Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 7:16-33 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

16. You should not hate laborious works, nor the rustic life created by the Most High.

17. You should not consider yourself to be among the multitude of the undisciplined.

18. Remember wrath. For it will not be delayed.

19. Humble your spirit greatly. For the retribution against the flesh of the impious is with fire and worms.

20. Do not betray your friend for the sake of money, and you should not spurn your dearest brother for the sake of gold.

21. Do not choose to depart from a good and understanding wife, whom you have been allotted in the fear of the Lord. For the grace of her modesty is above gold.

22. You should not harm the servant whose works are honest, nor the hired hand who entrusts his life to you.

23. Let an understanding servant be loved by you like your own soul. You should not cheat him out of freedom, nor abandon him to destitution.

24. Are cattle yours? Tend to them. And if they are useful, let them remain with you.

25. Are sons yours? Instruct them, and bow them down from their childhood.

26. Are daughters yours? Watch over their bodies. And you should not display a light-hearted attitude toward them.

27. Give your daughter in marriage, and give her to an understanding man, and you will be doing a great work.

28. If a wife in accord with your soul is yours, you should not reject her. But do not entrust yourself to her who is hateful.

29. With your whole heart, honor your father. And you should not forget the complaints of your mother.

30. Remember that you would not have been born except through them. And so, give back to them as they also have done for you.

31. With all your soul, fear the Lord, and consider his priests to be holy.

32. With all your strength, love him who made you, and you should not abandon his ministers.

33. Honor God from your whole soul, and confer honor on the priests, and continue to purify yourself with your strength.

Read complete chapter Sirach 7