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The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 34 -

The vanity of dreams. The advantage of experience, and of the fear of God.

1
The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools.
2
The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.
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.
4
What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false?
5
Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity:
6
And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set no thy heart upon them.
7
For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.
8
The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.
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.
10
He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.
11
He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.
12
I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things.
13
Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God.
14
The spirit of those that fear God; is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed.
15
For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him.
16
He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid for he is his hope.
17
The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.
18
To whom doth he look, and who in his strength?
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,
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.
21
The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.
22
The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice.
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.
24
He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.
25
The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.
26
He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour.
27
He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire, are brothers.
28
When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour?
29
When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear?
30
He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail?
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?

The vanity of dreams. The advantage of experience, and of the fear of God.

1
Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding. Dreams give wings to fools.
2
As one who grasps at a shadow and follows after the wind, so is he who sets his mind on dreams.
3
The vision of dreams is a reflection, the likeness of a face near a face.
4
From an unclean thing what can be cleansed? From that which is false what can be true?
5
Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain. The heart has fantasies like a woman in labor.
6
If they are not sent in a visitation from the Most High, don’t give your heart to them.
7
For dreams have led many astray. They have failed by putting their hope in them.
8
Without lying the law will be fulfilled. Wisdom is complete in a faithful mouth.
9
A well-instructed man knows many things. He who has much experience will declare understanding.
10
He who has no experience knows few things. But he who has traveled increases cleverness.
11
I have seen many things in my travels. My understanding is more than my words.
12
I was often in danger even to death. I was preserved 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
Whoever fears the Lord won’t be afraid, and won’t be a coward, for he is his hope.
15
Blessed is the soul of him who fears the Lord. To whom does he give heed? Who is his support?
16
The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him, a mighty protection and strong support, a cover from the hot blast, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard from stumbling, and a help from falling.
17
He raises up the soul, and enlightens the eyes. He gives health, life, and blessing.
18
He who sacrifices a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery. The mockeries of wicked men are not acceptable.
19
The Most High has no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly, Neither is he pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices.
20
Like one who kills a son before his father’s eyes is he who brings a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.
21
The bread of the needy is the life of the poor. He who deprives him of it is a man of blood.
22
Like one who murders his neighbor is he who takes away his living. Like a shedder of blood is he who deprives a hireling of his hire.
23
When one builds, and another pulls down, what profit do they have but toil?
24
When one prays, and another curses, whose voice will the Lord listen to?
25
He who washes himself after touching a dead body, and touches it again, what does he gain by his washing?
26
Even so a man fasting for his sins, and going again, and doing the same, who will listen to his prayer? What profit does he have in his humiliation?
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