Sirach

1Do no evil, so shall no evil overtake you.

2Depart from wrong, and it shall turn aside from you.

3My son, sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness, And you shall not reap them sevenfold.

4Seek not of the Lord preeminence, Neither of the king the seat of honor.

5Justify not yourself in the presence of the Lord; And display not your wisdom before the king.

6Seek not to be a judge, Lest you be not able to take away iniquities; Lest haply you fear the person of a mighty man, And lay a stumbling block in the way of your uprightness.

7Sin not against the multitude of the city, And cast not yourself down in the crowd.

8Bind not up sin twice; For in one sin you shall not be unpunished.

9Say not, He will look upon the multitude of my gifts, And when I offer to the Most High God, he will accept it.

10Be not faint-hearted in your prayer; And neglect not to give alms.

11Laugh not a man to scorn when he is in the bitterness of his soul; For there is one who humbles and exalts.

12Devise not a lie against your brother; Neither do the like to a friend.

13Love not to make any manner of lie; For the custom thereof is not for good.

14Prate not in the multitude of elders; And repeat not your words in your prayer.

15Hate not laborious work; Neither husbandry, which the Most High has ordained.

16Number not yourself among the multitude of sinners: Remember that wrath will not wait.

17Humble your soul greatly; For the punishment of the ungodly man is fire and the worm.

18Change not a friend for a thing indifferent; Neither a true brother for the gold of Ophir.

19Forgo not a wise and good wife; For her grace is above gold.

20Entreat not evil a servant that works truly, Nor a hireling that gives you his life.

21Let your soul love a wise servant; Defraud him not of liberty.

22Hast you cattle? have an eye to them; And if they are profitable to you, let them stay by you.

23Hast you children? correct them, And bow down their neck from their youth.

24Hast you daughters? give heed to their body, And make not your face cheerful toward them.

25Give your daughter in marriage, and you shall have accomplished a great matter: And give her to a man of understanding.

26Hast you a wife after your mind? cast her not out: But trust not yourself to one that is hateful.

27Give glory to your father with your whole heart; And forget not the pangs of your mother.

28Remember that of them you were born: And what will you recompense them for the things that they have done for you?

29Fear the Lord with all your soul; And reverence his priests.

30With all your strength love him that made you; And forsake not his ministers.

31Fear the Lord, and glorify the priest; And give him his portion, even as it is commanded you; The first fruits, and the trespass offering, and the gift of the shoulders, And the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of holy things.

32Also to the poor man stretch out your hand, That your blessing may be perfected.

33A gift has grace in the sight of every man living; And for a dead man keep not back grace.

34Be not lacking to them that weep; And mourn with them that mourn.

35Be not slow to visit a sick man; For by such things you shall gain love.

36In all your matters remember your last end, And you shall never do amiss.