Sefarim
Ben Sira17
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 17
The master created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.
He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.
He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to his image,
And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.
They received the use of the five operations of the master, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.
Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.
Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the greatness of his works.
He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.
And the elect shall praise his holy name.
Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the torah of life for an heritage.
He made an everlasting b'rit with them, and shewed them his judgments.
Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.
And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man mitsvah concerning his neighbour.
Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.
Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Yisra'el is the master’s portion:
Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the master
But the master being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.
The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.
Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
Return unto the master, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?
Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the master.
How great is the lovingkindness of the master our Elohim, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!
For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
He vieweth the power of the height of shamayim; and all men are but earth and ashes.
Sefarim
Ben Sira18
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 18
He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
The master only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.
To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
As for the wondrous works of the master, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.
When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.
As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.
Therefore is Elohim patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the master is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.
He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the master.
Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the master.
A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.
They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
If thou givest thy nephesh the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.
Sefarim
Ben Sira19
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 19
A labouring man that A is given to drunkenness shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little.
Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent.
Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.
He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own nephesh.
Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.
He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.
Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.
Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men’s lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.
For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.
If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.
A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.
As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a word within a fool’s belly.
Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.
Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.
Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.
There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?
Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the torah of the most High.
The fear of the master is the first step to be accepted
of him,
and wisdom obtaineth his love.
The knowledge of the mitsvot of the master is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.
The fear of the master is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the torah, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.
If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.
The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.
There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.
He that hath small understanding, and feareth Elohim, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the torah of the most High.
There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment.
There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.
And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.
A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.