Sirach · Revised Version with Apocrypha
Sirach 34 Revised Version with Apocrypha
Sirach is not in RV1909.
1 Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding; And dreams give wings to fools.
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2 As one that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind, So is he that setteth his mind on dreams.
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3 The vision of dreams is [as ] this thing against that, The likeness of a face over against a face.
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4 Of an unclean thing what shall be cleansed? And of that which is false what shall be true?
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5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: And the heart fancieth, as a woman’s in travail.
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6 If they be not sent from the Most High in [thy ] visitation, Give not thy heart unto them.
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7 For dreams have led many astray: And they have failed by putting their hope in them.
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8 Without lying shall the law be accomplished; And wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
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9 A well-instructed man knoweth many things; And he that hath much experience will declare understanding.
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10 He that hath no experience knoweth few things: But he that hath wandered shall increase [his ] skill.
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11 In my wandering I have seen many things; And more than my words is my understanding.
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12 Ofttimes was I in danger even unto death; And I was preserved because of these things.
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13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; For their hope is upon him that saveth them.
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14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not be afraid, and shall not play the coward; For he is his hope.
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15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: To whom doth he give heed? and who is his stay?
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16 The eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, A mighty protection and strong stay, A cover from the hot blast, and a cover from the noonday, A guard from stumbling, and a succour from falling.
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17 He raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes: He giveth healing, life, and blessing.
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18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery; And the mockeries of wicked men are not well-pleasing.
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19 The Most High hath no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly; Neither is he pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices.
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20 [As ] one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes Is he that bringeth a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.
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21 The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood.
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22 [As ] one that slayeth his neighbour is he that taketh away his living; And [as ] a shedder of blood is he that depriveth a hireling of his hire.
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23 One building, and another pulling down, What profit have they had but toil?
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24 One praying, and another cursing, Whose voice will the Lord listen to?
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25 He that washeth himself after [touching ] a dead body, and toucheth it again, What profit hath he in his washing?
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26 Even so a man fasting for his sins, And going again, and doing the same; Who will listen to his prayer? And what profit hath he in his humiliation?
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