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1No evil will befall the one who fears the Lord,[#Prov 12.21; 2 Pet 2.9]
but in trials such a one will be rescued again and again.
2The wise will not hate the law,[#Sir 32.15]
but the one who is hypocritical about it is like a boat in a storm.
3The sensible person will trust in the law,[#Ex 28.30; Sir 45.10; #33.3 Heb a word]
for such a one the law is as dependable as a divine oracle.
4Prepare what to say, and then you will be listened to;
draw upon your training and give your answer.
5The heart of a fool is like a cart wheel[#Sir 21.14; 27.11]
and his thoughts like a turning axle.
6A mocking friend is like a stallion
that neighs no matter who the rider is.
7Why is one day more important than another,[#Rom 14.5]
when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?
8By the Lord’s wisdom they were distinguished,[#Ex 12.14; 20.8; 23.14; Lev 23.44]
and he appointed the different seasons and festivals.
9Some days he exalted and hallowed,[#Gen 2.3; Ex 20.11]
and some he made ordinary days.
10All humans come from the ground,[#Gen 1.27; 2.7; Wis 7.1]
and humankind was created out of the dust.
11In the fullness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them[#Deut 32.8; Acts 17.26]
and appointed their different ways.
12Some he blessed and exalted,[#Num 8.14; 16.9]
and some he made holy and brought near to himself,
but some he cursed and brought low
and turned them out of their place.
13Like clay in the hand of the potter,[#Wis 15.7]
to be molded as he pleases,
so are humans in the hand of their Maker,
to be given whatever he decides.
14Good is the opposite of evil[#Isa 45.7]
and life the opposite of death;
so the sinner is the opposite of the godly.
15Look at all the works of the Most High;[#Sir 42.24]
they come in pairs, one the opposite of the other.
16Now I was the last to keep vigil;[#Isa 24.13; 2 Esd 12.42; Mt 21.33]
I was like a gleaner following the grape-pickers;
17by the blessing of the Lord I arrived first,[#Isa 5.2; 63.3]
and like a grape-picker I filled my winepress.
18Consider that I have not labored for myself alone[#Sir 24.34]
but for all who seek instruction.
19Hear me, you who are great among the people,
and you leaders of the congregation, pay heed!
20To son or wife, to brother or friend,
do not give power over yourself, as long as you live,
and do not give your property to another,
in case you change your mind and must ask for it.
21While you are still alive and have breath in you,
do not let anyone take your place.
22For it is better that your children should ask from you
than that you should look to the hand of your children.
23Excel in all that you do;
bring no stain upon your honor.
24At the time when you end the days of your life,[#2 Kings 20.1]
in the hour of death, distribute your inheritance.
25Fodder and a stick and burdens for a donkey;[#Prov 26.3; #33.25 Some ancient authorities add the title Concerning Slaves]
bread and discipline and work for a slave.
26Set your slaves to work, and you will find rest;[#33.26 Heb: Gk Work with instruction]
leave their hands idle, and they will seek liberty.
27Yoke and strap will bow the neck,[#Sir 42.5]
and for wicked slaves there are racks and tortures.
28Put them to work in order that they may not be idle,
29for idleness teaches much evil.[#Ezek 16.49; 2 Thess 3.11]
30Set them to work as is fitting for them,[#Lev 25.43; Prov 29.19]
and if they do not obey make their fetters heavy.
Do not be overbearing toward anyone,
and do nothing without deliberation.
31If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself,[#Sir 7.20; Eph 6.9; Col 4.1]
because you have bought him with blood.
If you have but one slave, treat him like a brother,
for you will need him as you need your life.
32If you ill-treat him and he leaves you and runs away,
33which way will you go to seek him?