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WEBC: World English Bible, Catholic Edition

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Day 217 of 365

about 13 minutes

Sirach 26-29

Sirach Chapter 26

¹Happy is the husband of a good wife. The number of his days will be doubled. ²A faithful wife gives joy to her husband. He will fulfill his years in peace. ³A good wife is a great gift. She will be given to those who fear the Lord. ⁴Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times. ⁵Of three things my heart was afraid, and concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation. All these are more grievous than death. ⁶A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all. ⁷A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion. ⁸A drunken woman causes great wrath. She will not cover her own shame. ⁹The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; it will be known by her eyelids. ¹⁰Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it. ¹¹Watch out for an impudent eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you. ¹²She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveller, and drink from every water that is near. She will sit down at every post, and open her quiver to any arrow. ¹³The grace of a wife will delight her husband. Her knowledge will strengthen his bones. ¹⁴A silent woman is a gift of the Lord. There is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul. ¹⁵A modest woman is grace upon grace. There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul. ¹⁶As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-organized home. ¹⁷As the lamp that shines upon the holy lampstand, so is the beauty of the face on a well-proportioned body. ¹⁸As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one who is steadfast. ²⁸For two things my heart is grieved, and for the third anger comes upon me: a warrior who suffers for poverty, men of understanding who are counted as garbage, and one who turns back from righteousness to sin— the Lord will prepare him for the sword! ²⁹It is difficult for a merchant to keep himself from wrong doing, and for a retailer to be acquitted of sin.

1: Happy is the husband of a good wife. The number of his days will be doubled.

2: A faithful wife gives joy to her husband. He will fulfill his years in peace.

3: A good wife is a great gift. She will be given to those who fear the Lord.

4: Whether a man is rich or poor, a good heart makes a cheerful face at all times.

5: Of three things my heart was afraid, and concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, the assembly of a mob, and a false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.

6: A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman who is jealous of another woman. Her tongue-lashing makes it known to all.

7: A wicked woman is like a chafing yoke. He who takes hold of her is like one who grasps a scorpion.

8: A drunken woman causes great wrath. She will not cover her own shame.

9: The fornication of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; it will be known by her eyelids.

10: Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.

11: Watch out for an impudent eye, and don’t be surprised if it sins against you.

12: She will open her mouth like a thirsty traveller, and drink from every water that is near. She will sit down at every post, and open her quiver to any arrow.

13: The grace of a wife will delight her husband. Her knowledge will strengthen his bones.

14: A silent woman is a gift of the Lord. There is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul.

15: A modest woman is grace upon grace. There are no scales that can weigh the value of a self-controlled soul.

16: As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-organized home.

17: As the lamp that shines upon the holy lampstand, so is the beauty of the face on a well-proportioned body.

18: As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one who is steadfast.

28: For two things my heart is grieved, and for the third anger comes upon me: a warrior who suffers for poverty, men of understanding who are counted as garbage, and one who turns back from righteousness to sin— the Lord will prepare him for the sword!

29: It is difficult for a merchant to keep himself from wrong doing, and for a retailer to be acquitted of sin.

