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Day 218 of 365

about 13 minutes

Sirach 30-33

Sirach Chapter 30

¹He who loves his son will continue to lay stripes upon him, that he may have joy from him in the end. ²He who chastises his son will have profit from him, and will brag about him among his acquaintances. ³He who teaches his son will provoke his enemy to jealousy. Before friends, he will rejoice in him. ⁴His father dies, and is as though he had not died; for he has left one behind him like himself. ⁵In his life, he saw his son and rejoiced. When he died, it was without regret. ⁶He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to repay kindness to his friends. ⁷He who makes too much of his son will bind up his wounds. His heart will be troubled at every cry. ⁸An unbroken horse becomes stubborn. An unrestrained son becomes headstrong. ⁹Pamper your child, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will grieve you. ¹⁰Don’t laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and you gnash your teeth in the end. ¹¹Give him no liberty in his youth, and don’t ignore his follies. ¹²Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he become stubborn, and be disobedient to you, and there be sorrow to your soul. ¹³Chastise your son, and give him work, lest his shameless behavior be an offense to you. ¹⁴Better is a poor man who is healthy and fit, than a rich man who is afflicted in his body. ¹⁵Health and fitness are better than all gold, and a strong body better than wealth without measure. ¹⁶There is no wealth better than health of body. There is no gladness above the joy of the heart. ¹⁷Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than a continual sickness. ¹⁸Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are like food offerings laid upon a grave. ¹⁹What does an offering profit an idol? For it can’t eat or smell. So is he who is punished by the Lord, ²⁰seeing with his eyes and groaning, like a eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning. ²¹Don’t give your soul to sorrow. Don’t afflict yourself deliberately. ²²Gladness of heart is the life of a man. Cheerfulness of a man lengthens his days. ²³Love your own soul, and comfort your heart. Remove sorrow far from you, for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it. ²⁴Envy and wrath shorten life. Anxiety brings old age before its time. ²⁵Those who are cheerful and merry will benefit from their food.

1: He who loves his son will continue to lay stripes upon him, that he may have joy from him in the end.

2: He who chastises his son will have profit from him, and will brag about him among his acquaintances.

3: He who teaches his son will provoke his enemy to jealousy. Before friends, he will rejoice in him.

4: His father dies, and is as though he had not died; for he has left one behind him like himself.

5: In his life, he saw his son and rejoiced. When he died, it was without regret.

6: He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to repay kindness to his friends.

7: He who makes too much of his son will bind up his wounds. His heart will be troubled at every cry.

8: An unbroken horse becomes stubborn. An unrestrained son becomes headstrong.

9: Pamper your child, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will grieve you.

10: Don’t laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and you gnash your teeth in the end.

11: Give him no liberty in his youth, and don’t ignore his follies.

12: Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he become stubborn, and be disobedient to you, and there be sorrow to your soul.

13: Chastise your son, and give him work, lest his shameless behavior be an offense to you.

14: Better is a poor man who is healthy and fit, than a rich man who is afflicted in his body.

15: Health and fitness are better than all gold, and a strong body better than wealth without measure.

16: There is no wealth better than health of body. There is no gladness above the joy of the heart.

17: Death is better than a bitter life, and eternal rest than a continual sickness.

18: Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are like food offerings laid upon a grave.

19: What does an offering profit an idol? For it can’t eat or smell. So is he who is punished by the Lord,

20: seeing with his eyes and groaning, like a eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning.

21: Don’t give your soul to sorrow. Don’t afflict yourself deliberately.

22: Gladness of heart is the life of a man. Cheerfulness of a man lengthens his days.

23: Love your own soul, and comfort your heart. Remove sorrow far from you, for sorrow has destroyed many, and there is no profit in it.

24: Envy and wrath shorten life. Anxiety brings old age before its time.

25: Those who are cheerful and merry will benefit from their food.

Sirach Chapter 31

¹Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep. ²Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken. ³A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things. ⁴A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy. ⁵He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it. ⁶Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face. ⁷It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it. ⁸Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold. ⁹Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people. ¹⁰Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him boast. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it? ¹¹His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms. ¹²Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!” ¹³Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face. ¹⁴Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish. ¹⁵Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point. ¹⁶Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated. ¹⁷Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend. ¹⁸And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them. ¹⁹How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed. ²⁰Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man. ²¹And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest. ²²Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you. ²³People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed. ²⁴The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate. ²⁵Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many. ²⁶The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud. ²⁷Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad. ²⁸Wine drunk in season and in moderation is joy of heart and gladness of soul: ²⁹Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict. ³⁰Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds. ³¹Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him.

1: Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep.

2: Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken.

3: A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things.

4: A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy.

