Put away Evil Acts
Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 1. Do no evil things, And evil will never overtake you. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 2. Stay away from wrongdoing, And it will turn away from you. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 3. My son, do not sow on the furrows of wrongdoing, And you will not reap the same things sevenfold. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 4. Do not seek authority from a lord Nor the seat of honor from a king. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 5. Do not declare yourself righteous before a lord, Nor play the wise man before a king. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 6. Do not try to be a judge If you will not be strong enough to remove wrongdoing, Lest you respect the presence of the powerful And compromise your integrity. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 7. Do not sin against the population of a city, Nor disgrace yourself before the people. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 8. Do not repeat your sin, For you will not be unpunished even for one. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 9. Do not say, “He will look upon the multitude of my gifts, And when I bring an offering to God Most High, He will accept it.” Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 10. Do not be fainthearted in your prayer And do not neglect to do alms. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 11. Do not laugh at a man who is in bitterness of soul, For there is One who humbles and exalts. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 12. Do not devise a lie against your brother, Nor do the same against a friend. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 13. Do not desire to tell any lie, For the habit of lying never does any good. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 14. Do not talk idly in the assembly of the elders, And do not repeat yourself in prayer.
Farm and Family
Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 15. Do not hate hard work, especially farming, Which was created by the Most High. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 16. Do not number yourself among an assembly of sinners; Remember that wrath will not tarry long. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 17. Humble yourself greatly, For the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 18. Do not exchange a friend for money, Nor a genuine brother for the gold of Ophir. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 19. Do not ignore a wise and good wife, For her grace is worth more than gold. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 20. Do not mistreat a servant who does his work in truth Nor a hired worker who devotes himself to you. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 21. Let your soul love an intelligent servant; Do not deprive him of his freedom. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 22. Do you have cattle? Take care of them; And if they are profitable to you, keep them. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 23. Do you have children? Correct them, And make them obey from their youth. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 24. Do you have daughters? Watch carefully over their chastity, And do not be too easy on them. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 25. Give a daughter in marriage And you will have completed a great work; But give her to a man of understanding. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 26. Do you have a wife after your own heart? Do not reject her, But do not trust yourself to a wife whom you disregard. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 27. Honor your father with all your heart, And do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 28. Remember that you were begotten through them, And what can you give back to them To the degree they gave to you?
The Priests and the Poor
Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 29. Fear the Lord with all your soul And honor His priests. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 30. Love Him who made you And do not forsake His ministers. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 31. Fear the Lord and honor His priests, And give them their portion as commanded: The firstfruits, the trespass offering, The gift of the shoulder offering, The sacrifice of sanctification, And the firstfruits of the holy things. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 32. Stretch forth your hand to the poor, That your blessing may be complete. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 33. Let the kindness of giving be shown In the presence of all the living, And do not withhold kindness from the dead. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 34. Do not withdraw yourself from those who weep, And mourn with those who mourn. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 35. Do not hesitate to visit a sick man, For by such visits you will be loved. Wisdom of Sirach 7, verse 36. With all your words, remember the time you will die, And you will never sin.