Sirach

¹Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins. ²Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, and who has not given up hope. ³Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money? ⁴He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods. ⁵If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions. ⁶There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness. ⁷Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness. ⁸A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls. ⁹A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul. ¹⁰A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table. ¹¹My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. ¹²Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you. ¹³Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them. ¹⁴Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by. ¹⁵Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot? ¹⁶Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades. ¹⁷All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!” ¹⁸Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, some it sheds, and some grow, so also are the generations of flesh and blood: one comes to an end and another is born. ¹⁹Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it.

²⁰Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding. ²¹He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets. ²²Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths. ²³He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors. ²⁴He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls. ²⁵He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are. ²⁶He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches. ²⁷By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory.