 24:23 As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. Sir 24:24 I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. Sir 24:25 In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Sir 24:26 Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. Sir 24:27 For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. Sir 24:28 My memory is unto everlasting generations. Sir 24:29 They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. Sir 24:30 He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. Sir 24:31 They that explain me shall have life everlasting.