Sirach
33:1 There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in
temptation even again he will deliver him.
33:2 A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as
a ship in a storm.
33:3 A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto
him, as an oracle.
33:4 Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up
instruction, and then make answer.
33:5 The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like
a rolling axletree.
33:6 A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one
that sitteth upon him.
33:7 Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in
the year is of the sun?
33:8 By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered
seasons and feasts.
33:9 Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them
hath he made ordinary days.
33:10 And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:
33:11 In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways
diverse.
33:12 Some of them hath he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified,
and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low,
and turned out of their places.
33:13 As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so
man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him
best.
33:14 Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly
against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
33:15 So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two,
one against another.
33:16 I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers:
by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and tred my winepress like a
gatherer of grapes.
33:17 Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek
learning.
33:18 Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye
rulers of the congregation.
33:19 Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while
thou livest, and give not thy goods to another: lest it repent thee, and
thou intreat for the same again.
33:20 As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to
any.
33:21 For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou
shouldest stand to their courtesy.
33:22 In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in
thine honour.
33:23 At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life,
distribute thine inheritance.
33:24 Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and
work, for a servant. .
33:25 If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let
him go idle, he shall seek liberty.
33:26 A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an
evil servant.
33:27 Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much
evil.
33:28 Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more
heavy fetters.
33:29 But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.
33:30 If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou
hast bought him with a price.
33:31 If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of
him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from
thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?
