a man will cleave to his like.
[17] What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb? so the sinner with the godly.
[18] What agreement is there between the hyena and a dog? and what peace between the rich and the poor?
[19] As the wild ass is the lion's prey in the wilderness: so the rich eat up the poor.
[20] As the proud hate humility: so doth the rich abhor the poor.
[21] A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends: but a poor man being down is thrust away by his friends.
[22] When a rich man is fallen, he hath many helpers: he speaketh things not to be spoken, and yet men justify him: the poor man slipped, and yet they rebuked him too; he spake wisely, and could have no place.
[23] When a rich man speaketh, every man holdeth his tongue, and, look, what he saith, they extol it to the clouds: but if the poor man speak, they say, What fellow is this? and if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.
[24] Riches are good unto him that hath no sin, and poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.
[25] The heart of a man changeth his countenance, whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.
[26] A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a wearisome labour of the mind.

Sir.14

[1] Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of sins.
[2] Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the Lord.
[3] Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an envious man do with money?
[4] He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul gathereth for others, that shall spend his goods riotously.
[5] He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? he shall not take pleasure in his goods.
[6] There is none worse than he that envieth himself; and this is a recompence of his wickedness.
[7] And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and at the last he will declare his wickedness.
[8] The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and despiseth men.
[9] A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul.
[10] A wicked eye envieth [his] bread, and he is a niggard at his table.
[11] My son, according to thy ability do good to thyself, and give the Lord his due offering.
[12] Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee.
[13] Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability stretch out thy hand and give to him.
[14] Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good desire overpass thee.
[15] Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours to be divided by lot?
[16] Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave.
[17] All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.
[18] As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.
[19] Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal.
[20] Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding. ing.
[21] He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have understanding in her secrets.
[22] Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways.
[23] He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors.
[24] He that doth lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her walls.
[25] He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.
[26] He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches.
[27] By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.

Sir.15

[1] He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that hath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her.
[2] And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married of a virgin.
[3] With the bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
[4] He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.
[5] She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.
[6] He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
[7] But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinners shall not see her.
[8] For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her.
[9] Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him of the Lord.
[10] For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.
[11] Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.
[12]