The Wisdom of Sirach

Chapter twenty-five
[1] My soul takes pleasure in three things, and they are beautiful in the sight of the Lord and of men; agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbors, and a wife and a husband who live in harmony.
[2] My soul hates three kinds of men, and I am greatly offended at their life: a beggar who is proud, a rich man who is a liar, and an adulterous old man who lacks good sense.
[3] You have gathered nothing in your youth; how then can you find anything in your old age?
[4] What an attractive thing is judgment in gray-haired men, and for the aged to possess good counsel!
[5] How attractive is wisdom in the aged, and understanding and counsel in honorable men!
[6] Rich experience is the crown of the aged, and their boast is the fear of the Lord.
[7] With nine thoughts I have gladdened my heart, and a tenth I shall tell with my tongue: a man rejoicing in his children;
a man who lives to see the downfall of his foes;
[8] happy is he who lives with an intelligent wife, and he who has not made a slip with his tongue, and he who has not served a man inferior to himself;
[9] happy is he who has gained good sense, and he who speaks to attentive listeners.
[10] How great is he who has gained wisdom! But there is no one superior to him who fears the Lord.
[11] The fear of the Lord surpasses everything; to whom shall be likened the one who holds it fast?
[13] Any wound, but not a wound of the heart! Any wickedness, but not the wickedness of a wife!
[14] Any attack, but not an attack from those who hate! And any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies!
[15] There is no venom worse than a snake's venom, and no wrath worse than an enemy's wrath.
[16] I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife.
[17] The wickedness of a wife changes her appearance, and darkens her face like that of a bear.
[18] Her husband takes his meals among the neighbors, and he cannot help sighing bitterly.
[19] Any iniquity is insignificant compared to a wife's iniquity; may a sinner's lot befall her!
[20] A sandy ascent for the feet of the aged -- such is a garrulous wife for a quiet husband.
[21] Do not be ensnared by a woman's beauty, and do not desire a woman for her possessions.
[22] There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace when a wife supports her husband.
[23] A dejected mind, a gloomy face, and a wounded heart are caused by an evil wife. Drooping hands and weak knees
are caused by the wife who does not make her husband happy.
[24] From a woman sin had its beginning, and because of her we all die.
[25] Allow no outlet to water, and no boldness of speech in an evil wife.
[26] If she does not go as you direct, separate her from yourself.

Chapter twenty-six
[1] Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.
[2] A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.
[3] A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.
[4] Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful.
[5] Of three things my heart is afraid, and of a fourth I am frightened: The slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, and false accusation -- all these are worse than death.
[6] There is grief of heart and sorrow when a wife is envious of a rival, and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
[7] An evil wife is an ox yoke which chafes; taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.
[8] There is great anger when a wife is drunken; she will not hide her shame.
[9] A wife's harlotry shows in her lustful eyes, and she is known by her eyelids.
[10] Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest, when she finds liberty, she use it to her hurt.
[11] Be on guard against her impudent eye, and do not wonder if she sins against you.
[12] As a thirsty wayfarer opens his mouth and drinks from any water near him, so will she sit in front of every post and open her quiver to the arrow.
[13] A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones.
[14] A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.
[15] A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul.
[16] Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.
[17] Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.
[18] Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.
[28] At two things my heart is grieved, and because of a third anger comes over me: a warrior in want through poverty,
and intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns back from righteousness to sin -- the Lord will prepare him for the sword!
[29] A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing, and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of sin.

Chapter twenty-seven
[1] Many have committed sin for a trifle, and whoever seeks to get rich will avert his eyes.
[2] As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.
[3] If a man is not steadfast and zealous in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthrown.
[4] When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a man's filth remains in his thoughts.
[5] The kiln tests the potter's vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
[6] The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man's mind.
[7] Do not praise a man before you hear him reason, for this is the test of men.
[8] If you pursue justice, you will attain it and wear it as a glorious robe.
[9] Birds flock with their kind; so truth returns to those who practice it.
[10] A lion lies in wait for prey; so does sin for the workers of iniquity.
[11] The talk of the godly man is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon.
[12] Among stupid people watch for a chance to leave, but among thoughtful people stay on.
[13] The talk of fools is offensive, and their laughter is wantonly sinful.
[14] The talk of men given to swearing makes one's hair stand on end, and their quarrels make a man stop his ears.
[15] The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed, and their abuse is grievous to hear.
[16] Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence, and he will never find a congenial friend.
[17] Love your friend and keep faith with him; but if you betray his secrets, do not run after him.
[18] For as a man destroys his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.
[19] And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand, so you have let your neighbor go, and will not catch him again.
[20] Do not go after him, for he is too far off, and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
[21] For a wound may be bandaged, and there is reconciliation after abuse, but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.
[22] Whoever winks his eye plans evil deeds, and no one can keep him from them.
[23] In your presence his mouth is all sweetness, and he admires your words; but later he will twist his speech and with your own words he will give offense.
[24] I have hated many things, but none to be compared to him; even the Lord will hate him.
[25] Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it on his own head; and a treacherous blow opens up wounds.
[26] He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who sets a snare will be caught in it.
[27] If a man does evil, it will roll back upon him, and he will not know where it came from.
[28] Mockery and abuse issue from the proud man, but vengeance lies in wait for him like a lion.
[29] Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare, and pain will consume them before their death.
[30] Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, and the sinful man will possess them.

Chapter twenty-eight
[1] He that takes vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord, and he will firmly establish his sins.
[2] Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
[3] Does a man harbor anger against another, and yet seek for healing from the Lord?
[4] Does he have no mercy toward a man like himself, and yet pray for his own sins?
[5] If he himself, being flesh, maintains wrath, who will make expiation for his sins?
[6] Remember the end of your life, and cease from enmity, remember destruction and death, and be true to the commandments.
[7] Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook ignorance.
[8] Refrain from strife, and you will lessen sins; for a man given to anger will kindle strife,
[9] and a sinful man will disturb friends and inject enmity among those who are at peace.
[10] In proportion to the fuel for the fire, so will be the burning, and in proportion to the obstinacy of strife will be the burning; in proportion to the strength of the man will be his anger, and in proportion to his wealth he will heighten his wrath.
[11] A hasty quarrel kindles fire, and urgent strife sheds blood.
[12] If you blow on a spark, it will glow; if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth.
[13] Curse the whisperer and deceiver, for he has destroyed many who were at peace.
[14] Slander has shaken many, and scattered them from nation to nation, and destroyed strong cities, and overturned the houses of great men.
[15] Slander has driven away courageous women, and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.
[16] Whoever pays heed to slander will not find rest, nor will he settle down in peace.
[17] The blow of a whip raises a welt, but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.
[18] Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have fallen because of the tongue.
[19] Happy is the man who is protected from it, who has not been exposed to its anger, who has not borne its yoke,
and has not been bound with its fetters;
[20] for its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its fetters are fetters of bronze;
[21] its death is an evil death, and Hades is preferable to it.
[22] It will not be master over the godly, and they will not be burned in its flame.
[23] Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power; it will burn among them and will not be put out. It will be sent out against them like a lion; like a leopard it will mangle them.
[24] See that you fence in your property with thorns, lock up your silver and gold,
[25] make balances and scales for your words, and make a door and a bolt for your mouth.
[26] Beware lest you err with your tongue, lest you fall before him who lies in wait.

