Sirach

1Blessed is the man that has not slipped with his mouth, And is not pricked with sorrow for sins.

2Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, And who is not fallen from his hope.

3Riches are not comely for a niggard; And what should an envious man do with money?

4He that gathers by taking from his own soul gathers for others; And others shall revel in his goods.

5He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? And he shall not rejoice in his possessions.

6There is none more evil than he that envies himself; And this is a recompense of his wickedness.

7Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness; And at the last he shows forth his wickedness.

8Evil is he that envies with his eye, Turning away the face, and despising the souls of men.

9A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion; And wicked injustice dries up his soul.

10An evil eye is grudging of bread, And he is miserly at his table

11My son, according as you have, do well to yourself, And bring offerings to the Lord worthily.

12Remember that death will not wait, And that the covenant of the grave is not showed to you.

13Do well to your friend before you die; And according to your ability stretch out your hand and give to him.

14Defraud not yourself of a good day; And let not the portion of a good desire pass you by.

15Shall you not leave your labors to another? And your toils to be divided by lot?

16Give, and take, and decieve your soul; For there is no seeking of luxury in the grave.

17All flesh waxes old as a garment; For the covenant from the beginning is, You shall die the death.

18As of the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, Some it sheds, and some it makes to grow; So also of the generations of flesh and blood, One comes to an end, and another is born.

19Every work rots and falls away, And the worker thereof shall depart with it.

20Blessed is the man that shall meditate in wisdom, And that shall discourse by his understanding.

21He that considers her ways in his heart Shall also have knowledge in her secrets.

22Go forth after her as one that tracketh, And lie in wait in her ways.

23He that pries in at her windows Shall also hearken at her doors.

24He that lodges close to her house Shall also fasten a nail in her walls.

25He shall pitch his tent near at hand to her, And shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.

26He shall set his children under her shelter, And shall rest under her branches.

27By her he shall be covered from heat, And shall lodge in her glory.