Sirach 42

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Sirach 42

1Of the following things do not be ashamed,

and do not let partiality lead you to sin:

2of the law of the Most High and his covenant,

and of rendering judgment to acquit the ungodly;

3of keeping accounts with a partner or with traveling companions,

and of dividing the inheritance of friends;

4of accuracy with scales and weights,

and of acquiring much or little;

5of profit from dealing with merchants,

and of much discipline of children,

and of whipping a wicked servant severely.a

6Where there is an evil wife, a seal is a good thing;

and where there are many hands, lock things up.

7Whatever you deal out, let it be by number and weight,

and make a record of all that you give out or take in.

8Do not be ashamed to instruct the stupid or foolish

or the aged man who quarrels with the young.

Then you will be truly instructed,

and will be approved before all men.

Daughters and Fathers

9A daughter keeps her father secretly wakeful,

and worry over her robs him of sleep;

when she is young, lest she do not marry,

or if married, lest she be hated;

10while a virgin, lest she be defiled

or become pregnant in her father's house;

or having a husband, lest she prove unfaithful,

or, though married, lest she be barren.

11Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter,

lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies,

a byword in the city and notoriousb among the people,

and put you to shame before the great multitude.

12Do not look upon any one for beauty,

and do not sit in the midst of women;

13for from garments comes the moth,

and from a woman comes woman's wickedness.

14Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good;

and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace.

The Works of God in Nature

15I will now call to mind the works of the Lord,

and will declare what I have seen.

By the words of the Lord his works are done.

16The sun looks down on everything with its light,

and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.

17The Lord has not enabled his holy ones

to recount all his marvelous works,

which the Lord the Almighty has established

that the universe may stand firm in his glory.

18He searches out the abyss, and the hearts of men,c

and considers their crafty devices.

For the Most High knows all that may be known,

and he looks into the signsd of the age.

19He declares what has been and what is to be,

and he reveals the tracks of hidden things.

20No thought escapes him,

and not one word is hidden from him.

21He has ordained the splendors of his wisdom,

and he is from everlasting and to everlasting.

Nothing can be added or taken away,

and he needs no one to be his counselor.

22How greatly to be desired are all his works,

and how sparkling they are to see!e

23All these things live and remain for ever

for every need, and are all obedient.

24All things are twofold, one opposite the other,

and he has made nothing incomplete.

25One confirms the good things of the other,

and who can have enough of beholding his glory?