Ben Sira Reader

And so he will travel straight ahead [rashly], and by his folly you will perish. [Interpretation: someone who is careless of others, will act without regard to your needs.]

With a hot-tempered person do not be brazen, and do not travel with him;

Because bloodshed is light in his eyes, and where no rescuer, he'll waste you.

With a gullible one do not consult, for he cannot cover your secrets.

In the presence of a stranger do not do something odd [secret; council], for you do not know the consequences. [Interpretation: people may misconstrue different behavior and report as something it is not.]

Not with all men should one rejoice, and do not rinse [push-off] from yourself the [their] good. [Interpretation: don't be rejoiceful with everyone, for they may resent you; also, when someone does something good to you, acknowledge it gracefully, even if unwanted, so not to embarrass them.]

Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest it teach [reveal] a bad trait of yourself.

Do not be jealous of the wife of your soul, lest she trample upon your sanctuary.

Do not meet with a foreign female, lest you fall into her snares.

With a harlot do not take council, lest thou be captured in her wares.

Disgraced upon seeing her, and destroyed upon leaving her house.

With charmed women do not sleep, lest your be burned with their lips.

Gaze not on a virgin maid, lest thy be snared by her punishments.

Do not give your soul to a harlot, lest you lose your inheritance.

Hide your eyes from a graceful woman, and do not ogle beauty not yours;

By a woman’s beauty many have gone astray [And strong ones her victims], and from her loved ones in fire burned.

Wit her husband, do not dine, nor go around with him drunk;

Lest thine heart incline unto her, and by your blood you're pushed into destruction.

Do not abandon an old friend, for the recent one is not his equal.

New wine is like a new friend; & if it ages, maybe you will drink it.

Do not envy a sinner, for you do not know his day of reckoning.

Do not envy the success of the malicious; remember that until death he is not cleansed.

Keep far from a person who has authority to kill, and you will not be apprehensive of death,

and if you are close, do not make a mistake, lest he take your soul.

Recognize that you are stepping on hot coals, and in a net you are walking.

With all your power, acquire friends, and consult with the wise.

With intelligent people should be your calculations, and all your secrets only between yourselves.

Let righteous men be your bread masters, and fear of the Lord your trappings.

With the handiwork of wisdom, will it be straight, and a leader in the midst of his people is wise. [Alternative: The work of craftsmen will be praised, and the leader of the people will be wise in his speech.]

Those who speak rashly sets fire to the town; a man of tongues and those that give orders are hated.

The people's judge is a foundation to his people, and his dominion will understand its orders [rulings].

An wild king will destroy the city, and a city is settled by the intelligence of its rulers.

Like the judge of the people, so are his officers; and like the head of state, so are its inhabitants.

In the Lord’s hand is a man’s success, and before the engraver [stele] will he set God's praise.

In the Lord’s hand is the governance of the realm, and a timely man will he raise to stand over it.

For every sin, do not repay evil to your neighbor, and walk not in the way of haughtiness.

Hateful before the Lord and humans is pride, and unjustly offending both.

Dominion is transferred from nation to nation on account of violence and haughtiness.

With what does earth and ashes behave arrogantly? because in his life he erected his back [body]?

The terror of the ill makes a physician shine; Today a king, and tomorrow he falls. [Alternative (1): A long illness mocks the physician (2): A little illness reveals the skill of the healer (3): A whisper of illness makes a doctor happy.]

When a person dies he inherits these: worms, maggots, lice and swarms.

The beginning of pride is to act impudently, and to those that made him he turns away his heart.

For the pool of passion is sin, and its spring will pour out filth.

Therefore the Lord brought upon him injury (leprosy), and smote him until destroyed.

Thrones of the haughty did the Lord overturn, and he seated the humble in their stead.

Footprints of the heathens did the Lord bury, and its roots to earths core did he exterminate.

And he scraped them from the earth and rooted them out, and erased their memorial from earth. [Ezekiel 26:4. Alternatively: "He rooted out their cartilage from the land" See M. Pesachim 7:11]

Pride is not becoming of humans, nor impudence & anger to those born to women.

What kind of offspring is honorable? A mans offspring. Offspring who fear the Lord. Honorable offspring keep the commandments.

What kind of offspring is dishonorable? A mans offspring. Dishonorable offspring who transgress the commandments.

Amongst brothers [kin] their leader is honorable, and the fear the Lord is in his people.

Immigrant and stranger, foreigner and poor person— their boast is fear of the Lord.

Do no denigrate an intelligent poor person, and do not glorify a sinful man who has risen.

