Sirach 41:17–42:1

¹⁷Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man; ¹⁸Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend; ¹⁹And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take; ²⁰And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot; ²¹And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man’s wife. ²²Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not; ²³Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets. ²⁴So shalt thou be truly shamefaced, and find favour before all men.

Chapter 42

¹Of these things be not thou ashamed, and accept no person to sin thereby: