Sirach 42

¹You should not repeat a claim heard from the revealing of a hidden word. And then, truly, you will be without shame, and you will find favor in the sight of all men. You should not accept the reputation of someone, so that you would sin, nor should you be confounded in any of the following things

²in the law of the Most High and his covenant, or by giving a judgment to justify the impious

³in a word among companions and fellow travelers, or by distributing the inheritance of friends

⁴in the fairness of scales and weights, or in acquiring much or little

⁵by the corruption of buying and negotiating, or in the ample discipline of children, or in causing the side of a wicked servant to bleed

⁶A seal is good over a wicked wife

⁷Where there are many hands, seal and deliver all things by number and weight; and truly, give and receive everything in writing

⁸You should not have shame in correcting the senseless, the foolish, and those youths who would judge their elders. And so shall you be well-instructed in all things and well-approved in the sight of all the living

⁹The vigilance of a father for his daughter is hidden, and his concern for her takes away his sleep. For perhaps, in her adolescence, she might be brought into adulthood. Or when she lives with her husband, she might become hateful

¹⁰In her virginity, she might be defiled, and then she may be found to be pregnant in her father’s house. Or perhaps, when she lives with her husband, she might stray, or at least become barren

¹¹Keep a close watch over a self-indulgent daughter. Otherwise, at some time, she might bring you into disgrace before your enemies, and into disrepute in the city, and into reproach among the people, and so she may confound you before the multitude of the people

¹²She should not choose to gaze upon the beauty of every man, and she should not choose to spend her time in the midst of married women

¹³For a moth goes forth from garments, and iniquity over a man goes forth from a woman

¹⁴Yet iniquity over a man is better for her than if a married woman, seeking to benefit her, instead leads her into confusion and disgrace

¹⁵And now, I will remember the works of the Lord, and I will announce what I have seen. The words of the Lord are in his works

¹⁶The sun illuminates and considers all things, and its work shows the fullness of the glory of the Lord

¹⁷Has not the Lord caused the holy ones to describe all his miracles, which the all-powerful Lord has firmly established in his glory

¹⁸He has examined the abyss and the hearts of men. And he has considered their astuteness

¹⁹For the Lord comprehends all knowledge, and he has gazed upon the signs of the times: announcing the things of the past, as well as the things of the future, and revealing the traces of hidden things

²⁰No thought passes by him unnoticed, and no word can conceal itself from him

²¹He has adorned the magnificent works of his wisdom. He is before eternity and even unto eternity. And nothing can be added

²²and nothing can be taken away. And he has no need of any counselor

²³O how desirable are all his works! And all that we consider is but a spark

²⁴All these works exist, and they remain in the present age, and they all obey him in every purpose

²⁵All things are two-fold, one facing another, and he has not made anything to be lacking

²⁶He has confirmed each thing as good. And who would tire of beholding his glory