Sirach 4
One should treat the poor with kindness and respect, not turning away from those in need or delaying aid. In contrast, one should be merciful and humble, especially towards the orphan and the widow. Wisdom is a guiding force that brings life and protection to those who seek her, and those who love her will inherit life and be blessed by God. One should also be truthful and honest, not ashamed to speak the truth or confess sins, and should strive for justice even in the face of adversity.
1Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man2You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need3You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay an offer to someone in anguish4You should not make requests of one who is greatly troubled, and you should not avert your face from the indigent5You should not avert your eyes from the needy out of anger. And you should not abandon those who seek help from you, so that they speak curses behind your back6For the pleadings of him who speaks curses of you, in the bitterness of his soul, will be heeded. For the One who made him will heed him7Make yourself a friend to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul before an elder, and humble your head before the great8Turn your ear without sadness toward the poor, and repay your debt, and respond to him peacefully in meekness9Free him who suffers injury at the hand of the arrogant, and do not carry animosity in your soul10In judging, be merciful to the orphan, like a father, and be merciful to their mother, like a husband11And then you shall be like an obedient son of the Most High, and he will take pity on you more than a mother would12Wisdom breathes life into her sons, and she lifts up those who are seeking her, and she will precede them in the way of justice13And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights14Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless15Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom16He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure17If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed18For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning19She will lead fear and dread and trials over him, and she will crucify him with the tribulation of her doctrine, until she has tested him in his thoughts and she can trust in his soul20And then she will strengthen him, and lead him along a straight path, and rejoice in him21And she will disclose her secrets to him, and she will store up treasure, of the knowledge and understanding of justice, in him22But if he has wandered astray, she will leave him behind, and she will deliver him into the hands of his enemy23Son, be continually observant, and keep away from evil24For the sake of your soul, you should not be ashamed to speak the truth25For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace26You should not accept a face contrary to your own face, nor should you accept a lie contrary to your own soul27You should not enjoy the fall of your neighbor28Neither should you withhold words at an opportunity for salvation. You should not conceal your wisdom in her beauty29For wisdom is discerned within speech. And understanding and knowledge and doctrine are discerned in the words of those who understand and by their steadfastness in the works of justice30You should not contradict a word of truth in any way. Otherwise, by a falsehood born of ignorance, you will be confounded31You should not be ashamed to confess your sins, but do not subject yourself to any man because of sin32Do not choose to stand against the face of the powerful, for you should not strive against the current of the river33Suffer for justice, on behalf of your soul, and struggle, even unto death, on behalf of justice, and God will fight against your enemies on your behalf34Do not choose to be quick with your words, nor unproductive or neglectful in your works35Do not choose to be like a lion in your house, distressing those of your household, and oppressing those who are subject to you36Do not let your hand be open when receiving, but closed when giving
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