Discerning Dreams
Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 1. Vain hopes and lying belong to a man without understanding, And dreams give wing to senseless men. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 2. Like him who grasps after shadows and chases the wind, So is he who pays attention to dreams. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 3. The vision of dreams is this against that, The likeness of a face opposite a face. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 4. What will be cleansed from an unclean thing? And what will be true from a false thing? Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 5. Divinations, omens, and dreams are worthless; And like a woman in the pains of childbirth, The heart becomes visible. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 6. Unless visions are sent from the Most High in a visitation, Do not give your heart to them. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 7. For dreams have deceived many, And those who hope in them have fallen away. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 8. Without such lying, the law will be fulfilled, And wisdom is perfection in the mouth of the faithful.
Benefits of Travel
Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 9. A man who has traveled about knows many things, And a man with much experience will speak with understanding. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 10. A man who has not been tested knows little, But he who has traveled about increases his astuteness. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 11. I have seen many things in my travels,, And my understanding is more than I can express in words. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 12. I have frequently been in danger of death, But I have been saved because of these experiences.
The Blessings of God
Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 13. The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, For their hope is in Him who saves them. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 14. He who fears the Lord will fear nothing, And he will not be cowardly, for the Lord is his hope. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 15. Blessed is the soul of a man who fears the Lord. To whom does he look? And who is his support? Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 16. The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love Him. He is a powerful protection and a strong support: A shelter from the burning heat, A shelter from the noonday sun, A guard from stumbling, And help from a fall. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 17. He raises up the soul And gives light to the eyes. He gives healing, life, and blessing.
Unacceptable Offerings
Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 18. If a man sacrifices by means of wrongdoing, The offering is a mockery, And the gifts of the lawless are not accepted. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 19. The Most High is not pleased with the offerings of the ungodly, And a man does not atone for his sins with a multitude of sacrifices. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 20. He who offers a sacrifice from the property of the poor Is like one who kills a son in the sight of his father. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 21. The bread of the needy is the life of the poor. He who deprives them of it is a man of bloodshed. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 22. Whoever takes away his neighbor's livelihood murders him, And whoever deprives a hired worker of his wages sheds his blood. Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 23. If one builds up while another tears down, What do they profit other than toil? Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 24. If one prays while another curses, Whose voice will the Lord hear? Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 25. If a man washes himself after touching a corpse, Then touches it again, What does he profit by his washing? Wisdom of Sirach 34, verse 26. So it is with a man whofastsover hissins And goes and does the same sins all over again. Who will hear his prayer? What does his humbling profit him?