Sirach
14:1 Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is not
pricked with the multitude of sins.
14:2 Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is not
fallen from his hope in the Lord.
14:3 Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an envious man do
with money?
14:4 He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul gathereth for others, that
shall spend his goods riotously.
14:5 He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? he shall not take
pleasure in his goods.
14:6 There is none worse than he that envieth himself; and this is a
recompence of his wickedness.
14:7 And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and at the last he will
declare his wickedness.
14:8 The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and
despiseth men.
14:9 A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity
of the wicked drieth up his soul.
14:10 A wicked eye envieth [his] bread, and he is a niggard at his table.
14:11 My son, according to thy ability do good to thyself, and give the Lord
his due offering.
14:12 Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of
the grave is not shewed unto thee.
14:13 Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability
stretch out thy hand and give to him.
14:14 Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good
desire overpass thee.
14:15 Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours to be
divided by lot?
14:16 Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of
dainties in the grave.
14:17 All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning
is, Thou shalt die the death.
14:18 As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is
the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is
born.
14:19 Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go
withal.
14:20 Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and that
reasoneth of holy things by his understanding. ing.
14:21 He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have understanding
in her secrets.
14:22 Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways.
14:23 He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors.
14:24 He that doth lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her walls.
14:25 He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall lodge in a lodging
where good things are.
14:26 He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her
branches.
14:27 By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.
