The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) [The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Anonymous
18:23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.
18:24 Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
18:25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
18:26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
18:27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
18:28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.
18:29 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
18:30 Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
18:31 If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
18:32 Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
18:33 Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.
19:1 A labouring man that is given to drunkenness shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little.
19:2 Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent.
19:3 Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.
19:4 He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.
19:5 Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.
19:6 He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.
19:7 Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.
19:8 Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men’s lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.
19:9 For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.
19:10 If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.
19:11 A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.
19:12 As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a word within a fool’s belly.
19:13 Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.
19:14 Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.
19:15 Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.
19:16 There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?
19:17 Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.
19:18 The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted [of him,] and wisdom obtaineth his love.
19:19 The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.
19:20 The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.
19:21 If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.
19:22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.
19:23 There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.
19:24 He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
19:25 There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment.
19:26 There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
19:27 Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.
19:28 And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.
19:29 A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.