Chapter twenty-nine
[1] He that shows mercy will lend to his neighbor, and he that strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.
[2] Lend to your neighbor in the time of his need; and in turn, repay your neighbor promptly.
[3] Confirm your word and keep faith with him, and on every occasion you will find what you need.
[4] Many persons regard a loan as a windfall, and cause trouble to those who help them.
[5] A man will kiss another's hands until he gets a loan, and will lower his voice in speaking of his neighbor's money;
but at the time for repayment he will delay, and will pay in words of unconcern, and will find fault with the time.
[6] If the lender exert pressure, he will hardly get back half, and will regard that as a windfall. If he does not, the borrower has robbed him of his money, and he has needlessly made him his enemy; he will repay him with curses and reproaches,
and instead of glory will repay him with dishonor.
[7] Because of such wickedness, therefore, many have refused to lend; they have been afraid of being defrauded needlessly.
[8] Nevertheless, be patient with a man in humble circumstances, and do not make him wait for your alms.
[9] Help a poor man for the commandment's sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty.
[10] Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend, and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost.
[11] Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold.
[12] Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from all affliction;
[13] more than a mighty shield and more than a heavy spear, it will fight on your behalf against your enemy.
[14] A good man will be surety for his neighbor, but a man who has lost his sense of shame will fail him.
[15] Do not forget all the kindness of your surety, for he has given his life for you.
[16] A sinner will overthrow the prosperity of his surety,
[17] and one who does not feel grateful will abandon his rescuer.
[18] Being surety has ruined many men who were prosperous, and has shaken them like a wave of the sea; it has driven men of power into exile, and they have wandered among foreign nations.
[19] The sinner who has fallen into suretyship and pursues gain will fall into lawsuits.
[20] Assist your neighbor according to your ability, but take heed to yourself lest you fall.
[21] The essentials for life are water and bread and clothing and a house to cover one's nakedness.
[22] Better is the life of a poor man under the shelter of his roof than sumptuous food in another man's house.
[23] Be content with little or much.
[24] It is a miserable life to go from house to house, and where you are a stranger you may not open your mouth;
[25] you will play the host and provide drink without being thanked, and besides this you will hear bitter words:
[26] "Come here, stranger, prepare the table, and if you have anything at hand, let me have it to eat."
[27] "Give place, stranger, to an honored person; my brother has come to stay with me; I need my house."
[28] These things are hard to bear for a man who has feeling: scolding about lodging and the reproach of the moneylender.

Chapter thirty
[1] He who loves his son will whip him often, in order that he may rejoice at the way he turns out.
[2] He who disciplines his son will profit by him, and will boast of him among acquaintances.
[3] He who teaches his son will make his enemies envious, and will glory in him in the presence of friends.
[4] The father may die, and yet he is not dead, for he has left behind him one like himself;
[5] while alive he saw and rejoiced, and when he died he was not grieved;
[6] he has left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to repay the kindness of his friends.
[7] He who spoils his son will bind up his wounds, and his feelings will be troubled at every cry.
[8] A horse that is untamed turns out to be stubborn, and a son unrestrained turns out to be wilful.
[9] Pamper a child, and he will frighten you; play with him, and he will give you grief.
[10] Do not laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and in the end you will gnash your teeth.
[11] Give him no authority in his youth, and do not ignore his errors.
[12] Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat his sides while he is young, lest he become stubborn and disobey you,
and you have sorrow of soul from him.
[13] Discipline your son and take pains with him, that you may not be offended by his shamelessness.
[14] Better off is a poor man who is well and strong in constitution than a rich man who is severely afflicted in body.
[15] Health and soundness are better than all gold, and a robust body than countless riches.
[16] There is no wealth better than health of body, and there is no gladness above joy of heart.
[17] Death is better than a miserable life, and eternal rest than chronic sickness.
[18] Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are like offerings of food placed upon a grave.
[19] Of what use to an idol is an offering of fruit? For it can neither eat nor smell. So is he who is afflicted by the Lord;
[20] he sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a maiden and groans.
[21] Do not give yourself over to sorrow, and do not afflict yourself deliberately.
[22] Gladness of heart is the life of man, and the rejoicing of a man is length of days.
[23] Delight your soul and comfort your heart, and remove sorrow far from you, for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it.
[24] Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings on old age too soon.
[25] A man of cheerful and good heart will give heed to the food he eats.

Chapter thirty-one
[1] Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one's flesh, and anxiety about it removes sleep.
[2] Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber, and a severe illness carries off sleep.
[3] The rich man toils as his wealth accumulates, and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.
[4] The poor man toils as his livelihood diminishes, and when he rests he becomes needy.
[5] He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it.
[6] Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.
[7] It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it, and every fool will be taken captive by it.
[8] Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless, and who does not go after gold.
[9] Who is he? And we will call him blessed, for he has done wonderful things among his people.
[10] Who has been tested by it and been found perfect? Let it be for him a ground for boasting. Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress, and to do evil and did not do it?
[11] His prosperity will be established, and the assembly will relate his acts of charity.
[12] Are you seated at the table of a great man? Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, "There is certainly much upon it!"
[13] Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing. What has been created more greedy than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
[14] Do not reach out your hand for everything you see, and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish.
[15] Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful.
[16] Eat like a human being what is set before you, and do not chew greedily, lest you be hated.
[17] Be the first to stop eating, for the sake of good manners, and do not be insatiable, lest you give offense.
[18] If you are seated among many persons, do not reach out your hand before they do.
[19] How ample a little is for a well-disciplined man! He does not breathe heavily upon his bed.
[20] Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating; he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea
and colic are with the glutton.
[21] If you are overstuffed with food, get up in the middle of the meal, and you will have relief.
[22] Listen to me, my son, and do not disregard me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your work be industrious, and no sickness will overtake you.
[23] Men will praise the one who is liberal with food, and their testimony to his excellence is trustworthy.
[24] The city will complain of the one who is niggardly with food, and their testimony to his niggardliness is accurate.
[25] Do not aim to be valiant over wine, for wine has destroyed many.
[26] Fire and water prove the temper of steel, so wine tests hearts in the strife of the proud.
[27] Wine is like life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What is life to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.
[28] Wine drunk in season and temperately is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
[29] Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, with provocation and stumbling.
[30] Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, reducing his strength and adding wounds.
[31] Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not afflict him by making demands of him.

