Ecclesiasticus 5

1 Set not thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, ¹I have enough for my life.

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

3 And say not, ²Who shall control me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.

4 Say not, I have sinned, ³and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is long-suffering, he will in no wise let thee go.

5 Concerning propitiation, ⁴be not without fear to add sin unto sin:

6 And say not, His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: ⁵for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners.

7 Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: ⁶for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.

8 ⁷Set not thy heart upon goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.

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

10 ⁸Be steadfast in thine understanding; and let thy word be the same.

11 ⁹Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere; and with patience give answer.

12 If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; if not, ^*lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

13 Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.

14 Be 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.

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