Sirach 34

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.	1 The hopes of a senseless man are empty and false; and dreams extol the imprudent.
2 Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.	2 Like one who chases a shadow and pursues the wind, so also is one who pays attention to lying visions.
3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.	3 In the vision of dreams, one thing represents another, as when a mask is before the face of a man.
4 Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?	4 What can be cleansed by the unclean? And what truth can be spoken from a lie?
5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.	5 Erroneous divinations and false signs and the dreams of evildoers are emptiness.
6 If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.	6 For your heart suffers from imagination, like a woman suffering in childbirth. Unless it is a visitation sent from the Most High, you should not set your heart upon it.
7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.	7 For dreams have caused many to go astray, and those who have hoped in them have fallen away.
8 The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.	8 The word of the law will be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom will be made plain in the mouths of the faithful.
9 A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.	9 He who has not been tested, what does he know? A man with much experience will consider many things. And whoever has learned much will explain with understanding.
10 He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.	10 He who has no experience knows little. And he who has done many things has made many mistakes.
11 When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.	11 He who has not been tested, what kind of things can he know? He who has been deceived will be more cunning.
12 I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.	12 I have seen much by wandering, and the customs of many things.
13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.	13 At times, I have even been in danger of death because of these things, but I was freed by the grace of God.
14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.	14 The spirit of those who fear God is sought, and they will be blessed by his providence.
15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?	15 For their hope is in him who saves them, and the eyes of God are on those who love him.
16 For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.	16 Those who fear the Lord will tremble at nothing, and they will not be terrified. For he is their hope.
17 He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.	17 The soul of him who fears the Lord is blessed.
18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.	18 To whom should he look, and who is his strength?
19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.	19 The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him. He is a powerful Protector, a Firmament of virtue, a Shelter from the heat, and a Covering from the midday sun,
20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father's eyes.	20 a Guardian from offenses, and a Helper from falling, who exalts the soul and illuminates the eyes, and who gives health and life and blessing.
21 The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.	21 An immolation from iniquity is a stained oblation, and the derisions of the unjust are not well pleasing.
22 He that taketh away his neighbour's living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.	22 The Lord is only for those who persevere for him in the way of truth and justice.
23 When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?	23 The Most High does not approve of the gifts of the iniquitous. Neither does he have respect for the oblations of the unjust; neither will he forgive their sins because of the multitude of their sacrifices.
24 When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?	24 Whoever offers a sacrifice from the substance of the poor is like one who sacrifices the son in the sight of his father.
25 He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?	25 The bread of the indigent is the life of the poor. Whoever cheats them out of it is a man of blood.
26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?	26 Whoever takes away the bread of sweat is like one who kills his neighbor.
27 []	27 He who sheds blood, and he who cheats the hired hand out of his wages, are brothers.
28 []	28 When one builds and another destroys, what benefit do they have from their labor?
29 []	29 When one prays and another curses, whose voice will God heed?
30 []	30 He who washes himself after touching the dead, and then touches him again, what was the benefit of his washing?
31 []	31 Similarly, a man who fasts for his sins, and then does the same again, what was the benefit of his humbling himself? Who will heed his prayer?