Open English Translation SIR Chapter 7

7 Do no evil,

so no evil will overtake you.

2 Depart from wrong,

and it’ll turn away from you.

3 My son, don’t sow on the furrows of unrighteousness,

and you won’t harvest them sevenfold.

4 Don’t seek preeminence from the master,

nor the seat of honour from the king.

5 Don’t justify yourself in the presence of the master,

and don’t display your wisdom before the king.

6 Don’t seek to be a judge,

in case you can’t put an end to wrongdoing,

in case you’re intimidated by a powerful person,

and lay a stumbling block in the way of your uprightness.

7 Don’t sin against the multitude of the city.

Don’t disgrace yourself in the crowd.

8 Don’t commit a sin twice,

for even in one you won’t be unpunished.

9 Don’t say, “He’ll look on the multitude of my gifts.

When I make an offering to the Most High God, he’ll accept it.”

10 Don’t be faint-hearted in your prayer.

Don’t neglect to give to the poor.

11 Don’t laugh a man to scorn when he’s in the bitterness of his soul,

for there’s one who humbles and exalts.

12 Don’t devise[fn] a lie against your brother,

or do the same to a friend.

13 Refuse to utter a lie,

for that habit results in no good.

14 Don’t babble in the assembly of elders.

Don’t repeat your words in your prayer.

15 Don’t hate hard labour

or farm work, which the Most High has created.

16 Don’t number yourself among the multitude of sinners.

Remember that anger won’t wait.

17 Humble your soul greatly,

for the punishment of the ungodly man is fire and the worm.

18 Don’t exchange a friend for something,

neither a true brother for the gold of Ofir.

19 Don’t deprive yourself of a wise and good wife,

for her grace is worth more than gold.

20 Don’t abuse a servant who works faithfully,

or a hireling who gives you his life.

21 Let your soul love a wise servant.

Don’t defraud him of liberty.

22 Do you have cattle? Look after them.

If they’re profitable to you, let them stay by you.

23 Do you have children? Correct them,

and make them obedient from their youth.

24 Do you have daughters? Take care of their bodies,

and don’t be overly indulgent towards them.

25 Give your daughter in marriage, and you’ll have accomplished a great matter.

Give her to a man of understanding.

26 Do you have a wife who pleases you? Don’t throw her out.

But don’t trust yourself to one who’s hateful.[fn]

27 Honour your father with your whole heart,

and don’t forget the birth pangs of your mother.

28 Remember that you were born of them.

What’ll you repay them for the things that they’ve done for you?

29 Fear the master with all your soul;

and revere his priests.

30 With all your strength love him who made you.

Don’t forsake his ministers.

31 Fear the master and honour the priest.

Give him his portion, even as it’s commanded you:

the first fruits, the trespass offering, the gift of the shoulders,

the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of holy things.

32 Also stretch out your hand to the poor man,

that your blessing may be complete.

33 A gift has grace in the sight of every living man.

Don’t withhold grace for a dead man.

34 Don’t avoid those who weep,

and mourn with those who mourn.

35 Don’t be slow to visit a sick man,

for by such things you’ll gain love.

36 In all your words, remember eternity,

and you’ll never sin.