Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1The hopes of a man voyd of vnderstanding are vaine, and false: and dreames lift vp fooles. 2Who so regardeth dreames, is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the winde. 3The vision of dreames is the resemblance of one thing to another, euen as the likenesse of a face to a face. 4Of an vncleane thing, what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false, what trueth can come? 5Diuinations, and soothsayings, and dreames are vaine: and the heart fancieth as a womans heart in trauell. 6If they be not sent from the most high in thy visitation, set not thy heart vpon them. 7For dreames haue deceiued many, and they haue failed that put their trust in them. 8The Law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisedome is perfection to a faithfull mouth. 9A man that hath trauailed knoweth many things: and hee that hath much experience, wil declare wisedome. 10He that hath no experience, knoweth little: but he that hath trauailed, is full of prudence. 11When I trauailed, I saw many things: and I vnderstand more, then I can expresse. 12I was oft times in danger of death, yet I was deliuered because of these things. 13The spirit of those that feare the Lord shall liue, for their hope is in him that saueth them. 14Who so feareth the Lord, shall not feare nor be afraid, for hee is his hope. 15Blessed is the soule of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doeth hee looke? and who is his strength? 16For the eyes of the Lord are vpon them that loue him, he is their mightie protection, and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a couer from the Sunne at noone, a preseruation from stumbling, and a helpe from falling. 17He raiseth vp the soule, and lighteneth the eyes: hee giueth health, life, and blessing. 18Hee that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous, and the giftes of vniust men are not accepted. 19The most high is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked, neither is he pacified for sinne by the multitude of sacrifices. 20Who so bringeth an offering of the goods of the poore, doeth as one that killeth the sonne before his fathers eyes. 21The bread of the needie, is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof, is a man of blood. 22Hee that taketh away his neighbours liuing, slayeth him: and hee that defraudeth the labourer of his hire, is a bloodshedder. 23When one buildeth, and another pulleth downe, what profite haue they then but labour? 24When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lorde heare? 25He that washeth himselfe after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it againe, what auaileth his washing? 26So is it with a man that fasteth for his sinnes, and goeth againe and doeth the same: who will heare his prayer, or what doeth his humbling profit him?