Sirach
Chapter 5
1
1 Rely not on your wealth; say not: "I have the power."
2
Rely not on your strength in following the desires of your heart.
3
Say not: "Who can prevail against me?" for the LORD will exact the punishment.
4
Say not: "I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?" for the LORD bides his time.
5
Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin.
6
Say not: "Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive."
7
For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked alights his wrath.
8
Delay not your conversion to the LORD, put it not off from day to day;
9
For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed.
10
Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath.
11
2 Winnow not in every wind, and start not off in every direction.
12
3 Be consistent in your thoughts; steadfast be your words.
13
Be swift to hear, but slow to answer.
14
If you have the knowledge, answer your neighbor; if not, put your hand over your mouth.
15
Honor and dishonor through talking! A man's tongue can be his downfall.
16
Be not called a detractor; use not your tongue for calumny;
17
For shame has been created for the thief, and the reproach of his neighbor for the double-tongued.
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Footnotes

1 [1-10] The vices of the rich are pride and independence (Sirach 5:1-2), presumption (Sirach 5:3), false security (Sirach 5:4-7), and impenitence (Sirach 5:8), which cannot escape the divine wrath (Sirach 5:9, 10). Cf Proverb 18:23; 19:1; 28:6.

2 [11] A proverbial expression condemning inconstancy and advocating sincerity and honesty.

3 [5:12-6:1] Proper use of the tongue requires constancy in speech (Sirach 5:12), prudence (Sirach 5:13-14), reserve (Sirach 5:15), charity (Sirach 6:1), as well as the avoidance of detraction, calumny (Sirach 6:16), and double talk, which bring shame and disgrace (Sirach 5:15; 6:1).


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