Sirach

1My son, deprive not the poor of his living, And make not the needy eyes to wait long.

2Make not a hungry soul sorrowful; Neither provoke a man in his distress.

3To a heart that is provoked add not more trouble; And defer not to give to him that is in need.

4Reject not a suppliant in his affliction; And turn not away your face from a poor man.

5Turn not away your eye from one that asks of you, And give none occasion to a man to curse you:

6For if he curse you in the bitterness of his soul, He that made him will hear his supplication.

7Get yourself the love of the congregation; And to a great man bow your head.

8Incline your ear to a poor man, And answer him with peaceful words in meekness.

9Deliver him that is wronged from the hand of him that wrongeth him; And be not faint-hearted in giving judgement.

10Be as a father to the fatherless, And instead of a husband to their mother: So shall you be as a son of the Most High, And he shall love you more than your mother does.

11Wisdom exalts her sons, And takes hold of them that seek her.

12He that loves her loves life; And they that seek to her early shall be filled with gladness.

13He that holds her fast shall inherit glory; And where he enters, the Lord will bless.

14They that do her service shall minister to the Holy One; And them that love her the Lord does love.

15He that gives ear to her shall judge the nations; And he that gives heed to her shall dwell securely.

16If he trust her, he shall inherit her; And his generations shall have her in possession.

17For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, And will bring fear and dread upon him, And torment him with her discipline, Until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgements:

18Then will she return again the straight way to him, And will gladden him, and reveal to him her secrets.

19If he go astray, she will forsake him, And give him over to his fall.

20Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; And be not ashamed concerning your soul.

21For there is a shame that brings sin; And there is a shame that is glory and grace.

22Accept not the person of any against your soul; And reverence no man to your falling.

23Refrain not speech, when it tendeth to safety; And hide not your wisdom for the sake of fair-seeming.

24For by speech wisdom shall be known; And instruction by the word of the tongue.

25Speak not against the truth; And be abashed for your ignorance.

26Be not ashamed to make confession of your sins; And force not the current of the river.

27Lay not yourself down for a fool to tread upon; And accept not the person of one that is mighty.

28Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God shall fight for you.

29Be not hasty in your tongue, And in your deeds slack and remiss.

30Be not as a lion in your house, Nor fanciful among your servants.

31Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and closed when you should repay.