Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 11:23-36 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

23. For it is easy, in the eyes of God, to make a pauper suddenly rich.

24. The blessing of God hurries to reward the just man, and in a fleeting hour his advancement bears fruit.

25. You should not say: "What do I need?" or, "What good will there be for me in this?"

26. You should not say: "I have enough for myself," or, "What could be worse than this?"

27. In a day of good things, you should not be forgetful of misfortunes. And in a day of misfortunes, you should not be forgetful of good things.

28. For it is easy, in the sight of God, on the day of one's passing, to repay each one according to his ways.

29. The affliction of an hour causes one to forget great delights, and in the end of a man is the uncovering of his works.

30. You should not praise any man before death. For a man is known by his children.

31. You should not bring every man into your house. For many are the snares of the deceitful.

32. For as a stomach with a bad smell vomits, and as a partridge is led into a cage, and like a deer led into a snare, so also is the heart of the arrogant. And it is like a bystander watching his neighbor fall.

33. For it lies in ambush, and then turns good into evil, and it will place the blame on the elect.

34. From one spark, a great fire grows; and from one deceitful man, much blood flows. But a very sinful man lies in ambush for blood.

35. Pay close attention to yourself before a harmful man, for he fabricates evils. Otherwise, he may lead over you a whispered reproach unceasingly.

36. Receive a stranger to yourself, and he will overthrow you with a whirlwind, and he will alienate you from what is your very own.

Read complete chapter Sirach 11