29:23. Evil suretyship hath undone many of good estate, and hath tossed them as a wave of the sea.
29:24. It hath made powerful men to go from place to place round about, and they have wandered in strange countries.
29:25. A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of the Lord, shall fall into an evil suretyship: and he that undertaketh many things, shall fall into judgment.
29:26. Recover thy neighbour according to thy power, and take heed to thyself that thou fall not.
29:27. The chief thing for man's life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame.
29:28. Better is the poor man's fare under a roof of boards, than sumptuous cheer abroad in another man's house.
29:29. Be contented with little instead of much, and thou shalt not hear the reproach of going abroad.
29:30. It is a miserable life to go as a guest from house to house: for where a man is a stranger, he shall not deal confidently, nor open his mouth.
29:31. He shall entertain and feed, and give drink to the unthankful, and moreover he shall hear bitter words.
29:32. Go, stranger, and furnish the table, and give others to eat what thou hast in thy hand.
29:33. Give place to the honourable presence of my friends: for I want my house, my brother being to be lodged with me.
29:34. These things are grievous to a man of understanding: the upbraiding of houseroom, and the reproaching of the lender.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 30
Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful.
30:1. He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.
30:2. He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.
30:3. He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.
30:4. His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.
30:5. While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.
30:6. For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.
30:7. For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.
30:8. A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong.
30:9. Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.
30:10. Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge.
30:11. Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices.
30:12. Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.
30:13. Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee.
30:14. Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.
30:15. Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better than all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.
30:16. There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.
30:17. Better is death than a bitter life, and everlasting rest, than continual sickness.
30:18. Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as messes of meat set about a grave.
30:19. What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell:
30:20. So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity:
30:21. He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing.
30:22. Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel.
30:23. The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.
30:24. Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.
30:25. For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.
30:26. Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.
30:27. A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 31
Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.
31:1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.
31:2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.
31:3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
31:4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.
31:5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.
31:6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
31:7. Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.
31:8. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.
31:9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
31:10. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:
31:11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
31:12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.
31:13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
31:14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
31:15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.
31:16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
31:17. Be not hasty in a feast.
31:18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
31:19. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.
31:20. Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.
31:21. And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink.
31:22. How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.
31:23. Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:
31:24. Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
31:25. And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.
31:26. Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
31:27. In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.
31:28. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.
31:29. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
31:30. Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.
31:31. Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.
31:32. Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.
31:33. What is his life, who is diminished with wine?
31:34. What taketh away life? death.
31:35. Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.
31:36. Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.
31:37. Sober drinking is health to soul and body.
31:38. Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels, and wrath, and many ruins.
31:39. Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.
31:40. The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.
31:41. Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in his mirth.
31:42. Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 32
Lessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and doing nothing without counsel.
32:1. Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them.
32:2. Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place:
32:3. That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.
32:4. Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,
32:5. To speak the first word with careful knowledge, and hinder not music.
32:6. Where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and be not lifted up out of season with thy wisdom.
32:7. A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.
32:8. As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.
32:9. Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
32:10. Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.
32:11. If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.
32:12. In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.
32:13. In the company of great men take not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much.
32:14. Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
32:15. And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.
32:16. And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech.
32:17. And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.
32:18. He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.
32:19. He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.
32:20. They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
32:21. A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will.
32:22. A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear:
32:23. Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.
32:24. My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.
32:25. Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones: trust not thyself to a rugged way, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul.
32:26. And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household.
32:27. In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments.
In faith… That is, follow sincerely thy soul in her faith and conscience.
32:28. He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 33
The fear of God is the best security. Times and men are in the hands of God. Take care of thyself as long as thou livest, and look to thy servants.
33:1. No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him and deliver him from evils.
33:2. A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm.
33:3. A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law is faithful to him.
33:4. He that cleareth up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer.
33:5. The heart of a fool is as a wheel of a cart: and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.
33:6. A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.
33:7. Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another year, when all come of the sun?
33:8. By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made, and keeping his commandment.
33:9. And he ordered the seasons, and holidays of them, and in them they celebrated festivals at an hour.
33:10. Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created.
33:11. With much knowledge the Lord hath divided them and diversified their ways.
33:12. Some of them hath he blessed, and exalted: and some of them hath he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned them from their station.
