Sirach 7

1 Do not do evil, and evil will not overtake you. 2 Turn away from wrongdoing, and it will turn away from you. 3 My child, do not sow in furrows of wrongdoing, and you will not reap them sevenfold. 4 Do not ask the Lord for a position of leadership or the king for a seat of glory. 5 Do not vindicate yourself before the Lord or parade your wisdom before the king.

6 Do not seek to become a judge if you cannot remove wrongdoing. You may stand in awe before a powerful person and place a stumbling block in the path of your integrity. 7 Do not sin against a city’s population or cast yourself down among a crowd. 8 Do not bind one sin to another, because you will not go unpunished even for one. 9 Do not say, “He will look on the abundance of my gifts and accept them when I bring them to God Most High.” 10 Do not lose heart when you pray, and do not neglect to perform acts of mercy.

11 Do not laugh at someone whose soul is bitter, because there is one who brings low and raises high. 12 Do not plow a lie against your brother, and do not do the same to a friend. 13 Do not make a practice of any lie, because persistence in lying leads to no good. 14 Do not chatter among a gathering of elders or repeat yourself in prayer. 15 Do not hate hard work or farming, which the Most High created.

16 Do not count yourself among a crowd of sinners. Remember that wrath will not delay. 17 Humble your soul greatly, because fire and worms are the punishment of the ungodly. 18 Do not exchange a friend for profit or a genuine brother for gold from Ophir. 19 Do not miss the chance to have a wise and good wife, because her favor is worth more than gold. 20 Do not mistreat a household servant who works faithfully or a hired worker who gives himself fully to the work.

21 Let your soul love an understanding servant, and do not deprive him of freedom. 22 Do you have cattle? Look after them, and if they are useful to you, keep them. 23 Do you have children? Instruct them and bend their necks from youth. 24 Do you have daughters? Watch over their bodies, and do not show them a cheerful face. 25 Give your daughter in marriage, and you will have completed an important task; give her to an understanding man.

26 Do you have a wife who suits your soul? Do not cast her out, but do not entrust yourself to a woman you hate. 27 Glorify your father with your whole heart, and do not forget your mother’s labor pains. 28 Remember that you were born through them. How can you repay them for what they have done for you? 29 Revere the Lord with your whole soul, and honor his priests. 30 Love the one who made you with all your strength, and do not abandon those who serve him.

31 Fear the Lord and glorify the priest. Give him his share as you were commanded: firstfruits, the offering for wrongdoing, the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice of holiness, and the firstfruits of holy things. 32 Stretch out your hand to the poor so that your blessing may be completed. 33 A gift brings favor before every living person, and do not withhold favor from the dead. 34 Do not stay away from those who weep; mourn with those who mourn. 35 Do not hesitate to visit a sick person, because deeds like these will make you loved.

36 In everything you say, remember your end, and you will never sin.