Chapter thirty-two
[1] If they make you master of the feast, do not exalt yourself; be among them as one of them; take good care of them and then be seated;
[2] when you have fulfilled your duties, take your place, that you may be merry on their account and receive a wreath for your excellent leadership.
[3] Speak, you who are older, for it is fitting that you should, but with accurate knowledge, and do not interrupt the music.
[4] Where there is entertainment, do not pour out talk; do not display your cleverness out of season.
[5] A ruby seal in a setting of gold is a concert of music at a banquet of wine.
[6] A seal of emerald in a rich setting of gold is the melody of music with good wine.
[7] Speak, young man, if there is need of you, but no more than twice, and only if asked.
[8] Speak concisely, say much in few words; be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue.
[9] Among the great do not act as their equal; and when another is speaking, do not babble.
[10] Lightning speeds before the thunder, and approval precedes a modest man.
[11] Leave in good time and do not be the last; go home quickly and do not linger.
[12] Amuse yourself there, and do what you have in mind, but do not sin through proud speech.
[13] And for these things bless him who made you and satisfies you with his good gifts.
[14] He who fears the Lord will accept his discipline, and those who rise early to seek him will find favor.
[15] He who seeks the law will be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it.
[16] Those who fear the Lord will form true judgments, and like a light they will kindle righteous deeds.
[17] A sinful man will shun reproof, and will find a decision according to his liking.
[18] A man of judgment will not overlook an idea, and an insolent and proud man will not cower in fear.
[19] Do nothing without deliberation; and when you have acted, do not regret it.
[20] Do not go on a path full of hazards, and do not stumble over stony ground.
[21] Do not be overconfident on a smooth way,
[22] and give good heed to your paths.
[23] Guard yourself in every act, for this is the keeping of the commandments.
[24] He who believes the law gives heed to the commandments, and he who trusts the Lord will not suffer loss.

Chapter thirty-three
[1] No evil will befall the man who fears the Lord, but in trial he will deliver him again and again.
[2] A wise man will not hate the law, but he who is hypocritical about it is like a boat in a storm.
[3] A man of understanding will trust in the law; for him the law is as dependable as an inquiry by means of Urim.
[4] Prepare what to say, and thus you will be heard; bind together your instruction, and make your answer.
[5] The heart of a fool is like a cart wheel, and his thoughts like a turning axle.
[6] A stallion is like a mocking friend; he neighs under every one who sits on him.
[7] Why is any day better than another, when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?
[8] By the Lord's decision they were distinguished, and he appointed the different seasons and feasts;
[9] some of them he exalted and hallowed, and some of them he made ordinary days.
[10] All men are from the ground, and Adam was created of the dust.
[11] In the fullness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them and appointed their different ways;
[12] some of them he blessed and exalted, and some of them he made holy and brought near to himself; but some of them he cursed and brought low, and he turned them out of their place.
[13] As clay in the hand of the potter -- for all his ways are as he pleases -- so men are in the hand of him who made them, to give them as he decides.
[14] Good is the opposite of evil, and life the opposite of death; so the sinner is the opposite of the godly.
[15] Look upon all the works of the Most High; they likewise are in pairs, one the opposite of the other.
[16] I was the last on watch; I was like one who gleans after the grape-gatherers; by the blessing of the Lord I excelled,
and like a grape-gatherer I filled my wine press.
[17] Consider that I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek instruction.
[18] Hear me, you who are great among the people, and you leaders of the congregation, hearken.
[19] To son or wife, to brother or friend, do not give power over yourself, as long as you live; and do not give your property to another, lest you change your mind and must ask for it.
[20] While you are still alive and have breath in you, do not let any one take your place.
[21] For it is better that your children should ask from you than that you should look to the hand of you sons.
[22] Excel in all that you do; bring no stain upon your honor.
[23] At the time when you end the days of your life, in the hour of death, distribute your inheritance.
[24] Fodder and a stick and burdens for an ass; bread and discipline and work for a servant.
[25] Set your slave to work, and you will find rest; leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty.
[26] Yoke and thong will bow the neck, and for a wicked servant there are racks and tortures.
[27] Put him to work, that he may not be idle, for idleness teaches much evil.
[28] Set him to work, as is fitting for him, and if he does not obey, make his fetters heavy.
[29] Do not act immoderately toward anybody, and do nothing without discretion.
[30] If you have a servant, let him be as yourself, because you have bought him with blood.
[31] If you have a servant, treat him as a brother, for as your own soul you will need him. If you ill-treat him, and he leaves and runs away, which way will you go to seek him?

Chapter thirty-four
[1] A man of no understanding has vain and false hopes, and dreams give wings to fools.
[2] As one who catches at a shadow and pursues the wind, so is he who gives heed to dreams.
[3] The vision of dreams is this against that, the likeness of a face confronting a face.
[4] From an unclean thing what will be made clean? And from something false what will be true?
[5] Divinations and omens and dreams are folly, and like a woman in travail the mind has fancies.
[6] Unless they are sent from the Most High as a visitation, do not give your mind to them.
[7] For dreams have deceived many, and those who put their hope in them have failed.
[8] Without such deceptions the law will be fulfilled, and wisdom is made perfect in truthful lips.
[9] An educated man knows many things, and one with much experience will speak with understanding.
[10] He that is inexperienced knows few things, but he that has traveled acquires much cleverness.
[11] I have seen many things in my travels, and I understand more than I can express.
[12] I have often been in danger of death, but have escaped because of these experiences.
[13] The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, for their hope is in him who saves them.
[14] He who fears the Lord will not be timid, nor play the coward, for he is his hope.
[15] Blessed is the soul of the man who fears the Lord! To whom does he look? And who is his support?
[16] The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him, a mighty protection and strong support, a shelter from the hot wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a defense against falling.
[17] He lifts up the soul and gives light to the eyes; he grants healing, life, and blessing.
[18] If one sacrifices from what has been wrongfully obtained, the offering is blemished; the gifts of the lawless are not acceptable.
[19] The Most High is not pleased with the offerings of the ungodly; and he is not propitiated for sins by a multitude of sacrifices.
[20] Like one who kills a son before his father's eyes is the man who offers a sacrifice from the property of the poor.
[21] The bread of the needy is the life of the poor; whoever deprives them of it is a man of blood.
[22] To take away a neighbor's living is to murder him; to deprive an employee of his wages is to shed blood.
[23] When one builds and another tears down, what do they gain but toil?
[24] When one prays and another curses, to whose voice will the Lord listen?
[25] If a man washes after touching a dead body, and touches it again, what has he gained by his washing?
[26] So if a man fasts for his sins, and goes again and does the same things, who will listen to his prayer? And what has he gained by humbling himself?

Chapter thirty-five
[1] He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
[2] He who returns a kindness offers fine flour, and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
[3] To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord, and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement.
[4] Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
[5] for all these things are to be done because of the commandment.
[6] The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High.
[7] The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable, and the memory of it will not be forgotten.
[8] Glorify the Lord generously, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.
[9] With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness.
[10] Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found.
[11] For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.
[12] Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.
[13] He will not show partiality in the case of a poor man; and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.
[14] He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her story.
[15] Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek as she cries out against him who has caused them to fall?
[16] He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted, and his prayer will reach to the clouds.
[17] The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord; he will not desist until the Most High visits him, and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.
[18] And the Lord will not delay, neither will he be patient with them, till he crushes the loins of the unmerciful and repays vengeance on the nations; till he takes away the multitude of the insolent, and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous;
[19] till he repays the man according to his deeds, and the works of men according to their devices; till he judges the case of his people and makes them rejoice in his mercy.
[20] Mercy is as welcome when he afflicts them as clouds of rain in the time of drought.

