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Sirach 7, RSV

7:1 Do no evil, and evil will never befall you.

7:2 Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.

7:3 My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.

7:4 Do not seek from the Lord the highest office, nor the seat of honor from the king.

7:5 Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord, nor display your wisdom before the king.

7:6 Do not seek to become a judge, lest you be unable to remove iniquity, lest you be partial to a powerful man, and thus put a blot on your integrity.

7:7 Do not offend against the public, and do not disgrace yourself among the people.

7:8 Do not commit a sin twice; even for one you will not go unpunished.

7:9 Do not say, "He will consider the multitude of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the Most High God he will accept it."

7:10 Do not be fainthearted in your prayer, nor neglect to give alms.

7:11 Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul, for there is One who abases and exalts.

7:12 Do not devise a lie against your brother, nor do the like to a friend.

7:13 Refuse to utter any lie, for the habit of lying serves no good.

7:14 Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders, nor repeat yourself in your prayer.

7:15 Do not hate toilsome labor, or farm work, which were created by the Most High.

7:16 Do not count yourself among the crowd of sinners; remember that wrath does not delay.

7:17 Humble yourself greatly, for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.

7:18 Do not exchange a friend for money, or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.

7:19 Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife, for her charm is worth more than gold.

7:20 Do not abuse a servant who performs his work faithfully, or a hired laborer who devotes himself to you.

7:21 Let your soul love an intelligent servant; do not withhold from him his freedom.

7:22 Do you have cattle? Look after them; if they are profitable to you, keep them.

7:23 Do you have children? Discipline them, and make them obedient from their youth.

7:24 Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity, and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.

7:25 Give a daughter in marriage; you will have finished a great task. But give her to a man of understanding.

7:26 If you have a wife who pleases you, do not cast her out; but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.

7:27 With all your heart honor your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.

7:28 Remember that through your parents you were born; and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you?

7:29 With all your soul fear the Lord, and honor his priests.

7:30 With all your might love your Maker, and do not forsake his ministers.

7:31 Fear the Lord and honor the priest, and give him his portion, as is commanded you: the first fruits, the guilt offering, the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.

7:32 Stretch forth your hand to the poor, so that your blessing may be complete.

7:33 Give graciously to all the living, and withhold not kindness from the dead.

7:34 Do not fail those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn.

7:35 Do not shrink from visiting a sick man, because for such deeds you will be loved.

7:36 In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin.

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