The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ King James Version :: 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.

Of these things be not thou ashamed, and accept no person to sin thereby:

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

Of reckoning with thy partners and travellers; or of the gift of the heritage of friends;

Of exactness of balance and weights; or of getting much or little;

And of merchants’ indifferent selling; of much correction of children; and to make the side of an evil servant to bleed.

Sure keeping is good, where an evil wife is; and shut up, where many hands are.

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 extreme aged that contendeth with those that are young: thus shalt thou be truly learned, and approved of all men living.

The father waketh for the daughter, when no man knoweth; and the care for her taketh away sleep: when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age; and being married, lest she should be hated:

In her virginity, lest she should be defiled and gotten with child in her father’s house; and having an husband, lest she should misbehave herself; and when she is married, lest she should be barren.

Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter, lest she make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and make thee ashamed before the multitude.

Behold not every body’s beauty, and sit not in the midst of women.

For from garments cometh a moth, and from women wickedness.

Better is the churlishness of a man than a courteous woman, a woman, I say, which bringeth shame and reproach.

I will now remember the works of the Lord, and declare the things that I have seen: In the words of the Lord are his works.

The sun that giveth light looketh upon all things, and the work thereof is full of the glory of the Lord.

The Lord hath not given power to the saints to declare all his marvellous works, which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, that whatsoever is might be established for his glory.

He seeketh out the deep, and the heart, and considereth their crafty devices: for the Lord knoweth all that may be known, and he beholdeth the signs of the world.

He declareth the things that are past, and for to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things.

No thought escapeth him, neither any word is hidden from him.

He hath garnished the excellent works of his wisdom, and he is from everlasting to everlasting: unto him may nothing be added, neither can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor.

Oh how desirable are all his works! and that a man may see even to a spark.

All these things live and remain for ever for all uses, and they are all obedient.

All things are double one against another: and he hath made nothing imperfect.

One thing establisheth the good or another: 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?