Sirach 13

1 A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it. 2 A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein. 3 A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin. 4 The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived. 5 The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire. 6 A wise heart, and which hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success. 7 Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins: 8 And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay. 10 Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor. 11 Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the poor in his want. 12 Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to gibe to him that is in distress. 13 Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy. 14 Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back. 15 For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him. 16 Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man. 17 Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness. 18 Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul. 19 In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother. 20 And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother. 21 Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice. 22 And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness. 23 They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing. 24 They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her. 25 He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure. 26 If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance.