Sirach - Chapter 34

Passage

The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools. The man that gives heed to lying visions, is like to him that catches at a shadow, and follows after the wind. The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man. What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false? Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity: And the heart fancies as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not your heart upon them. For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them. The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful. What does he know, that has not been tried? A man that has much experience, shall think of many things: and he that has learned many things, shall show forth understanding. He that has no experience, knows little: and he that has been experienced in many things, multiplies prudence. He that has not been tried, what manner of things does he know? he that has been surprised, shall abound with subtlety. I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things. Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God. The spirit of those that fear God, is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed. For their hope is on him that saves them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him. He that fears the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid: for he is his hope. The soul of him that fears the Lord is blessed. To whom does he look, and who is his strength? The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he raises up the soul, and enlightens the eyes, and gives health, and life, and blessing. The offering of him that sacrifices of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable. The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice. The most High does not approve the gifts of the wicked: neither has he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices. He that offers sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrifices the son in the presence of his father. The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defrauds them thereof, is a man of blood. He that takes away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that kills his neighbor. He that sheds blood, and he that defrauds the laborer of his hire, are brothers. When one builds up, and another pulls down: what profit have they but the labor? When one prays, and another curses: whose voice will God hear? He that washes himself after touching the dead, if he touches him again, what does his washing avail? So a man that fasts for his sins, and does the same again, what does his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?