Sirach 42

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 You should not repeat a claim heard from the revealing of a hidden word. And then, truly, you will be without shame, and you will find favor in the sight of all men. You should not accept the reputation of someone, so that you would sin, nor should you be confounded in any of the following things:	1 Of the following things do not be ashamed, and do not let partiality lead you to sin:
2 in the law of the Most High and his covenant, or by giving a judgment to justify the impious;	2 of the law of the Most High and his covenant, and of rendering judgment to acquit the ungodly;
3 in a word among companions and fellow travelers, or by distributing the inheritance of friends;	3 of keeping accounts with a partner or with traveling companions, and of dividing the inheritance of friends;
4 in the fairness of scales and weights, or in acquiring much or little;	4 of accuracy with scales and weights, and of acquiring much or little;
5 by the corruption of buying and negotiating, or in the ample discipline of children, or in causing the side of a wicked servant to bleed.	5 of profit from dealing with merchants, and of much discipline of children, and of whipping a wicked servant severely.
6 A seal is good over a wicked wife.	6 Where there is an evil wife, a seal is a good thing; and where there are many hands, lock things up.
7 Where there are many hands, seal and deliver all things by number and weight; and truly, give and receive everything in writing.	7 Whatever you deal out, let it be by number and weight, and make a record of all that you give out or take in.
8 You should not have shame in correcting the senseless, the foolish, and those youths who would judge their elders. And so shall you be well-instructed in all things and well-approved in the sight of all the living.	8 Do not be ashamed to instruct the stupid or foolish or the aged man who quarrels with the young. Then you will be truly instructed, and will be approved before all men.
9 The vigilance of a father for his daughter is hidden, and his concern for her takes away his sleep. For perhaps, in her adolescence, she might be brought into adulthood. Or when she lives with her husband, she might become hateful.	9 A daughter keeps her father secretly wakeful, and worry over her robs him of sleep; when she is young, lest she do not marry, or if married, lest she be hated;
10 In her virginity, she might be defiled, and then she may be found to be pregnant in her father’s house. Or perhaps, when she lives with her husband, she might stray, or at least become barren.	10 while a virgin, lest she be defiled or become pregnant in her father's house; or having a husband, lest she prove unfaithful, or, though married, lest she be barren.
11 Keep a close watch over a self-indulgent daughter. Otherwise, at some time, she might bring you into disgrace before your enemies, and into disrepute in the city, and into reproach among the people, and so she may confound you before the multitude of the people.	11 Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and put you to shame before the great multitude.
12 She should not choose to gaze upon the beauty of every man, and she should not choose to spend her time in the midst of married women.	12 Do not look upon any one for beauty, and do not sit in the midst of women;
13 For a moth goes forth from garments, and iniquity over a man goes forth from a woman.	13 for from garments comes the moth, and from a woman comes woman's wickedness.
14 Yet iniquity over a man is better for her than if a married woman, seeking to benefit her, instead leads her into confusion and disgrace.	14 Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace.
15 And now, I will remember the works of the Lord, and I will announce what I have seen. The words of the Lord are in his works.	15 I will now call to mind the works of the Lord, and will declare what I have seen. By the words of the Lord his works are done.
16 The sun illuminates and considers all things, and its work shows the fullness of the glory of the Lord.	16 The sun looks down on everything with its light, and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.
17 Has not the Lord caused the holy ones to describe all his miracles, which the all-powerful Lord has firmly established in his glory?	17 The Lord has not enabled his holy ones to recount all his marvelous works, which the Lord the Almighty has established that the universe may stand firm in his glory.
18 He has examined the abyss and the hearts of men. And he has considered their astuteness.	18 He searches out the abyss, and the hearts of men, and considers their crafty devices. For the Most High knows all that may be known, and he looks into the signs of the age.
19 For the Lord comprehends all knowledge, and he has gazed upon the signs of the times: announcing the things of the past, as well as the things of the future, and revealing the traces of hidden things.	19 He declares what has been and what is to be, and he reveals the tracks of hidden things.
20 No thought passes by him unnoticed, and no word can conceal itself from him.	20 No thought escapes him, and not one word is hidden from him.
21 He has adorned the magnificent works of his wisdom. He is before eternity and even unto eternity. And nothing can be added,	21 He has ordained the splendors of his wisdom, and he is from everlasting and to everlasting. Nothing can be added or taken away, and he needs no one to be his counselor.
22 and nothing can be taken away. And he has no need of any counselor.	22 How greatly to be desired are all his works, and how sparkling they are to see!
23 O how desirable are all his works! And all that we consider is but a spark.	23 All these things live and remain for ever for every need, and are all obedient.
24 All these works exist, and they remain in the present age, and they all obey him in every purpose.	24 All things are twofold, one opposite the other, and he has made nothing incomplete.
25 All things are two-fold, one facing another, and he has not made anything to be lacking.	25 One confirms the good things of the other, and who can have enough of beholding his glory?
26 He has confirmed each thing as good. And who would tire of beholding his glory?