Sirach - Chapter 33

Passage

No evils shall happen to him that fears the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him and deliver him from evils. A wise man does not hate the commandments and justices. And he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm. A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law is faithful to him. He that clears up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer. The heart of a fool is as a wheel of a cart: and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree. A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neighs under every one that sits upon him. Why does one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another year, when all come of the sun? By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made, and keeping his commandment. And he ordered the seasons, and holidays of them, and in them they celebrated festivals at an hour. Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and out of the earth, from where Adam was created. With much knowledge the Lord has divided them and diversified their ways. Some of them has he blessed, and exalted: and some of them has he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them has he cursed and brought low, and turned them from their station. As the potter's clay is in his hand, to fashion and order it: All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment. Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another. And I awaked last of all, and as one that gathers after the grapegatherers. In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that gathers grapes, have I filled the winepress. See that I have not labored for myself only, but for all that seek discipline. Hear me, you great men, and all you people, and hearken with your ears, you rulers of the church. Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over you while you live; and give not your estate to another, lest you repent, and you entreat for the same. As long as you live, and have breath in you, let no one change you. For it is better that your children should ask of you, than that you look toward the hands of your children. In all your works keep the pre-eminence. Let no stain sully your glory. In the time when you shall end the days of your life, and in the time of your decease, distribute your inheritance. Fodder, and a wand, and a burden are for an ass: bread, and correction, and work for a slave. He works under correction, and seeks to rest: let his hands be idle, and he seeks liberty. The yoke and the thong bend a stiff neck, and continual labors bow a slave. Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave: send him to work, that he be not idle: For idleness has taught much evil. Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any one, and do no grievous thing without judgment. If you have a faithful servant, let him be to you as your own soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of your soul you have gotten him. If you hurt him unjustly, he will run away: And if he rise up and depart, you do not know whom to ask, and in what way to seek him.