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The Book of Jesus Sirach

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

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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