Home Master Index
←Prev   Sirach 7 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


7:1  Do no evil, and evil will never befall you.
7:2  Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.
7:3  My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.
7:4  Do not seek from the Lord the highest office, nor the seat of honor from the king.
7:5  Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord, nor display your wisdom before the king.
7:6  Do not seek to become a judge, lest you be unable to remove iniquity, lest you be partial to a powerful man, and thus put a blot on your integrity.
7:7  Do not offend against the public, and do not disgrace yourself among the people.
7:8  Do not commit a sin twice; even for one you will not go unpunished.
7:9  Do not say, “He will consider the multitude of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the Most High God he will accept it.”
7:10  Do not be fainthearted in your prayer, nor neglect to give alms.
7:11  Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul, for there is One who abases and exalts.
7:12  Do not devise a lie against your brother, nor do the like to a friend.
7:13  Refuse to utter any lie, for the habit of lying serves no good.
7:14  Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders, nor repeat yourself in your prayer.
7:15  Do not hate toilsome labor, or farm work, which were created by the Most High.
7:16  Do not count yourself among the crowd of sinners; remember that wrath does not delay.
7:17  Humble yourself greatly, for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.
7:18  Do not exchange a friend for money, or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.
7:19  Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife, for her charm is worth more than gold.
7:20  Do not abuse a servant who performs his work faithfully, or a hired laborer who devotes himself to you.
7:21  Let your soul love an intelligent servant; do not withhold from him his freedom.
7:22  Do you have cattle? Look after them; if they are profitable to you, keep them.
7:23  Do you have children? Discipline them, and make them obedient from their youth.
7:24  Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity, and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.
7:25  Give a daughter in marriage; you will have finished a great task. But give her to a man of understanding.
7:26  If you have a wife who pleases you, do not cast her out; but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.
7:27  With all your heart honor your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.
7:28  Remember that through your parents you were born; and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you?
7:29  With all your soul fear the Lord, and honor his priests.
7:30  With all your might love your Maker, and do not forsake his ministers.
7:31  Fear the Lord and honor the priest, and give him his portion, as is commanded you: the first fruits, the guilt offering, the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.
7:32  Stretch forth your hand to the poor, so that your blessing may be complete.
7:33  Give graciously to all the living, and withhold not kindness from the dead.
7:34  Do not fail those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn.
7:35  Do not shrink from visiting a sick man, because for such deeds you will be loved.
7:36  In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin.