Sirach 7
7
Advice for Daily Living
1If you don't do evil,
then evil cannot harm you.
2Always be fair with others,
and injustice will stay
away from you.
3But those who farm
the fields of injustice,
will harvest seven times more
than they plant.
4Don't ask the Lord
to make you a leader,
and don't ask the king
to give you honor.
5Don't try to impress the Lord
with your goodness,
or to show off your wisdom
in front of the king.
6Don't seek to be a judge
unless you have the strength
to do away with injustice.
And if you don't have courage
to stand up to the powerful,
you will ruin your good name.
7Don't disgrace yourself
by sinning
against your community.
8You won't escape punishment
if you commit a sin even once,
much less twice.
9And do not think
that God Most High
will pardon you,
just because you have offered
a lot of sacrifices.
10Don't let anything
discourage you from praying
or giving to the poor.
11God can take away your success
as easily as he gave it,
so do not make fun of anyone
who is bitter from suffering.
12Do not tell lies to a relative
or a friend 13or anyone else.
No good ever comes
from telling lies.
14In a town council meeting,
don't talk too much.
And in your prayers,
don't repeat the same things
over and over again.
15Enjoy all kinds of hard work,
especially farming, because
God Most High created it.
16Do not join others in sinning—
just think of how quickly
God can punish.
17So be as humble as you can,
because those who are ungodly
will be eaten by worms
and burned by fire.
18Don't betray a friend for money
or a relative for pure gold.#7.18 pure gold: Greek has “gold from Ophir,” which may have been in Africa or India. Gold from there was considered the very best.
Treat Others Properly
19If your wife is wise and good
and gracious,
she is more valuable than gold,
so do not divorce her.
20If your workers or slaves
work hard and well,
don't mistreat them.
21 #
Ex 21.2; Dt 15.12-15. If you have wise slaves,
love them as much
as you love yourself
and set them free
when you are supposed to.#7.21 set them free … supposed to: Jewish slave-owners were supposed to set a Jewish slave free after six years of service (see Exodus 21.2, Deuteronomy 15.12).
22If you have cattle,
give them good care
and keep them as long
as they bring you a profit.
23While your children are young,
teach them to obey you.
24Do not let a daughter
always have her own way,
but protect her from men.
25Finding a husband for her
is important, but be certain
to find one who is wise.
26Don't divorce your wife
if she pleases you,
but if you can't stand her,
then don't trust her.
27 #
Ex 20.12. Honor your father
with all your heart
and remember that your birth
gave your mother great pain.
28How can you ever repay them
for the gift of life?
29Fear the Lord
with all that you are,
and respect his priests.
30Put all your strength
into loving your Creator
and be sure that his servants
make a good living.
31Fear the Lord
and honor his priests
with what he has commanded.
Bring them the first part
of your harvest
and the sacrifice
to make things right.
Give them the shoulders
from other sacrifices
and all offerings and holy food
dedicated to the Lord.
32The Lord will give you
complete success,
if you give to the poor.
33So be generous to everyone,
especially to those
whose loved ones have died.#7.33 especially … have died: Or “and provide a proper burial for those who have died.”
34Go to see them
and weep as they mourn.
35If you visit the sick,
everyone will love you.
36You can keep from sinning
by always reminding yourself
that you will someday die.
Currently Selected:
Sirach 7: CEVDCI
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.