The Word Am I

The Book of Jesus Sirach

Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 4 -

An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom.

1
Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man.
2
You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need.
3
You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay an offer to someone in anguish.
4
You should not make requests of one who is greatly troubled, and you should not avert your face from the indigent.
5
You should not avert your eyes from the needy out of anger. And you should not abandon those who seek help from you, so that they speak curses behind your back.
6
For the pleadings of him who speaks curses of you, in the bitterness of his soul, will be heeded. For the One who made him will heed him.
7
Make yourself a friend to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul before an elder, and humble your head before the great.
8
Turn your ear without sadness toward the poor, and repay your debt, and respond to him peacefully in meekness.
9
Free him who suffers injury at the hand of the arrogant, and do not carry animosity in your soul.
10
In judging, be merciful to the orphan, like a father, and be merciful to their mother, like a husband.
11
And then you shall be like an obedient son of the Most High, and he will take pity on you more than a mother would.
12
Wisdom breathes life into her sons, and she lifts up those who are seeking her, and she will precede them in the way of justice.
13
And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights.
14
Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless.
15
Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom.
16
He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure.
17
If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed.
18
For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning.(a)
19
She will lead fear and dread and trials over him, and she will crucify him with the tribulation of her doctrine, until she has tested him in his thoughts and she can trust in his soul.
20
And then she will strengthen him, and lead him along a straight path, and rejoice in him.
21
And she will disclose her secrets to him, and she will store up treasure, of the knowledge and understanding of justice, in him.
22
But if he has wandered astray, she will leave him behind, and she will deliver him into the hands of his enemy.
23
Son, be continually observant, and keep away from evil.
24
For the sake of your soul, you should not be ashamed to speak the truth.
25
For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace.
26
You should not accept a face contrary to your own face, nor should you accept a lie contrary to your own soul.
27
You should not enjoy the fall of your neighbor.
28
Neither should you withhold words at an opportunity for salvation. You should not conceal your wisdom in her beauty.
29
For wisdom is discerned within speech. And understanding and knowledge and doctrine are discerned in the words of those who understand and by their steadfastness in the works of justice.
30
You should not contradict a word of truth in any way. Otherwise, by a falsehood born of ignorance, you will be confounded.
31
You should not be ashamed to confess your sins, but do not subject yourself to any man because of sin.
32
Do not choose to stand against the face of the powerful, for you should not strive against the current of the river.
33
Suffer for justice, on behalf of your soul, and struggle, even unto death, on behalf of justice, and God will fight against your enemies on your behalf.
34
Do not choose to be quick with your words, nor unproductive or neglectful in your works.
35
Do not choose to be like a lion in your house, distressing those of your household, and oppressing those who are subject to you.
36
Do not let your hand be open when receiving, but closed when giving.

Footnotes

(a)4:18 In temptation, etc:The meaning is, that before wisdom will choose any for her favourite, she will try them by leading them through contradictions, afflictions, and temptations, the usual noviceship of the children of God.(Challoner)

An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom.

1
My son, don’t deprive the poor of his living. Don’t make the needy eyes wait long.
2
Don’t make a hungry soul sorrowful, or provoke a man in his distress.
3
Don’t add more trouble to a heart that is provoked. Don’t put off giving to him who is in need.
4
Don’t reject a suppliant in his affliction. Don’t turn your face away from a poor man.
5
Don’t turn your eye away from one who asks. Give no occasion to a man to curse you.
6
For if he curses you in the bitterness of his soul, he who made him will hear his supplication.
7
Endear yourself to the assembly. Bow your head to a great man.
8
Incline your ear to a poor man. Answer him with peaceful words in humility.
9
Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of him who wrongs him; Don’t be hesitant in giving judgment.
10
Be as a father to the fatherless, and like a husband to their mother. So you will be as a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than your mother does.
11
Wisdom exalts her sons, and takes hold of those who seek her.
12
He who loves her loves life. Those who seek her early will be filled with gladness.
13
He who holds her fast will inherit glory. Where(a) he enters, the Lord will bless.
14
Those who serve her minister to the Holy One. The Lord loves those who love her.
15
He who listens to her will judge the nations. He who heeds her will dwell securely.
16
If he trusts her, he will inherit her, and his generations will possess her.
17
For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, and will bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgments.
18
Then she will return him again to the straight way, and will gladden him, and reveal to him her secrets.
19
If he goes astray, she will forsake him, and hand him over to his fall.
20
Watch for the opportunity, and beware of evil. Don’t be ashamed of your soul.
21
For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace.
22
Don’t show partiality, discrediting your soul. Don’t revere any man to your falling.
23
Don’t refrain from speaking when it is for safety. (b)Don’t hide your wisdom for the sake of seeming fair.
24
For wisdom will be known by speech, and instruction by the word of the tongue.
25
Don’t speak against the truth and be shamed for your ignorance.
26
Don’t be ashamed to confess your sins. Don’t fight the river’s current.
27
Don’t lay yourself down for a fool to tread upon. Don’t be partial to one who is mighty.
28
Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God will fight for you.
29
Don’t be hasty with your tongue, or slack and negligent in your deeds.
30
Don’t be like a lion in your house, or suspicious of your servants.
31
Don’t let your hand be stretched out to receive, and closed when you should repay.

Footnotes

(a)4:13 Or, she
(b)4:23 Some manuscripts omit this line.