Sirach 33
Those who fear the Lord will be preserved from evil and freed from harm. A wise man puts his faith in God's law and will be guided by it. The Lord has created all things and arranged them according to his will, distinguishing some as holy and others as ordinary. He has also created different types of people, some blessed and others cursed, and will repay each according to their judgment. A master should discipline his servant and not allow him to be idle, but also treat him fairly and not overwork him. A faithful servant should be treated like a brother, but if harmed unjustly, he will flee and be lost.
No evils will befall one who fears the Lord. Instead, God will preserve him during temptation and will free him from evilsA wise man does not hate the commandments and the justices, and so he will not be thrown about violently, like a ship in a stormA man of understanding puts his faith in the law of God, and so the law is faithful to himWhoever would resolve a dispute will prepare a word, and so, having prayed, he will be heard. And he will observe discipline, and then he will respondThe heart of a fool is like the wheel of a cart. And his thoughts are like a turning axelA friend who is a whisperer is like an untamed horse: he neighs under anyone who sits upon himWhy does day follow after day, and light follow after light, and year follow after year, in accord with the sunBy the knowledge of the Lord, they were arranged, after the sun was made, in keeping with his commandAnd so, the seasons changed, with their feast days. And according to them, they celebrated the feast days, in their hourSome of them, God exalted and magnified. And some of them, he set amid the ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and from the earth, from which Adam was createdWith a mulititude of disciplines, the Lord has distinguished them and diversified their waysSome of them, he has blessed and exalted. And some of them he has sanctified and placed close to himself. And some of them, he has cursed and brought low, and he has turned them from their stationJust as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so as to form and to shape itso are all his ways in accord with his dispensation, and so is man in the hand of the One who made him. And he will repay him according to his judgmentGood is against evil, and life is against death; so also is a sinner against a just man. And so should you consider all the works of the Most High: two and two, and one against anotherAnd I awakened at the very end, and I was like one who gathers grapes after the grape-gatherersI, too, have hoped in the blessing of God. And I have filled the winepress like one who gathers grapesConsider how I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who are seeking disciplineListen to me, you great ones, with all the peoples. And incline your ears, you rulers of the ChurchYou should not give authority over yourself to a son or wife, to a brother or friend, in your life. And you should not give your estate to another, lest perhaps you may regret it, and then you would be begging for the sameWhile you are still living and breathing, let no one among all flesh change youFor it is better if your children petition you, than if you look toward the hands of your childrenIn all your works, be pre-eminentYou should not allow a blemish upon your glory. On the day of the consummation of the days of your life, at the time of your passing, distribute your inheritanceFodder and a rod and a burden are for a donkey; bread and discipline and work are for a servantHe works under discipline, and he seeks rest. Allow his hands to be idle, and he seeks libertyThe yoke and the strap bend a stiff neck, and continual labors bend a servantTorture and chains are for a malevolent servant; send him to work, so that he may not be idleFor idleness has taught much evilAppoint him to a task. For this is fitting for him. And if he will not be obedient, bend him with chains. But you should do no more than any flesh can bear. Truly, you should do nothing grievous without judgmentIf you have a faithful servant, let him be to you like your own soul. Treat him like a brother. For you have obtained him by the blood of your soulIf you harm him unjustly, he will turn away and fleeAnd then, when he lifts himself up and departs, you will not know whom to ask, or in what way to seek him
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