Sirach 4

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man.	1 My child, do not refuse the poor a livelihood, do not tantalise the needy.
2 You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need.	2 Do not add to the sufferings of the hungry, do not bait anyone in distress.
3 You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay an offer to someone in anguish.	3 Do not aggravate a heart already angry, nor keep the destitute waiting for your alms.
4 You should not make requests of one who is greatly troubled, and you should not avert your face from the indigent.	4 Do not repulse a hard-pressed beggar, nor turn your face from the poor.
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.	5 Do not avert your eyes from the needy, give no one occasion to curse you;
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.	6 for if someone curses you in distress, his Maker will give ear to the imprecation.
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.	7 Gain the love of the community, in the presence of the great bow your head.
8 Turn your ear without sadness toward the poor, and repay your debt, and respond to him peacefully in meekness.	8 To the poor lend an ear, and courteously return the greeting.
9 Free him who suffers injury at the hand of the arrogant, and do not carry animosity in your soul.	9 Save the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor, and do not be mean-spirited in your judgements.
10 In judging, be merciful to the orphan, like a father, and be merciful to their mother, like a husband.	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.
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.	11 Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek her.
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.	12 Whoever loves her loves life, those who seek her early wil be fil ed with joy.
13 And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights.	13 Whoever possesses her wil inherit honour, and wherever he walks the Lord will bless him.
14 Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless.	14 Those who serve her minister to the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her.
15 Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom.	15 Whoever obeys her rules the nations, whoever pays attention to her dwells secure.
16 He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure.	16 If he trusts himself to her he wil inherit her, and his descendants will remain in possession of her;
17 If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed.	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,
18 For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning.	18 she then comes back to him on the straight road, makes him happy and reveals her secrets to him.
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.	19 If he goes astray, however, she abandons him and leaves him to his own destruction.
20 And then she will strengthen him, and lead him along a straight path, and rejoice in him.	20 Take circumstances into account and beware of evil, and have no cause to be ashamed of yourself;
21 And she will disclose her secrets to him, and she will store up treasure, of the knowledge and understanding of justice, in him.	21 for there is a shame that leads to sin and a shame that is honourable and gracious.
22 But if he has wandered astray, she will leave him behind, and she will deliver him into the hands of his enemy.	22 Do not be too severe on yourself, do not let shame lead you to ruin.
23 Son, be continually observant, and keep away from evil.	23 Do not refrain from speaking when it will do good, and do not hide your wisdom;
24 For the sake of your soul, you should not be ashamed to speak the truth.	24 for your wisdom is made known by what you say, your erudition by the words you utter.
25 For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace.	25 Do not contradict the truth, rather blush for your own ignorance.
26 You should not accept a face contrary to your own face, nor should you accept a lie contrary to your own soul.	26 Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, do not struggle against the current of the river.
27 You should not enjoy the fall of your neighbor.	27 Do not grovel to the foolish, do not show partiality to the influential.
28 Neither should you withhold words at an opportunity for salvation. You should not conceal your wisdom in her beauty.	28 Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God wil war on your side.
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.	29 Do not be bold of tongue, yet idle and slack in deed;
30 You should not contradict a word of truth in any way. Otherwise, by a falsehood born of ignorance, you will be confounded.	30 do not be like a lion at home, or cowardly towards your servants.
31 You should not be ashamed to confess your sins, but do not subject yourself to any man because of sin.	31 Do not let your hands be outstretched to receive, yet tight-fisted when the time comes to give back.
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.