A noble, ruler, judge shall be glorified, but nothing is greater than fearing the Lord.

An intelligent servant shall rise, and a foolish servant will not complain.

Do not be shrewd to perform your desires, and do not extol yourself in your hour of difficulty.

Superior is a person who toils and accumulates treasure, to one who is extolled but lacks allotment.

Son, in humility give honor to your soul, and it will give you the taste and respect that you lost.

Him who errs against his own soul—who will vindicate? And who will give repute to him who devalues his own life?

There is a poor person respected for his intelligence, and there are those respected because of his wealth.

A person respected in wealth, how thus [higher]? A man despised in poverty, how thus [lower]?

He who is respected in poverty, in wealth he is further respected.

And he who is held in disrepute in wealth, how much more also in poverty?

A poor person’s wisdom will raise up his head, and it will seat him in the midst of nobles.

Do not praise a man for his appearance, and do not loathe a man ugly in look.

Small among the flying is the bee, and first among all fruitage is her produce [honey].

A lost mantle do not mock, and do not decry in the bitterness of day. [Alternative: Do not scoff at the ones whose day is bitter.]

Because the works of the Lord are a wonder, and his works are hidden from humans.

Many oppressed ones sat on the throne; and those not thought of wrapped in a [priestly] turban.

Many powerful people were dishonored greatly, and lowered too, and illustrious ones were delivered into the hands of others.

Before investigation, do not overrule; inspect internally, and then chastise [Alternative: lend].

My Son, before listening, do not answer, and in the middle of speaking, do not interrupt.

If you aren't wounded, do not kindle a dispute, and in a trial of sinners, do not stand.

My son, why add to your contentions? Do not multiply them; you won't be saved.

My son, if you do not pursue, you will not attain, and if you do not search, you will not find.

There exists one who toils and struggles and hurries, and nevertheless he is late.

There're those who are crushed and in despair walk, lacking all, and moreover are poor.

And the eyes of the Lord looked upon him for good, and shook off his dusty stench.

Carried up by his head and lifted him, and many were perplexed.

Good and bad, life and death, penury and wealth are from the Lord.

Wisdom, intelligence, and perceptivity are from the Lord, sin and straight paths are from the Lord.

Foolishness and darkness had been created for sinners, and along with it, evil friends.

The estate of righteousness shall remains with his fearful, and his wants shall eternally succeed.

There exists one who becomes rich from his suffering, and this obligates this reward:

In time, he will say: “I have found rest, and now I will eat of my good.”

He does not know what's to come and pass, and he'll leave them to others and die.

My son, stand on your principles, and walk with it, and in your work take hold strong.

Do not wonder at the doings of evil, run to the Lord, and await his light.

Because all is in front of the Lord eyes, to suddenly and quickly, make a needy person rich.

The Lord’s blessing is the righteous' lot, and in his hopeful time his good pleasure sprout.

Do not say, “ill do as I wish, And if he forsakes me, what now?...

Do not say, “I have enough, and what calamity can occur to me?”

In a day of prosperity, you'll forget adversity, and in a day of adversity, you'll forget good, and the end of man will be on the Lord.

A bad time and you'll forget pleasure, and in a person’s end he will tell of the Lord.

Before inspecting man, to not praise him, for in his end man will be straightened [in a coffin].

Before death praise no strongman, for in his end he'll bad deeds will be known.

Many have been the wounded peddlers, who accustom [similar to 'pearls;] themselves to licentiousness. [Rashi Yevamot 63b: referring to men who travel to sell women’s jewelry. Their frequent dealings with women lead their husbands to harm them. Note: Talmud breaks the sentence.]

[Those who accustom themselves to licentiousness] are like a spark that ignites a coal. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit [Jeremiah 5:27].

A as a bird seized in a cage, so is the heart of haughtiness, and like a wolf ambushing his pray.

What's gained by violent sinners, like a dog they come to each house wrathfully.

So the covetous comes, increasing strife to all the inhabitants.

The ambush of the gossiper is like a bear to the house of scorners, and like a spy he searches for licentiousness.

From good to bad will he turn your crowds, and on your precious things he will conspire.

From a spark of fire coals are multiplied, and a sinful person lies in ambush for blood.

Be a stranger to evil, for evil births, why an eternal blemish carry.

Attach thyself not to evil, to twist your ways, your covenant overturn [sim. drop].

From a foreign neighbor, heed your way; he may tear your tranquility, and become acquainted with your valuables.

Do good to the righteous, and find recompense; If not from him, from the Lord.

