Eclesiástico (Sirácide) 5

¹Rely not on your wealth; say not: "I have the power."

²Rely not on your strength in following the desires of your heart.

³Say not: "Who can prevail against me?" for the LORD will exact the punishment.

⁴Say not: "I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?" for the LORD bides his time.

⁵Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin.

⁶Say not: "Great is his mercy; my many sins he will forgive." For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked alights his wrath.

⁷Delay not your conversion to the LORD, put it not off from day to day; For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed.

⁸Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath.

⁹Winnow not in every wind, and start not off in every direction.

¹⁰Be consistent in your thoughts; steadfast be your words.

¹¹Be swift to hear, but slow to answer.

¹²If you have the knowledge, answer your neighbor; if not, put your hand over your mouth.

¹³Honor and dishonor through talking! A man's tongue can be his downfall.

¹⁴Be not called a detractor; use not your tongue for calumny; For shame has been created for the thief, and the reproach of his neighbor for the double-tongued.

¹⁵Say nothing harmful, small or great;