The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 42 -

Of what things we ought not to be ashamed. Cautions with regard to women. The works and greatness of God.

Repeat not the word which thou hast heard, and disclose not the thing that is secret; so shalt thou be truly without confusion, and shall find favour before all men: be not ashamed of any of these things, and accept no person to sin thereby:

Of the law of the most High, and of his covenant, and of judgment to justify the ungodly:

Of the affair of companions and travellers, and of the gift of the inheritance of friends:

Of exactness of balance and weights, of getting much or little:

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.

Sure keeping is good over a wicked wife.

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.

Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged, that are judged I by young men: and thou shalt be well instructed in all things, and well approved in the sight of all men living.

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:

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.

Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter: lest at any time 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.

Behold not everybody’s beauty: and tarry not among women.

For from garments cometh a moth, and from a woman the iniquity of a man.

For better is the iniquity of a man, than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach.

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.

The sun giving light hath looked upon all things, and full of the glory of the Lord is his work.

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?

He hath searched out the deep, and the heart of men: and considered their crafty devices.

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.

No thought escapeth him, and no word can hide itself from him.

He hath beautified the glorious works of his wisdom: and he Is from eternity to eternity, and to him nothing may be added,

Nor can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor.

O how desirable are all his works, and what we can know is but as a spark!

All these things live, and remain for ever, and for every use all things obey him.

All things are double, one against another, and he hath made nothing defective.

He hath established the good things of every one. And who shall be filled with beholding his glory?

Of what things we ought not to be ashamed. Cautions with regard to women. The works and greatness of God.

Don’t be ashamed of these things, and don’t sin to save face:

of the law of the Most High and his covenant, of judgment to do justice to the ungodly,

of reckoning with a partner and with travellers, of a gift from the inheritance of friends,

of exactness of scales and weights, of getting much or little,

of bargaining dealing with merchants, of frequent correction of children, and of making the back of an evil slave to bleed.

A seal is good where an evil wife is. Where there are many hands, lock things up.

Whatever you hand over, let it be by number and weight. In giving and receiving, let all be in writing.

Don’t be ashamed to instruct the unwise and foolish, and one of extreme old age who contends with those who are young. So you will be well instructed indeed and approved in the sight of every living man.

A daughter is a secret cause of wakefulness to a father. Care for her takes away sleep— in her youth, lest she pass the flower of her age; when she is married, lest she should be hated;

in her virginity, lest she should be defiled and be with child in her father’s house; when she has a husband, lest she should transgress; and when she is married, lest she should be barren.

Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and shame you in public.

Don’t gaze at every beautiful body. Don’t sit in the midst of women.

For from garments comes a moth, and from a woman comes a woman’s wickedness.

Better is the wickedness of a man than a pleasant woman, a woman who puts you to shame and disgrace.

I will make mention now of the works of the Lord, and will declare the things that I have seen. The Lord’s works are in his words.

The sun that gives light looks at all things. The Lord’s work is full of his glory.

The Lord has not given power to the saints to declare all his marvelous works, which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, that the universe might be established in his glory.

He searches out the deep and the heart. He has understanding of their secrets. For the Most High knows all knowledge. He sees the signs of the world.

He declares the things that are past and the things that shall be, and reveals the traces of hidden things.

No thought escapes him. There is not a word hidden from him.

He has ordered the mighty works of his wisdom. He is from everlasting to everlasting. Nothing has been added to them, nor diminished from them. He had no need of any counselor.

How desirable are all his works! One may see this even in a spark.

All these things live and remain forever in all manner of uses. They are all obedient.

All things are in pairs, one opposite the other. He has made nothing imperfect.

One thing establishes the good things of another. Who could ever see enough of his glory?