Sirach 5

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¹Set your heart upon your goods; and say not, I have enough for my life.

²Follow not your own mind and your strength, to walk in the ways of your heart:

³And say not, Who shall control me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge your pride.

⁴Say not, I have sinned, and what harm has happened to me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let you go.

⁵Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin to sin:

⁶And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation rests upon sinners.

⁷Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in your security you shall be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.

⁸Set not your heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit you in the day of calamity.

⁹Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so does the sinner that has a double tongue.

¹⁰Be stedfast in your understanding; and let your word be the same.

¹¹Be swift to hear; and let your life be sincere; and with patience give answer.

¹²If you have understanding, answer your neighbour; if not, lay your hand upon your mouth.

¹³Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.

¹⁴Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with your tongue: for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.

¹⁵Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a small.