Sirach 4

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 My child, do not refuse the poor a livelihood, do not tantalise the needy.	1 Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man.
2 Do not add to the sufferings of the hungry, do not bait anyone in distress.	2 You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need.
3 Do not aggravate a heart already angry, nor keep the destitute waiting for your alms.	3 You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay an offer to someone in anguish.
4 Do not repulse a hard-pressed beggar, nor turn your face from the poor.	4 You should not make requests of one who is greatly troubled, and you should not avert your face from the indigent.
5 Do not avert your eyes from the needy, give no one occasion to curse you;	5 You should not avert your eyes from the needy out of anger. And you should not abandon those who seek help from you, so that they speak curses behind your back.
6 for if someone curses you in distress, his Maker will give ear to the imprecation.	6 For the pleadings of him who speaks curses of you, in the bitterness of his soul, will be heeded. For the One who made him will heed him.
7 Gain the love of the community, in the presence of the great bow your head.	7 Make yourself a friend to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul before an elder, and humble your head before the great.
8 To the poor lend an ear, and courteously return the greeting.	8 Turn your ear without sadness toward the poor, and repay your debt, and respond to him peacefully in meekness.
9 Save the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor, and do not be mean-spirited in your judgements.	9 Free him who suffers injury at the hand of the arrogant, and do not carry animosity in your soul.
10 Be like a father to the fatherless and as good as a husband to their mothers. And you wil be like a childto the Most High, who will love you more than your own mother does.	10 In judging, be merciful to the orphan, like a father, and be merciful to their mother, like a husband.
11 Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek her.	11 And then you shall be like an obedient son of the Most High, and he will take pity on you more than a mother would.
12 Whoever loves her loves life, those who seek her early wil be fil ed with joy.	12 Wisdom breathes life into her sons, and she lifts up those who are seeking her, and she will precede them in the way of justice.
13 Whoever possesses her wil inherit honour, and wherever he walks the Lord will bless him.	13 And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights.
14 Those who serve her minister to the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her.	14 Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless.
15 Whoever obeys her rules the nations, whoever pays attention to her dwells secure.	15 Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom.
16 If he trusts himself to her he wil inherit her, and his descendants will remain in possession of her;	16 He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure.
17 for though she takes him at first through winding ways, bringing fear and faintness on him, trying himout with her discipline til she can trust him, and testing him with her ordeals,	17 If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed.
18 she then comes back to him on the straight road, makes him happy and reveals her secrets to him.	18 For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning.
19 If he goes astray, however, she abandons him and leaves him to his own destruction.	19 She will lead fear and dread and trials over him, and she will crucify him with the tribulation of her doctrine, until she has tested him in his thoughts and she can trust in his soul.
20 Take circumstances into account and beware of evil, and have no cause to be ashamed of yourself;	20 And then she will strengthen him, and lead him along a straight path, and rejoice in him.
21 for there is a shame that leads to sin and a shame that is honourable and gracious.	21 And she will disclose her secrets to him, and she will store up treasure, of the knowledge and understanding of justice, in him.
22 Do not be too severe on yourself, do not let shame lead you to ruin.	22 But if he has wandered astray, she will leave him behind, and she will deliver him into the hands of his enemy.
23 Do not refrain from speaking when it will do good, and do not hide your wisdom;	23 Son, be continually observant, and keep away from evil.
24 for your wisdom is made known by what you say, your erudition by the words you utter.	24 For the sake of your soul, you should not be ashamed to speak the truth.
25 Do not contradict the truth, rather blush for your own ignorance.	25 For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace.
26 Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, do not struggle against the current of the river.	26 You should not accept a face contrary to your own face, nor should you accept a lie contrary to your own soul.
27 Do not grovel to the foolish, do not show partiality to the influential.	27 You should not enjoy the fall of your neighbor.
28 Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God wil war on your side.	28 Neither should you withhold words at an opportunity for salvation. You should not conceal your wisdom in her beauty.
29 Do not be bold of tongue, yet idle and slack in deed;	29 For wisdom is discerned within speech. And understanding and knowledge and doctrine are discerned in the words of those who understand and by their steadfastness in the works of justice.
30 do not be like a lion at home, or cowardly towards your servants.	30 You should not contradict a word of truth in any way. Otherwise, by a falsehood born of ignorance, you will be confounded.
31 Do not let your hands be outstretched to receive, yet tight-fisted when the time comes to give back.	31 You should not be ashamed to confess your sins, but do not subject yourself to any man because of sin.
	32 Do not choose to stand against the face of the powerful, for you should not strive against the current of the river.
	33 Suffer for justice, on behalf of your soul, and struggle, even unto death, on behalf of justice, and God will fight against your enemies on your behalf.
	34 Do not choose to be quick with your words, nor unproductive or neglectful in your works.
	35 Do not choose to be like a lion in your house, distressing those of your household, and oppressing those who are subject to you.
	36 Do not let your hand be open when receiving, but closed when giving.