Sirach 14

1Happy is the man whose mouth has not caused him to stumble, and whose heart has not condemned him.

2Blessed is the man whom his soul has not reproached, and whose hope has not ceased.

3Wealth is not fitting for a small-hearted man, and riches are not fitting for a man with an evil eye.

4He who deprives himself will gather for another, and strangers will revel in his goods.

5If he is evil to himself, to whom will he do good? He will not enjoy his own good things.

6For one who is evil to himself, there is none more evil than he; and this is the repayment of his evil.

7Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness, and in the end he reveals his evil.

8Evil is the man with an envious eye, turning away his face and despising lives.

9In the eye of the greedy, his portion is too little, and by taking his neighbor’s share he destroys his own portion.

10An evil eye is stingy over bread, and there is meanness at his table.

11My son, if you have the means, treat yourself well; and if you have anything, do good to yourself.

12Refresh yourself while you still have the power; remember that there is no pleasure in Sheol, and death does not delay, and the decree of Sheol has not been made known to you.

13Before you die, do good to one you love, and according to what your hand attains, give to him.

14Do not deprive yourself of a good day, and do not let your share in a good desire pass you by.

15Will you not leave your wealth to another, and your labor to those who cast the lot?

16Give to a brother, and be gracious, and indulge yourself, for in Sheol there is no seeking pleasure. And whatever is good to do, do it before God.

17All flesh wears out like a garment, and the everlasting decree is, “Dying, they shall die.”

18Like the leaves budding on a luxuriant tree—one withers and another sprouts—so are the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and another is born.

19All his works rot away, and the work of his hands is dragged along behind him.

20Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reflects with understanding.

21He who sets his heart on her ways and considers her insights.

22Go out after her in search, and lurk at all her entrances.

23One who looks in through her window, and at her doorway he will listen.

24He who camps around her house and drives his tent peg into her wall—

25He pitches his tent beside her, and he lodges in a good dwelling-place.

26He sets his nest in her foliage, and lodges among her branches.

27He takes refuge in its shade from the heat, and he dwells in its shelters.