Sirach 8 — WEBU
8Verse 1Don’t contend with a mighty man,lest perhaps you fall into his hands.Verse 2Don’t strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpower you;for gold has destroyed many,
and turned away the hearts of kings.Verse 3Don’t argue with a loudmouthed man.Don’t heap wood upon his fire.Verse 4Don’t make fun of a rude man,lest your ancestors be dishonored.Verse 5Don’t reproach a man when he turns from sin.Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.Verse 6Don’t dishonor a man in his old age,for some of us are also growing old.Verse 7Don’t rejoice over anyone’s death.Remember that we all die.Verse 8Don’t neglect the discourse of the wise.Be conversant with their proverbs;
for from them you will learn discipline
and how to serve great men.Verse 9Don’t miss the discourse of the aged,for they also learned from their parents,
because from them you will learn understanding,
and to give an answer in time of need.Verse 10Don’t kindle the coals of a sinner,lest you be burned with the flame of his fire.Verse 11Don’t rise up from the presence of an insolent man,lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth.Verse 12Don’t lend to a man who is stronger than you;and if you lend, count it as a loss.Verse 13Don’t be surety beyond your means.If you give surety, think as one who will have to pay.Verse 14Don’t go to law with a judge;for according to his honor they will give judgment for him.Verse 15Don’t travel with a reckless man,lest he be burdensome to you;
for he will do as he pleases,
and you will perish with his folly.Verse 16Don’t fight with a wrathful man.Don’t travel with him through the desert,
for blood is as nothing in his sight.
Where there is no help, he will overthrow you.Verse 17Don’t consult with a fool,for he will not be able to keep a secret.Verse 18Do no secret thing before a stranger,for you don’t know what it will cause.Verse 19Don’t open your heart to every man.Don’t let him return you a favor.
and turned away the hearts of kings.Verse 3Don’t argue with a loudmouthed man.Don’t heap wood upon his fire.Verse 4Don’t make fun of a rude man,lest your ancestors be dishonored.Verse 5Don’t reproach a man when he turns from sin.Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.Verse 6Don’t dishonor a man in his old age,for some of us are also growing old.Verse 7Don’t rejoice over anyone’s death.Remember that we all die.Verse 8Don’t neglect the discourse of the wise.Be conversant with their proverbs;
for from them you will learn discipline
and how to serve great men.Verse 9Don’t miss the discourse of the aged,for they also learned from their parents,
because from them you will learn understanding,
and to give an answer in time of need.Verse 10Don’t kindle the coals of a sinner,lest you be burned with the flame of his fire.Verse 11Don’t rise up from the presence of an insolent man,lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth.Verse 12Don’t lend to a man who is stronger than you;and if you lend, count it as a loss.Verse 13Don’t be surety beyond your means.If you give surety, think as one who will have to pay.Verse 14Don’t go to law with a judge;for according to his honor they will give judgment for him.Verse 15Don’t travel with a reckless man,lest he be burdensome to you;
for he will do as he pleases,
and you will perish with his folly.Verse 16Don’t fight with a wrathful man.Don’t travel with him through the desert,
for blood is as nothing in his sight.
Where there is no help, he will overthrow you.Verse 17Don’t consult with a fool,for he will not be able to keep a secret.Verse 18Do no secret thing before a stranger,for you don’t know what it will cause.Verse 19Don’t open your heart to every man.Don’t let him return you a favor.