Chapter thirty-six
[1] Have mercy upon us, O Lord, the God of all, and look upon us,
[2] and cause the fear of thee to fall upon all the nations.
[3] Lift up thy hand against foreign nations and let them see thy might.
[4] As in us thou hast been sanctified before them, so in them be thou magnified before us;
[5] and let them know thee, as we have known that there is not God but thee, O Lord.
[6] Show signs anew, and work further wonders; make thy hand and thy right arm glorious.
[7] Rouse thy anger and pour out thy wrath; destroy the adversary and wipe out the enemy.
[8] Hasten the day, and remember the appointed time, and let people recount thy mighty deeds.
[9] Let him who survives be consumed in the fiery wrath, and may those who harm thy people meet destruction.
[10] Crush the heads of the rulers of the enemy, who say, "There is no one but ourselves."
[11] Gather all the tribes of Jacob, and give them their inheritance, as at the beginning.
[12] Have mercy, O Lord, upon the people called by thy name, upon Israel, whom thou hast likened to a first-born son.
[13] Have pity on the city of thy sanctuary, Jerusalem, the place of thy rest.
[14] Fill Zion with the celebration of thy wondrous deeds, and thy temple with thy glory.
[15] Bear witness to those whom thou didst create in the beginning, and fulfil the prophecies spoken in thy name.
[16] Reward those who wait for thee, and let thy prophets be found trustworthy.
[17] Hearken, O Lord, to the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron for thy people, and all who are on the earth will know that thou art the Lord, the God of the ages.
[18] The stomach will take any food, yet one food is better than another.
[19] As the palate tastes the kinds of game, so an intelligent mind detects false words.
[20] A perverse mind will cause grief, but a man of experience will pay him back.
[21] A woman will accept any man, but one daughter is better than another.
[22] A woman's beauty gladdens the countenance, and surpasses every human desire.
[23] If kindness and humility mark her speech, her husband is not like other men.
[24] He who acquires a wife gets his best possession, a helper fit for him and a pillar of support.
[25] Where there is no fence, the property will be plundered; and where there is no wife, a man will wander about and sigh.
[26] For who will trust a nimble robber that skips from city to city? So who will trust a man that has no home,
and lodges wherever night finds him?

Chapter thirty-seven
[1] Every friend will say, "I too am a friend"; but some friends are friends only in name.
[2] Is it not a grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?
[3] O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?
[4] Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.
[5] Some companions help a friend for their stomach's sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.
[6] Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.
[7] Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.
[8] Be wary of a counselor, and learn first what is his interest -- for he will take thought for himself -- lest he cast the lot against you
[9] and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.
[10] Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.
[11] Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about barter or with a buyer about selling, with a grudging man about gratitude or with a merciless man about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a man hired for a year about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task -- pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.
[12] But stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul is in accord with your soul, and who will sorrow with you if you fail.
[13] And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
[14] For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.
[15] And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.
[16] Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.
[17] As a clue to changes of heart
[18] four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
[19] A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.
[20] A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,
[21] for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.
[22] A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.
[23] A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.
[24] A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.
[25] The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.
[26] He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.
[27] My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.
[28] For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.
[29] Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;
[30] for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.
[31] Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.

Chapter thirty-eight
[1] Honor the physician with the honor due him, according to your need of him, for the Lord created him;
[2] for healing comes from the Most High, and he will receive a gift from the king.
[3] The skill of the physician lifts up his head, and in the presence of great men he is admired.
[4] The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them.
[5] Was not water made sweet with a tree in order that his power might be known?
[6] And he gave skill to men that he might be glorified in his marvelous works.
[7] By them he heals and takes away pain;
[8] the pharmacist makes of them a compound. His works will never be finished; and from him health is upon the face of the earth.
[9] My son, when you are sick do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.
[10] Give up your faults and direct your hands aright, and cleanse your heart from all sin.
[11] Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of fine flour, and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford.
[12] And give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; let him not leave you, for there is need of him.
[13] There is a time when success lies in the hands of physicians,
[14] for they too will pray to the Lord that he should grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.
[15] He who sins before his Maker, may he fall into the care of a physician.
[16] My son, let your tears fall for the dead, and as one who is suffering grievously begin the lament. Lay out his body with the honor due him, and do not neglect his burial.
[17] Let your weeping be bitter and your wailing fervent; observe the mourning according to his merit, for one day, or two, to avoid criticism; then be comforted for your sorrow.
[18] For sorrow results in death, and sorrow of heart saps one's strength.
[19] In calamity sorrow continues, and the life of the poor man weighs down his heart.
[20] Do not give your heart to sorrow; drive it away, remembering the end of life.
[21] Do not forget, there is no coming back; you do the dead no good, and you injure yourself.
[22] "Remember my doom, for yours is like it: yesterday it was mine, and today it is yours."
[23] When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance cease, and be comforted for him when his spirit is departed.
[24] The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure; and he who has little business may become wise.
[25] How can he become wise who handles the plow, and who glories in the shaft of a goad, who drives oxen and is occupied with their work, and whose talk is about bulls?
[26] He sets his heart on plowing furrows, and he is careful about fodder for the heifers.
[27] So too is every craftsman and master workman who labors by night as well as by day; those who cut the signets of seals, each is diligent in making a great variety; he sets his heart on painting a lifelike image, and he is careful to finish his work.
[28] So too is the smith sitting by the anvil, intent upon his handiwork in iron; the breath of the fire melts his flesh, and he wastes away in the heat of the furnace; he inclines his ear to the sound of the hammer, and his eyes are on the pattern of the object. He sets his heart on finishing his handiwork, and he is careful to complete its decoration.
[29] So too is the potter sitting at his work and turning the wheel with his feet; he is always deeply concerned over his work, and all his output is by number.
[30] He moulds the clay with his arm and makes it pliable with his feet; he sets his heart to finish the glazing, and he is careful to clean the furnace.
[31] All these rely upon their hands, and each is skilful in his own work.
[32] Without them a city cannot be established, and men can neither sojourn nor live there.
[33] Yet they are not sought out for the council of the people, nor do they attain eminence in the public assembly.
They do not sit in the judge's seat, nor do they understand the sentence of judgment; they cannot expound discipline or judgment, and they are not found using proverbs.
[34] But they keep stable the fabric of the world, and their prayer is in the practice of their trade.

