The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 4

1My son, deprive not the poor of his living, 2Make not a hungry soul sorrowful; 3To a heart that is provoked add not more trouble; 4Reject not a suppliant in his affliction; 5Turn not away your eye from one that asks of you, 6For if he curse you in the bitterness of his soul, 7Get yourself the love of the congregation; 8Incline your ear to a poor man, 9Deliver him that is wronged from the hand of him that wrongeth him; 10Be as a father to the fatherless, 11Wisdom exalts her sons, 12He that loves her loves life; 13He that holds her fast will inherit glory; he enters, the Lord will bless. Or, she 14They that do her service will minister to the Holy One; 15He that gives ear to her will judge the nations; 16If he trust her, he will inherit her; 17For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, 18Then will she return again the straight way to him, 19If he go astray, she will forsake him, to his fall. Gr. to the hands of his fall. 20Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; Or, an evil man 21For there is a shame that brings sin; that is glory and grace. 22Accept not the person of any against your soul; reverence no man to your falling. Or, be not abashed 23Refrain not speech, when it tendeth to safety; Gr. in an occasion of safety. And hide not your wisdom for the sake of fair-seeming. Most authorities omit this line. 24For by speech wisdom will be known; 25Speak not against the truth; 26Be not ashamed to make confession of your sins; 27Lay not yourself down for a fool to tread upon; 28Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God will fight for you. 29Be not hasty in your tongue, Some authorities read rough. 30Be not as a lion in your house, 31Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and closed when you should repay. Or, drawn back