Sirach 8-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Prudence and Common Sense
8 Do not contend with the powerful,
or you may fall into their hands.
2 Do not quarrel with the rich,
in case their resources outweigh yours,
for gold has ruined many
and has perverted the minds of kings.(A)
3 Do not argue with the loud of mouth,
and do not heap wood on their fire.(B)
4 Do not make fun of one who is uneducated,
or your ancestors may be insulted.
5 Do not reproach one who is turning away from sin;
remember that we all deserve punishment.(C)
6 Do not disdain one who is old,
for some of us are also growing old.(D)
7 Do not rejoice over anyone’s death;
remember that we must all die.
8 Do not slight the discourse of the sages,
but turn to their maxims,
because from them you will learn discipline
and how to serve the great.(E)
9 Do not ignore the discourse of the aged,
for they themselves learned from their parents;[a]
from them you learn how to understand
and to give an answer when the need arises.(F)
10 Do not kindle the coals of sinners,
or you may be burned[b] in their flaming fire.(G)
11 Do not let the insolent bring you to your feet,
or they may lie in ambush against your words.
12 Do not lend to one who is stronger than you,
but if you do lend anything, count it as a loss.(H)
13 Do not give surety beyond your means,
but if you give surety be prepared to pay.(I)
14 Do not go to law against a judge,
for the decision will favor him because of his standing.
15 Do not travel on the road with the reckless,
or your troubles may become burdensome,
for they will act as they please,
and through their folly you will perish with them.
16 Do not pick a fight with the quick-tempered,
and do not journey with them through a deserted region,
because bloodshed means nothing to them,
and where no help is at hand they will strike you down.(J)
17 Do not consult with fools,
for they cannot keep a secret.(K)
18 In the presence of strangers do nothing that is to be kept secret,
for you do not know what they will divulge.[c]
19 Do not reveal your thoughts to anyone,
or you may drive away your happiness.[d]
Advice concerning Women
9 Do not be jealous of the wife whom you embrace,
or you will teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.(L)
2 Do not give yourself to a woman
and let her trample down your strength.(M)
3 Do not go near a loose woman,[e]
or you may fall into her snares.(N)
4 Do not dally with a female singer,
or you may be caught in her activities.
5 Do not look intently at a virgin,
or you may stumble and incur penalties for her.(O)
6 Do not give yourself to prostitutes,
or you may lose your inheritance.(P)
7 Do not look around in the streets of a city
or wander about in its deserted sections.(Q)
8 Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman,
and do not gaze at beauty belonging to another;
many have been seduced by a woman’s beauty,
and by it passion is kindled like a fire.(R)
9 Never dine[f] with another man’s wife
or revel with her at wine,
or your heart may turn aside to her,
and in blood[g] you may plunge into destruction.(S)
Choice of Friends
10 Do not abandon old friends,
for new ones cannot equal them.
A new friend is like new wine;
when it has aged, you will drink it with pleasure.(T)
11 Do not envy the notoriety of sinners,
for you do not know what their end will be like.(U)
12 Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly;[h]
remember that they will not be held guiltless until Hades.(V)
13 Keep far from those who have power to kill,
and you will not be haunted by the fear of death.
But if you approach them, make no misstep,
or they may rob you of your life.
Know that you are stepping among snares
and that you are walking on the city battlements.
14 As much as you can, aim to know your neighbors,
and consult with the wise.(W)
15 Let your conversation be with intelligent people,
and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High.(X)
16 Let the righteous be your dinner companions,
and let your boast be in the fear of the Lord.(Y)
Concerning Rulers
17 A work is praised for the skill of the artisan,
so a people’s leader is proved wise by his words.
18 The loud of mouth are feared in their city,
and the one who is reckless in speech is hated.(Z)
Sirach 8-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Prudence and Common Sense
8 Do not contend with the powerful,
or you may fall into their hands.
2 Do not quarrel with the rich,
in case their resources outweigh yours,
for gold has ruined many
and has perverted the minds of kings.(A)
3 Do not argue with the loud of mouth,
and do not heap wood on their fire.(B)
4 Do not make fun of one who is uneducated,
or your ancestors may be insulted.
5 Do not reproach one who is turning away from sin;
remember that we all deserve punishment.(C)
6 Do not disdain one who is old,
for some of us are also growing old.(D)
7 Do not rejoice over anyone’s death;
remember that we must all die.
8 Do not slight the discourse of the sages,
but turn to their maxims,
because from them you will learn discipline
and how to serve the great.(E)
9 Do not ignore the discourse of the aged,
for they themselves learned from their parents;[a]
from them you learn how to understand
and to give an answer when the need arises.(F)
10 Do not kindle the coals of sinners,
or you may be burned[b] in their flaming fire.(G)
11 Do not let the insolent bring you to your feet,
or they may lie in ambush against your words.
12 Do not lend to one who is stronger than you,
but if you do lend anything, count it as a loss.(H)
13 Do not give surety beyond your means,
but if you give surety be prepared to pay.(I)
14 Do not go to law against a judge,
for the decision will favor him because of his standing.
15 Do not travel on the road with the reckless,
or your troubles may become burdensome,
for they will act as they please,
and through their folly you will perish with them.
16 Do not pick a fight with the quick-tempered,
and do not journey with them through a deserted region,
because bloodshed means nothing to them,
and where no help is at hand they will strike you down.(J)
17 Do not consult with fools,
for they cannot keep a secret.(K)
18 In the presence of strangers do nothing that is to be kept secret,
for you do not know what they will divulge.[c]
19 Do not reveal your thoughts to anyone,
or you may drive away your happiness.[d]
Advice concerning Women
9 Do not be jealous of the wife whom you embrace,
or you will teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.(L)
2 Do not give yourself to a woman
and let her trample down your strength.(M)
3 Do not go near a loose woman,[e]
or you may fall into her snares.(N)
4 Do not dally with a female singer,
or you may be caught in her activities.
5 Do not look intently at a virgin,
or you may stumble and incur penalties for her.(O)
6 Do not give yourself to prostitutes,
or you may lose your inheritance.(P)
7 Do not look around in the streets of a city
or wander about in its deserted sections.(Q)
8 Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman,
and do not gaze at beauty belonging to another;
many have been seduced by a woman’s beauty,
and by it passion is kindled like a fire.(R)
9 Never dine[f] with another man’s wife
or revel with her at wine,
or your heart may turn aside to her,
and in blood[g] you may plunge into destruction.(S)
Choice of Friends
10 Do not abandon old friends,
for new ones cannot equal them.
A new friend is like new wine;
when it has aged, you will drink it with pleasure.(T)
11 Do not envy the notoriety of sinners,
for you do not know what their end will be like.(U)
12 Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly;[h]
remember that they will not be held guiltless until Hades.(V)
13 Keep far from those who have power to kill,
and you will not be haunted by the fear of death.
But if you approach them, make no misstep,
or they may rob you of your life.
Know that you are stepping among snares
and that you are walking on the city battlements.
14 As much as you can, aim to know your neighbors,
and consult with the wise.(W)
15 Let your conversation be with intelligent people,
and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High.(X)
16 Let the righteous be your dinner companions,
and let your boast be in the fear of the Lord.(Y)
Concerning Rulers
17 A work is praised for the skill of the artisan,
so a people’s leader is proved wise by his words.
18 The loud of mouth are feared in their city,
and the one who is reckless in speech is hated.(Z)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.