Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 1. Do not be ashamed of the following things, And do not let partiality lead you to sin: Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 2. Of the Law and covenant of the Most High, And of a judgment to acquit an ungodly man; Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 3. Of keeping accounts with a partner or a traveling companion, And of dividing an inheritance among friends; Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 4. Of accurate scales and balances, And the acquisition of much or little; Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 5. Of profit from business with merchants, And of much discipline of children, And of making the sides of an evil servant bleed. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 6. Where there is an evil wife, a seal is good; And where there are many hands, lock things up. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 7. Whatever you deliver, do it by number or weight; And put in writing everything you give or receive. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 8. Do not be ashamed of the instructing of the unwise and foolish, Or of the extremely old man who passes judgment on the young; Then you will be truly instructed And approved before all men.
Fathers and Daughters
Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 9. A daughter keeps her father secretly wakeful, For worry over her takes away his sleep; Lest in her youth she passes the time to marry, And lest in her marriage she be hated; Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 10. In her virginity lest she be defiled Or become pregnant in her father's house; Having a husband, lest she be unfaithful, Or though married, lest she be childless. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 11. Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, Lest she make you a laughingstock to / your enemies, A source of gossip in the city And notorious among the people, And a disgrace toyou before the great multitude. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 12. Do not look upon anyone for beauty And do not sit in the midst of women. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 13. For a moth comes out of garments, And the evil of a woman comes from a woman. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 14. The evil of a man is better Than a woman who does what is good, Yet brings shame and disgrace.
God's Glorious Works
Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 15. I shall now remember the works of the Lord, And by the words of the Lord I shall describe His works that I see. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 16. The sun gives light and looks down on everything, And its work is full of the Lord's glory. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 17. The Lord did not enable His saints To describe all His wonders, Which the Lord Almighty established That the universe might be established in His glory. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 18. He traced out the abyss and the human heart And understands their craftiness; For the Most High possesses all knowledge And sees into the signs of an age. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 19. He proclaims what has been and what shall be And reveals the footstep of hidden things. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 20. No thought escapes Him; Not even one word is hidden from Him. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 21. He has adorned the mighty works of His wisdom, For He is from everlasting to everlasting; Nothing can be added or taken away, And He needs no one to be His counselor. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 22. How precious are all His works, And how sparkling to behold. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 23. All these things live and endure forever, for every need, And all are obedient. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 24. All things are in pairs, one opposite the other, And He made nothing incomplete. Wisdom of Sirach 42, verse 25. One thing strengthens the good of another, And who can have enough of beholding His glory?