Sirach 5

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.	1 Rely not on your wealth; say not: "I have the power."
2 Follow not in thy strength the desires of thy heart:	2 Rely not on your strength in following the desires of your heart.
3 And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for God will surely take revenge.	3 Say not: "Who can prevail against me?" for the LORD will exact the punishment.
4 Say not: I have sinned, and whet harm hath befallen me? for the most High is a patient rewarder.	4 Say not: "I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?" for the LORD bides his time.
5 Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:	5 Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin.
6 And say not: The mercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins.	6 Say not: "Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive."
7 For mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners.	7 For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked alights his wrath.
8 Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.	8 Delay not your conversion to the LORD, put it not off from day to day;
9 For his wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee.	9 For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed.
10 Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge.	10 Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath.
11 Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue.	11 Winnow not in every wind, and start not off in every direction.
12 Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.	12 Be consistent in your thoughts; steadfast be your words.
13 Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom.	13 Be swift to hear, but slow to answer.
14 If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded.	14 If you have the knowledge, answer your neighbor; if not, put your hand over your mouth.
15 Honour and glory is in the word of the wise, but the tongue of the fool is his ruin.	15 Honor and dishonor through talking! A man's tongue can be his downfall.
16 Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded.	16 Be not called a detractor; use not your tongue for calumny;
17 For confusion and repentance is upon a thief, and an evil mark of disgrace upon the double tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and enmity, and reproach.	17 For shame has been created for the thief, and the reproach of his neighbor for the double-tongued.
18 Justify alike the small and the great.