Sirach 14
14
1Happy are those
who haven’t slipped in their speech
and who haven’t been stabbed
with pain for their sins.
2Happy are those
whose spirit hasn’t condemned them,
and who haven’t given up their hope.
On wealth
3Wealth isn’t good for a mean person.
What use is money
to a begrudging person?
4Those who deny themselves
collect for others,
and others will live luxuriously
with their goods.
5Those who are evil to themselves,
to whom will they be good?
They will never enjoy their money.
6There are none worse than those
who begrudge themselves,
and this is the payback
for their wickedness:
7If they do good,
they do it without being aware,
and in the end they reveal
their wickedness.
8The miserly are evil;
they turn their face away
and disregard people.
9Those who have greedy eyes
are never satisfied with their share,
and evil injustice withers their soul.
10Envious people are even begrudging
when it comes to bread,
and it’s lacking on their table.
11My child, treat yourself well
according to what you have,
and bring offerings to the Lord
that are worthy.
12Remember that death won’t delay,
and the decree of the grave#14.12 LXX Hades; Heb Sheol
hasn’t been shown to you.
13Before you die, treat your friends well.
According to your ability, reach out, and give to them.
14Enjoy#14.14 LXX Don’t hold back from a good day,
and don’t let your share
of a good desire pass you by.
15Won’t you end up leaving behind
to another what you have worked
so hard for?
Won’t the things you have toiled for
end up being divided by lot?
16Give, take, and distract yourself,#14.16 Heb treat yourself well
because you can’t search for luxury
in the grave.#14.16 LXX Hades; Heb Sheol
17All flesh grows old like a garment;
the ancient decree is,
“You will certainly die!”
18Like a budding leaf on a leafy tree,
it sheds some and it puts forth others;
so is a generation of flesh and blood;
one dies, and another is born.
19All deeds decay and cease,
and those who do them
will pass away with them.
Seeking Wisdom brings happiness
20Happy are those who meditate
on Wisdom
and who reason intelligently.
21Those who consider her ways
in their hearts
will also reflect on her secrets.
22Pursue her like a hunter,
and lie in wait by her paths.
23Those who peer into her windows
will also listen at her doorways.
24Those who lodge near her house
will also fasten a tent peg in her walls.
25They will pitch their tent close at hand
and will find accommodation
in a lodging place full of good things.
26They will put their children
under her shelter,
and will encamp under her branches.
27She will shelter them from the heat,
and they will dwell in her glory.
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Sirach 14: CEB
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