Sirach 5

Precepts for Everyday Living

1Do not rely on your wealth

or say, “I have enough.”*

2Do not follow your inclination and strength

in pursuing the desires of your heart.*

3Do not say, “Who can have power over me?”

for the Lord will surely punish you.*

4Do not say, “I sinned, yet what has happened to me?”

for the Lord is slow to anger.*

5Do not be so confident of forgivenesse

that you add sin to sins.*

6Do not say, “His mercy is great;

he will forgivef the multitude of my sins,”

for both mercy and wrath are with him,

and his anger will rest on sinners.*

7Do not delay to turn back to the Lord,

and do not postpone it from day to day,

for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come forth,

and at the time of punishment you will perish.*

8Do not rely on dishonest wealth,

for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity.*

9Do not winnow in every wind

or follow every path.g

10Stand firm in what you know,

and let your speech be consistent.

11Be quick to hear,

and utter a reply patiently.*

12If you understand, answer your neighbor,

but if not, put your hand over your mouth.*

13Honor and dishonor come from speaking,

and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall.*

14Do not be called double-tonguedh

and do not lay traps with your tongue,

for shame comes to the thief

and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.*

15In great and small matters cause no harm,i