Chapter thirty-nine
[1] On the other hand he who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be concerned with prophecies;
[2] he will preserve the discourse of notable men and penetrate the subtleties of parables;
[3] he will seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs and be at home with the obscurities of parables.
[4] He will serve among great men and appear before rulers; he will travel through the lands of foreign nations, for he tests the good and the evil among men.
[5] He will set his heart to rise early to seek the Lord who made him, and will make supplication before the Most High; he will open his mouth in prayer and make supplication for his sins.
[6] If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.
[7] He will direct his counsel and knowledge aright, and meditate on his secrets.
[8] He will reveal instruction in his teaching, and will glory in the law of the Lord's covenant.
[9] Many will praise his understanding, and it will never be blotted out; his memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations.
[10] Nations will declare his wisdom, and the congregation will proclaim his praise;
[11] if he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand, and if he goes to rest, it is enough for him.
[12] I have yet more to say, which I have thought upon, and I am filled, like the moon at the full.
[13] Listen to me, O you holy sons, and bud like a rose growing by a stream of water;
[14] send forth fragrance like frankincense, and put forth blossoms like a lily. Scatter the fragrance, and sing a hymn of praise; bless the Lord for all his works;
[15] ascribe majesty to his name and give thanks to him with praise, with songs on your lips, and with lyres; and this you shall say in thanksgiving:
[16] "All things are the works of the Lord, for they are very good, and whatever he commands will be done in his time."
[17] No one can say, "What is this?" "Why is that?" for in God's time all things will be sought after. At his word the waters stood in a heap, and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.
[18] At his command whatever pleases him is done, and none can limit his saving power.
[19] The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.
[20] From everlasting to everlasting he beholds them, and nothing is marvelous to him.
[21] No one can say, "What is this?" "Why is that?" for everything has been created for its use.
[22] His blessing covers the dry land like a river, and drenches it like a flood.
[23] The nations will incur his wrath, just as he turns fresh water into salt.
[24] To the holy his ways are straight, just as they are obstacles to the wicked.
[25] From the beginning good things were created for good people, just as evil things for sinners.
[26] Basic to all the needs of man's life are water and fire and iron and salt and wheat flour and milk and honey, the blood of the grape, and oil and clothing.
[27] All these are for good to the godly, just as they turn into evils for sinners.
[28] There are winds that have been created for vengeance, and in their anger they scourge heavily; in the time of consummation they will pour out their strength and calm the anger of their Maker.
[29] Fire and hail and famine and pestilence, all these have been created for vengeance;
[30] the teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions and vipers, and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction;
[31] they will rejoice in his commands, and be made ready on earth for their service, and when their times come they will not transgress his word.
[32] Therefore from the beginning I have been convinced, and have thought this out and left it in writing:
[33] The works of the Lord are all good, and he will supply every need in its hour.
[34] And no one can say, "This is worse than that," for all things will prove good in their season.
[35] So now sing praise with all your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord.

Chapter forty
[1] Much labor was created for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day they come forth from their mother's womb till the day they return to the mother of all.
[2] Their perplexities and fear of heart -- their anxious thought is the day of death,
[3] from the man who sits on a splendid throne to the one who is humbled in dust and ashes,
[4] from the man who wears purple and a crown to the one who is clothed in burlap;
[5] there is anger and envy and trouble and unrest, and fear of death, and fury and strife. And when one rests upon his bed, his sleep at night confuses his mind.
[6] He gets little or no rest, and afterward in his sleep, as though he were on watch, he is troubled by the visions of his mind like one who has escaped from the battle-front;
[7] at the moment of his rescue he wakes up, and wonders that his fear came to nothing.
[8] With all flesh, both man and beast, and upon sinners seven times more,
[9] are death and bloodshed and strife and sword, calamities, famine and affliction and plague.
[10] All these were created for the wicked, and on their account the flood came.
[11] All things that are from the earth turn back to the earth, and what is from the waters returns to the sea.
[12] All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will stand for ever.
[13] The wealth of the unjust will dry up like a torrent, and crash like a loud clap of thunder in a rain.
[14] A generous man will be made glad; likewise transgressors will utterly fail.
[15] The children of the ungodly will not put forth many branches; they are unhealthy roots upon sheer rock.
[16] The reeds by any water or river bank will be plucked up before any grass.
[17] Kindness is like a garden of blessings, and almsgiving endures for ever.
[18] Life is sweet for the self-reliant and the worker, but he who finds treasure is better off than both.
[19] Children and the building of a city establish a man's name, but a blameless wife is accounted better than both.
[20] Wine and music gladden the heart, but the love of wisdom is better than both.
[21] The flute and the harp make pleasant melody, but a pleasant voice is better than both.
[22] The eye desires grace and beauty, but the green shoots of grain more than both.
[23] A friend or a companion never meets one amiss, but a wife with her husband is better than both.
[24] Brothers and help are for a time of trouble, but almsgiving rescues better than both.
[25] Gold and silver make the foot stand sure, but good counsel is esteemed more than both.
[26] Riches and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is better than both. There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, and with it there is no need to seek for help.
[27] The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessing, and covers a man better than any glory.
[28] My son, do not lead the life of a beggar; it is better to die than to beg.
[29] When a man looks to the table of another, his existence cannot be considered as life. He pollutes himself with another man's food, but a man who is intelligent and well instructed guards against that.
[30] In the mouth of the shameless begging is sweet, but in his stomach a fire is kindled.

Chapter forty-one
[1] O death, how bitter is the reminder of you to one who lives at peace among his possessions, to a man without distractions, who is prosperous in everything, and who still has the vigor to enjoy his food!
[2] O death, how welcome is your sentence to one who is in need and is failing in strength, very old and distracted over everything; to one who is contrary, and has lost his patience!
[3] Do not fear the sentence of death; remember your former days and the end of life; this is the decree from the Lord for all flesh,
[4] and how can you reject the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether life is for ten or a hundred or a thousand years,
there is no inquiry about it in Hades.
[5] The children of sinners are abominable children, and they frequent the haunts of the ungodly.
[6] The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, and on their posterity will be a perpetual reproach.
[7] Children will blame an ungodly father, for they suffer reproach because of him.
[8] Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!
[9] When you are born, you are born to a curse; and when you die, a curse is your lot.
[10] Whatever is from the dust returns to dust; so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.
[11] The mourning of men is about their bodies, but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.
[12] Have regard for your name, since it will remain for you longer than a thousand great stores of gold.
[13] The days of a good life are numbered, but a good name endures for ever.
[14] My children, observe instruction and be at peace; hidden wisdom and unseen treasure, what advantage is there in either of them?
[15] Better is the man who hides his folly than the man who hides his wisdom.
[16] Therefore show respect for my words: For it is good to retain every kind of shame, and not everything is confidently esteemed by every one.
[17] Be ashamed of immorality, before your father or mother; and of a lie, before a prince or a ruler;
[18] of a transgression, before a judge or magistrate; and of iniquity, before a congregation or the people; of unjust dealing, before your partner or friend;
[19] and of theft, in the place where you live. Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be ashamed of selfish behavior at meals, of surliness in receiving and giving,
[20] and of silence, before those who greet you; of looking at a woman who is a harlot,
[21] and of rejecting the appeal of a kinsman; of taking away some one's portion or gift, and of gazing at another man's wife;
[22] of meddling with his maidservant -- and do not approach her bed; of abusive words, before friends -- and do not upbraid after making a gift;
[23] of repeating and telling what you hear, and of revealing secrets. Then you will show proper shame, and will find favor with every man.

Chapter forty-two
[1] Of the following things do not be ashamed, and do not let partiality lead you to sin:
[2] of the law of the Most High and his covenant, and of rendering judgment to acquit the ungodly;
[3] of keeping accounts with a partner or with traveling companions, and of dividing the inheritance of friends;
[4] of accuracy with scales and weights, and of acquiring much or little;
[5] of profit from dealing with merchants, and of much discipline of children, and of whipping a wicked servant severely.
[6] Where there is an evil wife, a seal is a good thing; and where there are many hands, lock things up.
[7] Whatever you deal out, let it be by number and weight, and make a record of all that you give out or take in.
[8] Do not be ashamed to instruct the stupid or foolish or the aged man who quarrels with the young. Then you will be truly instructed, and will be approved before all men.
[9] A daughter keeps her father secretly wakeful, and worry over her robs him of sleep; when she is young, lest she do not marry, or if married, lest she be hated;
[10] while a virgin, lest she be defiled or become pregnant in her father's house; or having a husband, lest she prove unfaithful, or, though married, lest she be barren.
[11] Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and put you to shame before the great multitude.
[12] Do not look upon any one for beauty, and do not sit in the midst of women;
[13] for from garments comes the moth, and from a woman comes woman's wickedness.
[14] Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace.
[15] I will now call to mind the works of the Lord, and will declare what I have seen. By the words of the Lord his works are done.
[16] The sun looks down on everything with its light, and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.
[17] The Lord has not enabled his holy ones to recount all his marvelous works, which the Lord the Almighty has established that the universe may stand firm in his glory.
[18] He searches out the abyss, and the hearts of men, and considers their crafty devices. For the Most High knows all that may be known, and he looks into the signs of the age.
[19] He declares what has been and what is to be, and he reveals the tracks of hidden things.
[20] No thought escapes him, and not one word is hidden from him.
[21] He has ordained the splendors of his wisdom, and he is from everlasting and to everlasting. Nothing can be added or taken away, and he needs no one to be his counselor.
[22] How greatly to be desired are all his works, and how sparkling they are to see!
[23] All these things live and remain for ever for every need, and are all obedient.
[24] All things are twofold, one opposite the other, and he has made nothing incomplete.
[25] One confirms the good things of the other, and who can have enough of beholding his glory?

