8. Septuagint, Ecclesiasticus (Siracides), 3.1-3.15, 4.10, 6.18-6.37, 7.1-7.7, 7.9-7.19, 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, 11.7-11.10, 11.12, 11.14, 11.17-11.28, 12.10-12.12, 13.1-13.4, 13.15-13.23, 14.3, 14.5, 14.8-14.11, 14.16-14.17, 16.22, 19.3, 19.9, 19.13-19.17, 20.5-20.7, 20.18, 20.20, 20.24, 20.26-20.27, 20.29, 23.7-23.11, 27.18, 28.12-28.15, 28.17-28.18, 28.25, 38.21, 39.11, 41.2, 44.1, 44.3-44.7, 44.10-44.15, 45.9-45.36 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 3.1. Listen to me your father, O children;and act accordingly, that you may be kept in safety. 3.1. Do not glorify yourself by dishonoring your father,for your fathers dishonor is no glory to you. 3.2. For the Lord honored the father above the children,and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons. 3.2. For great is the might of the Lord;he is glorified by the humble. 3.3. Whoever honors his father atones for sins 3.3. Water extinguishes a blazing fire:so almsgiving atones for sin. 3.4. and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. 3.5. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children,and when he prays he will be heard. 3.6. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life,and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother; 3.7. he will serve his parents as his masters. 3.8. Honor your father by word and deed,that a blessing from him may come upon you. 3.9. For a fathers blessing strengthens the houses of the children,but a mothers curse uproots their foundations. 3.11. For a mans glory comes from honoring his father,and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother. 3.12. O son, help your father in his old age,and do not grieve him as long as he lives; 3.13. even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance;in all your strength do not despise him. 3.14. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,and against your sins it will be credited to you; 3.15. in the day of your affliction it will be remembered in your favor;as frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away. 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. 7.9. 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. 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. 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. 13.15. 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. 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! 16.22. Who will announce his acts of justice?Or who will await them? For the covet is far off. 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. 27.18. For as a man destroys his enemy,so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. 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. 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. 41.2. and of silence, before those who greet you;of looking at a woman who is a harlot 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. 45.9. And he encircled him with pomegranates,with very many golden bells round about,to send forth a sound as he walked,to make their ringing heard in the temple as a reminder to the sons of his people; 45.11. with twisted scarlet, the work of a craftsman;with precious stones engraved like signets,in a setting of gold, the work of a jeweler,for a reminder, in engraved letters,according to the number of the tribes of Israel; 45.12. with a gold crown upon his turban,inscribed like a signet with "Holiness," a distinction to be prized, the work of an expert,the delight of the eyes, richly adorned. 45.13. Before his time there never were such beautiful things. No outsider ever put them on,but only his sons and his descendants perpetually. 45.14. His sacrifices shall be wholly burned twice every day continually. 45.15. Moses ordained him,and anointed him with holy oil;it was an everlasting covet for him and for his descendants all the days of heaven,to minister to the Lord and serve as priest and bless his people in his name. 45.16. He chose him out of all the living to offer sacrifice to the Lord,incense and a pleasing odor as a memorial portion,to make atonement for the people. 45.17. In his commandments he gave him authority and statutes and judgments,to teach Jacob the testimonies,and to enlighten Israel with his law. 45.18. Outsiders conspired against him,and envied him in the wilderness,Dathan and Abiram and their men and the company of Korah, in wrath and anger. 45.19. The Lord saw it and was not pleased,and in the wrath of his anger they were destroyed;he wrought wonders against them to consume them in flaming fire. 45.21. for they eat the sacrifices to the Lord,which he gave to him and his descendants. 45.22. But in the land of the people he has no inheritance,and he has no portion among the people;for the Lord himself is his portion and inheritance. 45.23. Phinehas the son of Eleazar is the third in glory,for he was zealous in the fear of the Lord,and stood fast, when the people turned away,in the ready goodness of his soul,and made atonement for Israel. 45.24. Therefore a covet of peace was established with him,that he should be leader of the sanctuary and of his people,that he and his descendants should have the dignity of the priesthood for ever. 45.25. A covet was also established with David,the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah:the heritage of the king is from son to son only;so the heritage of Aaron is for his descendants. 45.26. May the Lord grant you wisdom in your heart to judge his people in righteousness,so that their prosperity may not vanish,and that their glory may endure throughout their generations. |
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