Sirach 14

1 Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth and has not been pierced by grief over sins. 2 Blessed is the one whose soul has not condemned him and who has not fallen away from his hope. 3 Wealth is not fitting for a stingy person, and what use is money to someone with an envious eye? 4 Whoever gathers by depriving his own soul gathers for others, and other people will enjoy his good things. 5 If someone is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? He will not find gladness in his possessions.

6 No one is more evil than the person who envies himself; this is the repayment for his wickedness. 7 Even if he does good, he does it without realizing it, and in the end he reveals his wickedness. 8 The person with an envious eye is evil; he turns his face away and looks down on souls. 9 A greedy person’s eye is never satisfied with his share, and evil wrongdoing dries up the soul. 10 An evil eye begrudges bread and leaves its own table lacking.

11 My child, according to what you have, treat yourself well and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. 12 Remember that death will not delay and that the covenant of Hades has not been shown to you. 13 Before you die, do good to a friend; according to your ability, stretch out your hand and give to him. 14 Do not deprive yourself of a good day, and do not let your share of a good desire pass you by. 15 Will you not leave your labor to someone else and your toil to be divided by lot?

16 Give and receive, and give your soul delight, because no one can seek delicacies in Hades. [a] 17 All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from eternity is, “You will certainly die.” 18 On a thick tree, some green leaves fall while others grow. So it is with a generation of flesh and blood: one comes to an end, and another is born. 19 Every work decays and disappears, and the one who made it will pass away with it. 20 Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom and reasons with his understanding.

21 He reflects on her ways in his heart and considers her hidden things. 22 Go out after her like a tracker and lie in wait along her paths. 23 Whoever peers through her windows also listens at her doors. 24 Whoever lodges close to her house will drive a tent peg into her walls. 25 He will pitch his tent beside her and lodge where good things are found.

26 He will place his children under her shelter and lodge beneath her branches. 27 She will shelter him from the heat, and he will lodge within her glory.