Sirach 7

1Do no evil, and evil will never befall you.

2Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.

3My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice,

and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.

4Do not seek from the Lord the highest office,

nor the seat of honor from the king.

5Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,

nor display your wisdom before the king.

6Do not seek to become a judge,

lest you be unable to remove iniquity,

lest you be partial to a powerful man,

and thus put a blot on your integrity.

7Do not offend against the public,

and do not disgrace yourself among the people.

8Do not commit a sin twice;

even for one you will not go unpunished.

9Do not say, "He will consider the multitude of my gifts,

and when I make an offering to the Most High God he will accept it."

10Do not be fainthearted in your prayer,

nor neglect to give alms.

11Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul,

for there is One who abases and exalts.

12Do not devisea a lie against your brother,

nor do the like to a friend.

13Refuse to utter any lie,

for the habit of lying serves no good.

14Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders,

nor repeat yourself in your prayer.

15Do not hate toilsome labor,

or farm work, which were created by the Most High.

16Do not count yourself among the crowd of sinners;

remember that wrath does not delay.

17Humble yourself greatly,

for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.b

18Do not exchange a friend for money,

or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.

19Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife,

for her charm is worth more than gold.

20Do not abuse a servant who performs his work faithfully,

or a hired laborer who devotes himself to you.

21Let your soul lovec an intelligent servant;

do not withhold from him his freedom.

22Do you have cattle? Look after them;

if they are profitable to you, keep them.

23Do you have children? Discipline them,

and make them obedientd from their youth.

24Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,e

and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.

25Give a daughter in marriage; you will have finished a great task.

But give her to a man of understanding.

26If you have a wife who pleases you,f do not cast her out;

but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.

27With all your heart honor your father,

and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.

28Remember that through your parentsg you were born;

and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you?

29With all your soul fear the Lord,

and honor his priests.

30With all your might love your Maker,

and do not forsake his ministers.

31Fear the Lord and honor the priest,

and give him his portion, as is commanded you:

the first fruits, the guilt offering, the gift of the shoulders,

the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.

32Stretch forth your hand to the poor,

so that your blessing may be complete.

33Give graciously to all the living,

and withhold not kindness from the dead.

34Do not fail those who weep,

but mourn with those who mourn.

35Do not shrink from visiting a sick man,

because for such deeds you will be loved.

36In all you do, remember the end of your life,

and then you will never sin.