Sir 36
1
There shall no evil happen to him whom fears the Lord; but in temptation even again
he will deliver him.
2
A wise man hates not the law; but he who is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a
storm.
3
A man of understanding trusts in the law; and the law is faithful to him, as an oracle.
4
Prepare what to say, and so you shall be heard: and bind up instruction, and then
make answer.
5
The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling
axletree.
6
A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sits upon
him.
7
Why does one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is
of the sun?
8
By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.
9
Some of them has he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them has he made
ordinary days.
10
And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:
11
In much knowledge the Lord has divided them, and made their ways diverse. (36:11AA) Though I was the last to wake up, yet
I received their inheritance as from the beginning.
12
Some of them has he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near
himself: but some of them has he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.
(36:12AA) O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by your name, and upon Israel,
whom you have named your firstborn.
13
As the clay is in the potter’s hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the
hand of him whom made him, to render to them as likes him best. (36:13AA) O be merciful to Jerusalem, your holy city, the
place of your rest.
14
Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner,
and the sinner against the godly. (36:14AA) Fill Sion with your unspeakable oracles, and your people with your glory:
15
So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against
another. (36:15AA) Give testimony to those that you have possessed from the beginning, and raise up
prophets that have been in your name.
16
Reward them that wait for you, and let your prophets be found faithful.
17
O Lord, hear the prayer of your servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over
your people, that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that you are the Lord,
the eternal God.
18
The belly devours all meats, yet is one meat better than another.
19
As the palate tastes divers kinds of venison: so does an heart of understanding false
speeches.
20
A froward heart causes heaviness: but a man of experience will recompense him.
21
A woman will receive every man, yet is one daughter better than another.
22
The beauty of a woman cheers the countenance, and a man loves nothing better.
23
If there be kindness, meekness, and comfort, in her tongue, then is not her husband
like other men.
24
He who gets a wife begins a possession, a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.
25
Where no hedge is, there the possession is spoiled: and he who has no wife will wander
up and down mourning.
26
Who will trust a thief well appointed, that skippeth from city to city? so who will
believe a man that has no house, and lodges wheresoever the night takes him?