The Holy Bible
« Chapter 7 «--- Sirach ---» Chapter 9»
Sirach 8 : 1 - 22
Chapter 8
| 1 | Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands.
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| 2 | Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee.
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| 3 | For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.
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| 4 | Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.
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| 5 | Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family.
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| 6 | Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.
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| 7 | Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old.
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| 8 | Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.
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| 9 | Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.
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| 10 | For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.
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| 11 | Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers:
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| 12 | For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.
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| 13 | Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.
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| 14 | Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.
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| 15 | Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost.
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| 16 | Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it.
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| 17 | Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just.
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| 18 | Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.
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| 19 | Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.
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| 20 | Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them.
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| 21 | Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
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| 22 | Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee.
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Acknowledgement
Opening page