Sirach 8

¹Strive not with a mighty man, lest thou fall into his hands.

²Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.

³Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

⁴Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.

⁵Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.

⁶Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.

⁷Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.

⁸Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.

⁹Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.

¹⁰Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.

¹¹Rise not up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words

¹²Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.

¹³Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.

¹⁴Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.

¹⁵Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.

¹⁶Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.

¹⁷Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.

¹⁸Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.

¹⁹Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.

Sirach 8

¹Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands.

²Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee.

³For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.

⁴Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.

⁵Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family.

⁶Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.

⁷Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old.

⁸Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.

⁹Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.

¹⁰For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.

¹¹Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers:

¹²For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.

¹³Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.

¹⁴Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.

¹⁵Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost.

¹⁶Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it.

¹⁷Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just.

¹⁸Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.

¹⁹Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.

²⁰Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them.

²¹Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.

²²Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee.