The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) [The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Anonymous
14:12 Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee.
14:13 Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability stretch out thy hand and give to him.
14:14 Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good desire overpass thee.
14:15 Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours to be divided by lot?
14:16 Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave.
14:17 All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.
14:18 As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.
14:19 Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal.
14:20 Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding.
14:21 He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have understanding in her secrets.
14:22 Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways.
14:23 He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors.
14:24 He that doth lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her walls.
14:25 He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.
14:26 He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches.
14:27 By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.
15:1 He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that hath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her.
15:2 And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married of a virgin.
15:3 With the bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
15:4 He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.
15:5 She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.
15:6 He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
15:7 But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinners shall not see her.
15:8 For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her.
15:9 Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him of the Lord.
15:10 For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.
15:11 Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.
15:12 Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man.
15:13 The Lord hateth all abomination; and they that fear God love it not.
15:14 He himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel;
15:15 If thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to perform acceptable faithfulness.
15:16 He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch forth thy hand unto whether thou wilt.
15:17 Before man is life and death; and whether him liketh shall be given him.
15:18 For the wisdom of the Lord is great, and he is mighty in power, and beholdeth all things:
15:19 And his eyes are upon them that fear him, and he knoweth every work of man.
15:20 He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath he given any man licence to sin.
16:1 Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
16:2 Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.
16:3 Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.
16:4 For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.