Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 41:13-28 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

13. All things that are from the earth shall return to the earth. Similarly, the impious will proceed from a curse unto perdition.

14. The grieving of men is in their body, but the name of the impious will be wiped away.

15. Have concern for your good name. For this will continue with you, more so than a thousand precious and great treasures.

16. A good life has its number of days, but a good name will continue forever.

17. Sons, practice discipline peacefully. For what use is there in either concealed wisdom, or undiscovered treasure?

18. Better is the man who hides his foolishness than the man who hides his wisdom.

19. Yet truly, have respect for these things which proceed from my mouth.

20. For it is not good to observe every reverence. And all things do not please all persons in their beliefs.

21. Have shame of these things: of fornication before father and mother, and of a lie before the first leader and the powerful,

22. of a crime before a ruler or a judge, of iniquity before a congregation or a people,

23. of injustice before a companion or a friend, and of the place in which you live,

24. of theft, and of the truth before God, and of the covenant, of reclining to eat bread, and of deceitfulness in giving or receiving,

25. of silence before those who greet you, of looking upon a woman of fornication, and of averting your face from a relative.

26. You should not avert your face from your neighbor, nor should you take away a portion and not restore it.

27. You should not stare at another man's wife, and nor pursue his handmaid, nor approach her bed.

28. Avoid reproachful speeches before friends, and when you give, you should not place blame.

Read complete chapter Sirach 41