Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1Set not thy heart vpon thy goods, and say not, I haue ynough for my life. 2Folow not thine owne minde, and thy strength, to walke in the wayes of thy heart: 3And say not, Who shall controll mee for my workes? for the Lord will surely reuenge thy pride. 4Say not, I haue sinned, and what harme hath happened vnto mee? for the Lord is long suffering, he wil in no wise let thee goe. 5Concerning propitiation, bee not without feare to adde sinne vnto sinne. 6And say not, His mercy is great, hee will be pacified for the multitude of my sinnes: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth vpon sinners. 7Make no tarying to turne to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shal the wrath of the Lord come foorth, and in thy securitie thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance. 8Set not thy heart vpon goods vniustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamitie. 9Winnow not with euery winde, and goe not into euery way: for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue. 10Be stedfast in thy vnderstanding, and let thy word be the same. 11Be swift to heare, and let thy life be sincere, & with patience giue answere. 12If thou hast vnderstanding, answer thy neighbour, if not, lay thy hand vpon thy mouth. 13Honour and shame is in talke; and the tongue of man is his fall. 14Be not called a whisperer, and lye not in wait with thy tongue: for a foule shame is vpon the thiefe, and an euill condemnation vpon the double tongue. 15Be not ignorant of any thing, in a great matter or a small.