Sirach 33

33Him that feareth Jahveh no evil befalleth,

But in temptation^〈he shall again be delivered^〈.

He that hateth the law is not wise,

And is tossed about ^〈like a ship in a storm^〈.

A man of discernment discerneth the Word,

And the Law ^〈is faithful unto him as the Urim^〈.

Prepare thy speech, and solet it be heard;

Bind up instruction, and then reply.

Like a cart-wheelis the mind of a fool,

And his thought like a rolling wheel-rim.

Like a saddled horse is the love of a fool;

Under whatever rider he neighs.

Why is one day distinguished from another,

When all daylight in the year is from the Sun?

By God’s ^〈great^〈 wisdom they were distinguished,

And He differentiatedseasons and feasts.

Some He blessed and hallowed,

And others He made ordinary days.

Likewise also all men are made from the clay,

And Adam was created of earth.

In His great wisdom God distinguished them,

And differentiated their ways.

Some He blessed and exalted,

And others He hallowed and brought nigh to Himself;

Some He cursed and abased,

And overthrew themfrom their place.

As the clay is in the power of the potter,

To fashion it according to his good pleasure;

So is man in the power of his creator,

To make him according to His ordinance.

Over against evil ⁽stands⁽ the good, and against death life;

Likewise over against the godly the sinner.

Even thus look upon all the works of God,

Each different, one the opposite of the other.

I, indeed, came last of all,

As one that gleaneth after the grape-gatherers:

I advanced by the blessing of God,

And filled my winepress as a grape-gatherer.

Consider that not for myself alone have I laboured,

But for all that seek wisdom!

Listen unto me, ye leaders of the people,

And ye rulers of the congregation, give ear!

To son or wife, to brother or friend,

Give no power over thyself while thou livest;

And give not thy goods to another

So as to have to ask for them again.

Whilst thou art yet alive and breath remaineth in thee,

Give not any creature power over thyself.

For it is better that thy children ask of thee

Than that thou shouldst look to the hand of thy sons.

In all thy works remain uppermost,

Andlet no stain come on thine honour.

When the days of thy life are ended,

In the day of death, distribute thine inheritance.

Fodder and stick and burdens for an ass,

Bread and discipline and work for a servant!

Put thy servant to work, and he will seek rest;

Leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty!

Yoke and thong bow down the neck,

And for an evil servant ⁽there are⁽ stocks and chastisement.

Put thy servant to work, that he be not idle;

Foridleness teacheth much mischief.

Appoint him ⁽a task⁽ in thy house such as befitteth him,

And if he obey not make his fetters heavy.

But be not overbearing against any creature,

And do nothing that is without right.

Hast thou an only servant, let him be as thyself—

For thou hast need of him as thy very self.

Hast thou an only servant, treat him as thy brother—

Be not jealous against thy very life!

If thou treat him ill, and he proceed to run away,

On what way shalt thou find him?