Sirach 13–16: Before Man Is Life and Death": Rich and Poor, and the Freedom to Choose
Scripture: World English Bible
He who touches pitch will be defiled.He who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him.Don’t take up a burden above your strength.Have no fellowship with one who is mightier and richer than yourself.What fellowship would the earthen pot have with the kettle?The kettle will strike, and the pot will be dashed in pieces.The rich man does a wrong and threatens.The poor is wronged and apologizes.If you are profitable, he will exploit you.If you are in need, he will forsake you.If you own something, he will live with you.He will drain your resources and will not be sorry.Does he need you? Then he will deceive you,smile at you, and give you hope.He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?”He will shame you by his delicaciesuntil he has made you bare twice or thrice,and in the end he will laugh you to scorn.Afterward he will see you, will forsake you,and shake his head at you.
Beware that you are not deceivedand brought low in your enjoyment.If a mighty man invites you, be reserved,and he will invite you more.Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back.Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten.Don’t try to speak with him as an equal,and don’t believe his many words;for he will test you with much talk,and will examine you in a smiling manner.He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful.He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind.Keep them to yourself and be careful,for you walk in danger of falling.
Every living creature loves its own kind,and every man loves his neighbor.All flesh associates with their own kind.A man will stick to people like himself.What fellowship would the wolf have with the lamb?So is the sinner to the godly.What peace is there between a hyena and a dog?What peace is there between a rich man and the poor?Wild donkeys are the prey of lions in the wilderness;likewise poor men are feeding grounds for the rich.Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man;likewise a poor man is an abomination to the rich.
When a rich man is shaken, he is supported by his friends,but when the humble is down, he is pushed away even by his friends.When a rich man falls, there are many helpers.He speaks things not to be spoken, and men justify him.A humble man falls, and men rebuke him.He utters wisdom, and is not listened to.A rich man speaks, and all keep silence.They extol what he says to the clouds.A poor man speaks, and they say, “Who is this?”If he stumbles, they will help to overthrow him.
Riches are good if they have no sin.Poverty is evil only in the opinion of the ungodly.
The heart of a man changes his countenance,whether it is for good or for evil.A cheerful countenance is a sign of a prosperous heart.Devising proverbs takes strenuous thinking.Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth,and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins.Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him,and who has not given up hope.
Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person.What would a miser do with money?He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others.Others will revel in his goods.If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good?He won’t enjoy his possessions.There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself.This is a punishment for his wickedness.Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness.In the end, he reveals his wickedness.A miser is evil.He turns away and disregards souls.A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion.Wicked injustice dries up his soul.A miser begrudges bread,and it is lacking at his table.
My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well,and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.Remember that death will not wait,and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you.Do good to your friends before you die.According to your ability, reach out and give to them.Don’t deprive yourself of a good day.Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by.Won’t you leave your labors to another,and your toils be divided by lot?Give, take, and treat yourself well,because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades.All flesh grows old like a garment,for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!”Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree,some it sheds, and some grow,so also are the generations of flesh and blood:one comes to an end and another is born.Every work rots and falls away,and its builder will depart with it.
Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom,and who reasons by his understanding.He who considers her ways in his heartwill also have knowledge of her secrets.Go after her like a hunter,and lie in wait in her paths.He who peers in at her windowswill also listen at her doors.He who lodges close to her housewill also fasten a nail in her walls.He will pitch his tent near at hand to her,and will lodge in a lodging where good things are.He will set his children under her shelter,and will rest under her branches.By her he will be covered from heat,and will lodge in her glory.He who fears the Lord will do this.He who has possession of the law will obtain her.She will meet him like a mother,and receive him like a wife married in her virginity.She will feed him with bread of understandingand give him water of wisdom to drink.He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved.He will rely upon her, and will not be confounded.She will exalt him above his neighbors.She will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation.He will inherit joy, a crown of gladness,and an everlasting name.Foolish men will not obtain her.Sinners will not see her.She is far from pride.Liars will not remember her.Praise is not attractive in the mouth of a sinner;for it was not sent to him from the Lord.For praise will be spoken in wisdom;The Lord will prosper it.
Don’t say, “It is through the Lord that I fell away;”for you shall not do the things that he hates.Don’t say, “It is he that caused me to err;”for he has no need of a sinful man.The Lord hates every abomination;and those who fear him don’t love them.He himself made man from the beginningand left him in the hand of his own counsel.If you choose, you can keep the commandments.To be faithful is a matter of your choice.He has set fire and water before you.You will stretch forth your hand to whichever you desire.Before man is life and death.Whichever he likes, it will be given to him.For the wisdom of the Lord is great.He is mighty in power, and sees all things.His eyes are upon those who fear him.He knows every act of man.He has not commanded any man to be ungodly.He has not given any man license to sin.
Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children,neither delight in ungodly sons.If they multiply, don’t delight in themunless the fear of the Lord is in them.Don’t trust in their life.Don’t rely on their numbers;for one can be better than a thousand,and to die childless than to have ungodly children.For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated,but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.I have seen many such things with my eyes.My ear has heard mightier things than these.
In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled.In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled.He was not pacified toward the giants of old time,who revolted in their strength.He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors,whom he abhorred for their pride.He didn’t pity the people of perditionwho were taken away in their sins,or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmenwho were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.Even if there is one stiff-necked person,it is a marvel if he will be unpunished;for mercy and wrath are both with him who is mighty to forgive,and he pours out wrath.As his mercy is great, so is his correction also.He judges a man according to his works.The sinner will not escape with plunder.The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.He will make room for every work of mercy.Each man will receive according to his works.
Don’t say, “I will be hidden from the Lord,”and “Who will remember me from on high?”I will not be known among so many people,for what is my soul in a boundless creation?Behold, heaven, the heaven of heavens,the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.The mountains and the foundations of the earth togetherare shaken with trembling when he looks at them.No heart will think about these things.Who could comprehend his ways?Like a tempest which no man can see,so, the majority of his works are hidden.Who will declare his works of righteousness?Who will wait for them?For his covenant is afar off.He who is lacking in understanding thinks about these things.An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly.
My son, listen to me, learn knowledge,and heed my words with your heart.I will impart instruction with precision,and declare knowledge exactly.
In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning.From the making of them he determined their boundaries.He arranged his works for all time,and their beginnings to their generations.They aren’t hungry or weary,and they don’t cease from their works.No one pushes aside his neighbor.They will never disobey his word.After this also the Lord looked at the earthand filled it with his blessings.All manner of living things covered its surface,and they return into it.