1 Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins. (WEB) 2 Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, and who has not given up hope. (WEB) 3 Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money? (WEB) 4 He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods. (WEB) 5 If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions. (WEB) 6 There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness. (WEB) 7 Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness. (WEB) 8 A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls. (WEB) 9 A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul. (WEB) 10 A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table. (WEB) 11 My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. (WEB) 12 Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you. (WEB) 13 Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them. (WEB) 14 Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by. (WEB) 15 Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot? (WEB) 16 Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades. (WEB) 17 All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!” (WEB) 18 Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, some it sheds, and some grow, so also are the generations of flesh and blood: one comes to an end and another is born. (WEB) 19 Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it. (WEB) 20 Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding. (WEB) 21 He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets. (WEB) 22 Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths. (WEB) 23 He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors. (WEB) 24 He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls. (WEB) 25 He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are. (WEB) 26 He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches. (WEB) 27 By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory. (WEB)
Sirach 14:1–27
Semantically similar passages
1 Corinthians 10:23–25
23 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. 24 No one should seek his own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
Sirach 5:1–2
1 Don’t set your heart upon your goods. Don’t say, “They are sufficient for me.” (WEB) 2 Don’t follow your own mind and your strength to walk in the desires of your heart. (WEB)
Job 20:19–21
19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build. 20 Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure. 21 Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.
Proverbs 3:26–28
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare. 27 Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. 28 Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means.
Proverbs 1:18–20
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. 19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors. 20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square;
Job 15:30–32
30 He will not escape from the darkness; the flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away. 31 Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward. 32 It will be paid in full before his time, and his br…
Sirach 9:10–12
10 Don’t forsake an old friend; for a new one is not comparable to him. A new friend is like new wine: if it becomes old, you will drink it with gladness. (WEB) 11 Don’t envy the success of a sinner; for you don’t know what his end will be. (WEB) 12 Don’t delight in the delights of… (WEB)
Sirach 9:1–3
1 Don’t be jealous over the wife of your bosom, and don’t teach her an evil lesson against yourself. (WEB) 2 Don’t give your soul to a woman and let her trample down your strength. (WEB) 3 Don’t go to meet a woman who plays the prostitute, lest perhaps you fall into her snares. (WEB)
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