Sirach 42
42
1if you repeat rumors
or tell someone's secret.
If someone catches you
doing any of these things,
show how ashamed you are,
then others will forgive you.
When Not To Be Ashamed
Don't ever be ashamed
to do what is right,
even if others don't approve.
2For example, don't be ashamed
if you obey the Law
of God Most High;
or if a godless person
is on trial,
and you vote “innocent”
because you believe it's true;
3if you pay your fair share
of the expenses for business
or travel;
if you divide up an inheritance
among all those
who deserve a share;
4if you have accurate scales
for weighing what you buy
and sell;
if you buy much or little,
5or if you make a profit
on what you sell;
if you punish your children
when they need it;
if your slaves do wrong,
and you whip them
until they bleed.
Some Good Advice
6Husbands, if your wife
cannot be trusted,
or if a lot of visitors
will be in your home,
lock up everything of value.
7If you leave valuable items
with someone for safekeeping,
be sure to get a receipt,
and keep records of everything
you give or receive.
8Do not be embarrassed
to correct stupid fools
or even an older person
who is being immoral.
If you follow my advice,
others will honor you
for the lessons of wisdom
you have learned.
Advice to Fathers about Daughters
9 #
Si 7.24,25; 26.10-12. I know that secretly you fathers
worry about your daughters
and lose sleep, while questions
trouble your minds.
Will she find a husband?
Will he love her, 10and will she
be faithful to him?
Will she get pregnant
before she gets married
and leaves your home?
Or will she be able
to have children?
11If your daughter
always wants her own way,
watch her closely,
or she may embarrass you.
Your enemies will laugh,
and everyone in town
will talk about it.
Don't let her bedroom window
look down on the front door,
and a room without a window
is even better.#42.11 Don't let her bedroom … better: Hebrew; the Greek text does not have these words.
12Don't let men see her beauty,
and keep her away
from married women,
13because evil comes from women
as fast as moths that fly
from wool clothing.
14Women are the cause
of so much disgrace,
that the wrong things men do
are better than the good
done by women.
The Lord's Creation
15Now let me tell you
what the Lord has done;
this is what I have seen.
When he gives a command,
things begin to happen,
and his creatures obey.#42.15 and his creatures obey: Hebrew; the Greek text does not have these words.
16When the sun starts shining,
God's glory can be seen
in all the earth.
17Even his angels cannot explain
everything he has done,
because he wants all creation
to show how great he is.
18God knows everything—
from the unseen world
of the ocean floor,
to the secret thoughts
deep in our hearts,
to those things that change
from one age to the next.
19God explains the past to us
and tells what lies ahead;
he even shows us clues
to the mysteries of creation.
20Each thought and word
are known to him.
21The laws of nature
show his great wisdom.
God has never changed
and never will;
he has no need of advice.
22Look at his creation—
it sparkles with beauty,
23and year after year, each part
fulfills its purpose.
24Every part has an opposite,
and together,
they make creation complete,
25each one contributing
something good to the other.
Who could ever see enough
of such majestic beauty?
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Sirach 42: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.