Sirach 34
False visions and dreams are empty and misleading, and those who rely on them will be led astray. Only divine revelations are trustworthy, and the word of the law will be fulfilled without deception. Experience and wisdom come from being tested and learning from mistakes, and those who fear God will be blessed and protected by His providence. The Lord does not accept offerings from the wicked or those who exploit the poor, and true righteousness is not achieved through empty rituals or hypocrisy.
The hopes of a senseless man are empty and false; and dreams extol the imprudentLike one who chases a shadow and pursues the wind, so also is one who pays attention to lying visionsIn the vision of dreams, one thing represents another, as when a mask is before the face of a manWhat can be cleansed by the unclean? And what truth can be spoken from a lieErroneous divinations and false signs and the dreams of evildoers are emptinessFor your heart suffers from imagination, like a woman suffering in childbirth. Unless it is a visitation sent from the Most High, you should not set your heart upon itFor dreams have caused many to go astray, and those who have hoped in them have fallen awayThe word of the law will be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom will be made plain in the mouths of the faithfulHe who has not been tested, what does he know? A man with much experience will consider many things. And whoever has learned much will explain with understandingHe who has no experience knows little. And he who has done many things has made many mistakesHe who has not been tested, what kind of things can he know? He who has been deceived will be more cunningI have seen much by wandering, and the customs of many thingsAt times, I have even been in danger of death because of these things, but I was freed by the grace of GodThe spirit of those who fear God is sought, and they will be blessed by his providenceFor their hope is in him who saves them, and the eyes of God are on those who love himThose who fear the Lord will tremble at nothing, and they will not be terrified. For he is their hopeThe soul of him who fears the Lord is blessedTo whom should he look, and who is his strengthThe eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him. He is a powerful Protector, a Firmament of virtue, a Shelter from the heat, and a Covering from the midday suna Guardian from offenses, and a Helper from falling, who exalts the soul and illuminates the eyes, and who gives health and life and blessingAn immolation from iniquity is a stained oblation, and the derisions of the unjust are not well pleasingThe Lord is only for those who persevere for him in the way of truth and justiceThe Most High does not approve of the gifts of the iniquitous. Neither does he have respect for the oblations of the unjust; neither will he forgive their sins because of the multitude of their sacrificesWhoever offers a sacrifice from the substance of the poor is like one who sacrifices the son in the sight of his fatherThe bread of the indigent is the life of the poor. Whoever cheats them out of it is a man of bloodWhoever takes away the bread of sweat is like one who kills his neighborHe who sheds blood, and he who cheats the hired hand out of his wages, are brothersWhen one builds and another destroys, what benefit do they have from their laborWhen one prays and another curses, whose voice will God heedHe who washes himself after touching the dead, and then touches him again, what was the benefit of his washingSimilarly, a man who fasts for his sins, and then does the same again, what was the benefit of his humbling himself? Who will heed his prayer
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