Sir 14
1
Blessed is the man that has not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the
multitude of sins.
2
Blessed is he whose conscience has not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his
hope in the Lord.
3
Riches are not beautiful for a niggard: and what should an envious man do with money?
4
He who gathers by defrauding his own soul gathers for others, that shall spend his
goods riotously.
5
He who is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? he shall not take pleasure in
his goods.
6
There is none worse than he who envies himself; and this is a recompence of his wickedness.
7
And if he does good, he does it unwillingly; and at the last he will declare his wickedness.
8
The envious man has a wicked eye; he turns away his face, and despises men.
9
A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity of the wicked
dries up his soul.
10
A wicked eye envies his bread, and he is a niggard at his table.
11
My son, according to your ability do good to yourself, and give the Lord his due offering.
12
Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave
is not shewed to you.
13
Do good to your friend before you die, and according to your ability stretch out your
hand and give to him.
14
Defraud not yourself of the good day, and let not the part of a good desire overpass
you.
15
Shall you not leave your travails to another? and your labours to be divided by lot?
16
Give, and take, and sanctify your soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the
grave.
17
All flesh waxes old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, You shall
die the death.
18
As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation
of flesh and blood, one comes to an end, and another is born.
19
Every work rotteth and consumes away, and its worker shall go withal.
20
Blessed is the man that does meditate good things in wisdom, and that reasons of holy
things by his understanding.
21
He who considers her ways in his heart shall also have understanding in her secrets.
22
Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways.
23
He who pries in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors.
24
He who does lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her walls.
25
He shall pitch his tent nigh to her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things
are.
26
He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches.
27
By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.