No good cometh of bestowing upon (?) him that is wicked; And (?) that hath not done righteousness.

A double portion of evil shalt thou obtain in time of need By all the good thou shalt have brought him.

Weapons of war (H S) give not to him; Wherefore should he fight with them against thee?

For God also hateth them that are evil; And to the wicked he will repay vengeance.

Give to the good, and withhold from the evil; Honour the humble, and give not to the proud.

A friend will not be known in prosperity; And an enemy will not be hid in adversity.

In a man's prosperity even an enemy is a friend; And in his adversity even a friend separateth himself.

Never trust an enemy; For like as brass his wickedness cankereth.

And even though he hearken to thee, and go crouching; Give thy heart to fear him.

Be to him as one that revealeth a mystery (H S); And he shall not find opportunity to harm thee. And know thou the end of jealousy (H S).

Make him not to stand beside thee: Wherefore should he thrust thee away, and stand in thy place?

Set him not on thy right hand: Wherefore should he seek thy seat?

And afterwards thou shalt attain unto my words; And shalt lament at my lament.

Who will pity (?) a charmer that is stung; Or anyone that cometh nigh to a ravenous beast?

So is he that joineth himself to an impious man (G S), And walloweth in his iniquities.

He shall not escape, until a fire be kindled in him.

When he cometh with thee, he will not bewray himself unto thee;

And if thou fall, thou shalt not be able (S) to deliver thyself (?).

So long as thou standest (?), he will not shew himself; And if thou (G) totter, he will not bear up.

With his lips will an adversary speak sweetly (G), While he deviseth deep pitfalls in his heart.

And even though an enemy weep with his eyes; When he hath found a season, he will not be satiated with blood.

If mischief hath befallen thee, he is found there; As a man that would help, he will seek reward (or to supplant).

He will shake his head, and wave his hand; And with much whispering (?) he will change his countenance.

Whoso toucheth pitch, it shall cleave to his hand (?); And he that hath fellowship with a scorner will learn his way.

What is too heavy for thee wherefore shouldest thou lift? And wherefore have fellowship with one that is richer than thou? What fellowship shall earthen pot have with kettle, When if this smite that, it is dashed in pieces? What fellowship shall the rich have with the poor?

The rich doeth a wrong, and he boasteth himself of it (?): The poor is wronged, and he must entreat withal (?).

If thou be right for him, he will make thee serve him; And if thou be brought low, he will be sparing of thee.

If thou have substance (?), he will speak thee fair; And he will impoverish thee, and will not be sorry.

Hath he need of thee? then he will toy with thee (?); And he will smile upon thee, and encourage thee.

So long as it profiteth he will cajole thee. Twice or thrice he will shew thee reverence (?); And then he will look at thee and pass thee by (?); And will wag his head at thee.

Take heed that thou be not urgent (?) overmuch; And be not like to them that lack intelligence.

Doth a noble draw near? be thou distant; And so much the more he will approach thee.

Come not near, lest thou be put far off; And stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten (G).

Make not bold to be free (?) with him; And mistrust thou his much talk. For with his much talk maketh he trial of thee; And he will smile upon thee, and search thee out.

He that is cruel will speak peace (?) and spare not; While he plotteth a plot against the life of many.

Take heed and beware; And go not with men of violence.

All flesh loveth its kind; And every man him that is like unto him.

The kind of all flesh consorteth therewith; And a man will have fellowship with his kind.

What fellowship shall wolf have with lamb? Such is the wicked to the righteous; And so is the rich unto a man that is destitute.

How should there be (?) peace between hyena and dog? How should there be peace between rich and poor?

Wild asses of the wilderness are food for the lion: So the poor are the prey of the rich.

Lowliness is the abomination of pride; And the needy is the abomination of the rich.

A rich man when he is shaken is held up (?) of a friend; But the poor when he is shaken is thrust from evil to evil (?).

The rich speaketh, and his helpers are many; And his unseemly words are overlaid (?).

A poor man speaketh (G S), and they hoot at him (?); Though he be wise that speaketh, there is no place for him.

Happy is the man whom his own mouth hath not troubled; And whose heart hath not condemned him (?).

Happy is the man whose soul hath not reproached (H failed) him; And whose expectation hath not ceased.

Wealth is not comely for a little heart; And fine gold is not comely for one whose eye is evil.

He that stinteth (?) himself gathereth for another; And a stranger shall revel (?) in his goods.

He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? And he will not enjoy (?) his own goods.

There is none more evil than he that is evil to himself; And he hath with him the recompense of his wickedness.