Sirach Chapter 27

¹Many have sinned for profit. He who seeks to multiply wealth will turn his eye away. ²As a nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones, so sin will thrust itself in between buying and selling. ³Unless a person holds on diligently to the fear of the Lord, his house will be overthrown quickly. ⁴In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains, so does the filth of man in his thoughts. ⁵The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a person is in his thoughts. ⁶The fruit of a tree discloses its cultivation, so is the utterance of the thought of a person’s heart. ⁷Praise no man before you hear his thoughts, for this is how people are tested. ⁸If you follow righteousness, you will obtain it, and put it on like a long robe of glory. ⁹Birds will return to their own kind, so truth will return to those who practice it. ¹⁰The lion lies in wait for prey. So does sin for those who do evil. ¹¹The discourse of a godly man is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon. ¹²Limit your time among people void of understanding, but persevere among the thoughtful. ¹³The talk of fools is offensive. Their laughter is wantonly sinful. ¹⁴Their talk with much swearing makes hair stand upright. Their strife makes others plug their ears. ¹⁵The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed. Their abuse of each other is a grievous thing to hear. ¹⁶He who reveals secrets destroys trust, and will not find a close friend. ¹⁷Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not follow him; ¹⁸for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. ¹⁹As a bird which you have released out of your hand, so you have let your neighbor go, and you will not catch him again. ²⁰Don’t pursue him, for he has gone far away, and has escaped like a gazelle out of the snare. ²¹For a wound may be bound up, and after abuse there may be reconciliation; but he who reveals secrets is without hope. ²²One who winks the eye contrives evil things; and those who know him will keep their distance. ²³When you are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire your words; but afterward he will twist his speech and set a trap in your words. ²⁴I have hated many things, but nothing like him. The Lord will hate him. ²⁵One who casts a stone straight up casts it on his own head. A deceitful blow opens wounds. ²⁶He who digs a pit will fall into it. He who sets a snare will be caught in it. ²⁷He who does evil things, they will roll back upon him, and he will not know where they came from. ²⁸Mockery and reproach are from the arrogant. Vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion. ²⁹Those who rejoice at the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare. Anguish will consume them before they die. ³⁰Wrath and anger, these also are abominations. A sinner will possess them.

1: Many have sinned for profit. He who seeks to multiply wealth will turn his eye away.

2: As a nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones, so sin will thrust itself in between buying and selling.

3: Unless a person holds on diligently to the fear of the Lord, his house will be overthrown quickly.

4: In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains, so does the filth of man in his thoughts.

5: The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a person is in his thoughts.

6: The fruit of a tree discloses its cultivation, so is the utterance of the thought of a person’s heart.

7: Praise no man before you hear his thoughts, for this is how people are tested.

8: If you follow righteousness, you will obtain it, and put it on like a long robe of glory.

9: Birds will return to their own kind, so truth will return to those who practice it.

10: The lion lies in wait for prey. So does sin for those who do evil.

11: The discourse of a godly man is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon.

12: Limit your time among people void of understanding, but persevere among the thoughtful.

13: The talk of fools is offensive. Their laughter is wantonly sinful.

14: Their talk with much swearing makes hair stand upright. Their strife makes others plug their ears.

15: The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed. Their abuse of each other is a grievous thing to hear.

16: He who reveals secrets destroys trust, and will not find a close friend.

17: Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not follow him;

18: for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.

19: As a bird which you have released out of your hand, so you have let your neighbor go, and you will not catch him again.

20: Don’t pursue him, for he has gone far away, and has escaped like a gazelle out of the snare.

21: For a wound may be bound up, and after abuse there may be reconciliation; but he who reveals secrets is without hope.

22: One who winks the eye contrives evil things; and those who know him will keep their distance.

23: When you are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire your words; but afterward he will twist his speech and set a trap in your words.

24: I have hated many things, but nothing like him. The Lord will hate him.

25: One who casts a stone straight up casts it on his own head. A deceitful blow opens wounds.

26: He who digs a pit will fall into it. He who sets a snare will be caught in it.

27: He who does evil things, they will roll back upon him, and he will not know where they came from.

28: Mockery and reproach are from the arrogant. Vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.

29: Those who rejoice at the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare. Anguish will consume them before they die.

30: Wrath and anger, these also are abominations. A sinner will possess them.

