Sirach 4 (DRA)

v1

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

v2

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

v3

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

v4

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

v5

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.

v6

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.

v7

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

v8

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

v9

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

v10

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

v11

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

v12

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

v13

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

v14

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

v15

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

v16

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

v17

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

v18

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

v19

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.

v20

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

v21

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

v22

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

v23

Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.

v24

For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.

v25

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

v26

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

v27

Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:

v28

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

v29

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.

v30

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

v31

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

v32

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

v33

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

v34

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

v35

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

v36

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

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