Sirach
34:1 The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams
lift up fools.
34:2 Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and
followeth after the wind.
34:3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as
the likeness of a face to a face.
34:4 Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is
false what truth can come?
34:5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart
fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.
34:6 If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy
heart upon them.
34:7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust
in them.
34:8 The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to
a faithful mouth.
34:9 A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much
experience will declare wisdom.
34:10 He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is
full of prudence.
34:11 When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can
express.
34:12 I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these
things.
34:13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in
him that saveth them.
34:14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.
34:15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look?
and who is his strength?
34:16 For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty
protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the
sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.
34:17 He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life,
and blessing.
34:18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is
ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.
34:19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither
is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.
34:20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that
killeth the son before his father's eyes.
34:21 The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is
a man of blood.
34:22 He that taketh away his neighbour's living slayeth him; and he that
defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
34:23 When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then
but labour?
34:24 When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?
34:25 He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch
it again, what availeth his washing?
34:26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and
doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling
profit him?
