The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 34

1Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding; 2As one that catches at a shadow, and follows after the wind, 3The vision of dreams is as this thing against that, 4Of an unclean thing what shall be cleansed? 5Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: 6If they be not sent from the Most High in your visitation, 7For dreams have led many astray: 8Without lying shall the law be accomplished; 9A well-instructed man knows many things; 10He that has no experience knows few things: his skill. 11In my wandering I have seen many things; 12Ofttimes was I in danger even to death; 13The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; 14Whoso fears the Lord shall not be afraid, and shall not play the coward; 15Blessed is the soul of him that fears the Lord: 16The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him, 17He raises up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes: 18He that sacrifices of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery; 19The Most High has no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly; 20As one that kills the son before his father’s eyes 21The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: 22As one that slays his neighbor is he that takes away his living; as a shedder of blood is he that depriveth a hireling of his hire. 23One building, and another pulling down, 24One praying, and another cursing, 25He that washes himself after touching a dead body, and touches it again, 26Even so a man fasting for his sins,