4:22. But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy.
4:23. Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.
4:24. For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.
4:25. For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace.
4:26. Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie.
4:27. Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:
4:28. And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.
4:29. For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.
4:30. In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance.
4:31. Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin.
4:32. Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river.
4:33. Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and G.o.d will overthrow thy enemies for thee.
4:34. Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works.
4:35. Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee.
4:36. Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 5
We must not presume of our wealth or strength: nor of the mercy of G.o.d, to go on in sin: we must be steadfast in virtue and truth.
5:1. Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.
5:2. Follow not in thy strength the desires of thy heart:
5:3. And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for G.o.d will surely take revenge.
5:4. Say not: I have sinned, and what harm hath befallen me? for the most High is a patient rewarder.
5:5. Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:
5:6. And say not: The mercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the mult.i.tude of my sins.
5:7. For mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners.
5:8. Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.
5:9. For his wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee.
5:10. Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge.
5:11. Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue.
5:12. Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.
5:13. Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom.
5:14. If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded.
5:15. Honour and glory is in the word of the wise, but the tongue of the fool is his ruin.
5:16. Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded.
5:17. For confusion and repentance is upon a thief, and an evil mark of disgrace upon the double tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and enmity, and reproach.
5:18. Justify alike the small and the great.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 6
Of true and false friends: and of the of the fruits of wisdom.
6:1. Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.
6:2. Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,
6:3. And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit, and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.
6:4. For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.
6:5. A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.
6:6. Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.
6:7. If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.
6:8. For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
6:9. And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.
6:10. And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.
6:11. A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.
6:12. If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.
6:13. Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.