them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.
[13] As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best.
[14] Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
[15] So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another.
[16] I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and tred my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.
[17] Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.
[18] Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.
[19] Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to another: lest it repent thee, and thou intreat for the same again.
[20] As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.
[21] For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.
[22] In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in thine honour.
[23] At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.
[24] Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant. .
[25] If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.
[26] A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.
[27] Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.
[28] Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.
[29] But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.
[30] If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.
[31] If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?

Sir.34

[1] The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.
[2] Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.
[3] The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.
[4] Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?
[5] Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.
[6] If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.
[7] For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.
[8] The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
[9] A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.
[10] He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.
[11] When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.
[12] I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.
[13] The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.
[14] Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.
[15] Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?
[16] For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.
[17] He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.
[18] He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.
[19] The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.
[20] Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father's eyes.
[21] The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.
[22] He that taketh away his neighbour's living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
[23] When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?
[24] When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?
[25] He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?
[26] So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?