Open English Translation SIR Chapter 5

5 Don’t set your heart on your goods.

Don’t say, “They’re sufficient for me.”

2 Don’t follow your own mind and your strength

to walk in the desires of your heart.

3 Don’t say, “Who’ll have dominion over me?”

for the master will surely take vengeance on you.

4 Don’t say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?”

for the master is patient.

5 Don’t be so confident of atonement

that you add sin on sins.

6 Don’t say, “His compassion is great.

He’ll be pacified for the multitude of my sins,”

for mercy and anger are with him,

and his indignation will rest on sinners.

7 Don’t wait to turn to the master.

Don’t put off from day to day;

for suddenly the master’s anger will come on you,

and you’ll perish in the time of vengeance.

8 Don’t set your heart on unrighteous gains,

for you’ll profit nothing in the day of calamity.

9 Don’t winnow with every wind.

Don’t walk in every path.

This is what the sinner who has a double tongue does.

10 Be steadfast in your understanding.

Let your speech be consistent.

11 Be swift to hear

and answer with patience.

12 If you have understanding, answer your neighbour;

but if not, put your hand over your mouth.

13 Glory and dishonour is in talk.

A man’s tongue may be his downfall.

14 Don’t be called a whisperer.

Don’t lie in wait with your tongue;

for shame is on the thief,

and an evil condemnation is on him who has a double tongue.

15 Don’t be ignorant in a great or small matter.