33:13. As the potter's clay is in his hand, to fashion and order it:
33:14. All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment.
33:15. Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another.
33:16. And I awaked last of all, and as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers.
33:17. In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress.
33:18. See that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all that seek discipline.
33:19. Hear me, ye great men, and all ye people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the church.
33:20. Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee while thou livest; and give not thy estate to another, lest thou repent, and thou entreat for the same.
33:21. As long as thou livest, and hast breath in thee, let no man change thee.
Change thee… That is, so as to have this power over thee.
33:22. For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that thou look toward the hands of thy children.
33:23. In all thy works keep the pre-eminence.
The pre-eminence… That is, be master in thy own house, and part not with thy authority.
33:24. Let no stain sully thy glory. In the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy inheritance.
33:25. Fodder, and a wand, and a burden are for an ass: bread, and correction, and work for a slave.
33:26. He worketh under correction, and seeketh to rest: let his hands be idle, and he seeketh liberty.
33:27. The yoke and the thong bend a stiff neck, and continual labours bow a slave.
33:28. Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave: send him to work, that he be not idle:
33:29. For idleness hath taught much evil.
33:30. Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any one, and do no grievous thing without judgment.
33:31. If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of thy soul thou hast gotten him.
33:32. If thou hurt him unjustly, he will run away:
33:33. And if he rise up and depart, thou knowest not whom to ask, and in what way to seek him.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 34
The vanity of dreams. The advantage of experience, and of the fear ofGod.
34:1. The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools.
34:2. The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to 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: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man.
34:4. What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false?
34:5. Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity:
34:6. And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, 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 word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.
34:9. What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding.
34:10. He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.
34:11. He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.
34:12. I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things.
34:13. Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God.
34:14. The spirit of those that fear God, is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed.
34:15. For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him.
34:16. He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid: for he is his hope.
34:17. The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.
34:18. To whom doth he look, and who is his strength?
34:19. The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,
34:20. A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing.
34:21. The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.
34:22. The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice.
34:23. The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices.
34:24. He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.
34:25. The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.
34:26. He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour.
34:27. He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the laborer of his hire, are brothers.
34:28. When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour?
34:29. When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear?
34:30. He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail?
34:31. So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 35
What sacrifices are pleasing to God.
35:1. He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings.
35:2. It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity.
35:3. And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.
35:4. He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice.
35:5. To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.
35:6. Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.
35:7. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.
35:8. The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.
35:9. The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.
35:10. Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands.
35:11. In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy.
35:12. Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:
35:13. For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.
35:14. Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.
35:15. And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.
35:16. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.
35:17. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.
35:18. Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
35:19. For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.
35:20. He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.
35:21. The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the most High behold.
35:22. And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back:
35:23. And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,
35:24. Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,
35:25. Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy.
35:26. The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 36
A prayer for the church of God. Of a good heart, and a good wife.
36:1. Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and shew us the light of thy mercies:
36:2. And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders.
36:3. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy power.
36:4. For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence,
36:5. That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no God beside thee, O Lord.
36:6. Renew thy signs, and work new miracles.
36:7. Glorify thy hand, and thy right arm.
36:8. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath.
36:9. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy.
36:10. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy wonderful works.
36:11. Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire: and let them perish that oppress thy people.
36:12. Crush the head of the princes of the enemies that say: There is no other beside us.
36:13. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob: that they may know that there no God besides thee, and may declare thy great works: and thou shalt inherit them as from the beginning.
36:14. Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.
36:15. Have mercy on Jerusalem, the city which thou hast sanctified, the city of thy rest.
36:16. Fill Sion with thy unspeakable words, and thy people with thy glory.
36:17. Give testimony to them that are thy creatures from the beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in thy name.
36:18. Reward them that patiently wait for thee, that thy prophets may be found faithful: and hear the prayers of thy servants,
36:19. According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us into the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth, that thou art God the beholder of all ages.
36:20. The belly will devour all meat, yet one is better than another.
36:21. The palate tasteth venison and the wise heart false speeches.
36:22. A perverse heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will resist it.
36:23. A woman will receive every man: yet one daughter is better than another.
A woman will receive every man… That is, any man that her parents propose to her to marry, though she does not like him, but marries in obedience to her parents, who make the choice for her.
