Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1There shall no euill happen vnto him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation euen againe he will deliuer him. 2A wise man hateth not the Law, but he that is an hypocrite therein, is as a ship in a storme. 3A man of vnderstanding trusteth in the Law, and the Law is faithfull vnto him, as an oracle. 4Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard, and binde vp instruction, and then make answere. 5The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheele: and his thoughts are like a rolling axeltree. 6A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, hee neigheth vnder euery one that sitteth vpon him. 7Why doth one day excell another? when as all the light of euery day in the yeere is of the Sunne. 8By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts. 9Some of them hath hee made high dayes, and hallowed them, and some of them hath hee made ordinary dayes. 10And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth. 11In much knowledge the Lord hath diuided them, and made their wayes diuers. 12Some of them hath hee blessed, and exalted, and some of them hath hee sanctified, and set neere himselfe: but some of them hath hee cursed, and brought low, and turned out of their places. 13As the clay is in the potters hand to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best. 14Good is set against euill, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly. 15So looke vpon all the workes of the most High, and there are two and two, one against another. 16I awaked vp last of all, as one that gathereth after the grape-gatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and filled my wine-presse, like a gatherer of grapes. 17Consider that I laboured not for my selfe onely, but for all them that seeke learning; 18Heare me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your eares ye rulers of the Congregation: 19Giue not thy sonne, and wife, thy brother and friend power ouer thee while thou liuest, and giue not thy goods to another, lest it repent thee: and thou intreat for the same againe. 20As long as thou liuest and hast breath in thee, giue not thy selfe ouer to any. 21For better it is that thy children should seeke to thee, then that thou shouldst stand to their courtesie. 22In all thy workes keepe to thy selfe the preheminence, leaue not a staine in thine honour. 23At the time when thou shalt end thy dayes, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance. 24Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the asse: and bread, correction, and worke for a seruant. 25If thou set thy seruant to labour, thou shalt finde rest: but if thou let him goe idle, he shall seeke libertie. 26A yoke and a collar doe bow the necke: so are tortures and torments for an euill seruant. 27Sende him to labour that hee be not idle: for idlenesse teacheth much euill. 28Set him to worke, as is fit for him; if he be not obedient, put on more heauy fetters. 29But be not excessiue toward any, and without discretion doe nothing. 30If thou haue a seruant, let him bee vnto thee as thy selfe, because thou hast bought him with a price. 31If thou haue a seruant, intreate him as a brother: for thou hast neede of him, as of thine owne soule: if thou intreate him euill, and he runne from thee, which way wilt thou goe to seeke him?