Home Master Index
←Prev   Sirach 4 as rendered by/in  Next→ 



4:1  My child, do not cheat the poor of their living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting.
4:2  Do not grieve the hungry, or anger one in need.
4:3  Do not add to the troubles of the desperate, or delay giving to the needy.
4:4  Do not reject a suppliant in distress, or turn your face away from the poor.
4:5  Do not avert your eye from the needy, and give no one reason to curse you;
4:6  for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you, their Creator will hear their prayer.
4:7  Endear yourself to the congregation; bow your head low to the great.
4:8  Give a hearing to the poor, and return their greeting politely.
4:9  Rescue the oppressed from the oppressor; and do not be hesitant in giving a verdict.
4:10  Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother.
4:11  Wisdom teaches her children and gives help to those who seek her.
4:12  Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.
4:13  Whoever holds her fast inherits glory, and the Lord blesses the place she enters.
4:14  Those who serve her minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her.
4:15  Those who obey her will judge the nations, and all who listen to her will live secure.
4:16  If they remain faithful, they will inherit her; their descendants will also obtain her.
4:17  For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths; she will bring fear and dread upon them, and will torment them by her discipline until she trusts them, and she will test them with her ordinances.
4:18  Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them, and will reveal her secrets to them.
4:19  If they go astray she will forsake them, and hand them over to their ruin.
4:20  Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil, and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
4:21  For there is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that is glory and favour.
4:22  Do not show partiality, to your own harm, or deference, to your downfall.
4:23  Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment, and do not hide your wisdom.
4:24  For wisdom becomes known through speech, and education through the words of the tongue.
4:25  Never speak against the truth, but be ashamed of your ignorance.
4:26  Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river.
4:27  Do not subject yourself to a fool, or show partiality to a ruler.
4:28  Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will fight for you.
4:29  Do not be reckless in your speech, or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
4:30  Do not be like a lion in your home, or suspicious of your servants.
4:31  Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive and closed when it is time to give.