Sirach 33:25–31

²⁵If thou ^pset thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest:

But if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.

²⁶A yoke and a collar do bow the neck:

^qSo are tortures and torments for an evil servant.

²⁷Send him to labour, that he be not idle;

For idleness teacheth much evil.

²⁸Set him to work, as is fit for him:

If he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.

²⁹But be not excessive toward any;

And ^rwithout discretion do nothing.

^30sIf thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself,

Because thou hast bought him with a price.

³¹If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother:

For thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul:

^rIf thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee,

Which way wilt thou go to seek him?

XXXIV.