Ecclesiasticus 5

1 Set not thy heart upon thy goods:

And say not, I have enough for my life.

2 Follow not thine own mind and thy strength,

To walk in the ways of thy heart:

3 And say not, Who shall controul me for my works?

For the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.

4 Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me?

For the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let thee go.

5 Concerning propitiation, be not without fear

To add sin unto sin:

6 And say not, His mercy is great;

He will be pacified for the multitude of my sins:

For mercy and wrath come from him,

And his indignation resteth upon sinners.

7 Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord,

And put not off from day to day:

For suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth,

And in thy security thou shalt be destroyed,

And perish in the day of vengeance.

8 Set not thy heart upon goods unjustly gotten;

For they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.

9 Winnow not with every wind,

And go not into every way:

For so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.

10 Be stedfast in thy understanding;

And let thy word be the same.

11 Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere;

And with patience give answer.

12 If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour;

If not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

13 Honour and shame is in talk;

And the tongue of man is his fall.

14 Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue:

For a foul shame is upon the thief,

And an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.

15 Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a small.