In the eye of a fool (S) his portion is small; But he that taketh his neighbour's portion wasteth his own (?).

The eye of him that hath an evil eye (?) is grudging (G) of bread; And there is famine at his table. An evil (S) eye lavishing bread Is as a fountain dried up that should well with water (?).

My son, if thou hast wherewithal, minister (S) to thine own self; And if thou hast, do good unto thyself; And according to the power of ∥ thy hand, make thyself fat.

Remember that there is no luxury in Sheol; And death doth not tarry; And the decree of Sheol (?) hath not been declared to thee.

Do good to a friend before thou die; And as thy hand attaineth (?) give unto him.

Refuse not the day's good cheer. But encroach not upon a brother's portion (?); And covet not the desirable things of a neighbour.

Shalt thou not leave thy riches to another; And thy labour to them that cast lots?

Give to a brother (H), and let thy soul fare delicately; For there is no seeking of luxury in Sheol. And whatsoever thing is seemly to do; Do it before (?) God.

All flesh waxeth old as a garment; And the everlasting decree is, They shall surely perish.

As leaves grow upon a green tree, Whereof one withereth, and another springeth up; So of the generations of flesh and blood, One perisheth, and another ripeneth (M).

All his works shall surely rot; And his handywork shall draw after him.

Happy is the man that shall meditate in wisdom; And shall have respect to understanding.

That setteth his heart upon her ways; And considereth her paths (S).

Going forth after her in search of her; And spying all her entries.

That prieth through her window; And will hearken at her doors.

He that encampeth about her house; And driveth his pegs (?) into her wall.

And he pitcheth his tent by her side; And dwelleth in good neighbourhood.

And he will set his nest on her bough; And will lodge in her branches.

And he sheltereth in her shade from the heat; And will dwell in her habitations.

For he that feareth the Lord shall do this; And he that layeth hold on the law shall attain unto her (?).

And she shall meet him as mother; And receive him as wife of youth.

And she shall feed him with bread of wisdom; And give him water of understanding to drink.

And he shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; And in her shall he trust, and he shall not be confounded.

And she shall exalt him above his neighbour; And in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.

He shall find joy and gladness; And she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.

Men of naught shall not attain unto her; And men of arrogancy shall not see her (H S).

Far is she from scorners; And liars shall not remember her.

Praise is not comely (G S) in the mouth of the wicked; For it was not apportioned him of God.

By the mouth of the wise shall praise be spoken; And he that mastereth her (H S) shall learn it.

Say not, My transgression was of God; For that which he hateth he made not (H S).

Lest thou say, He it was that made me stumble; For there is no need of men of violence.

Wickedness and an abomination the Lord hateth; And will not let it befal them that fear him.

For (?) God created man from the beginning; And put him into the hand of him that would spoil him; And gave him into the hand of his inclination.

If thou choose, thou mayest keep the commandment; And it is understanding (H) to do his will. If thou trust in him, thou shalt even live.

Fire and water are poured out before thee: Upon whichsoever thou choosest stretch forth thy hands.

Death and life are before a man: That which he shall choose shall be given him.

The wisdom of the Lord aboundeth: He is mighty in power, and beholdeth all.

The eyes of God see his works; And he will take knowledge of (?) all a man's doing.

He commanded not a man to sin; Neither did he make men of falsehood to dream. And he hath no mercy on him that worketh vanity; And on him that discloseth a secret.

Desire not the shapeliness of vain youths; And rejoice not in sons of wickedness.

Yea, and if they increase, delight (?) not in them; If the fear of the Lord be not with them.

Trust not in their life, and rely not on their issues (?); For they shall not have a good end. For better is one that doeth acceptably than a thousand; And he that dieth childless than he that hath many sons of wickedness (?); And than an ungodly posterity.

Of one that (?) feareth the Lord shall a city be peopled; And by a family of transgressors it shall be made desolate.

Many things like these hath mine eye seen; And mighty things like these (H) hath mine ear heard.

In the congregation of the wicked a fire burneth; And in an ungodly nation wrath is kindled.

Seeing that he forgave not the princes of old time, Who ruled (?) the world by their power.

And he spared not them that sojourned with Lot (?), Who transgressed in their pride.

And he spared not the people of perdition, That were dispossessed (?) in their iniquity.

So were the six hundred thousand footmen, That were taken away in the arrogancy of their heart.

And if even one stiffen (or harden) his neck; It were a marvel should he be unpunished. For mercy and wrath are with him; And he forgiveth and pardoneth; But upon the wicked his indignation shall rest (?).