Sirach 34

34He who seeketh vanity findeth delusion,

And dreams elate fools.

As one catching at a shadow and pursuing the wind,

So is he that trustethin dreams.

Alike are mirror and dream,

The likeness of a face opposite a face.

From the unclean what can be clean,

And from the false what can be true?

Divinations and soothsayings and dreams are vain;

Even as thou hopest ⁽so⁽ seeth thy heart.

If they be not sent from the Most High providentially,

Do thou pay them no heed.

For many there are that have been led astray by dreams,

And through placing their hopes thereon have fallen.

Without deceit shall the Law be fulfilled,

And wisdom is perfect in a mouth that is faithful.

An ⁽experienced man⁽ knoweth much,

And ⁽one that is well versed⁽declareth understanding.

He that is without experience knoweth little,

But the well-versed hath much skill.

In my journeying I have seen much,

And many things have befallen me.

Often was I in danger even unto death,

But was preserved because of these things.

The spirit of those that fear the Lord remaineth alive,

For their hope is upon Him that saves them.

He that feareth the Lord is afraid of nothing,

And doth not lose courage—for He is his hope.

Of him that feareth the Lord—happy the soul!

On whom doth he trust? And who is his stay?

The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear Him,

A mighty shield, and strong stay,

A cover from scorching Sirocco, a shadow from noontide heat,

A guard from stumbling, and a succour from falling,

Heart-gladdener and eye-brightener,

Healing, life, and blessing!

The sacrifice of the unrighteous man is a mocking offering,

And unacceptable are the oblations of the godless.

The Most High hath no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly,

Neither doth He forgive sins for a multitude of sacrifices.

⁽As⁽ one that killeth the son before the father’s eyes

Is he that offereth a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.

A scanty bread is the life of the poor:

He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood.

He slayeth his neighbour who taketh away his living,

And a blood-shedder is he that depriveth the hireling of his hire.

One building and another pulling down—

What have they gained but empty toil?

One praying and another cursing—

To whose voice shall the Lord listen?

He who washeth after ⁽contact with⁽ a dead body and toucheth it again,

What hath he gained by his bathing?

So a man fasting for his sins

And again doing the same—

Who will listen to his prayer?

And what hath he gained by his humiliation.