Chapter 5
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
1Stay not upon thy strength (or wealth); And say not, It is in the power of my hand.
2Stay not upon thy force; To go after the desire of thy soul.
3Go not after thy heart and thine eyes; To walk in the pleasures of wickedness.
4Say not, Who can withstand my (G S) strength? For the Lord avengeth (H seeketh) them that are persecuted.
5Say not, I have sinned, and who (?) shall do aught unto me, For God is slow to anger?
6Say not, The Lord is merciful; And he will blot out all mine iniquities.
7Trust not to forgiveness; To add iniquity to iniquity.
8Nor say, His mercy is great: He will forgive the multitude of mine iniquities.
9For mercy and anger are with him; And his displeasure shall rest upon (?) the wicked.
10Make no tarrying to turn unto him; And put not off (?) from day to day.
11For suddenly shall his indignation go forth; And in the day of vengeance thou shalt perish.
12Trust not on riches of falsehood; For they shall not profit in the day of wrath.
13Be not winnowing with every wind, And turning the way of the stream (H).
14Be assured in thine own mind; And let thy word be one.
15Be swift to give ear; And with patience of spirit return answer.
16If it be in thee, answer thy neighbour; And if not, be thy hand upon thy mouth.
17Honour and disgrace are in the hand (?) of talk; And the tongue of a man is his fall.
18Be not called a double dealer; And with thy tongue slander not a neighbour.
19For for the thief was created shame; And sore reproach for (G S) the double dealer.
20Little or much do not corruptly (H); And instead of a friend become not an enemy.