Sirach · Updated Brenton English Septuagint
Sirach 31 Updated Brenton English Septuagint
Notes on this text (1)
- Same Septuagint text as Brenton, with modernised spelling.
1 The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: And dreams lift up fools.
1 Wakefulness that comes from riches consumes the flesh, and anxiety about it takes away sleep.
2 Whoso regardeth dreams Is like him that catcheth at a shadow, And followeth after the wind.
2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber. In a severe disease, sleep will be broken.
3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, Even as the likeness of a face to a face.
3 A rich man toils in gathering money together. When he rests, he is filled with his good things.
4 Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? And from that thing which is false what truth can come?
4 A poor man toils in lack of substance. When he rests, he becomes needy.
5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: And the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail.
5 He who loves gold won’t be justified. He who follows destruction will himself have his fill of it.
6 If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, Set not thy heart upon them.
6 Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold. Their destruction meets them face to face.
7 For dreams have deceived many, And they have failed that put their trust in them.
7 It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. Every fool will be taken by it.
8 The law shall be found perfect without lies: And wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
8 Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless, and who doesn’t go after gold.
9 A man that hath traveled knoweth many things: And he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.
9 Who is he, that we may call him blessed? For he has done wonderful things among his people.
10 He that hath no experience knoweth little: But he that hath traveled is full of prudence.
10 Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him boast. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it?
11 When I traveled, I saw many things; And I understand more than I can express.
11 His prosperity will be made sure. The congregation will proclaim his alms.
12 I was oftentimes in danger of death: Yet I was delivered because of these things.
12 Do you sit at a great table? Don’t be greedy there. Don’t say, “There is a lot of food on it!”
13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; For their hope is in him that saveth them.
13 Remember that a greedy eye is a wicked thing. What has been created more greedy than an eye? Therefore it sheds tears from every face.
14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear Nor be afraid; for he is his hope.
14 Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish.
15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: To whom doth he look? And who is his strength?
15 Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point.
16 For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, He is their mighty protection and strong stay, A defense from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling;
16 Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hated.
17 He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: He giveth health, life, and blessing.
17 Be first to stop for manners’ sake. Don’t be insatiable, lest you offend.
18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; And the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.
18 And if you sit among many, Don’t reach out your hand before them.
19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; Neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.
19 How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little. He doesn’t breathe heavily in his bed.
20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor Doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.
20 Healthy sleep comes from moderate eating. He rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of wakefulness, colic, and griping are with an insatiable man.
21 The bread of the needy is their life: He that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.
21 And if you have been forced to eat, rise up in the middle of it, and you shall have rest.
22 He that taketh away his neighbor’s living slayeth him; And he that defraudeth the laborer his hire is a bloodshedder.
22 Hear me, my son, and don’t despise me, and in the end you will appreciate my words. In all your works be skillful, and no disease will come to you.
23 When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, What profit have they then but labor?
23 People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed.
24 When one prayeth, and another curseth, Whose voice will the Lord hear?
24 The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate.
25 He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, What availeth his washing?
25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, And goeth again, and doeth the same: Who will hear his prayer? Or what doth his humbling profit him?
26 The furnace tests the temper of steel by dipping; so does wine test hearts in the quarreling of the proud. 27 Wine is as good as life to men, if you drink it in moderation. What life is there to a man who is without wine? It has been created to make men glad. 28 Wine drunk in season and in moderation is joy of heart and gladness of soul: 29 Wine drunk excessively is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict. 30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds. 31 Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him.