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WEBC: World English Bible, Catholic Edition

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Egypt and Exodus
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Day 213 of 365

about 10 minutes

Sirach 12-15

Sirach Chapter 12

¹If you do good, know to whom you do it, and your good deeds will have thanks. ²Do good to a godly man, and you will find a reward— if not from him, then from the Most High. ³No good will come to him who continues to do evil, nor to him who gives no alms. ⁴Give to the godly man, and don’t help the sinner. ⁵Do good to one who is lowly. Don’t give to an ungodly man. Keep back his bread, and don’t give it to him, lest he subdue you with it; for you would receive twice as much evil for all the good you would have done to him. ⁶For the Most High also hates sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly. ⁷Give to the good man, and don’t help the sinner. ⁸A man’s friend won’t be fully tried in prosperity. His enemy won’t be hidden in adversity. ⁹In a man’s prosperity, his enemies are grieved. In his adversity, even his friend leaves. ¹⁰Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in copper. ¹¹Though he humbles himself and walks bowed down, still be careful and beware of him. You will be to him as one who has wiped a mirror, to be sure it doesn’t completely tarnish. ¹²Don’t set him next to you, lest he overthrow you and stand in your place. Don’t let him sit on your right hand, lest he seek to take your seat, and at the last you acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings. ¹³Who will pity a charmer that is bitten by a snake, or any who come near wild beasts? ¹⁴Even so, who will pity him who goes to a sinner, and is associated with him in his sins? ¹⁵For a while he will stay with you, and if you falter, he will not stay. ¹⁶The enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, and in his heart plan to throw you into a pit. The enemy may weep with his eyes, but if he finds opportunity, he will want more blood. ¹⁷If adversity meets you, you will find him there before you. Pretending to help you, he will trip you. ¹⁸He will shake his head, clap his hands, whisper much, and change his countenance.

1: If you do good, know to whom you do it, and your good deeds will have thanks.

2: Do good to a godly man, and you will find a reward— if not from him, then from the Most High.

3: No good will come to him who continues to do evil, nor to him who gives no alms.

4: Give to the godly man, and don’t help the sinner.

5: Do good to one who is lowly. Don’t give to an ungodly man. Keep back his bread, and don’t give it to him, lest he subdue you with it; for you would receive twice as much evil for all the good you would have done to him.

6: For the Most High also hates sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.

7: Give to the good man, and don’t help the sinner.

8: A man’s friend won’t be fully tried in prosperity. His enemy won’t be hidden in adversity.

9: In a man’s prosperity, his enemies are grieved. In his adversity, even his friend leaves.

10: Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in copper.

11: Though he humbles himself and walks bowed down, still be careful and beware of him. You will be to him as one who has wiped a mirror, to be sure it doesn’t completely tarnish.

12: Don’t set him next to you, lest he overthrow you and stand in your place. Don’t let him sit on your right hand, lest he seek to take your seat, and at the last you acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.

13: Who will pity a charmer that is bitten by a snake, or any who come near wild beasts?

14: Even so, who will pity him who goes to a sinner, and is associated with him in his sins?

15: For a while he will stay with you, and if you falter, he will not stay.

16: The enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, and in his heart plan to throw you into a pit. The enemy may weep with his eyes, but if he finds opportunity, he will want more blood.

17: If adversity meets you, you will find him there before you. Pretending to help you, he will trip you.

18: He will shake his head, clap his hands, whisper much, and change his countenance.

