Sirach
As found in the Greek Septuagint
GNB
Chapter 14
Be Careful in Choosing Friends (continued from chapters 11)
Sirach 14:1 If a person never says anything carelessly, he is to be congratulated; he doesn't need to feel guilty.
Sirach 14:2 If a person has a clear conscience and never gives up hope, he is certainly to be congratulated!
Sirach 14:3 It isn't right for someone who is selfish to be rich. What use is money to a stingy person?
Sirach 14:4 If you deny yourself in order to accumulate wealth, you are only accumulating it for someone else. Others will use your riches to live in luxury.
Sirach 14:5 How can you be generous with others if you are stingy with yourself, if you are not willing to enjoy your own wealth?
Sirach 14:6 No one is worse off than someone who is stingy with himself; it is a sin that brings its own punishment.
Sirach 14:7 When such a person does something good, it is only by accident; his selfishness will sooner or later be evident.
Sirach 14:8 A selfish person is evil; he turns his back on people's needs
Sirach 14:9 and is never satisfied with what he has. Greed will shrivel up a person's soul.
Sirach 14:10 Some people are too stingy to put bread on their own table.
Sirach 14:11 My child, treat yourself as well as you can, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.
Sirach 14:12 Remember that death is coming for you some day, and you haven't been told when that will be.
Sirach 14:13 Before that day comes, be kind to your friends; be as generous as you can.
Sirach 14:14 Don't deny yourself a single day's happiness. If there is something you want to do and it is lawful, go ahead!
Sirach 14:15 Some day all that you have worked for will be divided up and given to others.
Sirach 14:16 So be generous; but also be willing to receive from others. Enjoy yourself, for you will not find any pleasures in the world of the dead.
Sirach 14:17 The human body wears out like a piece of clothing. The ancient law decrees that we must die.
Sirach 14:18 Human beings are like leaves on a spreading tree. New growth takes the place of the fallen leaves; while some of us die, others are being born.
Sirach 14:19 Everything made by human hands will decay and perish, along with the person who made it.
The Happiness of Having Wisdom
Sirach 14:20 It is a happy person who is concerned with Wisdom and who uses good sense.
Sirach 14:21 Anyone who studies the ways of Wisdom will also learn her secrets.
Sirach 14:22 Go after Wisdom like a hunter looking for game.
Sirach 14:23 Look into her windows and listen at her doors.
Sirach 14:24 Camp as close to her house as you can get,
Sirach 14:25 and you will have a fine place to live.
Sirach 14:26-27 Build your home there, safe beneath her protecting branches, and shaded from the heat.