Sirach Chapter 28

¹He who takes vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely make his sins firm. ²Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray. ³Does anyone harbor anger against another and expect healing from the Lord? ⁴Upon a man like himself he has no mercy, and does he make supplication for his own sins? ⁵He himself, being flesh, nourishes wrath. Who will make atonement for his sins? ⁶Remember your last end, and stop enmity. Remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments. ⁷Remember the commandments, and don’t be angry with your neighbor. Remember the covenant of the Highest, and overlook ignorance. ⁸Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins, for a passionate man will kindle strife. ⁹A man who is a sinner will trouble friends and sow discord among those who are at peace. ¹⁰As is the fuel of the fire, so it will burn; and as the stoutness of the strife is, so it will burn. As is the strength of the man, so will be his wrath; and as is his wealth, so he will exalt his anger. ¹¹A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; and hasty fighting sheds blood. ¹²If you blow on a spark, it will burn; and if you spit upon it, it will be quenched. Both of these come out of your mouth. ¹³Curse the whisperer and double-tongued, for he has destroyed many who were at peace. ¹⁴A slanderer has shaken many, and dispersed them from nation to nation. It has pulled down strong cities and overthrown the houses of great men. ¹⁵A slanderer has cast out brave women and deprived them of their labors. ¹⁶He who listens to it will not find rest, nor will he live quietly. ¹⁷The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh, but the stroke of a tongue will break bones. ¹⁸Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, yet not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue. ¹⁹Happy is he who is sheltered from it, who has not passed through its wrath, who has not drawn its yoke, and has not been bound with its bands. ²⁰For its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its bands are bands of brass. ²¹Its death is an evil death, and Hades is better than it. ²²It will not have rule over godly men. They will not be burned in its flame. ²³Those who forsake the Lord will fall into it. It will burn among them, and won’t be quenched. It will be sent against them like a lion. It will destroy them like a leopard. ²⁴As you hedge your possession about with thorns, and secure your silver and your gold, ²⁵so make a balance and a weight for your words, and make a door and a bar for your mouth. ²⁶Take heed lest you slip with it, lest you fall before one who lies in wait.

1: He who takes vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely make his sins firm.

2: Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.

3: Does anyone harbor anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?

4: Upon a man like himself he has no mercy, and does he make supplication for his own sins?

5: He himself, being flesh, nourishes wrath. Who will make atonement for his sins?

6: Remember your last end, and stop enmity. Remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments.

7: Remember the commandments, and don’t be angry with your neighbor. Remember the covenant of the Highest, and overlook ignorance.

8: Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins, for a passionate man will kindle strife.

9: A man who is a sinner will trouble friends and sow discord among those who are at peace.

10: As is the fuel of the fire, so it will burn; and as the stoutness of the strife is, so it will burn. As is the strength of the man, so will be his wrath; and as is his wealth, so he will exalt his anger.

11: A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; and hasty fighting sheds blood.

12: If you blow on a spark, it will burn; and if you spit upon it, it will be quenched. Both of these come out of your mouth.

13: Curse the whisperer and double-tongued, for he has destroyed many who were at peace.

14: A slanderer has shaken many, and dispersed them from nation to nation. It has pulled down strong cities and overthrown the houses of great men.

15: A slanderer has cast out brave women and deprived them of their labors.

16: He who listens to it will not find rest, nor will he live quietly.

17: The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh, but the stroke of a tongue will break bones.

18: Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, yet not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue.

19: Happy is he who is sheltered from it, who has not passed through its wrath, who has not drawn its yoke, and has not been bound with its bands.

20: For its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its bands are bands of brass.

21: Its death is an evil death, and Hades is better than it.

22: It will not have rule over godly men. They will not be burned in its flame.

23: Those who forsake the Lord will fall into it. It will burn among them, and won’t be quenched. It will be sent against them like a lion. It will destroy them like a leopard.

24: As you hedge your possession about with thorns, and secure your silver and your gold,

25: so make a balance and a weight for your words, and make a door and a bar for your mouth.

26: Take heed lest you slip with it, lest you fall before one who lies in wait.