Sirach Chapter 13

¹He who touches pitch will be defiled. He who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him. ²Don’t take up a burden above your strength. Have no fellowship with one who is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship would the earthen pot have with the kettle? The kettle will strike, and the pot will be dashed in pieces. ³The rich man does a wrong and threatens. The poor is wronged and apologizes. ⁴If you are profitable, he will exploit you. If you are in need, he will forsake you. ⁵If you own something, he will live with you. He will drain your resources and will not be sorry. ⁶Does he need you? Then he will deceive you, smile at you, and give you hope. He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?” ⁷He will shame you by his delicacies until he has made you bare twice or thrice, and in the end he will laugh you to scorn. Afterward he will see you, will forsake you, and shake his head at you. ⁸Beware that you are not deceived and brought low in your enjoyment. ⁹If a mighty man invites you, be reserved, and he will invite you more. ¹⁰Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back. Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten. ¹¹Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner. ¹²He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind. ¹³Keep them to yourself and be careful, for you walk in danger of falling. ¹⁵Every living creature loves its own kind, and every man loves his neighbor. ¹⁶All flesh associates with their own kind. A man will stick to people like himself. ¹⁷What fellowship would the wolf have with the lamb? So is the sinner to the godly. ¹⁸What peace is there between a hyena and a dog? What peace is there between a rich man and the poor? ¹⁹Wild donkeys are the prey of lions in the wilderness; likewise poor men are feeding grounds for the rich. ²⁰Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; likewise a poor man is an abomination to the rich. ²¹When a rich man is shaken, he is supported by his friends, but when the humble is down, he is pushed away even by his friends. ²²When a rich man falls, there are many helpers. He speaks things not to be spoken, and men justify him. A humble man falls, and men rebuke him. He utters wisdom, and is not listened to. ²³A rich man speaks, and all keep silence. They extol what he says to the clouds. A poor man speaks, and they say, “Who is this?” If he stumbles, they will help to overthrow him. ²⁴Riches are good if they have no sin. Poverty is evil only in the opinion of the ungodly. ²⁵The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether it is for good or for evil. ²⁶A cheerful countenance is a sign of a prosperous heart. Devising proverbs takes strenuous thinking.

1: He who touches pitch will be defiled. He who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him.

2: Don’t take up a burden above your strength. Have no fellowship with one who is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship would the earthen pot have with the kettle? The kettle will strike, and the pot will be dashed in pieces.

3: The rich man does a wrong and threatens. The poor is wronged and apologizes.

4: If you are profitable, he will exploit you. If you are in need, he will forsake you.

5: If you own something, he will live with you. He will drain your resources and will not be sorry.

6: Does he need you? Then he will deceive you, smile at you, and give you hope. He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?”

7: He will shame you by his delicacies until he has made you bare twice or thrice, and in the end he will laugh you to scorn. Afterward he will see you, will forsake you, and shake his head at you.

8: Beware that you are not deceived and brought low in your enjoyment.

9: If a mighty man invites you, be reserved, and he will invite you more.

10: Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back. Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten.

11: Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner.

12: He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind.

13: Keep them to yourself and be careful, for you walk in danger of falling.

15: Every living creature loves its own kind, and every man loves his neighbor.

16: All flesh associates with their own kind. A man will stick to people like himself.

17: What fellowship would the wolf have with the lamb? So is the sinner to the godly.

18: What peace is there between a hyena and a dog? What peace is there between a rich man and the poor?

19: Wild donkeys are the prey of lions in the wilderness; likewise poor men are feeding grounds for the rich.

20: Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; likewise a poor man is an abomination to the rich.

21: When a rich man is shaken, he is supported by his friends, but when the humble is down, he is pushed away even by his friends.

22: When a rich man falls, there are many helpers. He speaks things not to be spoken, and men justify him. A humble man falls, and men rebuke him. He utters wisdom, and is not listened to.

23: A rich man speaks, and all keep silence. They extol what he says to the clouds. A poor man speaks, and they say, “Who is this?” If he stumbles, they will help to overthrow him.

24: Riches are good if they have no sin. Poverty is evil only in the opinion of the ungodly.

25: The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether it is for good or for evil.

26: A cheerful countenance is a sign of a prosperous heart. Devising proverbs takes strenuous thinking.

Sirach Chapter 14

¹Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins. ²Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, and who has not given up hope. ³Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money? ⁴He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods. ⁵If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions. ⁶There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness. ⁷Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness. ⁸A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls. ⁹A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul. ¹⁰A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table. ¹¹My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. ¹²Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you. ¹³Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them. ¹⁴Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by. ¹⁵Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot? ¹⁶Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades. ¹⁷All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!” ¹⁸Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, some it sheds, and some grow, so also are the generations of flesh and blood: one comes to an end and another is born. ¹⁹Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it. ²⁰Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding. ²¹He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets. ²²Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths. ²³He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors. ²⁴He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls. ²⁵He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are. ²⁶He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches. ²⁷By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory.

