Sirach 4

1 My child, do not deprive a poor person of what he needs to live, and do not make needy eyes wait. 2 Do not grieve a hungry soul or provoke someone in distress. 3 Do not add more trouble to an angry heart, and do not delay giving to someone in need. 4 Do not reject the plea of someone in distress or turn your face away from a poor person. 5 Do not turn your eyes away from someone in need or give him reason to curse you.

6 If he curses you in the bitterness of his soul, the one who made him will hear his prayer. 7 Make yourself loved in the assembly, and bow your head before someone great. 8 Incline your ear to a poor person and answer him peacefully and gently. 9 Rescue the person being wronged from the hand of the wrongdoer, and do not lose heart when you sit in judgment. 10 Be like a father to the fatherless and like a husband to their mother. Then you will be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than your mother does.

11 Wisdom raises her children high and takes hold of those who seek her. 12 Whoever loves her loves life, and those who rise early to seek her will be filled with gladness. 13 Whoever holds fast to her will inherit glory, and wherever she enters, the Lord blesses. 14 Those who serve her will serve the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her. 15 Whoever listens to her will judge nations, and whoever attends to her will live securely.

16 If he entrusts himself to her, he will inherit her, and his descendants will possess her. 17 At first she will walk with him on twisted paths, bringing fear and dread upon him. She will torment him with her discipline until she can trust his soul, and she will test him by her rules. 18 Then she will return to him on a straight path, gladden him, and reveal her secrets to him. 19 But if he wanders away, she will abandon him and hand him over to his own downfall. 20 Watch for the right time and guard against evil. Do not be ashamed where your soul is concerned.

21 There is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and favor. 22 Do not show partiality at the cost of your soul, and do not let deference to anyone bring about your fall. 23 Do not hold back a word when it is needed. 24 Wisdom is recognized through speech, and instruction through the words of the tongue. 25 Do not contradict the truth, and be ashamed of your lack of instruction.

26 Do not be ashamed to acknowledge your sins, and do not try to force a river’s current. 27 Do not lay yourself down beneath a fool or show partiality to a powerful person. 28 Struggle for the truth even to death, and the Lord God will fight for you. 29 Do not be reckless with your tongue and then sluggish and slack in your work. 30 Do not act like a lion in your house or terrorize your household servants.

31 Do not hold out your hand to receive and then close it when it is time to repay. †