Sirach 35

1If they made you a leader, do not exalt yourself; be among them as one of them.

2Strike the foreign people, and let them see your mighty deeds.

3Speak, elder, for it is fitting for you—yet with accurate knowledge, and do not hinder the music.

4Where there is listening, do not pour out speech, and do not show off wisdom at the wrong time.

5Renew a sign and repeat a wonder; glorify the hand and strengthen the arm and the right hand.

6Stir up anger and pour out wrath; humble the foe and drive back the enemy.

7Hasten the end and attend to the appointed time, for who will tell you what you should do?

8Sum up your speech; in few words say much. Be like one who knows and yet keeps silent.

9Gather all the tribes of Jacob, and let them inherit as in former days.

10Have mercy on the people called by your name, on Israel, your firstborn, whom you acquired.

11Have mercy on the city of your sanctuary, Jerusalem, the place established for your dwelling.

12Fill Zion with your splendor, and your temple with your glory.

13Bear witness to your former deeds, and establish the vision swiftly in your name.

14Give the recompense of those who wait for you, and let your prophets be found faithful.

15Hear the prayer of your servants, according to your favor toward your people.

16And all the ends of the earth will know that you are the eternal God.

17The throat eats every kind of food, but one kind of food is more pleasant than another.

18Any food is shut up in the belly, but one food is more pleasant than another.

19Any male will accept a woman, but a man will choose a young woman.

20The palate tests the flavors of speech, and an understanding heart the flavors of falsehood.

21A devious heart causes grief, and an experienced man will repay him in kind.

22Any wound a living creature may heal, but there is pain worse than pain.

23A woman’s beauty brightens the face, and it surpasses every delight of the eye.

24And again, if there is healing for the tongue, it is not among human beings.

26Who will trust an armed troop, leaping from city to city?

27So is the man who has no nest, resting wherever evening overtakes him.

28Do not give authority over yourself in your lifetime to son or wife, brother or friend; and do not give your property to another, lest you regret it and have to ask for it back.

29As long as you still live and have breath in you, do not give yourself over to any flesh.

30For it is better that your children should beg from you than that you should look to the hands of your sons.

31In all your works be preeminent; do not give a blemish to your honor.

32On the day the days of your life are completed, and at the time of your death, distribute your inheritance.

33Fodder and a stick and loads are for a donkey; bread and discipline and work are for a servant.

34Put a child to work, and you will find rest; leave his hands idle, and he will seek freedom.

35A yoke and a strap will bend the neck, and for a wicked servant there are racks and tortures.

36Put him to work, so that he may not be idle,

37For idleness has taught much evil.

38Assign him work as is fitting for him; and if he does not obey, make his fetters heavy. But do not be excessive with any flesh, and do nothing without judgment.

39The prayer of the humble has passed through the clouds, and until it draws near, it will not be comforted;