Sirach - Chapter 4

Passage

Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away your eyes from the poor. Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the poor in his want. Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to gibe to him that is in distress. Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away your face from the needy. Turn not away your eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of you to curse you behind your back. For the prayer of him that curses you in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him. Make yourself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul to the ancient, and bow your head to a great man. Bow down your ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what you owe, and answer him peaceable words with mildness. Deliver him that suffers wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in your soul. In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother. And you shall be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on you more than a mother. Wisdom inspires life into her children, and protects them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice. And he that loves her, loves life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness. They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she enters, God will give a blessing. They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loves them that love her. He that hearkens to her, shall judge nations: and he that looks upon her, shall remain secure. If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance. For she walks with him in temptation, and at the first she chooses him. She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul. Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy, And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice. But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy. Son, observe the time, and fly from evil. For your soul be not ashamed to say the truth. For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace. Accept no person against your own person, nor against your soul a lie. Reverence not your neighbor in his fall: And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not your wisdom in her beauty. For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice. In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of your ignorance. Be not ashamed to confess your sins, but submit not yourself to every man for sin. Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river. Strive for justice for your soul, and even to death fight for justice, and God will overthrow your enemies for you. Be not hasty in your tongue: and slack and remiss in your works. Be not as a lion in your house, terrifying them of your household, and oppressing them that are under you. Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when you should give.