Ecclesiasticus, 4
1. My child, do not refuse the poor a livelihood, do not tantalise the needy.
1. Listen to me your father, O children; and act accordingly, that you may be kept in safety.
2. Do not add to the sufferings of the hungry, do not bait anyone in distress.
2. For the Lord honored the father above the children, and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons.
3. Do not aggravate a heart already angry, nor keep the destitute waiting for your alms.
3. Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
4. Do not repulse a hard-pressed beggar, nor turn your face from the poor.
4. and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
5. Do not avert your eyes from the needy, give no one occasion to curse you;
5. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard.
6. for if someone curses you in distress, his Maker will give ear to the imprecation.
6. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother;
7. Gain the love of the community, in the presence of the great bow your head.
7. he will serve his parents as his masters.
8. To the poor lend an ear, and courteously return the greeting.
8. Honor your father by word and deed, that a blessing from him may come upon you.
9. Save the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor, and do not be mean-spirited in your judgements.
9. For a father's blessing strengthens the houses of the children, but a mother's curse uproots their foundations.
10. Be like a father to the fatherless and as good as a husband to their mothers. And you will be like a child to the Most High, who will love you more than your own mother does.
10. Do not glorify yourself by dishonoring your father, for your father's dishonor is no glory to you.
11. Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek her.
11. For a man's glory comes from honoring his father, and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother.
12. Whoever loves her loves life, those who seek her early will be filled with joy.
12. O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives;
13. Whoever possesses her will inherit honour, and wherever he walks the Lord will bless him.
13. even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance; in all your strength do not despise him.
14. Those who serve her minister to the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her.
14. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you;
15. Whoever obeys her rules the nations, whoever pays attention to her dwells secure.
15. in the day of your affliction it will be remembered in your favor; as frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.
16. If he trusts himself to her he will inherit her, and his descendants will remain in possession of her;
16. Whoever forsakes his father is like a blasphemer, and whoever angers his mother is cursed by the Lord.
17. for though she takes him at first through winding ways, bringing fear and faintness on him, trying him out with her discipline till she can trust him, and testing him with her ordeals,
17. My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.
18. she then comes back to him on the straight road, makes him happy and reveals her secrets to him.
18. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
19. If he goes astray, however, she abandons him and leaves him to his own destruction.
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20. Take circumstances into account and beware of evil, and have no cause to be ashamed of yourself;
20. For great is the might of the Lord; he is glorified by the humble.
21. for there is a shame that leads to sin and a shame that is honourable and gracious.
21. Seek not what is too difficult for you, nor investigate what is beyond your power.
22. Do not be too severe on yourself, do not let shame lead you to ruin.
22. Reflect upon what has been assigned to you, for you do not need what is hidden.
23. Do not refrain from speaking when it will do good, and do not hide your wisdom;
23. Do not meddle in what is beyond your tasks, for matters too great for human understanding have been shown you.
24. for your wisdom is made known by what you say, your erudition by the words you utter.
24. For their hasty judgment has led many astray, and wrong opinion has caused their thoughts to slip.
25. Do not contradict the truth, rather blush for your own ignorance.
25.
26. Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, do not struggle against the current of the river.
26. A stubborn mind will be afflicted at the end, and whoever loves danger will perish by it.
27. Do not grovel to the foolish, do not show partiality to the influential.
27. A stubborn mind will be burdened by troubles, and the sinner will heap sin upon sin.
28. Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will war on your side.
28. The affliction of the proud has no healing, for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him.
29. Do not be bold of tongue, yet idle and slack in deed;
29. The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable, and an attentive ear is the wise man's desire.
30. do not be like a lion at home, or cowardly towards your servants.
30. Water extinguishes a blazing fire: so almsgiving atones for sin.
31. Do not let your hands be outstretched to receive, yet tight-fisted when the time comes to give back.
31. Whoever requites favors gives thought to the future; at the moment of his falling he will find support.
