Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1Do not evil to thyself, and evil shall not (?) overtake thee; Keep far from iniquity, and it shall turn aside from thee.

2Sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness (?); Lest thou reap it sevenfold.

3Seek not of God dominion; Nor likewise of a king a seat of honour.

4Justify not thyself before God (H a king); And before a king profess not understanding.

5Seek not to be a ruler; If thou hast not ability to quell pride.

6Lest thou fear the person of the noble; And suffer lucre to corrupt thine integrity (?).

7Condemn not thyself in the congregation at the gate (?); And cast not thyself down in the assembly.

8Conspire not to commit a second sin; For in one thou shalt not be unpunished.

9Loathe not appointed service of laborious work; For it hath been apportioned of God (?).

10Be not impatient (H short) in prayer; And in almsgiving hesitate not (?).

11Despise not a man that is in bitterness of spirit; Remember that there is one that lifteth up and casteth down.

12Devise not injury against a brother; And likewise neither against a companion nor a neighbour.

13Love not to make any manner of (?) lie; For the consequence (H hope) thereof shall not be pleasant.

14Prate (?) not (or Be not familiar) in a congregation of princes; And repeat (?) not a word in prayer.

15Esteem not thyself among the men of thy (?) people; Remember that wrath will not tarry (?).

16Abase pride very exceedingly; For the hope of man is the worm (H S).

17Be not in haste to say, A breach (?) is upon me; Commit thyself unto God, and delight in his way.

18Exchange not a friend at a price; Neither a brother that is attached (or doubted) for gold of Ophir.

19Despise (or Reject) not a wise wife; Seeing she is well-favoured above rubies.

20Evil entreat not a servant that laboureth truly (?); Nor a hireling that giveth his soul (?).

21Love a wise servant as thyself: Withhold not liberty from him.

22Hast thou a beast? see that thine eye be upon it (?); And if it be trusty (?), keep it.

23Hast thou sons? instruct them; And marry wives to them in their youth.

24Hast thou daughters? guard their flesh; And make not thy face bright unto them.

25Give away a daughter, and away with a trouble (?); But join her to a man of understanding.

26Hast thou a wife? abominate (H) her not; Hast thou one that is hated? trust her not.

27With all thy heart fear . . . . . . . . . . *******

28Remember: If they were not, you would not have come to the world. And what you are doing to them, that they are your rearers.

29With all your heart fear God; And his priests sanctify.

30With all your means love your maker; And his servers do not forsake.

31Honor God and glorify a priest; Give their portions like you were commanded.

32Bread of heroes and gift of a hand; Meat of the righteous and gift of the holy one.

33Also to the needy stretch out a hand; So that you blessing will be repaid.

34Give a gift to all life; Also from a corpse do not withhold kindness.

35Do not be late from ?criers?; And with a mourner, mourn.

36Do not lift [your] heart from a loved one; For from him you will be loved.

37In all your actions remember the end; And never destroy.