36:24. The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance of her husband, and a man desireth nothing more.
36:25. If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.
36:26. He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.
36:27. Where there is no hedge, the possession shall be spoiled: and where there is no wife, he mourneth that is in want.
36:28. Who will trust him that hath no rest, and that lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him, as a robber well appointed, that skippeth from city to city.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 37
Of the choice of friends and counsellors.
37:1. Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?
37:2. But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.
37:3. O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?
37:4. There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.
37:5. There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy.
37:6. Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
37:7. Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.
37:8. Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.
37:9. Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind:
37:10. Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:
37:11. Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee.
37:12. Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,
37:13. Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the field laborer of every work,
37:14. Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.
37:15. But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe the fear of God,
37:16. Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.
37:17. And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.
37:18. The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high place to watch.
37:19. But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct thy way in truth.
37:20. In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.
37:21. A wicked word shall change the heart: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.
37:22. A skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.
37:23. He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing.
37:24. Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom.
37:25. There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.
37:26. A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful.
37:27. A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him.
37:28. The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
37:29. A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall live for ever.
37:30. My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no power:
37:31. For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not every soul.
37:32. Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:
37:33. For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler.
37:34. By surfeiting many have perished, but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 38
Of physicians and medicines: what is to be done in sickness, and how we are to mourn for the dead. Of the employments of labourers and artificers.
38:1. Honour the physician for the need thou hast of him: for the most High hath created him.
38:2. For all healing is from God, and he shall receive gifts of the king.
38:3. The skill of the physician shall lift up his head, and in the sight of great men he shall be praised.
38:4. The most High hath created medicines out of the earth, and a wise man will not abhor them.
38:5. Was not bitter water made sweet with wood?
38:6. The virtue of these things is come to the knowledge of men, and the most High hath given knowledge to men, that he may be honoured in his wonders.
38:7. By these he shall cure and shall allay their pains, and of these the apothecary shall make sweet confections, and shall make up ointments of health, and of his works there shall be no end.
38:8. For the peace of God is over all the face of the earth.
38:9. My son, in thy sickness neglect not thyself, but pray to the Lord, and he shall heal thee.
38:10. Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence.
38:11. Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour, and make a fat offering, and then give place to the physician.
38:12. For the Lord created him: and let him not depart from thee, for his works are necessary.
38:13. For there is a time when thou must fall into their hands:
38:14. And they shall beseech the Lord, that he would prosper what they give for ease and remedy, for their conversation.
38:15. He that sinneth in the sight of his Maker, shall fall into the hands of the physician.
38:16. My son, shed tears over the dead, and begin to lament as if thou hadst suffered some great harm, and according to judgment cover his body, and neglect not his burial.
38:17. And for fear of being ill spoken of weep bitterly for a day, and then comfort thyself in thy sadness.
38:18. And make mourning for him according to his merit for a day, or two, for fear of detraction.
38:19. For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.
38:20. In withdrawing aside sorrow remaineth: and the substance of the poor is according to his heart.
38:21. Give not up thy heart to sadness, but drive it from thee: and remember the latter end.
38:22. Forget it not: for there is no returning, and thou shalt do him no good, and shalt hurt thyself.
38:23. Remember my judgment: for thine also shall be so: yesterday for me, and to day for thee.
38:24. When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest, and comfort him in the departing of his spirit.
38:25. The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.
A scribe… That is, a doctor of the law, or, a learned man.
38:26. With what wisdom shall he be furnished that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth the oxen therewith, and is occupied in their labours, and his whole talk is about the offspring of bulls?
38:27. He shall give his mind to turn up furrows, and his care is to give the kine fodder.
38:28. So every craftsman and workmaster that laboureth night and day, he who maketh graven seals, and by his continual diligence varieth the figure: he shall give his mind to the resemblance of the picture, and by his watching shall finish the work.
38:29. So doth the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the iron work. The vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace.
38:30. The noise of the hammer is always in his ears, and his eye is upon the pattern of the vessel he maketh.
38:31. He setteth his mind to finish his work, and his watching to polish them to perfection.
