Sirach 18:19-29

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁹ Before you speak, learn,
    and before you fall ill, take care of your health.
²⁰ Before judgment, examine yourself,
    and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.
²¹ Before falling ill, humble yourself,
    and when you are on the point of sinning, turn back.
²² Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly,
    and do not wait until death to be released from it.
²³ Before making a vow,^[a] prepare yourself;
    and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord.
²⁴ Think of his wrath on the day of death,
    and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.
²⁵ In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger;
    in the days of wealth think of poverty and need.
²⁶ From morning to evening conditions change,
    and all things move swiftly before the Lord.