Sirach 14

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of sins.	1 Happy the man whose mouth brings him no grief, who is not stung by remorse for sin.
2 Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the Lord.	2 Happy the man whose conscience does not reproach him, who has not lost hope.
3 Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an envious man do with money?	3 Wealth ill becomes the mean man; and to the miser, of what use is gold?
4 He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul gathereth for others, that shall spend his goods riotously.	4 What he denies himself he collects for others, and in his possessions a stranger will revel.
5 He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? he shall not take pleasure in his goods.	5 To whom will he be generous who is stingy with himself and does not enjoy what is his own?
6 There is none worse than he that envieth himself; and this is a recompence of his wickedness.	6 None is more stingy than he who is stingy with himself; he punishes his own miserliness.
7 And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and at the last he will declare his wickedness.	7 If ever he is generous, it is by mistake; and in the end he displays his greed.
8 The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and despiseth men.	8 In the miser's opinion his share is too small;
9 A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul.	9 he refuses his neighbor and brings ruin on himself.
10 A wicked eye envieth [his] bread, and he is a niggard at his table.	10 The miser's eye is rapacious for bread, but on his own table he sets it stale.
11 My son, according to thy ability do good to thyself, and give the Lord his due offering.	11 My son, use freely whatever you have and enjoy it as best you can;
12 Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee.	12 Remember that death does not tarry, nor have you been told the grave's appointed time.
13 Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability stretch out thy hand and give to him.	13 Before you die, be good to your friend, and give him a share in what you possess.
14 Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good desire overpass thee.	14 Deprive not yourself of present good things, let no choice portion escape you.
15 Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours to be divided by lot?	15 Will you not leave your riches to others, and your earnings to be divided by lot?
16 Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave.	16 Give, take, and treat yourself well, for in the nether world there are no joys to seek.
17 All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.	17 All flesh grows old, like a garment; the age-old law is: All must die.
18 As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.	18 As with the leaves that grow on a vigorous tree: one falls off and another sprouts-- So with the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and another is born.
19 Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal.	19 All man's works will perish in decay, and his handiwork will follow after him.
20 Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding. ing.	20 Happy the man who meditates on wisdom, and reflects on knowledge;
21 He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have understanding in her secrets.	21 Who ponders her ways in his heart, and understands her paths;
22 Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways.	22 Who pursues her like a scout, and lies in wait at her entry way;
23 He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors.	23 Who peeps through her windows, and listens at her doors;
24 He that doth lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her walls.	24 Who encamps near her house, and fastens his tent pegs next to her walls;
25 He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.	25 Who pitches his tent beside her, and lives as her welcome neighbor;
26 He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches.	26 Who builds his nest in her leafage, and lodges in her branches;
27 By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.	27 Who takes shelter with her from the heat, and dwells in her home.