Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1My sonne, defraude not the poore of his liuing, and make not the needy eies to waite long. 2Make not an hungry soule sorrowfull, neither prouoke a man in his distresse. 3Adde not more trouble to an heart that is vexed, and deferre not to giue to him that is in neede. 4Reiect not the supplication of the afflicted, neither turne away thy face from a poore man. 5Turne not away thine eye from the needy, and giue him none occasion to curse thee: 6For if he curse thee in the bitternesse of his soule, his prayer shall be heard of him that made him. 7Get thy selfe the loue of the congregation, and bow thy head to a great man. 8Let it not grieue thee to bowe downe thine eare to the poore, and giue him a friendly answere with meekenesse. 9Deliuer him that suffreth wrong, from the hand of the oppressour, and be not faint hearted when thou sittest in iudgement. 10Be as a father vnto the fatherlesse, and in stead of a husband vnto their mother, so shalt thou be as the sonne of the most high, and he shall loue thee more then thy mother doeth. 11Wisedome exalteth her children, and layeth hold of them that seeke her. 12He that loueth her, loueth life, and they that seeke to her earely, shall be filled with ioy. 13He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory, and wheresoeuer she entreth, the Lord will blesse. 14They that serue her shall minister to the Holy one, and them that loue her, the Lord doth loue. 15Who so giueth eare vnto her, shall iudge the nations, and he that attendeth vnto her, shall dwell securely. 16If a man commit himselfe vnto her, he shall inherite her, and his generation shall hold her in possession. 17For at the first she will walke with him by crooked wayes, and bring feare and dread vpon him, and torment him with her discipline, vntill she may trust his soule, and try him by her Lawes. 18Then wil she returne the straight way vnto him, and comfort him, and shew him her secrets. 19But if he goe wrong, she will forsake him, and giue him ouer to his owne ruine. 20Obserue the opportunitie, and beware of euill, and be not ashamed when it concerneth thy soule. 21For there is a shame that bringeth sinne, and there is a shame which is glorie and grace. 22Accept no person against thy soule, and let not the reuerence of any man cause thee to fall: 23And refraine not to speake, when there is occasion to doe good, and hide not thy wisedome in her beautie. 24For by speach wisedome shall be knowen, and learning by the word of the tongue. 25In no wise speake against the trueth, but be abashed of the errour of thine ignorance. 26Bee not ashamed to confesse thy sinnes, and force not the course of the riuer. 27Make not thy selfe an vnderling to a foolish man, neither accept the person of the mighty. 28Striue for the trueth vnto death, and the Lord shall fight for thee. 29Be not hastie in thy tongue, and in thy deeds slacke and remisse. 30Bee not as a Lion in thy house, nor franticke among thy seruants. 31Let not thine hand bee stretched out to receiue, and shut when thou shouldest repay.