38:32. So doth the potter sitting at his work, turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always carefully set to his work, and maketh all his work by number:
38:33. He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his strength before his feet:
38:34. He shall give his mind to finish the glazing, and his watching to make clean the furnace.
38:35. All these trust to their hands, and every one is wise in his own art.
38:36. Without these a city is not built.
38:37. And they shall not dwell, nor walk about therein, and they shall not go up into the assembly.
38:38. Upon the judges' seat they shall not sit, and the ordinance of judgment they shall not understand, neither shall they declare discipline and judgment, and they shall not be found where parables are spoken:
38:39. But they shall strengthen the state of the world, and their prayer shall be in the work of their craft, applying their soul, and searching in the law of the most High.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 39
The exercises of the wise man. The Lord is to be glorified for his works.
39:1. The wise man will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be occupied in the prophets.
39:2. He will keep the sayings of renowned men, and will enter withal into the subtilties of parables.
39:3. He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be conversant in the secrets of parables.
39:4. He shall serve among great men, and appear before the governor.
39:5. He shall pass into strange countries: for he shall try good and evil among men.
39:6. He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.
39:7. He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins.
39:8. For if it shall please the great Lord, he will fill him with the spirit of understanding:
39:9. And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord.
39:10. And he shall direct his counsel, and his knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.
39:11. He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
39:12. Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten.
39:13. The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation.
39:14. Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.
39:15. If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.
39:16. I will yet meditate that I may declare: for I am filled as with a holy transport.
39:17. By a voice he saith: Hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters.
Ye divine offspring… He speaks to the children of Israel, the people of God: whom he exhorts to bud forth and flourish with virtue.
39:18. Give ye a sweet odour as frankincense.
39:19. Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works.
39:20. Magnify his name, and give glory to him with the voice of your lips, and with the canticles of your mouths, and with harps, and in praising him, you shall say in this manner:
39:21. All the works of the Lord are exceeding good.
39:22. At his word the waters stood as a heap: and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters:
39:23. For at his commandment favour is shewn, and there is no diminishing of his salvation.
39:24. The works of all flesh are before him, and there is nothing hid from his eyes.
39:25. He seeth from eternity to eternity, and there is nothing wonderful before him.
39:26. There is no saying: What is this, or what is that? for all things shall be sought in their time.
39:27. His blessing hath overflowed like a river.
39:28. And as a flood hath watered the earth; so shall his wrath inherit the nations, that have not sought after him.
39:29. Even as he turned the waters into a dry land, and the earth was made dry: and his ways were made plain for their journey: so to sinners they are stumblingblocks in his wrath.
39:30. Good things were created for the good from the beginning, so for the wicked, good and evil things.
39:31. The principal things necessary for the life of men, are water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and bread of flour, and honey, and the cluster of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
39:32. All these things shall be for good to the holy, so to the sinners and the ungodly they shall be turned into evil.
39:33. There are spirits that are created for vengeance, and in their fury they lay on grievous torments.
39:34. In the time of destruction they shall pour out their force: and they shall appease the wrath of him that made them.
39:35. Fire, hail, famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance.
39:36. The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction.
39:37. In his commandments they shall feast, and they shall be ready upon earth when need is, and when their time is come they shall not transgress his word.
39:38. Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and I have meditated, and thought on these things and left them in writing,
39:39. All the works of the Lord are good, and he will furnish every work in due time.
39:40. It is not to be said: This is worse than that: for all shall be well approved in their time.
39:41. Now therefore with the whole heart and mouth praise ye him, and bless the name of the Lord.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 40
The miseries of the life of man are relieved by the grace of God and his fear.
40:1. Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.
40:2. Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:
40:3. From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes:
40:4. From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife,
40:5. And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge.
40:6. A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch.
40:7. He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear.
40:8. Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold more.
40:9. Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:
40:10. All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
40:11. All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.
40:12. All bribery, and injustice shall be blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.
40:13. The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass away with a noise like a great thunder in rain.
40:14. While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end.
40:15. The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.
40:16. The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.
40:17. Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever.
40:18. The life of a laborer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.
40:19. Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.
40:20. Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.
40:21. The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
40:22. Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown fields.
40:23. A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
40:24. Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.
40:25. Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.
40:26. Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord.
40:27. There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.
40:28. The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory.