Chapter forty-three
[1] The pride of the heavenly heights is the clear firmament, the appearance of heaven in a spectacle of glory.
[2] The sun, when it appears, making proclamation as it goes forth, is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High.
[3] At noon it parches the land; and who can withstand its burning heat?
[4] A man tending a furnace works in burning heat, but the sun burns the mountains three times as much; it breathes out fiery vapors, and with bright beams it blinds the eyes.
[5] Great is the Lord who made it; and at his command it hastens on its course.
[6] He made the moon also, to serve in its season to mark the times and to be an everlasting sign.
[7] From the moon comes the sign for feast days, a light that wanes when it has reached the full.
[8] The month is named for the moon, increasing marvelously in its phases, an instrument of the hosts on high shining forth in the firmament of heaven.
[9] The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven, a gleaming array in the heights of the Lord.
[10] At the command of the Holy One they stand as ordered, they never relax in their watches.
[11] Look upon the rainbow, and praise him who made it, exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.
[12] It encircles the heaven with its glorious arc; the hands of the Most High have stretched it out.
[13] By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.
[14] Therefore the storehouses are opened, and the clouds fly forth like birds.
[15] In his majesty he amasses the clouds, and the hailstones are broken in pieces.
[16] At his appearing the mountains are shaken; at his will the south wind blows.
[17] The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth; so do the tempest from the north and the whirlwind. He scatters the snow like birds flying down, and its descent is like locusts alighting.
[18] The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness, and the mind is amazed at its falling.
[19] He pours the hoarfrost upon the earth like salt, and when it freezes, it becomes pointed thorns.
[20] The cold north wind blows, and ice freezes over the water; it rests upon every pool of water, and the water puts it on like a breastplate.
[21] He consumes the mountains and burns up the wilderness, and withers the tender grass like fire.
[22] A mist quickly heals all things; when the dew appears, it refreshes from the heat.
[23] By his counsel he stilled the great deep and planted islands in it.
[24] Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, and we marvel at what we hear.
[25] for in it are strange and marvelous works, all kinds of living things, and huge creatures of the sea.
[26] Because of him his messenger finds the way, and by his word all things hold together.
[27] Though we speak much we cannot reach the end, and the sum of our words is: "He is the all."
[28] Where shall we find strength to praise him? For he is greater than all his works.
[29] Terrible is the Lord and very great, and marvelous is his power.
[30] When you praise the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for he will surpass even that. When you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough.
[31] Who has seen him and can describe him? Or who can extol him as he is?
[32] Many things greater than these lie hidden, for we have seen but few of his works.
[33] For the Lord has made all things, and to the godly he has granted wisdom.

Chapter forty-four
[1] Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations.
[2] The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning.
[3] There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and proclaiming prophecies;
[4] leaders of the people in their deliberations and in understanding of learning for the people, wise in their words of instruction;
[5] those who composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing;
[6] rich men furnished with resources, living peaceably in their habitations --
[7] all these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
[8] There are some of them who have left a name, so that men declare their praise.
[9] And there are some who have no memorial, who have perished as though they had not lived; they have become as though they had not been born, and so have their children after them.
[10] But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
[11] their prosperity will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance to their children's children.
[12] Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake.
[13] Their posterity will continue for ever, and their glory will not be blotted out.
[14] Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives to all generations.
[15] Peoples will declare their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.
[16] Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up; he was an example of repentance to all generations.
[17] Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange; therefore a remnant was left to the earth when the flood came.
[18] Everlasting covenants were made with him that all flesh should not be blotted out by a flood.
[19] Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and no one has been found like him in glory;
[20] he kept the law of the Most High, and was taken into covenant with him; he established the covenant in his flesh, and when he was tested he was found faithful.
[21] Therefore the Lord assured him by an oath that the nations would be blessed through his posterity; that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth, and exalt his posterity like the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
[22] To Isaac also he gave the same assurance for the sake of Abraham his father.
[23] The blessing of all men and the covenant he made to rest upon the head of Jacob; he acknowledged him with his blessings, and gave him his inheritance; he determined his portions, and distributed them among twelve tribes.

Chapter forty-five
[1] From his descendants the Lord brought forth a man of mercy, who found favor in the sight of all flesh and was beloved by God and man, Moses, whose memory is blessed.
[2] He made him equal in glory to the holy ones, and made him great in the fears of his enemies.
[3] By his words he caused signs to cease; the Lord glorified him in the presence of kings. He gave him commands for his people, and showed him part of his glory.
[4] He sanctified him through faithfulness and meekness; he chose him out of all mankind.
[5] He made him hear his voice, and led him into the thick darkness, and gave him the commandments face to face, the law of life and knowledge, to teach Jacob the covenant, and Israel his judgments.
[6] He exalted Aaron, the brother of Moses, a holy man like him, of the tribe of Levi.
[7] He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the people. He blessed him with splendid vestments, and put a glorious robe upon him.
[8] He clothed him with superb perfection, and strengthened him with the symbols of authority, the linen breeches, the long robe, and the ephod.
[9] And he encircled him with pomegranates, with very many golden bells round about, to send forth a sound as he walked, to make their ringing heard in the temple as a reminder to the sons of his people;
[10] with a holy garment, of gold and blue and purple, the work of an embroiderer; with the oracle of judgment, Urim and Thummim;
[11] with twisted scarlet, the work of a craftsman; with precious stones engraved like signets, in a setting of gold, the work of a jeweler, for a reminder, in engraved letters, according to the number of the tribes of Israel;
[12] with a gold crown upon his turban, inscribed like a signet with "Holiness," a distinction to be prized, the work of an expert, the delight of the eyes, richly adorned.
[13] Before his time there never were such beautiful things. No outsider ever put them on, but only his sons and his descendants perpetually.
[14] His sacrifices shall be wholly burned twice every day continually.
[15] Moses ordained him, and anointed him with holy oil; it was an everlasting covenant for him and for his descendants all the days of heaven, to minister to the Lord and serve as priest and bless his people in his name.
[16] He chose him out of all the living to offer sacrifice to the Lord, incense and a pleasing odor as a memorial portion, to make atonement for the people.
[17] In his commandments he gave him authority and statutes and judgments, to teach Jacob the testimonies, and to enlighten Israel with his law.
[18] Outsiders conspired against him, and envied him in the wilderness, Dathan and Abiram and their men and the company of Korah, in wrath and anger.
[19] The Lord saw it and was not pleased, and in the wrath of his anger they were destroyed; he wrought wonders against them to consume them in flaming fire.
[20] He added glory to Aaron and gave him a heritage; he allotted to him the first of the first fruits, he prepared bread of first fruits in abundance;
[21] for they eat the sacrifices to the Lord, which he gave to him and his descendants.
[22] But in the land of the people he has no inheritance, and he has no portion among the people; for the Lord himself is his portion and inheritance.
[23] Phinehas the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, for he was zealous in the fear of the Lord, and stood fast, when the people turned away, in the ready goodness of his soul, and made atonement for Israel.
[24] Therefore a covenant of peace was established with him, that he should be leader of the sanctuary and of his people,
that he and his descendants should have the dignity of the priesthood for ever.
[25] A covenant was also established with David, the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah: the heritage of the king is from son to son only; so the heritage of Aaron is for his descendants.
[26] May the Lord grant you wisdom in your heart to judge his people in righteousness, so that their prosperity may not vanish, and that their glory may endure throughout their generations.

