English Bible
Sirach 33
Big screen- 1There shall no evil happen to him that fears the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.
- 2A wise man hates not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.
- 3A man of understanding trusts in the law; and the law is faithful to him, as an oracle.
- 4Prepare what to say, and so you shall be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.
- 5The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axle tree.
- 6A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neighs under every one that sits upon him.
- 7Why does one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?
- 8By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.
- 9Some of them has he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them has he made ordinary days.
- 10And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:
- 11In much knowledge the Lord has divided them, and made their ways diverse.
- 12Some of them has he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them has he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.
- 13As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as likes him best.
- 14Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
- 15So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another.
- 16I awaked up last of all, as one that gathers after the grape gatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and filled my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.
- 17Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.
- 18Hear me, O you° great men of the people, and listen with your ears, you° rulers of the congregation.
- 19Give not your son and wife, your brother and friend, power over you while you live, and give not your goods to another: lest it repent you, and you entreat for the same again.
- 20As long as you live and have breath in you, give not yourself over to any.
- 21For better it is that your children should seek to you, than that you should stand to their courtesy.
- 22In all your works keep to yourself the preeminence; leave not a stain in your honor.
- 23At the time when you shall end your days, and finish your life, distribute your inheritance.
- 24Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant.
- 25If you set your servant to labor, you shall find rest: but if you let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.
- 26A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.
- 27Send him to labor, that he be not idle; for idleness teaches much evil.
- 28Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.
- 29But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.
- 30If you have a servant, let him be to you as yourself, because you have bought him with a price.
- 31If you have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for you have need of him, as of your own soul: if you entreat him evil, and he run from you, which way will you go to seek him?