Sirach Chapter 29

¹He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbor. He who strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments. ²Lend to your neighbor in time of his need. Repay your neighbor on time. ³Confirm your word, and keep faith with him; and at all seasons you will find what you need. ⁴Many have considered a loan to be a windfall, and have given trouble to those who helped them. ⁵Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands. For his neighbor’s money he will speak submissively. Then when payment is due, he will prolong the time, return excuses, and complain about the season. ⁶If he prevails, the creditor will hardly receive half; and he will count it as a windfall. If not, he has deprived him of his money, and he has gotten him for an enemy without cause. He will pay him with cursing and railing. Instead of honor, he will pay him disgrace. ⁷Many on account of fraud have turned away. They are afraid of being defrauded for nothing. ⁸However be patient with a man in poor estate. Don’t keep him waiting for your alms. ⁹Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake. According to his need don’t send him empty away. ¹⁰Lose your money for a brother and a friend. Don’t let it rust under a stone and be lost. ¹¹Allocate your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High and it will profit you more than gold. ¹²Store up almsgiving in your store-chambers and it will deliver you out of all affliction. ¹³It will fight for you against your enemy better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear. ¹⁴A good man will be surety for his neighbor. He who has lost shame will fail him. ¹⁵Don’t forget the kindness of your guarantor, for he has given his life for you. ¹⁶A sinner will waste the property of his guarantor. ¹⁷He who is thankless will fail him who delivered him. ¹⁸Being surety has undone many who were prospering and shaken them as a wave of the sea. It has driven mighty men from their homes. They wandered among foreign nations. ¹⁹A sinner who falls into suretiship and undertakes contracts for work will fall into lawsuits. ²⁰Help your neighbor according to your power, and be careful not to fall yourself. ²¹The essentials of life are water, bread, a garment, and a house for privacy. ²²Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs than sumptuous fare in another man’s house. ²³With little or with much, be well satisfied. ²⁴It is a miserable life to go from house to house. Where you are a guest, you dare not open your mouth. ²⁵You will entertain, serve drinks, and have no thanks. In addition to this, you will hear bitter words. ²⁶“Come here, you sojourner, set a table, and if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.” ²⁷“Leave, you sojourner, for an honored guest is here. My brother has come to be my guest. I need my house.” ²⁸These things are grievous to a man of understanding: The scolding about lodging and the insults of creditors.

1: He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbor. He who strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.

2: Lend to your neighbor in time of his need. Repay your neighbor on time.

3: Confirm your word, and keep faith with him; and at all seasons you will find what you need.

4: Many have considered a loan to be a windfall, and have given trouble to those who helped them.

5: Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands. For his neighbor’s money he will speak submissively. Then when payment is due, he will prolong the time, return excuses, and complain about the season.

6: If he prevails, the creditor will hardly receive half; and he will count it as a windfall. If not, he has deprived him of his money, and he has gotten him for an enemy without cause. He will pay him with cursing and railing. Instead of honor, he will pay him disgrace.

7: Many on account of fraud have turned away. They are afraid of being defrauded for nothing.

8: However be patient with a man in poor estate. Don’t keep him waiting for your alms.

9: Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake. According to his need don’t send him empty away.

10: Lose your money for a brother and a friend. Don’t let it rust under a stone and be lost.

11: Allocate your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High and it will profit you more than gold.

12: Store up almsgiving in your store-chambers and it will deliver you out of all affliction.

13: It will fight for you against your enemy better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear.

14: A good man will be surety for his neighbor. He who has lost shame will fail him.

15: Don’t forget the kindness of your guarantor, for he has given his life for you.

16: A sinner will waste the property of his guarantor.

17: He who is thankless will fail him who delivered him.

18: Being surety has undone many who were prospering and shaken them as a wave of the sea. It has driven mighty men from their homes. They wandered among foreign nations.

19: A sinner who falls into suretiship and undertakes contracts for work will fall into lawsuits.

20: Help your neighbor according to your power, and be careful not to fall yourself.

21: The essentials of life are water, bread, a garment, and a house for privacy.

22: Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs than sumptuous fare in another man’s house.

23: With little or with much, be well satisfied.

24: It is a miserable life to go from house to house. Where you are a guest, you dare not open your mouth.

25: You will entertain, serve drinks, and have no thanks. In addition to this, you will hear bitter words.

26: “Come here, you sojourner, set a table, and if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.”

27: “Leave, you sojourner, for an honored guest is here. My brother has come to be my guest. I need my house.”

28: These things are grievous to a man of understanding: The scolding about lodging and the insults of creditors.

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Scripture text: World English Bible, Catholic Edition (WEBC) — public domain

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