Sirach 34:1–26

¹ Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding. Dreams give wings to fools. (WEB) ² As one who grasps at a shadow and follows after the wind, so is he who sets his mind on dreams. (WEB) ³ The vision of dreams is a reflection, the likeness of a face near a face. (WEB) ⁴ From an unclean thing what can be cleansed? From that which is false what can be true? (WEB) ⁵ Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain. The heart has fantasies like a woman in labor. (WEB) ⁶ If they are not sent in a visitation from the Most High, don’t give your heart to them. (WEB) ⁷ For dreams have led many astray. They have failed by putting their hope in them. (WEB) ⁸ Without lying the law will be fulfilled. Wisdom is complete in a faithful mouth. (WEB) ⁹ A well-instructed man knows many things. He who has much experience will declare understanding. (WEB) ¹⁰ He who has no experience knows few things. But he who has traveled increases cleverness. (WEB) ¹¹ I have seen many things in my travels. My understanding is more than my words. (WEB) ¹² I was often in danger even to death. I was preserved because of these experiences. (WEB) ¹³ The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, for their hope is in him who saves them. (WEB) ¹⁴ Whoever fears the Lord won’t be afraid, and won’t be a coward, for he is his hope. (WEB) ¹⁵ Blessed is the soul of him who fears the Lord. To whom does he give heed? Who is his support? (WEB) ¹⁶ The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him, a mighty protection and strong support, a cover from the hot blast, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard from stumbling, and a help from falling. (WEB) ¹⁷ He raises up the soul, and enlightens the eyes. He gives health, life, and blessing. (WEB) ¹⁸ He who sacrifices a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery. The mockeries of wicked men are not acceptable. (WEB) ¹⁹ The Most High has no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly, Neither is he pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices. (WEB) ²⁰ Like one who kills a son before his father’s eyes is he who brings a sacrifice from the goods of the poor. (WEB) ²¹ The bread of the needy is the life of the poor. He who deprives him of it is a man of blood. (WEB) ²² Like one who murders his neighbor is he who takes away his living. Like a shedder of blood is he who deprives a hireling of his hire. (WEB) ²³ When one builds, and another pulls down, what profit do they have but toil? (WEB) ²⁴ When one prays, and another curses, whose voice will the Lord listen to? (WEB) ²⁵ He who washes himself after touching a dead body, and touches it again, what does he gain by his washing? (WEB) ²⁶ Even so a man fasting for his sins, and going again, and doing the same, who will listen to his prayer? What profit does he have in his humiliation? (WEB)