10. Septuagint, Ecclesiasticus (Siracides), 2.2, 3.17, 3.30, 4.1-4.10, 5.1, 6.14, 6.18-6.37, 7.1-7.19, 7.24-7.25, 7.27, 7.29-7.32, 7.34, 8.1-8.2, 8.5, 8.9, 8.13, 9.1-9.12, 9.14-9.16, 10.9-10.18, 10.23, 10.27, 10.30-10.31, 11.1, 11.7-11.10, 11.12, 11.17-11.28, 12.1, 12.3-12.5, 12.10-12.12, 12.14, 13.1-13.4, 13.7, 13.9-13.13, 13.15-13.24, 14.3, 14.5, 14.8-14.11, 14.16-14.17, 15.17, 16.22, 17.22, 17.27-17.28, 18.3, 18.25, 19.3, 19.9, 19.13-19.17, 20.5-20.7, 20.18, 20.20, 20.24, 20.26-20.27, 20.29, 22.19, 22.23, 23.7-23.11, 25.9, 27.8, 27.13-27.14, 27.18, 27.26, 27.29, 28.1, 28.7, 28.12-28.15, 28.17-28.18, 28.25, 29.12, 30.14, 31.1-31.11, 34.24-34.27, 35.21, 38.11, 38.21, 39.11, 40.9, 40.13, 40.17-40.18, 40.23-40.24, 41.1-41.4, 44.1, 44.3-44.7, 44.10-44.15 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 2.2. Set your heart right and be steadfast,and do not be hasty in time of calamity. 3.17. My son, perform your tasks in meekness;then you will be loved by those whom God accepts. 4.1. My son, deprive not the poor of his living,and do not keep needy eyes waiting. 4.1. Be like a father to orphans,and instead of a husband to their mother;you will then be like a son of the Most High,and he will love you more than does your mother. 4.2. Do not grieve the one who is hungry,nor anger a man in want. 4.2. Observe the right time, and beware of evil;and do not bring shame on yourself. 4.3. Do not add to the troubles of an angry mind,nor delay your gift to a beggar. 4.3. Do not be like a lion in your home,nor be a faultfinder with your servants. 4.4. Do not reject an afflicted suppliant,nor turn your face away from the poor. 4.5. Do not avert your eye from the needy,nor give a man occasion to curse you; 4.6. for if in bitterness of soul he calls down a curse upon you,his Creator will hear his prayer. 4.7. Make yourself beloved in the congregation;bow your head low to a great man. 4.8. Incline your ear to the poor,and answer him peaceably and gently. 4.9. Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of the wrongdoer;and do not be fainthearted in judging a case. 5.1. Do not set your heart on your wealth,nor say, "I have enough. 5.1. Be steadfast in your understanding,and let your speech be consistent. 5.1. and do not become an enemy instead of a friend;for a bad name incurs shame and reproach:so fares the double-tongued sinner. 5.1. And there is a friend who is a table companion,but will not stand by you in your day of trouble. 7.1. Do no evil, and evil will never befall you. 7.1. Do not be fainthearted in your prayer,nor neglect to give alms. 7.2. Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you. 7.2. Do not abuse a servant who performs his work faithfully,or a hired laborer who devotes himself to you. 7.3. My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice,and you will not reap a sevenfold crop. 7.3. With all your might love your Maker,and do not forsake his ministers. 7.4. Do not seek from the Lord the highest office,nor the seat of honor from the king. 7.5. Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,nor display your wisdom before the king. 7.6. Do 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. 7.7. Do not offend against the public,and do not disgrace yourself among the people. 7.8. Do not commit a sin twice;even for one you will not go unpunished. 7.9. Do 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. 7.11. Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul,for there is One who abases and exalts. 7.12. Do not devise a lie against your brother,nor do the like to a friend. 7.13. Refuse to utter any lie,for the habit of lying serves no good. 7.14. Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders,nor repeat yourself in your prayer. 7.15. Do not hate toilsome labor,or farm work, which were created by the Most High. 7.16. Do not count yourself among the crowd of sinners;remember that wrath does not delay. 7.17. Humble yourself greatly,for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms. 7.18. Do not exchange a friend for money,or a real brother for the gold of Ophir. 7.19. Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife,for her charm is worth more than gold. 7.24. Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,and do not show yourself too indulgent with them. 7.25. Give a daughter in marriage; you will have finished a great task. But give her to a man of understanding. 7.27. With all your heart honor your father,and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. 7.29. With all your soul fear the Lord,and honor his priests. 7.31. Fear 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. 7.32. Stretch forth your hand to the poor,so that your blessing may be complete. 7.34. Do not fail those who weep,but mourn with those who mourn. 8.1. Do not contend with a powerful man,lest you fall into his hands. 8.1. Do not kindle the coals of a sinner,lest you be burned in his flaming fire. 8.2. Do not quarrel with a rich man,lest his resources outweigh yours;for gold has ruined many,and has perverted the minds of kings. 8.5. Do not reproach a man who is turning away from sin;remember that we all deserve punishment. 8.9. Do not disregard the discourse of the aged,for they themselves learned from their fathers;because from them you will gain understanding and learn how to give an answer in time of need. 8.13. Do not give surety beyond your means,but if you give surety, be concerned as one who must pay. 9.1. Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom,and do not teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt. 9.1. Forsake not an old friend,for a new one does not compare with him. A new friend is like new wine;when it has aged you will drink it with pleasure. 