Sirach 33:26–33

²⁶Set your slaves to work,^r and you will find rest;

leave their hands idle, and they will seek liberty.

²⁷Yoke and strap will bow the neck,

and for wicked slaves there are racks and tortures.^*

²⁸Put them to work in order that they may not be idle,

²⁹for idleness teaches much evil.^*

³⁰Set them to work as is fitting for them,

and if they do not obey make their fetters heavy.

Do not be overbearing toward anyone,

and do nothing without deliberation.^*

³¹If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself,

because you have bought him with blood.

If you have but one slave, treat him like a brother,

for you will need him as you need your life.^*

³²If you ill-treat him and he leaves you and runs away,

³³which way will you go to seek him?