Sirach 5

¹ Set not thy heart upon thy goods;

and say not, I have enough for my life.

² Follow not thine own mind and thy strength,

to walk in the ways of thy heart:

³ and say not, Who shall control me for my works?

for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.

⁴ Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me?

for the Lord is long-suffering, he will in no wise let thee go.

⁵ Concerning propitiation, be not without fear

to add sin unto sin:

⁶ and say not, His mercy is great;

he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins:

for mercy and wrath come from him,

and his indignation resteth upon sinners.

⁷ Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord,

and put not off from day to day:

for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth,

and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed,

and perish in the day of vengeance.

⁸ Set not thy heart upon goods unjustly gotten;

for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.

⁹ Winnow not with every wind,

and go not into every way:

for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.

¹⁰ Be steadfast in thine understanding;

and let thy word be the same.

¹¹ Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere;

and with patience give answer.

¹² If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour;

if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

¹³ Honour and shame is in talk:

and the tongue of man is his fall.

¹⁴ Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue:

for a foul shame is upon the thief,

and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.

¹⁵ Be not ignorant of anything in a great matter or a small.