40:29. My son, in thy lifetime be not indigent: for it is better to die than to want.
40:30. The life of him that looketh toward another man's table is not to be counted a life: for he feedeth his soul with another man's meat.
40:31. But a man, well instructed and taught, will look to himself.
40:32. Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the unwise, but in his belly there shall burn a fire.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 41
Of the remembrance of death: of an evil and of a good name: of what things we ought to be ashamed.
41:1. O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!
41:2. To a man that is at rest, and whose ways are prosperous in all things, and that is yet able to take meat!
41:3. O death thy sentence is welcome to the man that is in need, and to him whose strength faileth:
41:4. Who is in a decrepit age, and that is in care about all things, and to the distrustful that loseth patience!
41:5. Fear not the sentence of death. Remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee: this sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh.
41:6. And what shall come upon thee by the good pleasure of the most High? whether ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.
41:7. For among the dead there is no accusing of life.
41:8. The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly.
41:9. The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.
41:10. The children will complain of an ungodly father, because for his sake they are in reproach.
41:11. Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most high Lord.
41:12. And if you be born, you shall be born in malediction: and if you die, in malediction shall be your portion.
41:13. All things that are of the earth, shall return into the earth: so the ungodly shall from malediction to destruction.
41:14. The mourning of men is about their body, but the name of the ungodly shall be blotted out.
41:15. Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great.
41:16. A good life hath its number of days: but a good name shall continue for ever.
41:17. My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is there in them both?
41:18. Better is the man that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
41:19. Wherefore have a shame of these things I am now going to speak of.
Have a shame, etc… That is to say, be ashamed of doing any of these things, which I am now going to mention; for though sometimes shamefacedness is not to be indulged: yet it is often good and necessary: as in the following cases.
41:20. For it is not good to keep all shamefacedness: and all things do not please all men in opinion.
41:21. Be ashamed of fornication before father and mother: and of a lie before a governor and a man in power:
41:22. Of an offence before a prince, and a judge: of iniquity before a congregation and a people:
41:23. Of injustice before a companion and friend: and in regard to the place where thou dwellest,
41:24. Of theft, and of the truth of God, and the covenant: of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit in giving and taking:
41:25. Of silence before them that salute thee: of looking upon a harlot: and of turning away thy face from thy kinsman.
41:26. Turn not away thy face from thy neighbour, and of taking away a portion and not restoring.
41:27. Gaze not upon another man's wife, and be not inquisitive after his handmaid, and approach not her bed.
41:28. Be ashamed of upbraiding speeches before friends: and after thou hast given, upbraid not.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 42
Of what things we ought not to be ashamed. Cautions with regard to women. The works and greatness of God.
42:1. Repeat not the word which thou hast heard, and disclose not the thing that is secret; so shalt thou be truly without confusion, and shalt find favour before all men: be not ashamed of any of these things, and accept no person to sin thereby:
42:2. Of the law of the most High, and of his covenant, and of judgment to justify the ungodly:
42:3. Of the affair of companions and travellers, and of the gift of the inheritance of friends:
42:4. Of exactness of balance and weights, of getting much or little:
42:5. Of the corruption of buying, and of merchants, and of much correction of children, and to make the side of a wicked slave to bleed.
42:6. Sure keeping is good over a wicked wife.
42:7. Where there are many hands, shut up, and deliver all things in number, and weight: and put all in writing that thou givest out or receivest in.
42:8. Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged, that are judged by young men: and thou shalt be well instructed in all things, and well approved in the sight of all men living.
42:9. The father waketh for the daughter when no man knoweth, and the care for her taketh away his sleep, when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age, and when she is married, lest she should be hateful:
42:10. In her virginity, lest she should be corrupted, and be found with child in her father's house: and having a husband, lest she should misbehave herself, or at the least become barren.
42:11. Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter: lest at anytime she make thee become a laughingstock to thy enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and she make thee ashamed before all the multitude.
42:12. Behold not everybody's beauty: and tarry not among women.
42:13. For from garments cometh a moth, and from a woman the iniquity of a man.
42:14. For better is the iniquity of a man, than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach.
Better is the iniquity, etc… That is, there is, commonly speaking, less danger to be apprehended to the soul from the churlishness, or injuries we receive from men, than from the flattering favours and familiarity of women.
