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.
Sefarim
Ben Sira20
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 20
There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.
He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of Elohim and man.
The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.
To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
There is that destroyeth his own nephesh through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
Necessary patience in seeking ing the master is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.