Sirach 8

8Contend not with a mighty man,

Lest thou fall into his hands.

Strive not against the man that is rich,

Lest he weigh thy price, and thou be destroyed.

For gold hath made many reckless,

And wealth hath led astray the hearts of princes.

Quarrel not with a loud-mouthed man,

And put not wood on fire.

Associate not with a foolish man,

Lest he despise ⁽thy⁽ sound ⁽words⁽.

Reproach not a man who repenteth,

Remember that we are all guilty.

Dishonour not a man that is old,

For we shall be numbered among the aged.

Rejoice not over one that is dead,

Remember that we shall all be gathered ⁽to our fathers⁽.

Neglect not the discourse of the wise,

And busy thyself with proverbs;

For therefrom wilt thou learn instruction,

That thou mayst stand in the presence of princes.

Reject not the tradition of the aged,

Which they heard from their fathers;

For therefrom wilt thou receive instruction,

That thou mayst ⁽be able to⁽ return answer in time of need.

Kindle not the coals of the wicked,

Lest thou be burned with the flame of his fire.

Be not enraged because of the scorner,

That he should use thy mouth as an ambush.

Lend not to a man that is mightier than thou,

And if thou lend, ⁽thou art⁽ as one that loseth.

Be not surety for one who is more excellent than thou,

And if thou become surety ⁽thou art⁽ as one that payeth.

Go not to law with a judge,

For he will judge according to his good pleasure.

Go not in the way with a cruel man,

Lest thou be overwhelmed with misfortune:

For he will go straight before his face,

And through his foolishness thou wilt perish.

Do not obstinately gainsay a wrathful man,

And ride not with him through the desert.

For blood is as nothing in his eyes,

And where there is no helper, he will destroy thee.

Take no counsel with a fool,

For he will not be able to keep thy secret,

Do no secret thing before a stranger,

For thou knowest not what he will ultimately do ⁽therewith⁽.

Reveal not thy heart to every man,

And drive not away from thee prosperity.