Wisdom of Sirach 4
1My son, defraud not the poor of his living, and make not the needy eyes to wait long.
2Make not an hungry soul sorrowful; neither provoke a man in his distress.
3Add not more trouble to an heart that is vexed; and defer not to give to him that is in need.
4Reject not the supplication of the afflicted; neither turn away your face from a poor man.
5Turn not away your eye from the needy, and give him none occasion to curse you:
6For if he curse you in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer shall be heard of him that made him.
7Get yourself the love of the congregation, and bow your head to a great man.
8Let it not grieve you to bow down your ear to the poor, and give him a friendly answer with meekness.
9Deliver him that suffers wrong from the hand of the oppressor; and be not faint-hearted when you sit in judgment.
10Be as a father to the fatherless, and instead of an husband to their mother: so shall you be as the son of the most High, and he shall love you more than your mother does.
11Wisdom exalts her children, and lays hold of them that seek her.
12He that loves her loves life; and they that seek to her early shall be filled with joy.
13He that holds her fast shall inherit glory; and wherever she enters, the Lord will bless.
14They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One: and them that love her the Lord does love.
15Whoso gives ear to her shall judge the nations: and he that attends to her shall dwell securely.
16If a man commit himself to her, he shall inherit her; and his generation shall hold her in possession.
17For at the first she will walk with him by crooked ways, and bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her laws.
18Then will she return the straight way to him, and comfort him, and show him her secrets.
19But if he go wrong, she will forsake him, and give him over to his own ruin.
20Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and be not ashamed when it concerns your soul.
21For there is a shame that brings sin; and there is a shame which is glory and grace.
22Accept no person against your soul, and let not the reverence of any man cause you to fall.
23And refrain not to speak, when there is occasion to do good, and hide not your wisdom in her beauty.
24For by speech wisdom shall be known: and learning by the word of the tongue.
25In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed of the error of your ignorance.
26Be not ashamed to confess your sins; and force not the course of the river.
27Make not yourself an underling to a foolish man; neither accept the person of the mighty.
28Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord shall fight for you.
29Be not hasty in your tongue, and in your deeds slack and remiss.
30Be not as a lion in your house, nor frantick among your servants.
31Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when you should repay.
Commentaries for Wisdom of Sirach 4:0