Category Archives: Sirach

1 All wisdom is from the Lord God, and has always been with him, and is before all time. 2 Who has numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of the rain, and the days of the world? Who has measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the […]

1 Son, when you apply yourself to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare your soul for temptation. 2 Humble your heart, and persevere. Incline your ear, and accept words of understanding. And you should not hurry away in the time of distress. 3 Endure steadfastly for God. Join yourself […]

1 The sons of wisdom are the Church of the just: and their generation is obedience and love. 2 Sons, listen to the judgment of your father, and act accordingly, so that you may be saved. 3 For God has honored the father in the sons, and, when seeking the judgment of the mother, he […]

1 Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man. 2 You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need. 3 You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay […]

1 Do not choose to seek iniquitous possessions, and you should not say: “I have all I need in life.” For it will be of no benefit to you in the time of retribution and darkness. 2 You should not pursue, in your strength, the desires of your heart. 3 And you should not say: […]

1 Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued. 2 You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be […]

1 Do not choose to do evil, and evil will not take hold of you. 2 Withdraw from the iniquitous, and evil will withdraw from you. 3 Son, do not sow evil in the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap them sevenfold. 4 Do not seek a role of leadership from the Lord, […]

1 You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands. 2 You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you. 3 For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings. 4 You […]

1 You should not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest she reveal, because of you, the malice of a wicked lesson. 2 You should not give authority over your soul to a woman, lest she obtain your strength, and then you would be confounded. 3 You should not look with favor on […]

1 A wise judge will judge his people, and the leadership of an understanding man will be steadfast. 2 As the judge of the people is, so also are his assistants. And whatever kind of man the ruler of a city is, of such a kind also are those who live in it. 3 A […]