Chapter forty-six
[1] Joshua the son of Nun was mighty in war, and was the successor of Moses in prophesying. He became, in accordance with his name, a great savior of God's elect, to take vengeance on the enemies that rose against them, so that he might give Israel its inheritance.
[2] How glorious he was when he lifted his hands and stretched out his sword against the cities!
[3] Who before him ever stood so firm? For he waged the wars of the Lord.
[4] Was not the sun held back by his hand? And did not one day become as long as two?
[5] He called upon the Most High, the Mighty One, when enemies pressed him on every side,
[6] and the great Lord answered him with hailstones of mighty power. He hurled down war upon that nation, and at the descent of Beth-horon he destroyed those who resisted, so that the nations might know his armament, that he was fighting in the sight of the Lord; for he wholly followed the Mighty One.
[7] And in the days of Moses he did a loyal deed, he and Caleb the son of Jephunneh: they withstood the congregation,
restrained the people from sin, and stilled their wicked murmuring.
[8] And these two alone were preserved out of six hundred thousand people on foot, to bring them into their inheritance,
into a land flowing with milk and honey.
[9] And the Lord gave Caleb strength, which remained with him to old age, so that he went up to the hill country, and his children obtained it for an inheritance;
[10] so that all the sons of Israel might see that it is good to follow the Lord.
[11] The judges also, with their respective names, those whose hearts did not fall into idolatry and who did not turn away from the Lord -- may their memory be blessed!
[12] May their bones revive from where they lie, and may the name of those who have been honored live again in their sons!
[13] Samuel, beloved by his Lord, a prophet of the Lord, established the kingdom and anointed rulers over his people.
[14] By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the Lord watched over Jacob.
[15] By his faithfulness he was proved to be a prophet, and by his words he became known as a trustworthy seer.
[16] He called upon the Lord, the Mighty One, when his enemies pressed him on every side, and he offered in sacrifice a sucking lamb.
[17] Then the Lord thundered from heaven, and made his voice heard with a mighty sound;
[18] and he wiped out the leaders of the people of Tyre and all the rulers of the Philistines.
[19] Before the time of his eternal sleep, Samuel called men to witness before the Lord and his anointed: "I have not taken any one's property, not so much as a pair of shoes." And no man accused him.
[20] Even after he had fallen asleep he prophesied and revealed to the king his death, and lifted up his voice out of the earth in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people.

Chapter forty-seven
[1] And after him Nathan rose up to prophesy in the days of David.
[2] As the fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was selected from the sons of Israel.
[3] He played with lions as with young goats, and with bears as with lambs of the flock.
[4] In his youth did he not kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people, when he lifted his hand with a stone in the sling and struck down the boasting of Goliath?
[5] For he appealed to the Lord, the Most High, and he gave him strength in his right hand to slay a man mighty in war, to exalt the power of his people.
[6] So they glorified him for his ten thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, when the glorious diadem was bestowed upon him.
[7] For he wiped out his enemies on every side, and annihilated his adversaries the Philistines; he crushed their power even to this day.
[8] In all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, with ascriptions of glory; he sang praise with all his heart, and he loved his Maker.
[9] He placed singers before the altar, to make sweet melody with their voices.
[10] He gave beauty to the feasts, and arranged their times throughout the year, while they praised God's holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.
[11] The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his power for ever; he gave him the covenant of kings and a throne of glory in Israel.
[12] After him rose up a wise son who fared amply because of him;
[13] Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God gave him rest on every side, that he might build a house for his name and prepare a sanctuary to stand for ever.
[14] How wise you became in your youth! You overflowed like a river with understanding.
[15] Your soul covered the earth, and you filled it with parables and riddles.
[16] Your name reached to far-off islands, and you were loved for your peace.
[17] For your songs and proverbs and parables, and for your interpretations, the countries marveled at you.
[18] In the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel, you gathered gold like tin and amassed silver like lead.
[19] But you laid your loins beside women, and through your body you were brought into subjection.
[20] You put stain upon your honor, and defiled your posterity, so that you brought wrath upon your children and they were grieved at your folly,
[21] so that the sovereignty was divided and a disobedient kingdom arose out of Ephraim.
[22] But the Lord will never give up his mercy, nor cause any of his works to perish; he will never blot out the descendants of his chosen one, nor destroy the posterity of him who loved him; so he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a root of his stock.
[23] Solomon rested with his fathers, and left behind him one of his sons, ample in folly and lacking in understanding,
Rehoboam, whose policy caused the people to revolt. Also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin and gave to Ephraim a sinful way.
[24] Their sins became exceedingly many, so as to remove them from their land.
[25] For they sought out every sort of wickedness, till vengeance came upon them.

Chapter forty-eight
[1] Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch.
[2] He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number.
[3] By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire.
[4] How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have?
[5] You who raised a corpse from death and from Hades, by the word of the Most High;
[6] who brought kings down to destruction, and famous men from their beds;
[7] who heard rebuke at Sinai and judgments of vengeance at Horeb;
[8] who anointed kings to inflict retribution, and prophets to succeed you.
[9] You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire;
[10] you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
[11] Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have been adorned in love; for we also shall surely live.
[12] It was Elijah who was covered by the whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with his spirit; in all his days he did not tremble before any ruler, and no one brought him into subjection.
[13] Nothing was too hard for him, and when he was dead his body prophesied.
[14] As in his life he did wonders, so in death his deeds were marvelous.
[15] For all this the people did not repent, and they did not forsake their sins, till they were carried away captive from their land and were scattered over all the earth; the people were left very few in number, but with rulers from the house of David.
[16] Some of them did what was pleasing to God, but others multiplied sins.
[17] Hezekiah fortified his city, and brought water into the midst of it; he tunneled the sheer rock with iron and built pools for water.
[18] In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent the Rabshakeh; he lifted up his hand against Zion and made great boasts in his arrogance.
[19] Then their hearts were shaken and their hands trembled, and they were in anguish, like women in travail.
[20] But they called upon the Lord who is merciful, spreading forth their hands toward him; and the Holy One quickly heard them from heaven, and delivered them by the hand of Isaiah.
[21] The Lord smote the camp of the Assyrians, and his angel wiped them out.
[22] For Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord, and he held strongly to the ways of David his father, which Isaiah the prophet commanded, who was great and faithful in his vision.
[23] In his days the sun went backward, and he lengthened the life of the king.
[24] By the spirit of might he saw the last things, and comforted those who mourned in Zion.
[25] He revealed what was to occur to the end of time, and the hidden things before they came to pass.