1: Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and doesn’t suffer from sorrow for sins.

2: Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, and who has not given up hope.

3: Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would a miser do with money?

4: He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods.

5: If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good? He won’t enjoy his possessions.

6: There is none more evil than he who is grudging to himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness.

7: Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness.

8: A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls.

9: A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul.

10: A miser begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.

11: My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.

12: Remember that death will not wait, and that the covenant of Hades hasn’t been shown to you.

13: Do good to your friends before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to them.

14: Don’t deprive yourself of a good day. Don’t let your share of a desired good pass you by.

15: Won’t you leave your labors to another, and your toils be divided by lot?

16: Give, take, and treat yourself well, because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades.

17: All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die!”

18: Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, some it sheds, and some grow, so also are the generations of flesh and blood: one comes to an end and another is born.

19: Every work rots and falls away, and its builder will depart with it.

20: Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding.

21: He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets.

22: Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths.

23: He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors.

24: He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls.

25: He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are.

26: He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches.

27: By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory.

Sirach Chapter 15

¹He who fears the Lord will do this. He who has possession of the law will obtain her. ²She will meet him like a mother, and receive him like a wife married in her virginity. ³She will feed him with bread of understanding and give him water of wisdom to drink. ⁴He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved. He will rely upon her, and will not be confounded. ⁵She will exalt him above his neighbors. She will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation. ⁶He will inherit joy, a crown of gladness, and an everlasting name. ⁷Foolish men will not obtain her. Sinners will not see her. ⁸She is far from pride. Liars will not remember her. ⁹Praise is not attractive in the mouth of a sinner; for it was not sent to him from the Lord. ¹⁰For praise will be spoken in wisdom; The Lord will prosper it. ¹¹Don’t say, “It is through the Lord that I fell away;” for you shall not do the things that he hates. ¹²Don’t say, “It is he that caused me to err;” for he has no need of a sinful man. ¹³The Lord hates every abomination; and those who fear him don’t love them. ¹⁴He himself made man from the beginning and left him in the hand of his own counsel. ¹⁵If you choose, you can keep the commandments. To be faithful is a matter of your choice. ¹⁶He has set fire and water before you. You will stretch forth your hand to whichever you desire. ¹⁷Before man is life and death. Whichever he likes, it will be given to him. ¹⁸For the wisdom of the Lord is great. He is mighty in power, and sees all things. ¹⁹His eyes are upon those who fear him. He knows every act of man. ²⁰He has not commanded any man to be ungodly. He has not given any man license to sin.

1: He who fears the Lord will do this. He who has possession of the law will obtain her.

2: She will meet him like a mother, and receive him like a wife married in her virginity.

3: She will feed him with bread of understanding and give him water of wisdom to drink.

4: He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved. He will rely upon her, and will not be confounded.

5: She will exalt him above his neighbors. She will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation.

6: He will inherit joy, a crown of gladness, and an everlasting name.

7: Foolish men will not obtain her. Sinners will not see her.

8: She is far from pride. Liars will not remember her.

9: Praise is not attractive in the mouth of a sinner; for it was not sent to him from the Lord.

10: For praise will be spoken in wisdom; The Lord will prosper it.

11: Don’t say, “It is through the Lord that I fell away;” for you shall not do the things that he hates.

12: Don’t say, “It is he that caused me to err;” for he has no need of a sinful man.

13: The Lord hates every abomination; and those who fear him don’t love them.

14: He himself made man from the beginning and left him in the hand of his own counsel.

15: If you choose, you can keep the commandments. To be faithful is a matter of your choice.

16: He has set fire and water before you. You will stretch forth your hand to whichever you desire.

17: Before man is life and death. Whichever he likes, it will be given to him.

18: For the wisdom of the Lord is great. He is mighty in power, and sees all things.

19: His eyes are upon those who fear him. He knows every act of man.

20: He has not commanded any man to be ungodly. He has not given any man license to sin.

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Scripture text: World English Bible, Catholic Edition (WEBC) — public domain

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