Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1A poor person’s wisdom will raise up his head, and it will seat him in the midst of nobles.

2Do not praise a man for his appearance, and do not loathe a man ugly in look.

3Small among the flying is the bee, and first among all fruitage is her produce [honey].

4A lost mantle do not mock, and do not decry in the bitterness of day. [Alternative: Do not scoff at the ones whose day is bitter.]

5Because the works of the Lord are a wonder, and his works are hidden from humans.

6Many oppressed ones sat on the throne; and those not thought of wrapped in a [priestly] turban.

7Many powerful people were dishonored greatly, and lowered too, and illustrious ones were delivered into the hands of others.

8Before investigation, do not overrule; inspect internally, and then chastise [Alternative: lend].

9My Son, before listening, do not answer, and in the middle of speaking, do not interrupt.

10If you aren't wounded, do not kindle a dispute, and in a trial of sinners, do not stand.

11My son, why add to your contentions? Do not multiply them; you won't be saved.

12My son, if you do not pursue, you will not attain, and if you do not search, you will not find.

13There exists one who toils and struggles and hurries, and nevertheless he is late.

14There're those who are crushed and in despair walk, lacking all, and moreover are poor.

15And the eyes of the Lord looked upon him for good, and shook off his dusty stench.

16Carried up by his head and lifted him, and many were perplexed.

17Good and bad, life and death, penury and wealth are from the Lord.

18Wisdom, intelligence, and perceptivity are from the Lord, sin and straight paths are from the Lord.

19Foolishness and darkness had been created for sinners, and along with it, evil friends.

20The estate of righteousness shall remains with his fearful, and his wants shall eternally succeed .

21There exists one who becomes rich from his suffering, and this obligates this reward:

22In time, he will say: “I have found rest, and now I will eat of my good.”

23He does not know what's to come and pass, and he'll leave them to others and die.

24My son, stand on your principles, and walk with it, and in your work take hold strong.

25Do not wonder at the doings of evil, run to the Lord, and await his light.

26Because all is in front of the Lord eyes, to suddenly and quickly, make a needy person rich.

27The Lord’s blessing is the righteous' lot, and in his hopeful time his good pleasure sprout.

28Do not say, “ill do as I wish, And if he forsakes me, what now?...

29Do not say, “I have enough, and what calamity can occur to me?”

30In a day of prosperity, you'll forget adversity, and in a day of adversity, you'll forget good, and the end of man will be on the Lord.

31A bad time and you'll forget pleasure, and in a person’s end he will tell of the Lord.

32Before inspecting man, to not praise him, for in his end man will be straightened [in a coffin].

33Before death praise no strongman, for in his end he'll bad deeds will be known.

34And estrange thee to them that are dear to thee.

35Many have been the wounded peddlers, who accustom [similar to 'pearls;] themselves to licentiousness. [Rashi Yevamot 63b: referring to men who travel to sell women’s jewelry. Their frequent dealings with women lead their husbands to harm them. Note: Talmud breaks the sentence.]

36[Those who accustom themselves to licentiousness] are like a spark that ignites a coal. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit [Jeremiah 5:27].

37A as a bird seized in a cage, so is the heart of haughtiness, and like a wolf ambushing his prey.

38What's gained by violent sinners, like a dog they come to each house wrathfully.

39So the covetous comes, increasing strife to all the inhabitants.

40The ambush of the gossiper is like a bear to the house of scorners, and like a spy he searches for licentiousness.

41From good to bad will he turn your crowds, and on your precious things he will conspire.

42From a spark of fire coals are multiplied, and a sinful person lies in ambush for blood.

43Be a stranger to evil, for evil births, why an eternal blemish carry.

44Attach thyself not to evil, to twist your ways, your covenant overturn [sim. drop].

45From a foreign neighbor, heed your way; he may tear your tranquility, and become acquainted with your valuables.