Chapter forty-nine
[1] The memory of Josiah is like a blending of incense prepared by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet as honey to every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.
[2] He was led aright in converting the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.
[3] He set his heart upon the Lord; in the days of wicked men he strengthened godliness.
[4] Except David and Hezekiah and Josiah they all sinned greatly, for they forsook the law of the Most High; the kings of Judah came to an end;
[5] for they gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation,
[6] who set fire to the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made her streets desolate, according to the word of Jeremiah.
[7] For they had afflicted him; yet he had been consecrated in the womb as prophet, to pluck up and afflict and destroy,
and likewise to build and to plant.
[8] It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory which God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim.
[9] For God remembered his enemies with storm, and did good to those who directed their ways aright.
[10] May the bones of the twelve prophets revive from where they lie, for they comforted the people of Jacob and delivered them with confident hope.
[11] How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet on the right hand,
[12] and so was Jeshua the son of Jozadak; in their days they built the house and raised a temple holy to the Lord,
prepared for everlasting glory.
[13] The memory of Nehemiah also is lasting; he raised for us the walls that had fallen, and set up the gates and bars and rebuilt our ruined houses.
[14] No one like Enoch has been created on earth, for he was taken up from the earth.
[15] And no man like Joseph has been born, and his bones are cared for.
[16] Shem and Seth were honored among men, and Adam above every living being in the creation.

Chapter fifty
[1] The leader of his brethren and the pride of his people was Simon the high priest, son of Onias, who in his life repaired the house, and in his time fortified the temple.
[2] He laid the foundations for the high double walls, the high retaining walls for the temple enclosure.
[3] In his days a cistern for water was quarried out, a reservoir like the sea in circumference.
[4] He considered how to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city to withstand a seige.
[5] How glorious he was when the people gathered round him as he came out of the inner sanctuary!
[6] Like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon when it is full;
[7] like the sun shining upon the temple of the Most High, and like the rainbow gleaming in glorious clouds;
[8] like roses in the days of the first fruits, like lilies by a spring of water, like a green shoot on Lebanon on a summer day;
[9] like fire and incense in the censer, like a vessel of hammered gold adorned with all kinds of precious stones;
[10] like an olive tree putting forth its fruit, and like a cypress towering in the clouds.
[11] When he put on his glorious robe and clothed himself with superb perfection and went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
[12] And when he received the portions from the hands of the priests, as he stood by the hearth of the altar with a garland of brethren around him, he was like a young cedar on Lebanon; and they surrounded him like the trunks of palm trees,
[13] all the sons of Aaron in their splendor with the Lord's offering in their hands, before the whole congregation of Israel.
[14] Finishing the service at the altars, and arranging the offering to the Most High, the Almighty,
[15] he reached out his hand to the cup and poured a libation of the blood of the grape; he poured it out at the foot of the altar, a pleasing odor to the Most High, the King of all.
[16] Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded the trumpets of hammered work, they made a great noise to be heard
for remembrance before the Most High.
[17] Then all the people together made haste and fell to the ground upon their faces to worship their Lord, the Almighty, God Most High.
[18] And the singers praised him with their voices in sweet and full-toned melody.
[19] And the people besought the Lord Most High in prayer before him who is merciful, till the order of worship of the Lord was ended; so they completed his service.
[20] Then Simon came down, and lifted up his hands over the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, to pronounce the blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to glory in his name;
[21] and they bowed down in worship a second time, to receive the blessing from the Most High.
[22] And now bless the God of all, who in every way does great things; who exalts our days from birth, and deals with us according to his mercy.
[23] May he give us gladness of heart, and grant that peace may be in our days in Israel, as in the days of old.
[24] May he entrust to us his mercy! And let him deliver us in our days!
[25] With two nations my soul is vexed, and the third is no nation:
[26] Those who live on Mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Shechem.
[27] Instruction in understanding and knowledge I have written in this book, Jesus the son of Sirach, son of Eleazar, of Jerusalem, who out of his heart poured forth wisdom.
[28] Blessed is he who concerns himself with these things, and he who lays them to heart will become wise.
[29] For if he does them, he will be strong for all things, for the light of the Lord is his path.

Chapter fifty-one
[1] I will give thanks to thee, O Lord and King, and will praise thee as God my Savior. I give thanks to thy name,
[2] for thou hast been my protector and helper and hast delivered my body from destruction and from the snare of a slanderous tongue, from lips that utter lies. Before those who stood by thou wast my helper,
[3] and didst deliver me, in the greatness of thy mercy and of thy name, from the gnashings of teeth about to devour me,
from the hand of those who sought my life, from the many afflictions that I endured,
[4] from choking fire on every side and from the midst of fire which I did not kindle,
[5] from the depths of the belly of Hades, from an unclean tongue and lying words --
[6] the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king. My soul drew near to death, and my life was very near to Hades beneath.
[7] They surrounded me on every side, and there was no one to help me; I looked for the assistance of men, and there was none.
[8] Then I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy work from of old, that thou dost deliver those who wait for thee and dost save them from the hand of their enemies.
[9] And I sent up my supplication from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death.
[10] I appealed to the Lord, the Father of my lord, not to forsake me in the days of affliction, at the time when there is no help against the proud.
[11] I will praise thy name continually, and will sing praise with thanksgiving. My prayer was heard,
[12] for thou didst save me from destruction and rescue me from an evil plight. Therefore I will give thanks to thee and praise thee, and I will bless the name of the Lord.
[13] While I was still young, before I went on my travels, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
[14] Before the temple I asked for her, and I will search for her to the last.
[15] From blossom to ripening grape my heart delighted in her; my foot entered upon the straight path; from my youth I followed her steps.
[16] I inclined my ear a little and received her, and I found for myself much instruction.
[17] I made progress therein; to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.
[18] For I resolved to live according to wisdom, and I was zealous for the good; and I shall never be put to shame.
[19] My soul grappled with wisdom, and in my conduct I was strict; I spread out my hands to the heavens, and lamented my ignorance of her.
[20] I directed my soul to her, and through purification I found her. I gained understanding with her from the first,
therefore I will not be forsaken.
[21] My heart was stirred to seek her, therefore I have gained a good possession.
[22] The Lord gave me a tongue as my reward, and I will praise him with it.
[23] Draw near to me, you who are untaught, and lodge in my school.
[24] Why do you say you are lacking in these things, and why are your souls very thirsty?
[25] I opened my mouth and said, Get these things for yourselves without money.
[26] Put your neck under the yoke, and let your souls receive instruction; it is to be found close by.
[27] See with your eyes that I have labored little and found myself much rest.
[28] Get instruction with a large sum of silver, and you will gain by it much gold.
[29] May your soul rejoice in his mercy, and may you not be put to shame when you praise him.
[30] Do your work before the appointed time, and in God's time he will give you your reward.