The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 4 -

An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom.

Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor.

Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the Boor in his want.

Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to give to him that is in distress.

Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy.

Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back.

For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him.

Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man.

Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness.

Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul.

In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother.

And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother.

Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.

And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness.

They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing.

They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her.

He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure.

If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance.

For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him.

She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.

Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy,

And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice.

But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy.

Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.

For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.

For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace.

Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie.

Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:

And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.

For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.

In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance.

Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin.

Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river.

Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee.

Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works.

Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee.

Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give.

An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom.

My son, don’t deprive the poor of his living. Don’t make the needy eyes wait long.

Don’t make a hungry soul sorrowful, or provoke a man in his distress.

Don’t add more trouble to a heart that is provoked. Don’t put off giving to him who is in need.

Don’t reject a suppliant in his affliction. Don’t turn your face away from a poor man.

Don’t turn your eye away from one who asks. Give no occasion to a man to curse you.

For if he curses you in the bitterness of his soul, he who made him will hear his supplication.

Endear yourself to the assembly. Bow your head to a great man.

Incline your ear to a poor man. Answer him with peaceful words in humility.

Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of him who wrongs him; Don’t be hesitant in giving judgment.

Be as a father to the fatherless, and like a husband to their mother. So you will be as a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than your mother does.

Wisdom exalts her sons, and takes hold of those who seek her.

He who loves her loves life. Those who seek her early will be filled with gladness.

He who holds her fast will inherit glory. Where(a) he enters, the Lord will bless.

Those who serve her minister to the Holy One. The Lord loves those who love her.

He who listens to her will judge the nations. He who heeds her will dwell securely.

If he trusts her, he will inherit her, and his generations will possess her.

For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, and will bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgments.

Then she will return him again to the straight way, and will gladden him, and reveal to him her secrets.

If he goes astray, she will forsake him, and hand him over to his fall.

Watch for the opportunity, and beware of evil. Don’t be ashamed of your soul.

For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace.

Don’t show partiality, discrediting your soul. Don’t revere any man to your falling.

Don’t refrain from speaking when it is for safety. (b)Don’t hide your wisdom for the sake of seeming fair.

For wisdom will be known by speech, and instruction by the word of the tongue.

Don’t speak against the truth and be shamed for your ignorance.

Don’t be ashamed to confess your sins. Don’t fight the river’s current.

Don’t lay yourself down for a fool to tread upon. Don’t be partial to one who is mighty.

Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God will fight for you.

Don’t be hasty with your tongue, or slack and negligent in your deeds.

Don’t be like a lion in your house, or suspicious of your servants.

Don’t let your hand be stretched out to receive, and closed when you should repay.

Footnotes

(a)4:13 Or, she

(b)4:23 Some manuscripts omit this line.