5: He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it.

6: Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face.

7: It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it.

8: Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold.

9: Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people.

10: Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him boast. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it?

11: His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms.

12: Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”

13: Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.

14: Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish.

15: Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point.

16: Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated.

17: Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.

18: And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them.

19: How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.

20: Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man.

21: And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.

22: Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you.

23: People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed.

24: The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.

25: Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many.

26: The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud.

27: Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad.

28: Wine drunk in season and in moderation is joy of heart and gladness of soul:

29: Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict.

30: Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds.

31: Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him.

Sirach Chapter 32

¹Have they made you ruler of a feast? Don’t be lifted up. Be among them as one of them. Take care of them first, and then sit down. ²And when you have done all your duties, take your place, that you may be gladdened on their account, and receive a wreath for your good service. ³Speak, you who are older, for it’s your right, but with sound knowledge; and don’t interrupt the music. ⁴Don’t pour out talk where there is a performance of music. Don’t display your wisdom at the wrong time. ⁵As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet. ⁶As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine. ⁷Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked. ⁸Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue. ⁹When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble. ¹⁰Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest. ¹¹Rise up in good time, and don’t be last. Go home quickly and don’t loiter ¹²Amuse yourself there and do what is in your heart. Don’t sin by proud speech. ¹³For these things bless your Maker, who gives you to drink freely of his good things. ¹⁴He who fears the Lord will receive discipline. Those who seek him early will find favor. ¹⁵He who seeks the law shall be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it. ¹⁶Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light. ¹⁷A sinful man shuns reproof, and will find a judgment according to his will. ¹⁸A sensible person won’t neglect a thought. An insolent and proud man won’t crouch in fear, even after he has done a thing by himself without counsel. ¹⁹Do nothing without counsel, but when you have acted, don’t regret it. ²⁰Don’t go in a way of conflict. Don’t stumble in stony places. ²¹Don’t be overconfident on a smooth road. ²²Beware of your own children. ²³In every work guard your own soul, for this is the keeping of the commandments. ²⁴He who believes the law gives heed to the commandment. He who trusts in the Lord will suffer no loss.

1: Have they made you ruler of a feast? Don’t be lifted up. Be among them as one of them. Take care of them first, and then sit down.

2: And when you have done all your duties, take your place, that you may be gladdened on their account, and receive a wreath for your good service.

3: Speak, you who are older, for it’s your right, but with sound knowledge; and don’t interrupt the music.

4: Don’t pour out talk where there is a performance of music. Don’t display your wisdom at the wrong time.

5: As a ruby signet in a setting of gold, so is a music concert at a wine banquet.

6: As an emerald signet in a work of gold, so is musical melody with pleasant wine.

7: Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked.

8: Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue.

9: When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble.

10: Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest.

11: Rise up in good time, and don’t be last. Go home quickly and don’t loiter

12: Amuse yourself there and do what is in your heart. Don’t sin by proud speech.

13: For these things bless your Maker, who gives you to drink freely of his good things.

14: He who fears the Lord will receive discipline. Those who seek him early will find favor.

15: He who seeks the law shall be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it.

16: Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light.

17: A sinful man shuns reproof, and will find a judgment according to his will.

18: A sensible person won’t neglect a thought. An insolent and proud man won’t crouch in fear, even after he has done a thing by himself without counsel.

19: Do nothing without counsel, but when you have acted, don’t regret it.

20: Don’t go in a way of conflict. Don’t stumble in stony places.

21: Don’t be overconfident on a smooth road.

22: Beware of your own children.

23: In every work guard your own soul, for this is the keeping of the commandments.

24: He who believes the law gives heed to the commandment. He who trusts in the Lord will suffer no loss.

