Ecclesiasticus, 15

1. Whoever fears the Lord will act like this, and whoever grasps the Law will obtain wisdom.

1. Blessed is the man who does not blunder with his lips and need not suffer grief for sin.

2. She will come to meet him like a mother, and receive him like a virgin bride.

2. Blessed is he whose heart does not condemn him, and who has not given up his hope.

3. She will give him the bread of understanding to eat, and the water of wisdom to drink.

3. Riches are not seemly for a stingy man; and of what use is property to an envious man?

4. He will lean on her and will not fall, he will rely on her and not be put to shame.

4. Whoever accumulates by depriving himself, accumulates for others; and others will live in luxury on his goods.

5. She will raise him high above his neighbours, and in full assembly she will open his mouth.

5. If a man is mean to himself, to whom will he be generous? He will not enjoy his own riches.

6. He will find happiness and a crown of joy, he will inherit an everlasting name.

6. No one is meaner than the man who is grudging to himself, and this is the retribution for his baseness;

7. Fools will not gain possession of her, nor will sinners set eyes on her.

7. even if he does good, he does it unintentionally, and betrays his baseness in the end.

8. She stands remote from pride, and liars cannot call her to mind.

8. Evil is the man with a grudging eye; he averts his face and disregards people.

9. Praise is unseemly in a sinner's mouth, since it has not been put there by the Lord.

9. A greedy man's eye is not satisfied with a portion, and mean injustice withers the soul.

10. For praise should be uttered only in wisdom, and the Lord himself then prompts it.

10. A stingy man's eye begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.

11. Do not say, 'The Lord was responsible for my sinning,' for he does not do what he hates.

11. My son, treat yourself well, according to your means, and present worthy offerings to the Lord.

12. Do not say, 'It was he who led me astray,' for he has no use for a sinner.

12. Remember that death will not delay, and the decree of Hades has not been shown to you.

13. The Lord hates all that is foul, and no one who fears him will love it either.

13. Do good to a friend before you die, and reach out and give to him as much as you can.

14. He himself made human beings in the beginning, and then left them free to make their own decisions.

14. Do not deprive yourself of a happy day; let not your share of desired good pass by you.

15. If you choose, you will keep the commandments and so be faithful to his will.

15. Will you not leave the fruit of your labors to another, and what you acquired by toil to be divided by lot?

16. He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer.

16. Give, and take, and beguile yourself, because in Hades one cannot look for luxury.

17. A human being has life and death before him; whichever he prefers will be given him.

17. All living beings become old like a garment, for the decree from of old is, "You must surely die!"

18. For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing.

18. Like flourishing leaves on a spreading tree which sheds some and puts forth others, so are the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and another is born.

19. His eyes are on those who fear him, he notes every human action.

19. Every product decays and ceases to exist, and the man who made it will pass away with it.

20. He never commanded anyone to be godless, he has given no one permission to sin.

20. Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom and who reasons intelligently.

21.

21. He who reflects in his mind on her ways will also ponder her secrets.

22.

22. Pursue wisdom like a hunter, and lie in wait on her paths.

23.

23. He who peers through her windows will also listen at her doors;

24.

24. he who encamps near her house will also fasten his tent peg to her walls;

25.

25. he will pitch his tent near her, and will lodge in an excellent lodging place;

26.

26. he will place his children under her shelter, and will camp under her boughs;

27.

27. he will be sheltered by her from the heat, and will dwell in the midst of her glory.