Sirach 42
One should not repeat gossip or accept someone's reputation without verifying it, and should not be swayed by corruption or injustice. A father should be vigilant in raising his daughter, keeping a close watch on her to prevent her from bringing shame or disgrace. The Lord's works are full of glory and wisdom, and he comprehends all knowledge, examining the hearts of men and revealing hidden things. All of the Lord's works are good and exist to fulfill his purposes, and they all obey him.
You 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 thingsin the law of the Most High and his covenant, or by giving a judgment to justify the impiousin a word among companions and fellow travelers, or by distributing the inheritance of friendsin the fairness of scales and weights, or in acquiring much or littleby the corruption of buying and negotiating, or in the ample discipline of children, or in causing the side of a wicked servant to bleedA seal is good over a wicked wifeWhere there are many hands, seal and deliver all things by number and weight; and truly, give and receive everything in writingYou 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 livingThe 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 hatefulIn 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 barrenKeep 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 peopleShe 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 womenFor a moth goes forth from garments, and iniquity over a man goes forth from a womanYet iniquity over a man is better for her than if a married woman, seeking to benefit her, instead leads her into confusion and disgraceAnd 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 worksThe sun illuminates and considers all things, and its work shows the fullness of the glory of the LordHas not the Lord caused the holy ones to describe all his miracles, which the all-powerful Lord has firmly established in his gloryHe has examined the abyss and the hearts of men. And he has considered their astutenessFor 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 thingsNo thought passes by him unnoticed, and no word can conceal itself from himHe has adorned the magnificent works of his wisdom. He is before eternity and even unto eternity. And nothing can be addedand nothing can be taken away. And he has no need of any counselorO how desirable are all his works! And all that we consider is but a sparkAll these works exist, and they remain in the present age, and they all obey him in every purposeAll things are two-fold, one facing another, and he has not made anything to be lackingHe has confirmed each thing as good. And who would tire of beholding his glory
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