9.2. Do not give yourself to a woman so that she gains mastery over your strength. 9.3. Do not go to meet a loose woman,lest you fall into her snares. 9.4. Do not associate with a woman singer,lest you be caught in her intrigues. 9.5. Do not look intently at a virgin,lest you stumble and incur penalties for her. 9.6. Do not give yourself to harlots lest you lose your inheritance. 9.7. Do not look around in the streets of a city,nor wander about in its deserted sections. 9.8. Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman,and do not look intently at beauty belonging to another;many have been misled by a womans beauty,and by it passion is kindled like a fire. 9.9. Never dine with another mans wife,nor revel with her at wine;lest your heart turn aside to her,and in blood you be plunged into destruction. 9.11. Do not envy the honors of a sinner,for you do not know what his end will be. 9.12. Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly;remember that they will not be held guiltless as long as they live. 9.14. As much as you can, aim to know your neighbors,and consult with the wise. 9.15. Let your conversation be with men of understanding,and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High. 9.16. Let righteous men be your dinner companions,and let your glorying be in the fear of the Lord. 10.9. How can he who is dust and ashes be proud?for even in life his bowels decay. 10.9. Do not argue about a matter which does not concern you,nor sit with sinners when they judge a case. 10.11. For when a man is dead,he will inherit creeping things, and wild beasts, and worms. 10.11. There is a man who works, and toils, and presses on,but is so much the more in want. 10.12. The beginning of mans pride is to depart from the Lord;his heart has forsaken his Maker. 10.12. There is another who is slow and needs help,who lacks strength and abounds in poverty;but the eyes of the Lord look upon him for his good;he lifts him out of his low estate 10.13. For the beginning of pride is sin,and the man who clings to it pours out abominations. Therefore the Lord brought upon them extraordinary afflictions,and destroyed them utterly. 10.13. and raises up his head,so that many are amazed at him. 10.14. The Lord has cast down the thrones of rulers,and has seated the lowly in their place. 10.14. Good things and bad, life and death,poverty and wealth, come from the Lord. 10.15. The Lord has plucked up the roots of the nations,and has planted the humble in their place. 10.16. The Lord has overthrown the lands of the nations,and has destroyed them to the foundations of the earth. 10.17. He has removed some of them and destroyed them,and has extinguished the memory of them from the earth. 10.17. The gift of the Lord endures for those who are godly,and what he approves will have lasting success. 10.18. Pride was not created for men,nor fierce anger for those born of women. 10.18. There is a man who is rich through his diligence and self-denial,and this is the reward allotted to him: 10.23. It is not right to despise an intelligent poor man,nor is it proper to honor a sinful man. 10.23. Do not say, "What do I need,and what prosperity could be mine in the future? 10.27. Better is a man who works and has an abundance of everything,than one who goes about boasting, but lacks bread. 10.27. The misery of an hour makes one forget luxury,and at the close of a mans life his deeds will be revealed. 10.31. A man honored in poverty, how much more in wealth!And a man dishonored in wealth, how much more in poverty!Sir.11 10.31. for he lies in wait, turning good into evil,and to worthy actions he will attach blame. 12.1. If you do a kindness, know to whom you do it,and you will be thanked for your good deeds. 12.1. Never trust your enemy,for like the rusting of copper, so is his wickedness. 12.3. No good will come to the man who persists in evil or to him who does not give alms. 12.4. Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner. 12.5. Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly;hold back his bread, and do not give it to him,lest by means of it he subdue you;for you will receive twice as much evil for all the good which you do to him. 12.11. Even if he humbles himself and goes about cringing,watch yourself, and be on your guard against him;and you will be to him like one who has polished a mirror,and you will know that it was not hopelessly tarnished. 12.12. Do not put him next to you,lest he overthrow you and take your place;do not have him sit at your right,lest he try to take your seat of honor,and at last you will realize the truth of my words,and be stung by what I have said. 12.14. So no one will pity a man who associates with a sinner and becomes involved in his sins. 13.1. Whoever touches pitch will be defiled,and whoever associates with a proud man will become like him. 13.1. Do not push forward, lest you be repulsed;and do not remain at a distance, lest you be forgotten. 13.2. Do not lift a weight beyond your strength,nor associate with a man mightier and richer than you. How can the clay pot associate with the iron kettle?The pot will strike against it, and will itself be broken. 13.2. Humility is an abomination to a proud man;likewise a poor man is an abomination to a rich one. 13.3. A rich man does wrong, and he even adds reproaches;a poor man suffers wrong, and he must add apologies. 13.4. A rich man will exploit you if you can be of use to him,but if you are in need he will forsake you. 13.7. He will shame you with his foods,until he has drained you two or three times;and finally he will deride you. Should he see you afterwards, he will forsake you,and shake his head at you. 13.9. When a powerful man invites you, be reserved;and he will invite you the more often. 