42:15. I will now remember the works of the Lord, and I will declare the things I have seen. By the words of the Lord are his works.
42:16. The sun giving light hath looked upon all things, and full of the glory of the Lord is his work.
42:17. Hath not the Lord made the saints to declare all his wonderful works, which the Lord Almighty hath firmly settled to be established for his glory?
42:18. He hath searched out the deep, and the heart of men: and considered their crafty devices.
42:19. For the Lord knoweth all knowledge, and hath beheld the signs of the world, he declareth the things that are past, and the things that are to come, and revealeth the traces of hidden things.
42:20. No thought escapeth him, and no word can hide itself from him.
42:21. He hath beautified the glorious works of his wisdom: and he is from eternity to eternity, and to him nothing may be added,
42:22. Nor can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor.
42:23. O how desirable are all his works, and what we can know is but as a spark!
42:24. All these things live, and remain for ever, and for every use all things obey him.
42:25. All things are double, one against another, and he hath made nothing defective.
42:26. He hath established the good things of every one. And who shall be filled with beholding his glory?
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 43
The works of God are exceedingly glorious and wonderful: no man is able sufficiently to praise him.
43:1. The firmament on high is his beauty, the beauty of heaven with its glorious shew.
43:2. The sun when he appeareth shewing forth at his rising, an admirable instrument, the work of the most High.
43:3. At noon he burneth the earth, and who can abide his burning heat? As one keeping a furnace in the works of heat:
43:4. The sun three times as much, burneth the mountains, breathing out fiery vapours, and shining with his beams, he blindeth the eyes.
43:5. Great is the Lord that made him, and at his words he hath hastened his course.
43:6. And the moon in all in her season, is for a declaration of times and a sign of the world.
43:7. From the moon is the sign of the festival day, a light that decreaseth in her perfection.
43:8. The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her perfection.
43:9. Being an instrument of the armies on high, shining gloriously in the firmament of heaven.
43:10. The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven; the Lord enlighteneth the world on high.
43:11. By the words of the holy one they stand in judgment, and shall never fall in their watches.
43:12. Look upon the rainbow, and bless him that made it: it is very beautiful in its brightness.
43:13. It encompasseth the heaven about with the circle of its glory, the hands of the most High have displayed it.
43:14. By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.
43:15. Through this are the treasures opened, and the clouds fly out like birds.
43:16. By his greatness he hath fixed the clouds, and the hailstones are broken.
43:17. At his sight shall the mountains be shaken, and at his will the south wind shall blow.
43:18. The noise of his thunder shall strike the earth, so doth the northern storm, and the whirlwind:
43:19. And as the birds lighting upon the earth, he scattereth snow, and the falling thereof, is as the coming down of locusts.
43:20. The eye admireth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the shower thereof.
43:21. He shall pour frost as salt upon the earth: and when it freezeth, it shall become like the tops of thistles.
43:22. The cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into crystal; upon every gathering together of waters it shall rest, and shall clothe the waters as a breastplate.
43:23. And it shall devour the mountains, and burn the wilderness, and consume all that is green as with fire.
43:24. A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it, by the heat that cometh, shall overpower it.
43:25. At his word the wind is still, and with his thought he appeaseth the deep, and the Lord hath planted islands therein.
43:26. Let them that sail on the sea, tell the dangers thereof: and when we hear with our ears, we shall admire.
43:27. There are great and wonderful works: a variety of beasts, and of all living things, and the monstrous creatures of whales.
43:28. Through him is established the end of their journey, and by his word all things are regulated.
43:29. We shall say much, and yet shall want words: but the sum of our words is, He is all.
43:30. What shall we be able to do to glorify him? for the Almighty himself is above all his works.
43:31. The Lord is terrible, and exceeding great, and his power is admirable.
43:32. Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful.
43:33. Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for he is above all praise.
43:34. When you exalt him put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for you can never go far enough.
43:35. Who shall see him, and declare him? and who shall magnify him as he is from the beginning?
43:36. There are many things hidden from us that are greater than these: for we have seen but a few of his works.
43:37. But the Lord hath made all things, and to the godly he hath given wisdom.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 44