Sirach Chapter 33

¹No evil will happen to him who fears the Lord, but in trials once and again he will deliver him. ²A wise man will not hate the law, but he who is a hypocrite about it is like a boat in a storm. ³A man of understanding will put his trust in the law. And the law is faithful to him, as when one asks a divine oracle. ⁴Prepare your speech, and so you will be heard. Bind up instruction, and make your answer. ⁵The heart of a fool is like a cartwheel. His thoughts are like a rolling axle. ⁶A stallion horse is like a mocking friend. He neighs under every one who sits upon him. ⁷Why does one day excel another, when all the light of every day in the year is from the sun? ⁸They were distinguished by the Lord’s knowledge, and he varied seasons and feasts. ⁹Some of them he exalted and hallowed, and some of them he has made ordinary days. ¹⁰And all men are from the ground. Adam was created from dust. ¹¹In the abundance of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them, and made their ways different. ¹²Some of them he blessed and exalted, and some of them he made holy and brought near to himself. Some of them he cursed and brought low, and overthrew them from their place. ¹³As the clay of the potter in his hand, all his ways are according to his good pleasure, so men are in the hand of him who made them, to give to them according to his judgment. ¹⁴Good is the opposite of evil, and life is the opposite of death; so the sinner is the opposite of the godly. ¹⁵Look upon all the works of the Most High like this, they come in pairs, one against another. ¹⁶I was the last on watch, like one who gleans after the grape gatherers. ¹⁷By the Lord’s blessing I arrived before them, and filled my winepress like one who gathers grapes. ¹⁸Consider that I labored not for myself alone, but for all those who seek instruction. ¹⁹Hear me, you great men of the people, and listen with your ears, you rulers of the congregation. ²⁰To son and wife, to brother and friend, don’t give power over yourself while you live, and don’t give your goods to another, lest you regret it and must ask for them. ²¹While you still live and breath is in you, don’t give yourself over to anybody. ²²For it is better that your children should ask from you than that you should look to the hand of your children. ²³Excel in all your works. Don’t bring a stain on your honor. ²⁴In the day that you end the days of your life, in the time of death, distribute your inheritance. ²⁵Fodder, a stick, and burdens are for a donkey. Bread, discipline, and work are for a servant. ²⁶Set your slave to work, and you will find rest. Leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty. ²⁷Yoke and whip will bow the neck. For an evil slave there are racks and tortures. ²⁸Send him to labor, that he not be idle, for idleness teaches much mischief. ²⁹Set him to work, as is fit for him. If he doesn’t obey, make his fetters heavy. ³⁰Don’t be excessive toward any. Do nothing unjust. ³¹If you have a slave, treat him like yourself, because you have bought him with blood. ³²If you have a slave, treat him like yourself. For like your own soul, you will need him. If you treat him ill, and he departs and runs away, ³³which way will you go to seek him?

1: No evil will happen to him who fears the Lord, but in trials once and again he will deliver him.

2: A wise man will not hate the law, but he who is a hypocrite about it is like a boat in a storm.

3: A man of understanding will put his trust in the law. And the law is faithful to him, as when one asks a divine oracle.

4: Prepare your speech, and so you will be heard. Bind up instruction, and make your answer.

5: The heart of a fool is like a cartwheel. His thoughts are like a rolling axle.

6: A stallion horse is like a mocking friend. He neighs under every one who sits upon him.

7: Why does one day excel another, when all the light of every day in the year is from the sun?

8: They were distinguished by the Lord’s knowledge, and he varied seasons and feasts.

9: Some of them he exalted and hallowed, and some of them he has made ordinary days.

10: And all men are from the ground. Adam was created from dust.

11: In the abundance of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them, and made their ways different.

12: Some of them he blessed and exalted, and some of them he made holy and brought near to himself. Some of them he cursed and brought low, and overthrew them from their place.

13: As the clay of the potter in his hand, all his ways are according to his good pleasure, so men are in the hand of him who made them, to give to them according to his judgment.

14: Good is the opposite of evil, and life is the opposite of death; so the sinner is the opposite of the godly.

15: Look upon all the works of the Most High like this, they come in pairs, one against another.

16: I was the last on watch, like one who gleans after the grape gatherers.

17: By the Lord’s blessing I arrived before them, and filled my winepress like one who gathers grapes.

18: Consider that I labored not for myself alone, but for all those who seek instruction.

19: Hear me, you great men of the people, and listen with your ears, you rulers of the congregation.

20: To son and wife, to brother and friend, don’t give power over yourself while you live, and don’t give your goods to another, lest you regret it and must ask for them.

21: While you still live and breath is in you, don’t give yourself over to anybody.

22: For it is better that your children should ask from you than that you should look to the hand of your children.

23: Excel in all your works. Don’t bring a stain on your honor.

24: In the day that you end the days of your life, in the time of death, distribute your inheritance.

25: Fodder, a stick, and burdens are for a donkey. Bread, discipline, and work are for a servant.

26: Set your slave to work, and you will find rest. Leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty.

27: Yoke and whip will bow the neck. For an evil slave there are racks and tortures.

28: Send him to labor, that he not be idle, for idleness teaches much mischief.

29: Set him to work, as is fit for him. If he doesn’t obey, make his fetters heavy.

30: Don’t be excessive toward any. Do nothing unjust.

31: If you have a slave, treat him like yourself, because you have bought him with blood.

32: If you have a slave, treat him like yourself. For like your own soul, you will need him. If you treat him ill, and he departs and runs away,

33: which way will you go to seek him?

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Scripture text: World English Bible, Catholic Edition (WEBC) — public domain

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