13.11. Do not try to treat him as an equal,nor trust his abundance of words;for he will test you through much talk,and while he smiles he will be examining you. 13.12. Cruel is he who does not keep words to himself;he will not hesitate to injure or to imprison. 13.13. Keep words to yourself and be very watchful,for you are walking about with your own downfall. 13.15. Every creature loves its like,and every person his neighbor; 13.16. all living beings associate by species,and a man clings to one like himself. 13.17. What fellowship has a wolf with a lamb?No more has a sinner with a godly man. 13.18. What peace is there between a hyena and a dog?And what peace between a rich man and a poor man? 13.19. Wild asses in the wilderness are the prey of lions;likewise the poor are pastures for the rich. 13.21. When a rich man totters, he is steadied by friends,but when a humble man falls, he is even pushed away by friends. 13.22. If a rich man slips, his helpers are many;he speaks unseemly words, and they justify him. If a humble man slips, they even reproach him;he speaks sensibly, and receives no attention. 13.23. When the rich man speaks all are silent,and they extol to the clouds what he says. When the poor man speaks they say, "Who is this fellow?" And should he stumble, they even push him down. 13.24. Riches are good if they are free from sin,and poverty is evil in the opinion of the ungodly. 14.3. Riches are not seemly for a stingy man;and of what use is property to an envious man? 14.5. If a man is mean to himself, to whom will he be generous?He will not enjoy his own riches. 14.8. Evil is the man with a grudging eye;he averts his face and disregards people. 14.9. A greedy mans eye is not satisfied with a portion,and mean injustice withers the soul. 14.11. My son, treat yourself well, according to your means,and present worthy offerings to the Lord. 14.16. Give, and take, and beguile yourself,because in Hades one cannot look for luxury. 14.17. All living beings become old like a garment,for the decree from of old is, "You must surely die! 15.17. Before a man are life and death,and whichever he chooses will be given to him. 16.22. Who will announce his acts of justice?Or who will await them? For the covet is far off. 17.22. A mans almsgiving is like a signet with the Lord and he will keep a persons kindness like the apple of his eye. 17.27. Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades,as do those who are alive and give thanks? 17.28. From the dead, as from one who does not exist,thanksgiving has ceased;he who is alive and well sings the Lords praises. 18.3. Do not follow your base desires,but restrain your appetites. 18.25. In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger;in the days of wealth think of poverty and need. 19.3. Decay and worms will inherit him,and the reckless soul will be snatched away. 19.3. A mans attire and open-mouthed laughter,and a mans manner of walking, show what he is. 19.9. for some one has heard you and watched you,and when the time comes he will hate you. 19.13. Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it;but if he did anything, so that he may do it no more. 19.14. Question a neighbor, perhaps he did not say it;but if he said it, so that he may not say it again. 19.15. Question a friend, for often it is slander;so do not believe everything you hear. 19.16. A person may make a slip without intending it. Who has never sinned with his tongue? 19.17. Question your neighbor before you threaten him;and let the law of the Most High take its course. 20.5. There is one who by keeping silent is found wise,while another is detested for being too talkative. 20.6. There is one who keeps silent because he has no answer,while another keeps silent because he knows when to speak. 20.7. A wise man will be silent until the right moment,but a braggart and fool goes beyond the right moment. 20.24. A lie is an ugly blot on a man;it is continually on the lips of the ignorant. 20.26. The disposition of a liar brings disgrace,and his shame is ever with him. 20.27. He who speaks wisely will advance himself,and a sensible man will please great men. 20.29. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise;like a muzzle on the mouth they avert reproofs. 22.19. A man who pricks an eye will make tears fall,and one who pricks the heart makes it show feeling. 22.19. His fear is confined to the eyes of men,and he does not realize that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun;they look upon all the ways of men,and perceive even the hidden places. 22.23. Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty,that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity;stand by him in time of affliction,that you may share with him in his inheritance. 22.23. For first of all, she has disobeyed the law of the Most High;second, she has committed an offense against her husband;and third, she has committed adultery through harlotry and brought forth children by another man. 25.9. happy is he who has gained good sense,and he who speaks to attentive listeners. 27.8. If you pursue justice, you will attain it and wear it as a glorious robe. 27.13. The talk of fools is offensive,and their laughter is wantonly sinful. 27.14. The talk of men given to swearing makes ones hair stand on end,and their quarrels make a man stop his ears. 27.18. For as a man destroys his enemy,so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. 27.26. He who digs a pit will fall into it,and he who sets a snare will be caught in it. 27.29. Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare,and pain will consume them before their death. 