Old Testament · Deuterocanon
Sirach 14
Blessedness, Mortality, and Wisdom's Shelter
Overview
Ben Sira pronounces blessedness upon the person whose conscience and tongue are upright, exposes the miser's self-inflicted ruin, calls the disciple to generous enjoyment of life's goods before death closes the door, and concludes with a portrait of the seeker who tracks, dwells with, and finds lasting shelter beneath Wisdom's branches.
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Sirach 14
1Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins. 2Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, and who has not given up hope. 3Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money? 4He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods. 5If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions. 6There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness. 7Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness. 8A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls. 9A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul. 10A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table. 11My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. 12Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you. 13Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them. 14Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by. 15Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot? 16Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades. 17All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!” 18Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, some it sheds, and some grow, so also are the generations of flesh and blood: one comes to an end and another is born. 19Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it. 20Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding. 21He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets. 22Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths. 23He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors. 24He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls. 25He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are. 26He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches. 27By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory.