Ecclesiasticus 5

Presuming on God's Mercy

¹Set not thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my life.[#Luke 12.15,19.]

²Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways of thy heart:

³and say not, Who shall control me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.

⁴Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let thee go.[#Rom 2.3,4.]

⁵Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin:

⁶and 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.

⁷Make 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.[#1 Thes 5.3.]

Honesty in Deed and Word

⁸Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten; for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.[#Prov 10.2; 11.4; Ezek 7.19.]

⁹Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.

¹⁰Be steadfast in thy understanding; and let thy word be the same.

¹¹Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere; and with patience give answer.[#Jas 1.19.]

¹²If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbor; if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.[#Job 21.5; 29.9; 40.4; Wis 8.12.]

¹³Honor and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.[#Prov 18.21; Jas 3.9,10.]

¹⁴Be 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.

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