28.1. He that takes vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord,and he will firmly establish his sins. 28.1. In proportion to the fuel for the fire, so will be the burning,and in proportion to the obstinacy of strife will be the burning;in proportion to the strength of the man will be his anger,and in proportion to his wealth he will heighten his wrath. 28.7. Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor;remember the covet of the Most High, and overlook ignorance. 28.12. If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out;and both come out of your mouth. 28.13. Curse the whisperer and deceiver,for he has destroyed many who were at peace. 28.14. Slander has shaken many,and scattered them from nation to nation,and destroyed strong cities,and overturned the houses of great men. 28.15. Slander has driven away courageous women,and deprived them of the fruit of their toil. 28.17. The blow of a whip raises a welt,but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones. 28.18. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,but not so many as have fallen because of the tongue. 28.25. make balances and scales for your words,and make a door and a bolt for your mouth. 29.12. Store up almsgiving in your treasury,and it will rescue you from all affliction; 30.14. Better off is a poor man who is well and strong in constitution than a rich man who is severely afflicted in body. 31.1. Wakefulness over wealth wastes away ones flesh,and anxiety about it removes sleep. 31.1. Who has been tested by it and been found perfect?Let it be for him a ground for boasting. Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress,and to do evil and did not do it? 31.2. Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber,and a severe illness carries off sleep. 31.2. Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating;he rises early, and feels fit. The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the glutton. 31.3. The rich man toils as his wealth accumulates,and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties. 31.3. Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury,reducing his strength and adding wounds. 31.4. The poor man toils as his livelihood diminishes,and when he rests he becomes needy. 31.5. He who loves gold will not be justified,and he who pursues money will be led astray by it. 31.6. Many have come to ruin because of gold,and their destruction has met them face to face. 31.7. It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it,and every fool will be taken captive by it. 31.8. Blessed is the rich man who is found blameless,and who does not go after gold. 31.9. Who is he? And we will call him blessed,for he has done wonderful things among his people. 31.11. His prosperity will be established,and the assembly will relate his acts of charity. 34.24. When one prays and another curses,to whose voice will the Lord listen? 34.25. If a man washes after touching a dead body,and touches it again,what has he gained by his washing? 34.26. So if a man fasts for his sins,and goes again and does the same things,who will listen to his prayer?And what has he gained by humbling himself? 38.11. offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of fine flour,and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford. 38.21. Do not forget, there is no coming back;you do the dead no good, and you injure yourself. 39.11. if he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand,and if he goes to rest, it is enough for him. 40.9. are death and bloodshed and strife and sword,calamities, famine and affliction and plague. 40.13. The wealth of the unjust will dry up like a torrent,and crash like a loud clap of thunder in a rain. 40.17. Kindness is like a garden of blessings,and almsgiving endures for ever. 40.18. Life is sweet for the self-reliant and the worker,but he who finds treasure is better off than both. 40.23. A friend or a companion never meets one amiss,but a wife with her husband is better than both. 40.24. Brothers and help are for a time of trouble,but almsgiving rescues better than both. 41.1. O death, how bitter is the reminder of you to one who lives at peace among his possessions,to a man without distractions, who is prosperous in everything,and who still has the vigor to enjoy his food! 41.1. Whatever is from the dust returns to dust;so the ungodly go from curse to destruction. 41.2. and of silence, before those who greet you;of looking at a woman who is a harlot 41.4. and how can you reject the good pleasure of the Most High?Whether life is for ten or a hundred or a thousand years,there is no inquiry about it in Hades. 44.1. Let us now praise famous men,and our fathers in their generations. 44.1. But these were men of mercy,whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; 44.3. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,and were men renowned for their power,giving counsel by their understanding,and proclaiming prophecies; 44.4. leaders of the people in their deliberations and in understanding of learning for the people,wise in their words of instruction; 44.5. those who composed musical tunes,and set forth verses in writing; 44.6. rich men furnished with resources,living peaceably in their habitations -- 44.7. all these were honored in their generations,and were the glory of their times. 44.11. their prosperity will remain with their descendants,and their inheritance to their childrens children. 44.12. Their descendants stand by the covets;their children also, for their sake. 44.13. Their posterity will continue for ever,and their glory will not be blotted out. 44.14. Their bodies were buried in peace,and their name lives to all generations. 44.15. Peoples will declare their wisdom,and the congregation proclaims their praise. |
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